Page 50 of Solar Shadows

ISAAC

“Binding Net!” I cried, clapping out the magic.

A net appeared in my hands, shimmering with blue energy.

“Whoa,” I said, inspecting the wire, feeling both satin-like and metallic at once. A super weird sensation on my skin for sure.

“Now, fling it at me,” April instructed, hopping from foot to foot.

“Are you sure?”

“Isn’t this what we agreed?” she said.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I countered.

“You won’t. Come on.”

Being squeezed into unconsciousness and suppressing magic counted as hurting her to me.

I hesitated, a tad uncomfortable. The thing at breakfast had left me covered in shame. I hated myself for popping off like that, and because I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I did. If I accidentally hurtApril Bramble, it’d only make things worse in my head.

You’re overthinking this…

“Throw it, sir,” she commanded. “We need to test it.”

I straightened my spine. What was the point in me being here holding a net if I wasn’t going to throw it?

“Unless you want to wear it,” she added. “Some fashion-forward thing?”

I snorted and flung the net, my reservations dead in a second.

The moment the net hit her, it contracted, practically wrestling her to the floor. She deliberately struggled, allowing the wire to tighten around her.

“Careful it doesn’t cut you into pieces,” Alice warned, observing nearby.

Along with the Brambles, Ollie, Jake, and Drake joined us in the gym for training. Dean had left the mansion, having business to attend to. The witchcops escorted him off the grounds undercover. He’d told us he’d be in touch, eyes constantly darting to Jake. He would keep trying the Winter Palace for a response.

I wasn’t sure if Jake was sad or relieved to see him leave.

The Binding Net spell came with a whisper in my skull, connecting me to the net’s life, giving me the word to break it.

“Undo!” I said, clapping my hands. A puff of glittery blue dust followed, and the net vanished.

April got to her feet, crisscrossed indents on her face. Still awake.

“You good?” I asked, going over.

“Yes, sir. My bangle made a funny sound. Did you hear it?”

“No.”

She stretched her limbs. “Well, it did. But we need to see if it knocks me out.”

I passed a glowing hand over her face, the markings healing. “I’d rather you stay awake.”

“Careful with that,” she said. “Don’t want you passing out.”

I laughed. “It was just a little heal. I’m all good.”