Page 28 of The Purrfect Rival (Enchanted Falls #1)

TWENTY-EIGHT

T he afternoon passed in a whirlwind of activity. Her mother and father returned home, with Kalyna in tow, to prepare for the evening. Winston commandeered the kitchen, stirring his venison stew with the focus of an alchemist. Marisol rearranged furniture to “optimize conversational flow,” while Echo alternated between sulking and creating minor magical inconveniences throughout the house.

After the third such prank, Kalyna cornered her brother in the study.

“Seriously? Rainbow glitter? What are you, twelve?”

Echo lounged in a window seat, surrounded by old photograph albums, one open on his lap. “Chronologically or emotionally?”

“Both,” Kalyna retorted, though her irritation softened at the vulnerability beneath his flippant tone. She settled beside him, glancing at the photographs. “Memory lane?”

Echo’s fingers traced an image of them during younger years—his first successful illusion floating between them while Kalyna beamed with pride.

“Remember when our biggest concern was getting caught stealing Old Man Bramwell’s apples?” she asked.

“We never stole them,” Echo corrected. “You always left payment.”

“Semantics.”

Echo closed the album. “What’s going on with you and the lion, Kal? Really?”

The childhood nickname caught her off guard. Kalyna sighed, tucking her legs beneath her. “Honestly? I’m not entirely sure. Our magic connected in a way I’ve never experienced before.”

“And?” Echo prompted.

“My fox recognizes something in him,” she admitted. “Like puzzle pieces fitting together.”

“Not ridiculous.” Echo’s expression grew serious. “Scary.”

“Scary how?”

“You’re different now. Your magic... it smells different. Feels different. Like fox-fire mixed with something hotter, more focused.”

Kalyna blinked in surprise. “You can sense that?”

“Of course, I can. I’m not as magically dense as Lysander thinks.”

“I never said you were,” Kalyna nudged his knee. “I’ve always thought you were more naturally gifted than me. You just lack discipline.”

“Whereas you’re all discipline.” Echo studied her. “Or at least, you were until Mayor Golden Eyes came along.”

“I’m still me, Echo.” Kalyna created a small fox-fire illusion—a miniature Echo pulling pranks on library patrons. “My magic might be evolving, but I’m still your irritating big sister.”

“You’re the twin-tailed prodigy,” Echo said quietly. “And now you’re part of some rare magical pairing with the most powerful lion in town. And now we’re missing some heirloom talisman thing that’s supposed to be important.”

“Where’d you hear about that?”

He looked away, hiding his face from her. “Everyone is talking about it. Why is it so important? And what does it have to do with you and your new friend ?”

Understanding bloomed. “You think I’m leaving you behind.”

“Aren’t you?” His voice cracked. “First the library took you away. Now the lion.”

Kalyna’s heart ached. She moved closer, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Echo, listen to me. You’re my brother. Nothing changes that—not my job, not my magic, not Rust, not anything.”

“You say that now.”

“I’ll say it always.” She rested her head against his. “Besides, who else would fill my purse with iridescent geckos?”

A reluctant smile tugged at Echo’s lips. “I bet the look on your face was priceless.”

“It took three scrubbing spells to get the lizard smell out of my bag,” Kalyna complained without heat. “But I admit, the execution was impressive. The color-shifting properties in particular.”

Echo brightened at the professional praise. “I modified the base illusion to interact with light particles differently depending on the angle.”

“See? That’s exactly why I could never leave you behind.” Kalyna squeezed his shoulders. “You push magical boundaries in ways I’d never think to try. We’re complementary, not competitive.”

“Like you and the lion?” Echo asked shrewdly.

Kalyna’s fox stirred at the comparison. “Possibly. But that’s still... developing.”

“Well,” Echo straightened, his usual mischievous demeanor returning. “If he hurts you, I’ll turn all his fancy suits into clown costumes.”

“That’s... creative.” Kalyna laughed.

“I’m serious,” Echo insisted. “No one messes with my sister except me.”