Mai reunited with her sister at lunchtime, and she was in a foul mood. She dropped her food and tried in a huff. Em looked up from her plate and grinned.

“You’ve made it on time,” Em said as Mai made her way breathlessly to the seat next to her sister.

“Yeah. I made it.”

“So, how was weapons training with the unc?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. But it was awful.”

“Great. Now I have a favor to ask of you,” Em said.

“Of course you do,” Mai said as she piled potatoes onto her plate.

“Hey, I’m coming to you because I recognize you are the best for this job.”

“What do you need?” Mai resigned, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to get out of it.

“I need you to go to the library with me.”

Mai stopped filling her plate, and she smiled.

“Am I dreaming?”

“Don’t get all weird and goofy on me. I don’t want to go alone and I have an assignment due for Mystical Arts Appreciation class.”

Mai tried to hide her excitement. “When do you want to go?”

“After breakfast so I can get it done.”

“Okay.” Mai could not stifle her smile.

“You are such a nerd.”

“I love you, too, sis.”