Adam

Sophia stared at me with a sparkle in her eyes, as if she thought I would have the perfect plan to offer. But I wasn’t any wiser than she was. My heart was still hammering in my chest. I hoped my stomach would feel lighter after I told her everything, but it still weighed me down. She didn’t react the way I thought she would. I expected anger, fury, an attack even, but nothing of that sort happened. I should feel relieved, but something inside me might have felt better if I had needed to face her anger because I deserved it. But I also rather have her as an ally than an enemy.

I cleared my throat. “I don’t have a plan yet. My first step was to get in contact with you. I honestly didn’t expect you to meet me.”

“I need any information I can get,” she said. “And I was curious why Samuel’s scholar would want to meet with me.”

“I wish I could be more helpful, but I still have to find out more. Maybe we could create a plan together. You could try to collect information on your side, too.”

She sighed. “I doubt I’m of much help. My community doesn’t really think highly of me, let alone want to help me.”

“Maybe you could try to get on their good side somehow too? Maybe the community, council, or anyone there would be more willing to share information with you then.”

She tilted her to the side, a frown on her face. “I can try to be more compliant. It would probably help if I get in touch with that tutor again that used to train me years ago.”

“Which tutor? Maybe I know them.”

“Carlos. My parents hired him when I was a child to get my magic under control, but we didn’t work out so well.”

I didn’t know a tutor with that name, and usually, tutors were well known. It’s hard to find someone to teach a child magic outside a mentor bond, too. Mostly because there weren’t so many of them, and they were usually already packed with clients, too.

“If it helps, I could help you with your magic, too,” I offered.

Her eyes lit up. “Are you sure? How would that work? Don’t you think Samuel would get suspicious?”

“I have one free day every week. We could meet here and get your magic a bit more polished.”

Her face fell as she pursed her lips. “Only once a week.”

“I’m sorry. One day is all I can offer.”

She smiled softly. “One day is better than no day. Maybe next week you already know more about my sister’s situation.”

I nodded. “Let’s meet here again next week. Same time. Do you think you’ll find your way here again?”

She smiled. “I’m sure I’ll manage.”

“I will see you next week then,” I said, standing up.

She got up as well, reaching out her hand to me, staring at me. I wasn’t sure what she wanted from me when she pulled my hands into hers, shaking hands. Her hand was a lot cooler than I expected it to be.

“It’s a deal,” she said, a broad grin spreading over her face.

“It’s a deal,” I said.

I couldn’t wait for next week to come. We only had to hope that nothing worse would happen until then and that she wouldn’t change her mind and be angry with me after all.