“Yes and no. Your magic isn’t dormant. It’s definitely there. The bad news. In order to use it, it needs to think you’re in immediate danger.”

“It?”

“Yes, magic is alive. Though not in the way you and I are. Part of training involves learning about how our magic works. In order to grow stronger, we must first understand the nature of the magic we wield.”

That was easy enough to understand. “Where did the ice come from?”

Asher gave a wry smile. “Your magic attacked me.”

“Oh.”

“Oh indeed. It’s a testament to how powerful you are. I turned twenty this year. My magic is very potent. I can see why the Council wants to steal your abilities.”

“I don’t feel any different.”

“That’s because your magic isn’t ready.”

“Wh—”

The cracking of ice tore through the room. Giant pieces splintered apart and shattered against the floor. The ice holding Asher in place melted into a puddle, freeing him from Coco. His arms dropped down to his sides. A content sigh whispered through his lips. He waved his hand once and the ice disappeared. The room returned back to its original state like nothing ever happened.

Coco stared in a daze. All that ice—gone.

A pleasant laugh filled her ears. “The first rule about magic is acknowledging that it is alive and has a will of its own. The only reason we can use it is because it lets us. We reach our height of power at the age of twenty. That’s typical for most sorcerers. It can vary based on the amount of training one does with their magic.”

“Don’t expect me to remember any of this.”

“I won’t.”

Coco laughed. It was refreshing to joke around for a moment. Traveling with Pulser, even the short distance from the tavern to the inn, had been stressful. “What were you saying about my magic?”

Asher reclaimed his chair. “It isn’t ready. When it’s time, it will show itself to you.”

She still didn’t get the whole concept behind magic. Perhaps, like her own magic, all she needed was time.

“That means when you train with the sorceress Pulser knows, you won’t produce any results. I don’t know what it’s waiting for. Magic usually has a reason for the things it does, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Stay vigilant of your surroundings and be mindful of the people you encounter.”

She wasn’t surprised he knew about their plans. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes. I can’t stay. If Pulser knew I was helping… It’s best he doesn’t.”

Panic consumed Coco. She didn’t want him to go. “Raen’s curse?”

“I didn’t have to do anything. Your magic took care of that when it attacked me.” There was a proud undertone to his voice.

“Can you…” She ran her hands through her hair, frustration evident in the jerky way she moved. “I don’t know how any of this works. Can you help me protect my brother? I’m worried about him.”

“I’ll do what I can. Pulser knows powerful sorcerers. Magic has its limits.”

She got caught in his fiery, consuming gaze. There was something about Asher that called her to him. He was handsome, but that’s not why she couldn’t look away. Something connected them together. That feeling grew the longer she looked into his eyes.

 “It’s getting late. Go out for a stroll. Open your ears to what people are saying. Eat inside the restaurant next door. It’s the fastest way to gather information while Pulser isn’t here.”

“Can I go with you?”

A complicated expression twisted Asher’s face. “Coco, as much as I’d love to take you with me, I can’t. The Council is watching me. They know I’m Pulser’s brother. And if he found you missing, he’d stop at nothing to find you. Now isn’t the time.”

An anger she hadn’t felt since her parents’ deaths surfaced. Coco did her best to suppress it. “How will I know when it’s time?”

A corner of his mouth pulled up in a smirk. “Magic.”

He disappeared without a trace, leaving Coco in a state of shock.

He was gone. Without warning.

She sat there a moment longer, doing her best to digest everything he told her. Taking a steadying breath, she drew out the sack of money and opened it. By her estimate, there were at least two hundred of the strange circles. They weren’t very big or thick.

“Right, a stick is twenty stone. The yellow are ten stone. And the orange pebbles are five stone. What happens if I get a different color?”

Deciding things couldn’t get worse, Coco entered her temporary bedroom and opened up the bag Pulser packed for her. Inside was clothing much more suitable for her surroundings. She took out a thick pair of black pants and paired it with a dark red sweater. A pair of sturdy black boots replaced her worn out tennis shoes.

She pulled her hair back in a low ponytail and wrapped her cloak tightly around herself. She made sure to pull the hood low over her face.

Coco was terrified of leaving the safety of the inn. Things could go south very fast if she wasn’t careful. But she knew getting information though eavesdropping on the streets or in restaurants was the better way to confirm the situation. Gritting her teeth, she opened the door and made her way downstairs. She was determined to learn something on her outing.