Chapter 199: Ava: Magic

Magic, she whines pitifully, her eyes watering. So much magic. It's overwhelming.

I look from her to the book and back again, realization dawning.

Just what exactly did Mrs. Elkins give me?

Kneeling, I carefully pick the book back up, handling it with a new sense of reverence and caution. The symbol on the front seems to glint in the early morning light, almost as if it's winking at me.

I glance at Selene, still huddled miserably in the corner. "I'm not sure I'll be able to figure this out on my own."

Agreed, she says nasally, pawing at her snout. But maybe... Let's put that thing away for now, okay? Before it makes me sneeze my brain out through my nose.

The mental image makes me laugh, even as I close it, snapping the clasp closed with a firm click. "Don't be so dramatic. Your brain is far too big to fit through your nostrils."

You don't know that. You've never seen my brain.