Page 96 of Magic's Rise

The door pops up to reveal a narrow room just large enough to hold a six-foot-tall safe. Levi’s body blocks our view as he punches in a code to open the heavy metal door.

He reaches inside and lifts something out before turning to face us.

A slender, flat box rests in his hands, which he opens to display five ugly amulets nestled within. “As you can see, they’re all accounted for.”

“Great.” Tris’s chest presses to my back as he peers over my shoulder. “So we can rule out a rogue werewolf using one of these bad boys to try to murder us.”

“Seems that way.” I reach for one of the moon-madness charms, then jerk my hand back when Levi snaps the lid shut.

“No touching.” Grinning, he puts them back into the safe and shuts the door. “I don’t want you to claim finders keepers with our heirlooms.”

“Can’t fault me for trying.” Disappointed that solving the puzzle wasn’t so easy, I rock on my heels. “Fine, your amulets are all where they should be, but what about the other amulets?”

Levi turns back around and raises an eyebrow. “There are only five, as you saw.”

“Sure, sure.” I rock faster as my thoughts pull together. “But the coven has been attempting to recreate the spell for generations. What did they do with all the failures?”

Levi’s head cocks to the side, as if he had never thought to wonder.

“Rowe’s got a point.” Tris grips my arms to hold me still. “With that many decades of experimenting, they had to have gotten close at least once.”

“We can’t assume we’re in the clear because we’ve got these amulets locked up tight.” I turn and push Tris back out into the narrow hall. “We need to find out what happened with all of those other ones. And I know just the charm witch to ask.”

THE BETTER ROTHAVEN WITCH

“Wait a second,” Levi calls as I hurry Tris toward the main area of the cabin. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To spring Aris from prison, obviously!” I release Tris to rush ahead and open the front door.

“Hey, I’m still mad at you.” Tris stops and crosses his arms over his chest. “What makes you think I’ll be your heist partner?”

Levi stops next to him and mirrors his pose. “And who approved a heist in the first place?”

“First of all…” I hold up a finger and focus on Tris. “You made me promise to take you on every heist after the time I broke into the clinic without you, and I’m doing this, so you have to do it, too.”

He purses his lips before his arms drop to his sides. “I see the logic in that.”

“Second of all…” I add a finger and turn to Levi. “You asked for help, and to help you, I need Aris. Ergo, we’re springing her out.”

He doesn’t cave as fast as Tris.

A third finger joins the others, and I hold them up. “And I promise to let you lock her back up without argument.”

His lips twitch. “You were never a boy scout.”

“Because they discriminate against girls.” I wiggle with the need to get moving. “Now, come on, before I pass out where I stand. This energy isn’t endless.”

“Fine.” Levi relents and strides forward. “But only Aris. The other two stay put.”

“Agreed.” As Tris moves past me, I link my arm through his. “Good to have you back, bestie.”

“You will apologize to my abs later,” he huffs.

“Of course.” I hug his elbow. “All four of them.”

“Evil brat.” He leans his weight on me, making me stumble. “You will also act as my body pillow tonight. No complaints.”

“Just call me Ms. Stuffington.”

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