Page 31 of The Purrfect Rival

“Precisely because of that.” Marisol’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “If this lion is important enough to risk your life over, he’s important enough to suffer through your father’s cooking. Besides, if you’re going to fight for him, we should at least meet him properly.”

“I’m not fighting for him,” Kalyna protested, though her fox disagreed vehemently. “I’m fighting for my right to make my own choices.”

“Same outcome, different framing.” Elder Willow rose. “But I’ll say this, child—stop worrying about what your skulk thinks. What does your fox think? That’s the better question.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

The afternoon passed in a whirlwind of activity. Her mother and father returned home, with Kalyna in tow, to prepare for the evening. Winston commandeered the kitchen, stirring his venison stew with the focus of an alchemist. Marisol rearranged furniture to “optimize conversational flow,” while Echo alternated between sulking and creating minor magical inconveniences throughout the house.

After the third such prank, Kalyna cornered her brother in the study.

“Seriously? Rainbow glitter? What are you, twelve?”

Echo lounged in a window seat, surrounded by old photograph albums, one open on his lap. “Chronologically or emotionally?”

“Both,” Kalyna retorted, though her irritation softened at the vulnerability beneath his flippant tone. She settled beside him, glancing at the photographs. “Memory lane?”

Echo’s fingers traced an image of them during younger years—his first successful illusion floating between them while Kalyna beamed with pride.

“Remember when our biggest concern was getting caught stealing Old Man Bramwell’s apples?” she asked.

“We never stole them,” Echo corrected. “You always left payment.”

“Semantics.”

Echo closed the album. “What’s going on with you and the lion, Kal? Really?”

The childhood nickname caught her off guard. Kalyna sighed, tucking her legs beneath her. “Honestly? I’m not entirely sure. Our magic connected in a way I’ve never experienced before.”

“And?” Echo prompted.

“My fox recognizes something in him,” she admitted. “Like puzzle pieces fitting together.”

“Not ridiculous.” Echo’s expression grew serious. “Scary.”

“Scary how?”

“You’re different now. Your magic... it smells different. Feels different. Like fox-fire mixed with something hotter, more focused.”

Kalyna blinked in surprise. “You can sense that?”

“Of course, I can. I’m not as magically dense as Lysander thinks.”

“I never said you were,” Kalyna nudged his knee. “I’ve always thought you were more naturally gifted than me. You just lack discipline.”

“Whereas you’re all discipline.” Echo studied her. “Or at least, you were until Mayor Golden Eyes came along.”

“I’m still me, Echo.” Kalyna created a small fox-fire illusion—a miniature Echo pulling pranks on library patrons. “My magic might be evolving, but I’m still your irritating big sister.”

“You’re the twin-tailed prodigy,” Echo said quietly. “And now you’re part of some rare magical pairing with the most powerful lion in town. And now we’re missing some heirloom talisman thing that’s supposed to be important.”

“Where’d you hear about that?”

He looked away, hiding his face from her. “Everyone is talking about it. Why is it so important? And what does it have to do with you and yournew friend?”

Understanding bloomed. “You think I’m leaving you behind.”

“Aren’t you?” His voice cracked. “First the library took you away. Now the lion.”

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