Page 33 of The Darkest Night

“Magic storm?” Ryu repeated.

Mae looked equally perplexed.

Violet fiddled with her ring.

She’s not going to be happy when we tell her about Nikolai and what he did that night.

Mae hesitated before taking a deep breath.

The window trembled as she let loose a faint aura of crimson magic. Her hair fluttered around her, the pendant at her neck glowing with power. Brimstone leapt onto her lap and closed his eyes, the same aura radiating from him.

Violet’s scalp prickled. She glanced tensely at Miles.

They knew what they were seeing and sensing was but an infinitesimal fraction of the Witch Queen’s true power. And something told Violet it would only grow with time. Mae Jin had barely begun to tap into her magic core.

Ryu stared unblinkingly at her sister. Mae retracted her magic and met her wondering gaze.

“That was you?” Ryu said weakly.

Mae dipped her chin. “Are you—” She stopped and swallowed. “Are you scared?”

“No.” Ryu shook her head. “Why would I be? You’re my sister.”

Mae sagged. She gripped Ryu’s hand tightly, her voice tremulous when she spoke.

“Thank you. I thought you would think me a monster.”

Brimstone keened and pressed a paw against her chest. Mae stroked the fox’s head. Then, she told Ryu everything about what happened that night, including Rose Blake’s true fate. Ryu listened quietly without interrupting.

Violet could tell she never doubted her sister’s words.

A stilted hush fell inside the bedroom once Mae finished talking.

Ryu met Violet and Miles’s stares. “You’re magic users too?”

“Yes,” Violet replied reluctantly.

Ryu indicated Trixie and Millie. “And they are your…familiars?”

Miles dipped his chin warily.

Violet knew he shared her concerns about Mae revealing the truth to Ryu. But she could also see why Mae had chosen to do so. Ryu evidently possessed magic in her soul and would be at risk from Mae’s enemies from now on. It was better to arm her with some knowledge so she could be on her guard.

“There’s something I don’t understand,” Mae told Violet. “How come Ryu has magic?”

“Because it is in our bloodline.”

Violet jumped, as did everyone else.

Mae and Ryu’s grandmother was standing in the doorway of the bedroom, a small stone bowl clasped in her hands.

Shit. I didn’t hear her come in!

* * *

Mae’s heartthumped violently in her chest as she looked at Ye-Seul’s wizened face. The older woman’s eerie words echoed in her ears.

“What are you saying, Grandma?” Ryu said shakily.

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