Page 234 of Emylia

“You wouldn’t be saying that ifyouwere on the other end of it,” Maalikai muttered, rubbing his head like it still throbbed.

“She drugged a badass,” Sebastian shrugged. “That’s fair in my book. If he’s dumb enough to fall for it…”

“Technically, it was more of a… targeted sleep aid,” I said, grabbing my satchel like this was all perfectly reasonable behavior.

Sebastian shook his head, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

I tilted my head, smile wickedly sharp. “Where’s the fun in that?”

I turned to Evie, triumphant. “Come on—we have to pack. We’reunbanished!”

Evie grinned, jumping up like she hadn’t just committed minor treason.

But Sebastian didn’t move. His arms crossed.

That grin? Gone.

“Yeah. About that…”

I paused. “...What?”

“You can’t go anywhere. Not yet.”

My heart sank. “What do you mean,not yet?”

“One more magik lesson,” he said, voice low. “Fire.”

Everything in me stilled.

Of course. Fire had always been last.

The most dangerous.

The one I was still afraid of.

The one I wasn’t sure I could survive.

Because I knew how much my power had grown. It was a constant in me now—like breath. I think I’d feel naked without it. But more power meant more risk. And one small slip... we’d all burn for it.

“Your mom’s already waiting.”

Evie bounced in place. “Let’s go, then.”

Sebastian lifted a hand. “Not you, E.”

Her smile fell. “What? Emmie said I could come. Right, Em?”

I looked at Sebastian, then back at her. Panic flared in my chest—I knew he saw it.

He stepped in, voice gentler now. “Normally? Yes. But not today.”

“Why?”

Silence.

She looked at all of us and realized what we were shielding her from.

“…Oh Gods. How risky is it?”

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