Selene''s question is like a brick wall for my speeding thoughts. I suck in a sharp breath, my heart pounding against my ribcage as I remember the words written in the book: Your teacher awaits. Enter the sanctuary of wizards, Ava Grey.


    The words had appeared as if by magic, the runes shifting and morphing until they formed a coherent message. A message meant for me.


    My voice shakes. "Did you know I had the book?"


    Magister Orion''s eyes widen, genuine surprise etched across his features. "No, I had no idea the book was ever found. This is news to me. Realm-shattering, in fact. We haven''t even found a trace of it in..." He blows out a breath, looking skyward. "A century.@@@@


    More, perhaps."


    My mind races, trying to make sense of it all. "The runes in the book... they moved around until they wrote a phrase in English. It told me to come here, to the sanctuary of wizards."


    Magister Orion frowns, his brows knitting together in concentration. "The sanctuary of wizards? That''s not a term I would associate—well, I suppose it is, as such, a sanctuary. And of wizards. However, such a technical level of manipulation is beyond anyone I know who would be alive today. Someone able to fight the wards spelled within that book would be powerful beyond measure."


    A chill runs down my spine at his words. If even Magister Orion, with all his knowledge and power, doesn''t know who could have done this...


    "Is it possible there are others in the world who know of this magic?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.


    He sighs, rubbing a finger over his forehead. "It''s always possible. The Fae were not the ones to govern this knowledge in the first place. There could be others out there, hiding in the shadows, keeping the magic alive. It would be a good thing, I suppose." Yet he sounds doubtful.


    Selene sneezes again, her body shaking with the force of it. I reach down to stroke her fur, trying to offer some comfort.


    Magister Orion rises from his seat, his robes swishing around him. "I need to pack for my journey to your pack lands. We must unravel this mystery and begin your training as soon as possible."


    "What do you mean by that?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.


    He shakes his head, a wry smile on his lips. "The politics of the Dakota Sanctuary never sleep, Ava Grey. There are always those vying for power, trying to gain the upper hand."


    A shiver runs through me at his words. I''m not sure I like the sound of that. "Is it safe for me to be here?"


    Magister Orion places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and something warm passes between us at the contact. Something both welcoming and foreign.


    Magic, Selene says. He''s sharing with you.


    Is that way it feels so soothing, as if smoothing down the frayed edges of my nerves?


    "The Fae Ward is somewhat separate from the other wards within Dakota Sanctuary. While we are not truly a part of the realm of the Fae, we are under the protection of the Fae King and the laws of our people. It is why we can restrict its access from other denizens of the city, and the reason you are safe here. You have nothing to fear within this place."


    Marcus steps forward, his face serious. "Then what would happen if the vampires decided to war against the Fae King?"


    Magister Orion throws his head back and laughs, the sound echoing through the room. "Impossible. The vampires may be powerful, but they are no match for the might of the Fae. They would be crushed like ants beneath a boot."


    His words do little to reassure me, sounding too much like the ego of Lucas'' pack before the vampires appeared within it, taking so many innocent lives.


    My knowledge is too lacking to know how right Magister Orion is, but I push my worries aside for now.


    I can''t do much about politics between Fae and vampires. There isn''t even much I can do between them and Lucas. Instead, I need to focus on what I''m here for: learning to control the magic that threatens everyone around me.