Tangled

238 Ava: A History of Magic

"That makes sense. Finished with my vegetables-all crunchy and drowning in garlic, which. seems to be a favorite Fac flavor-I attack the first steak on my plate. It looks similar to chicken, and has some sort of thick layer of cheese melted over it.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

Once it enters my mouth, I have to bite back a groan.

Delicious.

Everything I eat here is good. I need to ask Magister Orion about learning how to create food. out of nowhere, but I'm too busy shoveling the food in my mouth to ask something so practical. Besides, I'm not able to replicate the magic anyway.

Later.

I'm definitely going to learn it later.

It would really come in handy.

"When we introduce ourselves, we rarely include our family names. It is always our full name and title, if we have one. You humans have both names as your identity, and so we often use them. If it bothers you, I can always call you by your short name."

"It doesn't bother me at all, I assure him, stabbing into another bite. "If you use titles, I should probably mention that Vanessa is a Healer in the Westwood Pack." But I can't remember her last

name.

What's her last name? Shit, I'm a terrible person. I'm pretty sure she introduced herself with her full name when we first met. Then again, I was pretty out of it.

Still.

I should know this.

Magister Orion turns to Vanessa, his expression softening. "My apologies, Healer Vanessa. I've been remiss in my manners. May I ask your full name?" Vanessa straightens in her chair, a small smile playing on her lips. "Vanessa Thorn, Healer of the Westwood Pack"

Right. Thorn. I feel like there was someone else with that name, but I can't remember who.

Your mate's delta. Delta Ryder Thorn. You've met him a time or two.

Shit. She must be his sister. Maybe a cousin.

I've known Vanessa for what feels like ages now, and I didn't even know she had a brother/ cousin/something who works with Lucas regularly.

Some friend I am. I even made a decision to grow closer to my people and learn more about them, and I failed with someone who's quickly grown into a great friend.

Wouldn't be awkward to just run up to a friend and ask them a thousand questions about their family life and histories? Such things come out in time. Vanessa doesn't even talk that much 238 Ava: A History of Magic

about her mate; it's no surprise she doesn't talk about her family.

Selene's words soothe the panic spiral in my chest. That's right. I didn't even know she was mated to Vester for ages. They don't show off their mating bond much in public, either.

I can tell she loves him deeply, but their relationship is very different from many mated couples. Then again, as I think has been established several times now, Blackwood is pretty different from the other wolf packs.

Magister Orion nods, his eyes twinkling. "A pleasure to make your proper acquaintance, Healer Vanessa Thorn. And you, sir?" He turns to Marcus, who's been quietly observing our exchange.

"Marcus Finley," he says, his voice gruff but respectful. "Just Marcus is fine."

He's not one for unnecessary words. Especially when he's on duty-which, right now, is literally every hour of every day.

"Well then, Just Marcus," Magister Orion says with a chuckle, "I believe it's only fair that I properly introduce myself as well. He stands, his massive frame seeming to fill the entire room. "I am Magister Orion, Grand Sorceror of Human Wizardry."

The fork I'm holding clatters to my plate. Grand Sorcerer? I knew Magister Orion was important, but this sounds like a lot more than just some old man with an enthusiasm for human magic. It sounds awfully important and high-ranking.

"Grand Sorcerer?" Vanessa asks, coming in clutch with the important questions. "I've heard of many terms now-magician, witch, wizards. Now we add sorcerer to it?"

Magister Orion settles back into his chair, way too approachable for someone with an intimidating-sounding rank. "Sorcerers are Fae who have also manifested as a wizard. Also known as witches, or magicians. Over thousands of years, many names have come about for humans with magic. Illusionist, arcanist, shaman. While every school of magic focused and taught in different specialties, the core of human magic is always the same. It comes from within, an innate magic that has deep ties to the elements. Not all humans can access the elements, but some can. Like you, Ava Grey"

"What's the difference in Fae magic and human magic, then?" Vanessa's forgotten all about her food, leaning over the table as she listens intently to his explanations.

"Fae are tied to their magic from birth. We are attuned to the world around us. To nature. To the air we breathe. We cannot create from nothing, but we can encourage or manipulate what already exists. Fae cannot exist without magic.

"If you can't create from nothing, then how did you make this food appear?" Marcus interjects, also drawn into the educational seminar.

I shovel more meat into my mouth, grateful for them both for asking the questions my sluggish brain can't come up with, too over-awed by the knowledge tossed in my direction.

Everything he's saying is interesting, but my eyelids threaten to droop and leave me asleep on my plate.

238 Ava: A History of Magic

It's a struggle to stay awake.

"And that is why I am the Grand Sorcerer," Magister Orion says with a smile. "I have manifested. human magic. It isn't impossible for Fae, as we already have a core of magic within us. But it is incredibly rare. There are those who believe that I have human blood within my veins. It's always. possible, though I have yet to find where in my family tree such an impurity occurred."

He waves a hand dismissively, clearly unconcerned. "While my magic is not terribly powerful, I've spent my entire life trying to gather as much knowledge as possible about the magic taught by humans. And thus I am also a Magister. A teacher of magic. As a Grand Sorcerer, I am the bridge between the human and Fae worlds for magical affairs. As Magister, I am the bridge between humans and their magic." Then he laughs, a big, booming sound that startles me so much I jump in my seat.

15. 15.

The drooping eyelid problem is solved-for the moment.

"Unfortunately, the lack of human magic means there's little use for me these days. The title is little more than window dressing."

There's something missing here, Selene says suddenly. I clearly remember that Sister Miriam spoke of a woman when she was seeking out your teacher. Magister Orion is not the only one with knowledge of human magic in this city.

She pauses. Though, I suppose she can be from outside the city.

"Is there anyone else you know who has also manifested human magic?" I ask, trying to sound

casual.

Not knowing how people really feel about each other in this town is awful. I really need to question him more about things outside of my training. It's clear that vampires are not necessarily best friends with the Fae, and yet they've been coexisting for so long in the Unregistered City. And Sister Miriam seems to be highly regarded, even if she is denied access

to the Fae Ward.

It's weird.

Though, I guess packs seem weird to people who aren't used to them, either. Especially when it comes to men and their mates.

"No." Magister Orion shifts in his seat, suddenly leaning forward to place food on his own plate.

"No one."

But I don't believe him.

And, judging from the way Vanessa and Marcus share a glance, I think they don't, either.