“I’m trying. I figure there’s a lot to learn.”

“You’ve got time.” She reaches over and takes hold of my hands, clasping them between both of hers.

It surprises me, but doesn’t offend me, so I don’t pull away. Though I kind of wish I had when her eyes start to do this weird swirling thing.

It’s no big deal, I tell myself. I mean, Macy did a glamour and I was totally okay with it. This is no different.

Except it feels different. It feels like she’s looking deep inside of me, like she can see way more than I want her—or anyone—to.

Which is ridiculous. I mean, just because she’s a witch doesn’t make her a mind reader. Except just when I’ve got myself convinced that nothing weird is happening, she whispers, “Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not,” I answer, because what else am I supposed to say? That her eye thing is freaking me out a little bit?

“You’re more than you think you are,” she continues.

“I…don’t know what that means.”

She smiles as her eyes go back to normal. “You will when you need to. That’s what matters.”

“Thank you,” I say, because what else do you say at times like these? I guess I should work up a few comebacks, since I’m going to be here for a while.

“Here.” Amka rips a piece of paper off a notepad on her desk and scribbles something down on it, then folds it in half and hands it to me. “You might benefit from checking out the end of the stacks a couple of rows down.”

“What section is it?” Excitement thrums through me, chasing away the disquiet of just a few moments ago.

“Dragons.” She flashes a dimple. “Always a good place to start.”

“Absolutely.” I think of Flint and all the questions I have about him. “Thanks!”

“No problem. When you find what you’re looking for, you’ll know what to do with this.” She hands me the piece of paper, then reaches under her desk and pulls out a bottle of water. Here, take this, too. And drink it. You need to stay hydrated at this altitude.”

“Oh, yeah.” I take the bottle. “Thanks again.”

She just waves me on my way.

I head down the aisle she pointed to, wondering what kind of books on dragons I’ll find there—especially considering it looks like I’m in the mystery section. But as soon as I get to the end of the aisle, Amka’s grin makes sense, as do her directions. Because sitting at one of the round tables—with his earbuds in and a really old book open to a section with weird writing—is Flint.

Dragons indeed.

He glances up when I take a step toward him, and a look I can’t quite decipher flits across his face for a second. It’s followed quickly by a huge grin as he pops out one of his Airpods. “Hey, New Girl! What are you doing here?”

It’s impossible for me not to smile back. “Researching dragons, apparently.”

“Oh yeah?” He pats the chair next to him. “Looks like you came to the right place.”

“Looks like I did.” As I move to sit next to him, I hand him the note Amka gave me. “I think this is for you.”

“Really?” His brow wrinkles a little as he reaches for the paper. While he reads it, I check my phone to make sure I haven’t missed a text from Jaxon.

I haven’t.

“So,” Flint says, deliberately not making eye contact as he drops the note on the table next to the book he’s reading. What do you need to know about dragons?”

“We can do this later,” I tell him. “I don’t want to interrupt whatever you’re working on.”

“Don’t worry about it. This is nothing.” He closes the book before I can see much of anything and slides it away from him.

I see the language on the cover, though. “Oh, hey! Is that an Akkadian text?”

His eyes go wide. “How did you know about Akkadian?”

“Actually, I just learned about it for the first time a couple of days ago. Lia was researching it for a project. Are you guys in the same class?”

“Oh, yeah.” He seems distinctly unenthusiastic, which isn’t exactly a surprise considering how much they seem to dislike each other.

“What class is it for?” I reach for the book. “I kind of want to take it next semester, if I can.”

“Ancient Languages of Magic.” He eases the book away before I can even open it up and slides it into his backpack. “So, what are you looking to find out about dragons?”

“Anything. Everything.” I hold my hands up in an I’m clueless gesture. “This whole magical creatures are real thing is…a lot.”

“Nah. You’ll get used to it in no time.”

“That makes one of us who thinks so.”

He laughs. “Come on. Hit me with your first question.”

“Oh, I haven’t really thought of specific questions. Except…Macy says you have wings. That means you can actually fly?” My mind boggles at the thought.

“Yeah, I can fly.” He grins. “I can do other stuff, too.”

“Like what?” I lean toward him, fascinated.

“Well, jeez, if we’re going to get into all this, I feel like we need some sustenance.” He reaches for his backpack.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It’s all good, New Girl.” From the backpack’s front pocket he pulls out a half-eaten bag of marshmallows, then holds it out to me. “Want one? They’re my favorite snack.”

“Mine too,” I tell him as I take one. “I mean, usually in Rice Krispies treats, but I’m not complaining.”

I start to pop it in my mouth, but he stops me with a hand on my arm. “Hey, that’s no way to eat a marshmallow.”

“What do you mean?”

He just wiggles his brows. Then tosses the marshmallow up in the air and blows fire straight at it out of his mouth.

I shriek, then cover my mouth, half in shock, half in delight, as the marshmallow turns a perfect golden brown right in midair. Seconds later, Flint closes his mouth, and the treat falls directly into his hand.

He holds it out to me. “Now that’s how you eat a marshmallow.”

“You’re telling me!” I take it from him and pop it in my mouth. “Oh my God, it’s hot!” I say around the gooey goodness.