“Reminds you of the academy, huh?” Julian murmured, as Ellery gaped incredulously.
“How many hedge magicians are in Nordmere?”
“More than there were a few months ago. Just like me, they came here looking forthem.”
He gestured to an alcove not unlike the one at the Order’s student lounge, where a large corner booth was filled with excited, chattering teenagers. Ellery didn’t need to ask who the supposed Winter magician was. They sat in the center, holding court.
They looked around Ellery’s age, if not younger. Yet they carried the presence of someone who’d long since grown up. They were striking, with a mane of wild brown curls, hazel eyes, and fair skin. A patched-up coat and trousers hung on their rail-thin frame, cinched by a brown belt. They held a training wand, but plenty more jutted out from their pockets, their waistband, even their sleeves.
Julian strode toward the alcove. The crowd parted for him, greeting him, as he slid into the booth beside the Winter magician, just as effortlessly as he’d done back at the academy.
He held out his palm triumphantly. “Pay up, Kester.”
The person—Kester—lifted a brow and flicked their gaze behind him, and although Ellery knew they couldn’t see her, she swore they looked her straight in the eyes.
“Get out of here, everyone,” they said lightly. “Suddenly, Julian and I have evening plans.”
The magicians around them rose without protest and scattered throughout the bar. Kester stood, then pulled a crumpled bill out of one of their many pockets and thrusted it at Julian.
Ellery flicked Iskarius. Her cloaking spell extended over the three of them. Kester seemed remarkably unfazed by Ellery’s sudden appearance, as though a Chosen One dropping in was just another night.
“You bet I wouldn’t come,” Ellery said warily.
“Yes, well, I like to win,” they said, without a hint of an apology. Then they stuck out a ring-studded hand. “I’m Kester Wright. You’re you.”
Their grip was strong. Their hand was callused.
“It’s a pleasure,” Ellery said automatically.
Kester’s mouth twitched in amusement. “And that’s Iskarius you’re holding, I presume?”
Ellery braced herself for a recoil, for a grimace. But Kester only peered at it curiously, then whistled. “Nowthat’sa wand.”
“We should talk.” Ellery gestured to the booth.
“I’ll leave you both to it,” Julian said, standing.
“Wait,” Ellery protested. “You’re not staying?” If Kester proved to be Summer’s traitor, she didn’t want to be left alone with them.
“I think you should get to know each other. You’ve got a lot in common,” Julian assured her. “And Kester… play nice.”
Kester frowned. “Don’t I always?”
Ellery was surprised he was so eager to go. But Julian would never lead her into a trap, which meant he must’ve considered Kester trustworthy. And maybe it would be easier to prod Kester for answers without Julian present, anyway.
“Okay,” she said cautiously. Julian departed as Ellery sat on the opposite side of the booth. The table was sticky from spilled drinks and littered with spare crumbs. Kester sipped a dark beer, unbothered by the mess.
“So you think you’re a Winter magician,” Ellery began, resting Iskarius in her lap beneath the table. “Why?”
The cloaking spell muffled the rest of the bar; sound and light felt distant as Kester leaned in, studying Ellery shamelessly. Usually Ellery knew what part someone wanted her to play. But with Kester, she had no idea.
“Well, I didn’t at first,” they answered. “But you know how kids manifest magic. Mine was a little odd.” They waved their wand, and a tiny storm cloud spun above the table. Nature magic. With another flick, it dissipated. “My training wands kept doingthatno matter what sort of spell I tried to cast. But they were just some wind and snow, and they didn’t hurt anybody, unless you count the occasional mailbox as an innocent bystander.”
Ellery had been prepared for obvious lies, born of a grab for attention. But Julian was right; although Kester’s story wasn’t identical to her own, it was close enough to make her breath hitch.
“But you conjured storms?” she asked. “Didn’t anyone else care?”
“Once I got to one of those Order primary schools, some teachers definitely thought I was strange. So I just learned to conjure rain instead of snow.”
