Letya led her back up to the second floor, turning into a hall Maevus recognized. She peered curiously at the handful of other doors as they walked.

She wondered which one led to the library Letya had mentioned. Longing fluttered through her at the thought, but she pushed it away, focusing on the door at the end of the hall.

Letya knocked once on the door before breezing inside, Maevus in tow. Then she came to an abrupt halt, making Maevus stumble into her. 

"Oh," Letya squeaked. "I didn't realize—"

"It's all right," Master Vraylor said as Maevus righted herself and took in the scene in front of her. 

A pale, strained-looking woman sat before the desk, an untouched cup of tea in front of her. A small boy—likely no more than seven—stood beside her, wide eyes darting between Maevus and Letya.

He was an Encant.

Maevus could sense the little kernel of magic nestled inside of him, waiting to grow with practice. She smiled at him, and he ducked closer to his mother, who stiffened slightly.

Vraylor was frowning, watching the boy. Slowly, he said, "We can train him, but he can continue to live at home—"

"No!" 

The woman's harsh response made Maevus jump. She and Letya exchanged a worried glance, then looked back at the boy, who was staring a hole into the floor.

Vraylor's frown deepened and the woman stood, the skirts of her dress swirling around her ankles. The boy flinched a little and Maevus' eyes shot to his mother. Lox hissed quietly from where he was cradled in her arms, drawing the little boy's attention.

His green eyes grew round as coins and he glanced at his mother, then braved a step closer to Maevus.

"We would like him to stay here. With people like you," the woman said.

"With people like him," Master Vraylor responded. "Your son is an Encant, Mrs. Loret. We will be happy to train him, but it is not required that he live away from his family."

The boy didn't even look at his mother. Instead, he crept a little closer to Maevus, staring at the dragon she held. Maevus sent a nudge down Lox's thread, and the dragon leapt from her arms and shook himself before he trotted over to the boy.

Lox butted his head against the boy's legs, making his face light up as he hesitantly patted the dragon.

The woman simply turned on her heel. She cast one look at the boy, disappointment and anger etched into her pale features, then said, "It's better for everyone if you're all in one place."

Now Vraylor got to his feet, his icy blue eyes viciously cold.

The boy ducked his head, but not before Maevus saw tears lining his eyes. Lox chirred and nuzzled the boy's face. Anger swirled up inside her, fire crackling at her fingertips.

The woman said, "We can pay you for his—"

"I don't want your money," Vraylor spat. He shook his head, mouth curling in a grimace before he looked down at the boy. Then he turned a harsh look on the woman, making her flinch. "I don't want anything from a woman who would abandon her own son because of what he is."

She opened her mouth, but Vraylor was already moving. He gently nudged both Maevus and Letya to the side, clearing the path toward the door, then gestured down the hall.

"In seven days, I will expect the proper paperwork delivered to us, giving me custody of Sawyer. I do not expect money from you. I do not expect you to make sure of his welfare." Power seemed to crackle in the air around him and there was nothing in his face but fury. 

The woman flinched and scurried through the door. She turned slightly and said, "It's for the best, Mr. Vraylor."

"Master," he snapped. "I am the master of this guild. And you can think whatever you need to so you can sleep at night." Then he shut the door in her face and whirled back toward the room.

Sawyer had started to cry in earnest and Maevus knelt down beside him. She lightly touched his shoulder, then choked in surprise when he flung himself at her, arms wrapping around her neck.

She tentatively hugged him, Lox nuzzling the boy's hair.

"Letya," Master Vraylor said quietly, "would you please go find Dane and bring him here?"

Letya murmured an affirmative and Maevus heard the door shut as she rubbed the boy's back. She looked up in time to watch Vraylor sag back against his desk and run a hand through his dark hair, his face haggard.

He met her eyes, his own expression haunted. His mouth twisted into a bitter smile before he went around his desk to rummage through one of the drawers. Then he came back around and knelt beside Maevus.

Sawyer rubbed at his eyes and peered at the master, who smiled and held up a small, oval piece of white crystal. A Determiner.

"Do you know what your Charm is, Sawyer?" Vraylor asked softly.

The boy sniffled a little, then sat up straighter in Maevus' lap. He rubbed at his eyes again, then he said, "I can..." He gulped, then whispered, "I can make plants grow and...and other stuff."

Flora-Charmed. Maevus smiled when the boy looked up at her.

Vraylor held up the crystal, then held out his hand. "Can I make sure?"

Sawyer again looked up at Maevus, who said, "It won't hurt. I promise."

Tentatively, Sawyer put his hand in Vraylor's. He pressed the crystal to the boy's skin and sent a pulse of magic into it. They all stared at the crystal, watching as it first flared white, then as a shimmering green color began to seep into the stone from where it was touching Sawyer's skin.

"Flora-Charmed," Vraylor confirmed. He took the crystal away and tossed it back onto his desk. He stood, offering a hand to Sawyer.

The boy hesitated, then let the master pull him to his feet. Maevus also stood, Lox flapping his wings to perch on the edge of Vraylor's desk.

A knock on the door made Sawyer flinch and cling to Maevus' sleeve. She put her arm around the boy. Vraylor called, "Enter."

Letya came in, followed by an old man. His bristly gray hair and wide eyes made him look like he'd been struck by lightning. Then Maevus noticed the milky film over his eyes.

He was blind.

Vraylor went down on one knee in front of Sawyer. He gestured toward the old man and said, "Sawyer, I'd like you to meet Dane. He's going to show you to your new room and then get you something to eat. How does that sound?"

Sawyer bit his lip, then just shrugged.

"Come along, boy," Dane said kindly. "I know it's rough, but you'll be happy here. Most Encants are."

 Vraylor raised an eyebrow at Maevus. She just scowled back, making the master chuckle as he got to his feet. Sawyer cringed and moved back toward Maevus again

"Oh now, none of that," Dane said. "No one will hurt you here. You're safe."

At Maevus' surprised look, Vraylor murmured, "Dane has an Emotion Charm."

Maevus looked at the old man as Sawyer took his hand. He could sense and manipulate to some degree other people's feelings. And was using it to bring Sawyer some peace, judging by the way the boy's shoulders relaxed.

Letya watched Sawyer with a pained expression as he and Dane left Master Vraylor's office. She gave Maevus an apologetic look, then followed them down the hall, giving Sawyer a bright smile when she caught up to them.

"Letya likes to welcome new members," Vraylor said, shutting the door behind them. "She's good at it."

Maevus didn't say anything.

"Same old, sad story, isn't it?" Vraylor continued bitterly, pacing toward the windows. "She was scared of that boy. Scared of her own son. I suppose I should be grateful she brought him here instead of just abandoning him in the street."

Vraylor suddenly whirled, knocking the lamp off his desk in a show of temper Maevus hadn't been expecting. Lox hissed, wings flaring in alarm as Vraylor collapsed into his chair, a hand covering his eyes.

Silence followed the outburst, Maevus sinking slowly into the chair the woman had recently vacated.

The master let out a long sigh, scrubbing his hand down his face. He propped his head on his fist, staring blankly at Maevus. After another moment, he shook his head and sat up straight.

"What did you need?" The words were gruff, but the tone beneath them was unbearably weary.

Maevus debated just saying she'd come back later. But the almost defeated look in Vraylor's eyes made the words stick in her throat.

"I came looking for a job."

Vraylor blinked once at her, that defeated gleam slowly disappearing. He gave her a weak smirk and said, "Well all right then."

Maevus nodded at his unspoken question.

She wasn't going to be another sad story. Not if she could help it.