I dig through the racks of clothes, not really looking at any of them.

Revaa pulls a pair of jeans out from the rack and shows them to me. "What about these?"

"They look fine," I mumble.

She furrows her brows. "That's what you've said about the last ten I've shown. And half of them have been bright pink pants."

I look up at her, my eyes wide. "Bright pink? Who thought that was a good fashion choice?"

She laughs. "That's the first real reaction I've gotten out of you. And all because of a lie." She puts the jeans back onto the rack. "I know I don't know you very well, but I think I know that you're not really in the mood for shopping."

I rub my forehead. "I'm sorry. I do want to shop and get new clothes, it's just that..."

She lifts a brow and crosses her arms. "You're still worrying about your family back home?"

I nod. "I'm worried about my whole town. I have no idea where Niko is or if he's causing them harm. And with Mark not agreeing to help me I'm just... I feel like I'm wasting time shopping."

Revaa walks over to stand beside me. "I know it isn't much but Mark will decide to help you. He can't ignore someone who needs help. Zach is working right now to convince him to help."

I scoff. "Please. Mark told him to stay out of it."

Revaa chuckles. "Yeah. Just because he said that doesn't mean that it'll happen."

I lift a brow. "What do you mean?"

She turns back to digging through the racks. "Well, it wasn't like Mark liked the idea of investigating your town right away. Not until Zach convinced him."

"What do you mean?" I turn back to looking through the racks and pull out a pair of slightly torn jeans that I like.

"Mark thought it would be dangerous to interact with your town. We could tell that there were magic users there, but it was such a small amount that it was hard to tell whether or not your town was okay with us. So it wasn't until Zach spent a few days watching the town that he could tell what was happening. That's probably another reason why Mark will say yes to helping you."

"I don't think I'm following."

Revaa blinks. "Sorry. Am I talking too fast? I tend to do that." She shakes her head. "What I mean to say is that since Zach has already interacted with you and kind of put you in this position, Mark will let him help so that we can like... get you out of this position. Does that make more sense?"

I nod slowly as my hands drift over the rack. "I think so? But I have a few more questions."

"Ask away!" She smiles.

"How could you guys tell that we had magic users?"

"Well, we have this little device that can track magic output."

"Magic output?" I quirk my head to the side.

She places a finger on her lip and hums. "It's like how your body gives off a heat signature."

I nod. "Is everyones signature different?"

She nods. "Yep! It all varies depending on your main magic, strength and how much of it you used in a spell."

"That's pretty cool," I mumble as I pull out a green military jacket and add it to my collection.

"Do you think you have enough?" She looks at the pile in my arm.

"I actually have a few more questions." I turn to face her. "How were you all able to watch us without being spotted?"

She blinks. "I meant for shopping."

Oh." My face heats up. "Um... yeah, I'm good now."

She grins. "Great! We can go pay now then."

I nod and follow her up to the cashier. Revaa pulls a card out of her pocket and swipes it as the cashier bags my stuff up.

As we make our way back to The Shelter I can't help but think about how she ignored my last question. Was there a reason for that? Or was it just because she wanted to leave and planned to answer it later? Or what if she actually was avoiding the question?

"So, how did you guys find my town anyways?"

Revaa sighs. "It's a long story, and honestly? It's probably better if you hear it from Zach since he was there."

"You weren't?"

She shakes her head. "When the war between humans and magic users was ending I was just coming into my power. So for the most part I was training a lot and didn't really get to see much action."

I nod. "At least you were spared that. But... who did you lose?" I know it's rude to ask but her story doesn't make sense. She must have at least seen some of the battles and gained her magic that way.

"What do you mean?" She looks at me confused.

"Didn't you lose someone to gain your magic?"

She stops and turns to face me. "Why would I have to lose someone to gain my magic?"

I stop and turn to face her. I'm getting more confused than when I met Zach. "Then did something else happen?"

She shakes her head. "No? One morning I just woke up and found I could understand animals. Why would something have to happen for my magic to be activated?"

I stumble backwards as my breath leaves my body. "That can't be right." My bags hit my side as they slide down my arms. My hands run through my hair.

"What do you mean?" There's a hint of nervousness in her voice. She looks around, her irises flicking back and forth.

I look up at her. "I gained my magic when my best friend died! I was ten!"

Her eyes widen. "What do you mean-"

Tears slide down my face. "Everyone in my town who had magic gained it through a traumatic experience! And you just woke up with it!" I grit my teeth. "How is that fair?"

She takes a step back from me. "Look, Lumi, I- I have no clue why you're magic would come to you like that but-"

"It's not fair!" I cry.

She takes a step back towards me. Her hands held out before her as if to touch me.

But I shake my head. I can't be touched. Not right now. "Let's just... go back," I whisper, wiping the tears from my face.

"Are you sure?" She looks at me wearily.

I nod as I wrap my arms around myself. "I have some things I need to think about."

***

I breathe deeply as thoughts run around my head. All around me is darkness. Both from my eyes being closed and the lights in my room being turned off.

I don't hate my magic. I'm not mad about having it. I love it. It's a part of me and I'd never wish for anything else.

But could I have gained my magic differently? Would I have woken up one day just knowing something was different? Or would I always have gained my magic how I did? Part of me can't help but think of how different my life would be if I gained my magic differently. Or not at all.

But that's not how I'd want it.

I'm not saying that I'd still want Ana to die. I don't. I miss her terribly. But I'd be a different person without my magic, and I don't think that's something I'd ever want.

But then how did Revaa gain her magic if she didn't go through something traumatic? How is that even possible? There's one thing in the back of my mind that keeps nagging at me. What if magic wasn't casted out from all bloodlines? What if it was just casted out from bloodlines in Roseborn? Would that mean that the wizard that saved us only caused us more pain?

I groan. Why did this all have to get so complicated? I came here just to find a way to stop Niko. Not to discover some life changing news about how my whole life has been a lie.

I wish Madam Mara was here. She would be able to tell me the truth. Would be able to tell me what to do now. But she isn't. And that reminder grows more painful each and every day.

A light tapping sound comes from my door.

I ignore it.

It gets louder.

I groan and sit up before getting up and making my way over to my door. Why can't Revaa just leave me alone? I told her I needed space.

I swing my door open. "What do you want- Oh. Zach."

He gives a timid smile. "Um. Hi. Revaa told me you didn't want to be bothered but I figured you'd want to hear some good news."

I sigh. "And what good news could that possibly be?" I just want to go to sleep. I just want to wake up from this nightmare.

Zach smirks. "We leave tomorrow morning to head back to Roseborn."

My mouth drops open. "You're kidding!?"

He shakes his head. "I'm not."

I let go of the door and grab onto his shoulders. "We're actually going back to Roseborn?!"

He nods. A huge smile on his face and lights in his eyes. "We are!"

A grin blooms on my face. "This is awesome!" I let go of him. "But how did you get your dad to agree to letting us go?"

He rubs the back of his neck. "It was hard but I just basically told him it wouldn't have been right if we didn't help you."

I grin. "Thank you, Zach."

He nods, his face flushed. "You're welcome. I'll um... let you pack."

"I don't have a lot to pack." I chuckle.

He ducks his head as his face gets darker. "Right. Um... yeah. Um... see you tomorrow morning then."

"See you tomorrow."

He waves as I close the door.

I lean my back against it, letting my head fall backwards. A huge smile on my face. I squeal.

I'm going home.