For the first time, a little smile comes to the other cadet’s face. “You can call me Tony,” he says quietly. And Jesse nods, his grin deepening, and I’m grateful again for my charming, friendly, thoughtful cousin who always knows how to make everyone feel comfortable. Warmth runs through me, and I’m reminded again how grateful I am to have him in my life.
“Anyone else?” Alvez says, looking eagerly around at us.
The other four are silent before Rafe looses a tense breath. “We’re not holding anything back,” he says, his voice solid. “We just…don’t know. Our mothers have magic and they told us that we will have magic some day,” he says, gesturing towards himself and Jesse, “but it hasn’t manifested yet.”
“Not uncommon,” Alvez says, his voice encouraging. “And, the cousin?” he says, turning
