Matriarch Ismene and I said our goodbyes in excellent spirits. I had done magic. I had conjured light from nothing. No matter how many times I reminded myself, it still brought a wide smile to my face. Even Theseus, when I saw him on my way out, couldn't dampen my mood. I was feeling so generous, I didn't even stick my tongue out at him or flip him off, despite his richly deserving both.
To get down the street, I threw the tablecloth back over Olezhka. Magic might be something I could do now, but I wanted more practice before I tried anything that might be even remotely uncomfortable for him. The disguise worked just the same a second time, although now that I had a bat slung over my shoulder, I'm sure people were more likely to think I was crazed.
Regardless of the stares, when we trave
