Finally… Cassie thought. Finally, some success. She would have happily stopped, but the fairies insisted she practice; after all, they needed to make certain it wasn’t a fluke, and she had genuinely mastered calling fire. So here she was, complying like a trained monkey, doing the same trick over and over. Cassie was well aware that she should not think in this manner. Everyone was making such an effort to assist her in her learning process, but she couldn’t help but pine for simpler times... times with just her, Derrick, and their Leah.
Derrick was watching Cassie and noticed that there was no excitement, happiness, or even a sense of purpose in those lovely eyes. She appeared to be going through the motions. He stepped forward, putting an end to the “practice,” and took Cassie aside. De
