5
Max leaned back on the pillows, shifting the box in his hands. He tried everything to get it to open, including throwing a fireball at it. It bounced off the box and set the floor on fire. Luckily, there was a pitcher of water on his dresser and he was able to quickly douse the flames. His room smelled of wet, burnt wood. He groaned with frustration and wondered if it would do any good to astral jump, but he couldn't risk getting caught by Isolde and trapped in the Shadowlands.
Laughter floated up from the garden. He hopped off the bed and poked his head out the window. Analea and Annabelle playfully zipped around the hedges, while Bartholomew snored under the roses. He could just make out the dark shapes of the Nightlings. He hadn't met them yet, but his Aunt Esther said they were har
