Piers gasped, scandalized. My smirk finally won out, and I ducked my head, leaving the twins to their little tiff while I turned my attention back to Celeste. She’d been quiet throughout the entire exchange and still seemed to be deep in thought when I took her elbow and guided her a few steps away. We weren’t exactly in private, but it was the best I could do at the moment.
“Celeste,” I said sternly, waiting for her eyes to meet mine, “you can’t knock anyone else out using your magic. Do you understand me?” Now that she’d done it once, I was confident Gilbert wouldn’t allow himself to be taken by surprise again — but I also didn’t want Celeste even to try. That she’d done it at all so early in her training was quite impressive. I just didn’t want her to hurt Gilbert — or worse, herself —
