Lyle did as he asked and found his gaze locked with—My father’s? Yes. In spite of everything, I know that he is. There’s no other explanation for what’s happening. For why we’re here in this room. He tried to turn away…and couldn’t.
“Listen to me,” his father said. “Not only with your ears, but with your mind and heart. You must hear and believe.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “There is more to this world than most humans know. Things they wouldn’t believe were possible. One of these is magic. True magic, with all that entails. Your mother and I are part of that. So are Orsino and his sister, Ilaria. We are all sorcerers, or sorceresses in the women’s cases. Some of us practice white magic, others prefer the dark arts. This is the root of the rivalry between our two families.”
