Ari’s POV
The sun was cutting through the shattered roof of the ancient stone temple, and reducing the dust in the air into minute flying sparks. Harriet was sitting cross-legged before me, with her little hands on her knees, and her eyes concentrated. She was as excited, ready, and somehow too mature for her years.
She said, Mommy, may I have the herbs this time?
Yes, I can, said I, tying my hair behind. "Just be gentle. These herbs are strong. When they are crushed too hard, the magic will blow.
Harriet giggled. "I won't crush them. I promise."
I could see her take up the dried sage leaves and the piece of root that Silas had sent us. The charms were heaped up beside me, still hot to the touch with the spell he had put there. We simply did not have any room to spare, and Rylan would
