Tangled

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238 Ava: A History of Magic

"That makes sense. Finished with my vegetables-all crunchy and drowning in garlic, which. seems to be a favorite Fac flavor-I attack the first steak on my plate. It looks similar to chicken, and has some sort of thick layer of cheese melted over it.

Once it enters my mouth, I have to bite back a groan.

Delicious.

Everything I eat here is good. I need to ask Magister Orion about learning how to create food. out of nowhere, but I'm too busy shoveling the food in my mouth to ask something so practical. Besides, I'm not able to replicate the magic anyway.

Later.

I'm definitely going to learn it later.

It would really come in handy.

"When we introduce ourselves, we rarely include our family names. It is always our full name and title, if we have one. You humans have both names as your identity, and so we often use them. If it bothers you, I can always call you by your short name."

"It doesn't bother me at all, I assure him, stabbing into another bite. "If you use titles, I should probably mention that Vanessa is a Healer in the Westwood Pack." But I can't remember her last

name.

What's her last name? Shit, I'm a terrible person. I'm pretty sure she introduced herself with her full name when we first met. Then again, I was pretty out of it.

Still.

I should know this.

Orion turns to Vanessa, his expression softening. "My apologies, Healer Vanessa. I've been remiss in my manners. May I ask your full name?" Vanessa straightens in

like there was someone else with that

Thorn. You've met him a time or

must be his sister.

didn't even know

people and learn more about them, and I failed with someone who's quickly grown into a

ask them a thousand questions about their family life and histories? Such things

surprise she doesn't talk about

panic spiral in my chest. That's right. I didn't even know she was mated to Vester for ages. They

Then again, as I think has been established several times now, Blackwood is pretty different from the

"A pleasure to make your proper acquaintance, Healer Vanessa Thorn. And you, sir?" He turns to Marcus, who's been

says, his voice gruff

when he's on duty-which, right now, is literally every hour of

fair that I properly introduce myself as well. He stands, his massive frame seeming to fill the entire

Magister Orion was important, but this sounds like a lot more than just some old man with an enthusiasm for human magic. It

asks, coming in clutch with the important questions. "I've heard

into his chair, way too approachable for someone with an intimidating-sounding rank. "Sorcerers are Fae who have also manifested as a wizard. Also known as witches, or magicians. Over thousands of years, many names have come about for humans with magic. Illusionist, arcanist, shaman. While every school of magic focused and taught in different specialties, the core of human magic is always the same. It comes

Fae magic and human magic, then?" Vanessa's forgotten all about her food, leaning over the table as she

nature. To the air we

you can't create from nothing, then how did you make this food appear?" Marcus interjects, also drawn into the

for asking the questions my sluggish brain can't come up with, too over-awed by the knowledge

my eyelids threaten to droop and leave me

A History

a struggle to stay

says with a smile. "I have manifested. human magic. It isn't impossible for Fae, as we already have a core of magic within us. But it is incredibly rare. There are those who believe that I have human blood within my veins. It's always. possible, though I

of magic. As a Grand Sorcerer, I am the bridge between