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.

remiss in my manners. May I ask your full name?" Vanessa straightens in her chair, a small smile playing on

else with that name, but I

Delta Ryder Thorn. You've met

She must be his sister. Maybe a

I didn't even know

to my people and learn more about them, and I failed

a thousand questions about their family life and histories? Such things come out in time. Vanessa

no surprise

words soothe the panic spiral in my chest. That's right. I didn't even know she was mated to Vester for ages. They don't show off their mating bond much in public,

is very different from many mated couples. Then again, as I think has been established several times now, Blackwood is pretty different

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

Finley," he says, his voice gruff but

unnecessary words. Especially when he's on duty-which, right

as well.

Grand Sorcerer? I knew Magister Orion was important, but this sounds like a lot more

the important questions. "I've heard of many terms now-magician, witch, wizards. Now we add sorcerer

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

in Fae magic and human magic, then?" Vanessa's forgotten all about her food, leaning

attuned to the world around us. To nature. To the air we breathe. We cannot create from nothing, but we can encourage

you make this food appear?" Marcus interjects, also drawn into the

mouth, grateful for them both for asking the questions my sluggish brain

my eyelids threaten to droop and leave me

Ava: A History of

a struggle to

But it is incredibly rare. There are those who believe that I have human blood within my veins. It's always. possible, though I have yet to find where in my family tree such an

by humans. And thus I am also a Magister. A teacher of magic. As a Grand Sorcerer, I am the bridge between the human and Fae worlds for magical affairs. As Magister, I am the bridge between humans and their magic." Then he laughs, a big, booming sound that