"Kiss me," she says. I cave. I close the distance between our mouths and capture her lips with mine. She freezes for a moment before pressing back, returning the kiss. Heat curls through me. I relish the feel of her soft, perfect lips against mine. I reach a hand up to the back of her neck. She leans into me,…

I glance at her face to gauge her reaction. Her features are hard to read. "You're a tourist?" she asks. I nod and curtsey again. I offer the first false name that comes to mind. "Lillian Rue, miss." "Father does not care for strangers in the house," she says in a grave tone. "I do wonder how you got in."

Another glance in all directions confirms I am alone. No one appears to be close enough to see me. I step off the street into the wooded area and stand behind a thick tree. I close my eyes, inhale a steady breath, and gather my energy. I breathe the word as I exhale. "Unseen." Invisible, I walk along the edge…

Sparrow laughs and claps her hands, jumping up and down, as my hair reaches down to the floor. "Can you make it like mine?" "Of course." I close my eyes and breathe in. This time I picture the dark curls that tumble around Sparrow's face before exhaling and directing the magic. She laughs again and reaches one hand up to…