A Kind of Magic by Shanna Swendson Page B

of sense, does it?”
    “Very little about the fae makes sense.”
    Emily hesitated for a moment, working up the nerve to ask another question. “Eamon also said he could take me that way. Do you think I should, just to find out what’s going on, where they’re going? Maybe since I know what’s happening, I’d be conscious of it, and I can trust him not to hurt me.” She had to admit that she was a little more curious about the other kind of dream she’d mentioned to Eamon, if that might be a way for them to have a relationship that spanned worlds, but she wouldn’t dare mention that idea to Athena.
    “For research?” Athena asked, her eyes twinkling.
    “Totally. I mean, I can get him to take me dancing at any time. I think before I see about putting a stop to it, I ought to find out what it’s all about. And I want to see how many people I know are involved. For all I know, all my friends are partying without me.”
    The bell on the door jingled, and they both looked up in surprise. Customers were rare in this shop. But it was Sophie, looking uncharacteristically tired and bedraggled. “Ah, there you are,” said Athena, apparently not at all surprised. “Let me give you a key. I’ve already told the doorman to expect you. Feel free to make yourself at home.”
    “I’m going to have to just dump my stuff and run,” Sophie said. “I’ve managed to finagle a little studio time to myself, and I don’t want to miss it.”
    “I guess this means you got it,” Emily said, raising an eyebrow at her sister. “You do remember that there are these things called telephones that allow us to communicate with each other.”
    For a second, Sophie looked chagrined, but she immediately regained her usual aplomb. “I’m sorry. I suppose I just got so busy with packing and making arrangements, and I figured we’d have plenty of time to talk once I was here.”
    “Wait, did you actually take the long way around, like normal people?”
    “Well, I couldn’t exactly move to New York for more than a month without Mama noticing me leaving. I had to tell her, and she insisted on driving me to the airport.” Sophie gave a mischievous grin. “But I did book a horrendously early flight. I can always pop back through the Realm and sneak in if there’s something I couldn’t take on the plane.”
    Athena handed her an envelope. “The key’s in there, and the directions. Your room is through the kitchen. And think of it as your home while you’re there.”
    “Thank you so much. Now I have to run. My cab’s waiting.”
    “This could be really good for her,” Emily remarked once Sophie was gone. “I always hated that she gave up dancing, and it’s even worse that she did it for me.”
    “It wasn’t as though you asked her to do so.”
    “No, not exactly. But I didn’t complain since it made it easier for me to leave home and come to New York.”
    “Well, it’s all right now, isn’t it? You’re a star on Broadway and Sophie is dancing again, sure to be a star, and she’s right where she can be a full member of our circle.” Emily didn’t think Sophie considered that a bonus, but she kept her mouth shut for the time being. Athena grinned. “And she’ll be in much closer proximity to Michael.”
    “Is that why you offered her a place to stay? Athena, you are a busybody.”
    “It’s in the job description for enchantresses. Now, about this idea of you becoming a dreaming dancer. What would you hope to accomplish?”
    “I just want to see it for myself. I want to know if it’s harmful. I want to know how to protect my friends.”
    “You want to spend some time with that silver-eyed fairy.”
    “Hey, it’s one thing for you to be a busybody with Sophie. I’ll never admit it to her, but I heartily approve. I have to draw the line at you playing matchmaker with me.”
    Athena’s face suddenly went serious. “I wouldn’t play matchmaker there. I am merely making sure that you are clear and honest with