Hunted by Magic by Jasmine Walt

little, hugging me back, and when I pulled away I was surprised to see a film of tears in her eyes. “I just want you all to be safe, and going out there to rescue the Chief Mage, especially at a time like this, is reckless. He’s got boatloads of magic, Naya – surely he can take care of himself.”
    I snorted. “You’re here to talk to me about recklessness?” In that department Noria was even worse than I was. “Besides, if it were Elnos out there, wouldn’t you be going regardless of the danger?”
    “I love Elnos.” Noria arched a brow. “Are you trying to tell me that you love the Chief Mage?”
    “I wouldn’t go that far,” I said lightly, though my heartbeat began to pick up at the accusation. “But he’s my mentor now, and I’ve already lost one of those this year. I don’t want to lose another.”
    “Alright.” Noria sighed, then stepped aside to give me access to the platform. “Go on, then.”
    “Wait!”
    I turned at the sound of Comenius’s voice, and a smile broke out across my face as I watched him hurry into the lot with Elania on his heels. His features sagged with relief as he took us all in. “Oh, I’m so glad I didn’t miss you.”
    “Me too.” I stepped forward and into Com’s waiting embrace. “Will you check on Lakin for me whenever you get a moment? I know you’re not really comfortable with being in Shiftertown, but I’m sure his hands are more than full, and there are probably many wounded that could use your assistance.”
    “I’ll do what I can.” Comenius hugged me tightly, and I laid my head on his shoulder, soaking up his comforting embrace. His herbal scent surrounded me, and as I glanced over his shoulder at Elania, I was surprised to see jealousy in her dark eyes as she regarded us silently. But as soon as I stepped out of the embrace, the look in her eyes was gone, and a warm smile spread across her features as she came to hug me as well.
    “May the gods be with you, Sunaya,” she told me.
    “And you.” Truthfully, I had no idea what she meant by that, as I’d always operated under the assumption that there was one god – Magorah. I’d only recently found out that mages worshipped a version of Him called the Creator, as well as His right-hand woman, the first mage Resinah. I was still trying to wrap my head around what was true, but I couldn’t deny that I’d felt a strong, powerful presence in Resinah’s temple, and more than once I’d even imagined hearing her voice.
    I stepped onto the platform, then turned back to face Noria as a thought occurred to me. “Promise me something.”
    “What?”
    “Will you wait to join the Resistance?” When Noria’s face stiffened, I added, “At least until we get back? I’d hate to think this is the last time we’ll see you.” Once Noria joined up with the Resistance she would become an outlaw, and would have to flee to one of the Resistance’s hidden camps.
    “I’ll try,” she allowed, her voice tight. “But no promises.”
    I nodded, then boarded the balloon. It was the best I could hope for.
    “Take care of my sister, will you?” Annia called to Elnos as she hopped into the basket with me.
    “Of course.” Elnos nodded solemnly. Although he wouldn’t – or rather, couldn’t – stop Noria from joining the Resistance, he wasn’t a fan of the idea. He would try to hold her off as long as possible.
    “Alright,” Fenris said as he settled himself into the basket along with us. “Let’s get going.”
    Noria and Elnos rushed to cut the ropes tying the balloon to the ground. As they did, I took hold of the rope dangling from above, which I was supposed to direct my magic through to steer the balloon. I gripped the edge of the basket with my other hand as the balloon began to rise into the air, slowly, ever so slowly, and I watched as we crested the tops of the various buildings that made up the compound of the Academy. Soon we were high enough to see all of Rowanville – I could make out