Matriarch Ismene and I said our goodbyes in excellent spirits. I had done magic. I had conjured light from nothing. No matter how many times I reminded myself, it still brought a wide smile to my face. Even Theseus, when I saw him on my way out, couldn't dampen my mood. I was feeling so generous, I didn't even stick my tongue out at him or flip him off, despite his richly deserving both.

To get down the street, I threw the tablecloth back over Olezhka. Magic might be something I could ...