The Unwanteds (Unwanteds, #1)

by Lisa McMann

once you know it’s okay to—you know—feel something, all the feelings get stronger.”

Fear is a difficult thing to unlearn.

And with that, Alex turned to the magical door and stumbled blindly through it, into the brightly lit office of Mr. Today, before the shuddering, angry sobs broke loose. And then large, warm arms enveloped him, the arms of the mage himself, who held Alex tightly and let him snivel on his robe and then patted his back, saying, “There, there,” until Alex could stop sobbing long enough to speak. He looked at Mr. Today, all of the secrets of the past several months dancing around him, and he knew there was no way to lie around this mess. “I’m sorry, sir,” Alex whispered. Mr. Today nodded. “I know, my boy. I know. Let’s hear everything about it now, all right?” He patted a chair and urged Alex to sit, and then he moved behind the desk and sat as well.

“I don’t wish to interrupt until you’ve gotten it all out. Every last nasty bit.”

“Come now, Alex. Let’s be done with the apologies,” Mr. Today said. “Let me tell you, my boy. I admit to holding out the slightest hope for the twin connection in getting him to stay here, once he walked in the door. I’ve witnessed that power before. But I should have known better.…” Mr. Today trailed off, deep in thought, and it was quiet in the room for several minutes.

Thinking more and more that justine is his twin?

“And in case you didn’t notice, I’m an enorrrmous stone cheetah with wings.

Her power is the fear she instills in people. She hides behind the palace so that Quill can’t see that she is afraid too.” “What is she afraid of?” The mage laughed bitterly. “She’s afraid of losing her power to make people afraid. She’s afraid of not being in control. Appearing weak.”

Best thing I’ve ever done. Still, it’s not enough to make up for all the wrongs,” he said. “Whatever I do—it’ll never be enough.”

Have you no secrets on me that you can reveal to my people so that they might gaze at me as suspiciously as your governors are now looking at you? Surely there must be something.”

Mr. Today knew that Alex would mend and that the boy would rise up, stronger and wiser than before, preparing to take on a new role from an ailing mage.

Likewise, for those whose ties have been severed completely, there are no demands on you. Healing is a slow process, and for some, impossible.”

Even more, he thought, catching Alex’s eye, still carry invisible wounds that no magical spell can take away.