Sorcery and Small Magics (The Wildersongs Trilogy, #1)

by Maiga Doocy

if they weren’t powerful, they were beautiful, or if they weren’t either of those things, they wanted to be, with the sort of desperation that nearly makes something true.

I leaned forward over the table and cupped one hand around my ear. “Was that a compliment I heard? You’d best be careful what you say or I’ll begin to think this forced proximity is improving your opinion of me.”

we almost didn’t notice the birds perched in the trees a little while later. There were five of them, with feathers black as night, sitting in a row on a branch. In place of talons, they had long-fingered hands that curled around their perch. Jayne steered us to the left, so as not to pass directly beneath them, but otherwise didn’t seem overly concerned. “It’s the ones with regular talons you need to watch out for,” she said, once we were well past. “Why’s that?” I asked. Jayne looked very pointedly down at my hands. “Because they’re still searching.”

I wasn’t entirely sure if Grimm was in earnest or just in possession of a far drier wit than I’d given him credit for.

Something within me twinged, a discordant note. Between the thought of dealing with Jayne and risking my affection, Grimm would choose Jayne. It was hilarious, in the most unflattering sense, which was why my chest must have ached. From all the withheld laughter.

You must admit, the words had a distinct murdery feel to them.”

Have you ever had your insides scraped out, mashed with a fork, and then put back in place? That’s certainly what it felt like had happened when I woke up. From my pinkie toes to the hair follicles on my head, everything hurt. “Dear me, no thank you,” I muttered, and forced myself back asleep.