“Lesson one. To survive in our world, you must protect the magic that sustains you. Do you know how to keep from being drained by this method?” She splays her palm on the ground, and the earth slowly desiccates. Grass turns gray and crumbles. Ground shrivels and cracks, swallowing the rain. The infection oozes outward from her hand, slowly devouring inches, then feet. I retreat a single step, then realize how wrong that instinct is. She can turn up the speed at any second. She’s just playing with me. “It’s simple, actually. Occupying ground that has already had its magic repurposed creates a
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