“Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire, and your children shall burn.” Baz’s whole arm is shaking now. I put my hand on his shoulder to steady him. And then I do something I’ve never done before—something I probably wouldn’t try with anyone I was scared of hurting. I push. I take some of the magic that’s always trying to get out of me, and I just push it into Baz. His arm straightens like a rod, and his voice hitches louder—“away home!”—midsentence. The dragon’s wings shudder, and it lurches back. I push a little more magic. I worry that it’s too much, but Baz doesn’t fall
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