“It’s just a couple weeks,” I rushed to explain. “When I get back, I’m going to find her a proper home. I just don’t have time right now.”

“I have to think about it and talk to Leif. In the meantime, please consider Mother’s advice.”

“Slow down and think?”

“Since you came back from Hubal, you’ve been different. I think you’ve lost your purpose, and are just dashing around looking for something to call your own. The factory in Fulgor, the apartment, Reema. Raising a child is a huge responsibility, you—”

“Forget it. I’ll find someone else.” I left the mixing room.

Mara knew nothing about my purpose. She didn’t understand. Couldn’t. On my way out, I almost ran into the first-year student I had helped.

Keelin jumped back. “Sorry.”

I waved her off. “My fault.”

“Opal, wait,” Keelin said.

I turned.

She handed me the dolphin I had made. “It’s pretty. You should display it.”

Absently, I glanced at it. “Thanks. How did your paperweight turn out?”

“Like a clump of dirt kicked up by a horse.” She laughed. “But you were right, my latest one is better. And I tried to make a dolphin, too.”

“Good for you. How did it look?”

“Not as sleek as yours and it didn’t flash, either.”

“Flash?”

Keelin pointed to the shelves filled with finished pieces from the annealing oven. “When anyone in here used magic, it would flash. I thought since you…you know…with the glass…that it was supposed…” Her voice petered out.

Odd. “Must have been a trick of the light.”

“You’re probably right.” A queasy relief shone on her face.

I hurried away. Out in the bright sunlight, I examined the dolphin. Nothing out of the ordinary. When I encountered a few pools of magic, nothing happened, just as I had suspected.

Stopping by the infirmary, I visited Teegan. Reema read to her brother. She held the book up to the lantern light. His room didn’t have a window. Teegan didn’t seem to mind the gloom. He listened to the story with his eyes closed anyway and a half smile on his lips. I waited for her to reach a break.

Magic touched my cheek.

“Fire Lady’s here,” Teegan said without opening his eyes.

“Your control has improved,” I said.

He peered at me with a sly smile. Impishness danced in his gray eyes.

“And you’re feeling much better, aren’t you?”

He sat up in his bed. “Yep!”

“Good. Now you can tell me why you call me Fire Lady.”

He glanced at the dolphin in my hand. “Did you bring me a present?”

“You’re trying to change the subject.”

“Can I see it?” He reached.

“Only if you answer my question.” Ha!

Holding a hand out, he said, “The dolphin will tell you.”

“Tee,” Reema warned. “Don’t.”

“Why not?”

She waggled her fingers as if communicating to him. He scratched his nose and tapped his shoulder.

Reema grunted in frustration. “She won’t believe you.”

Teegan smiled. “Seeing is believing.” He turned to me. “May I see your dolphin please?”

He played it just right, making me curious and hitting me with a polite request. I handed him the dolphin. He placed it on the table next to his bed. Folding his hands, he closed his eyes.

Magic spread from him. It was slow and in control. Impressive. When it reached the dolphin, the glass animal blazed with light. He pulled back and the glow died.

I grabbed the statue. “Do it again…please.”

The magic swelled, and the light returned. I handed it to Reema. “One more time.”

She squealed in delight when fire burst from the glass.

I met Teegan’s gaze. He said, “I call you the Fire Lady because you have magic trapped inside you and when you—”

“Teegan!” Reema jumped to her feet. “Be quiet!”

“Doesn’t matter now, Ree.” He swept an arm out. “We found a home.”

“You found a home. I’m still too young. And you’re going to scare her.”

“Has Master Jewelrose tested you?” I asked her.

She nodded. “I don’t have any magic.”

“Not that the Master can detect,” Teegan said. “I’d bet you a hunk of bread Fire Lady has felt it.”

“You’re guessing,” I said.

“So? I’m right. Aren’t I?”

“Teegan, that superior attitude won’t help you make friends at the Keep,” I admonished with a stern tone.

His arrogant manner remained. “Now you’re trying to change the subject. You felt Reema use magic, didn’t you?”

“I thought it was from her. But I could be wrong.”

“No, you weren’t wrong. The trapped magic burns inside you. You feel power. Even when it’s a tiny bit. Even when the person doesn’t even know she’s using it. When you touch magic, there’s a faint shimmer around you. A glow. You can’t see it. Reema and I can, but—”

“No one else. How convenient,” I said.

A sullen pout creased his face. “That’s right. We’re a couple of homeless street urchins. Why believe us?” He flopped on his pillow and turned his back on me.