I rose to my feet and opened my mouth to say that I was excusing myself for work.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Lyss half-screamed, tears in her eyes.
"I do! You've been acting ridiculously since we got here," Jake growled.
"What do you know? You don't pay me any attention at all."
I shot a look at Rhi, who seemed about as confused as I was. Perhaps Lyss wasn't just using Jake after all.
"Lyss..." Jake's face softened a bit. A harsh voice in my head whispered that he was only acting that way because he knew the rest of us were watching now.
"Don't Lyss me!" she hissed, jumping to her feet even as she eyed up the glass of wine by Jake's hand as if debating whether or not she should throw it on him. A small part of me wanted her to do it, if only because it would be one more thing that might help Jake see that she was all wrong for him.
"Lyss..."
Adam sucked in a breath from beside me, no doubt, realizing that his best friend had said completely the wrong thing.
"Argh." Lyss didn't pick up the wine glass, but stormed out instead, her long blonde hair flicking behind her as she did and adding to the drama. At least, she'd appreciate that. She seemed like the kind of girl who cared about making a scene.
"What did I do?" Jake asked, looking straight at Adam.
My cousin shrugged, as clueless as the rest of us.
Darkness shrouded Jake's eyes as he scraped his chair back. The sound went right through me, setting my teeth on edge. I held my tongue. He was angry, and like a beast, he didn’t need prodding.
He grabbed his wine glass and downed it in one, before leaning into the center of the table and snatching up a full bottle of the stuff.
"No one wants this, right?" He looked between us as if daring one of us to contradict him and tell him he couldn't have it.
I shook my head. "The servants can bring us more if we want it," I said evenly. Though from the expressions on the others' faces, they wouldn't be partaking themselves.
"Good." Jake strode away, the bottle in hand. At least, he'd left the glass behind so the servants could clear it up.
I slumped back into my seat, relieved that was over with.
"Do you want to head out to do some magic practice?" Topher asked, looking straight at me, though I was certain he meant the room in general.
"I think that's an excellent idea, it'll take all of our minds off things," Adam blustered, getting to his feet.
"I'd rather go read a book," Rhi said softly.
“We have an excellent library,” I assured her.
"Alright then, Rhi will go read a book. Topher and I will go cast spells. You coming, Kelis?" Adam asked.
I shook my head. "I really should get some work done, but I'll come down in an hour or so." I wasn't sure I was ready for him to see how unpracticed I was at magic. Topher might be a risk in that too, but he'd never made me feel bad about my lack of magical training.
Topher's face fell, but he covered it up the moment he noticed me watching.
"I'll be down later," I promised with a smile. I wanted to practice as much magic as possible, especially with Lyss and Jake's relationship falling apart in front of me.
Much later, I shrugged off my jacket, freeing my arms from the stiff confines. I didn't mind this time of year, but the chill in the air was too much to go out without one.
"Your hair is a disaster," the mirror said moments later.
"Thanks," I muttered. What did I care what it thought? I'd been outside practicing magic, and a fall wind had swept through the yard.
"That wasn't a compliment," it retorted.
"I didn't think it was."
I slipped off my holster, and put my wand back on the stand. I wasn't planning on leaving my room again tonight, so there was no need for me to keep my wand strapped to me.
A knock sounded on my door, and I startled.
"Coming," I called.
The door opened before I reached for the handle.
"Jake?" I said surprised. He was the last person I'd expected to see staggering into my room as if he owned the place.
"One of the servants told me where your room was." His words slurred together, but I could still work out what he was saying.
"They did?" That was surprising. But, Jake was charming, so perhaps that was it.
"Yes." He pushed past me and into my rooms, letting out a loud whistle. "Wow, they give you nice digs here, don't they?"
I wasn't sure what was the best way to respond to that. This wasn't the way I expected Jake to end up in my room, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
"Can I help you?" I asked, trying to keep my cool, but it wasn't easy.
"You can explain how you have so much room when all I have is a one-bedroom with a tiny window that barely lets in any light."
"I live here," I pointed out. "This is my only room."
"Other than your office," he slurred, stumbling towards my dressing room. I hoped he didn't go in there.
"Yes, this and my office. But I only use that for work," I insisted.
"That's no fun." He stumbled towards the mirror.
"So, you said." I couldn't relax enough while he was that close to it. What if it said something? Magic was normal around here, so he shouldn't find it too strange if the mirror started talking to him unless he'd heard the stories about Mother. Then he might have some questions.
"You still haven't told me what you're doing here," I reminded him.
"You're nice. Did you know that?" He swiveled around and faced me, his eyes roving up and down me.
"I try to be," I responded.
"How have I overlooked you?" he
