I was barely getting over the fact that all I'd wanted to do was escape and had found a place no one could disturb me. How was I supposed to digest this? You are a leader and magic depends on you? Right.

"You're funny, Zach," I said, and snort-laughed. I wanted to believe more than anything that Zach was trying to mess with me, but I knew from the tingles coursing through my body that was likely wishful thinking.

"I wish I was joking," he said.

"How...?" I stood and turned my back to Zach, throwing my hands up and then back down so they hit my thighs. "Why do you and my mother insist on hiding things until it's too late for me to make my own decisions?"

"Nora—"

"Seriously, Zach!" I turned to face him, narrowing my eyes. "First, you guys didn't tell me about any of this"—I gestured around us— "and then I had to learn to use my abilities on my own, fight a battle that isn't mine, and discover everything I've learned so far about my mother's family on my own. Not to mention the blood connection to Calin—which reminds me of how Onyx and Opal were connected to us, actually—and now this. You're a leader. You took tests and didn't know it. I've tricked you into coming to another realm to cement your role as a ruler and restore the magic you stripped yourself of because you are responsible for everyone's ability to practice the Craft. Oh, and you're obligated to ensure the corruption ends. Sorry I didn't ask?"

"I can see that being your perspective, though it certainly wasn't the intent."

"No?"

"No." Zach shook his head. "The goal was to give you as much normalcy as possible for as long as possible. Your mother decreed it."

"I thought she hadn't cemented herself as a ruler?"

"Like I said, she was still a leader. The power she wielded was enough to force people to obey," he said. "Besides, it's the only thing she ever asked for, and I respected her too much to not abide her wishes until I could no longer do so because it left you in a dangerous predicament. Your safety was your mother's greatest desire. Even more, it is necessary."

"Why?"

"You are the last of your family, Nora. If you don't exist, neither does magic. Or the Kingdom, for that matter."

"Again, why? And how is that possible?"

"It's a long story."

"It always is." I sat back down and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees. "I have time and there is nobody here to interrupt us."

Zach looked back at me, silent, and raised his eyebrow.

A second later, my phone pinged with a notification. I watched Zach, hoping he'd elaborate, but he remained silent. Frustrated, I gave in and took out my phone. Nancy had left a few messages, asking if I was okay and to see if I was up for company, and there was one from Calin that I opened to confirm I'd read it properly.

Calin: Trevor is awake.

I read it one more time, then looked at Zach, my mouth parted. "I, uh..." I shook my head. "I have to go."

"What?"

"I have to go. Trevor is awake." I nodded a couple times, then stood, unsure where I should go to leave. I looked around and then back at Zach. "How...?"

"Nora, we have a lot to discuss."

"I know, but Trevor is awake, and I have a lot to learn from him too."

"It's more imperative that you learn your heritage and utilize the gifts within the Kingdom to help you be stronger."

"I need to know what Trevor does, Zach," I said and shook my head. "How am I supposed to learn anything if I don't have answers? I'll come back, hopefully knowing who I have to stop so I can train against them instead of expecting to fight everyone."

"We can still build a solid foundation so you aren't opening yourself to further problems. You were just kidnapped. That could happen again."

"I need to learn why Trevor did what he did and who is pulling his strings. I have to do it." I pointed to myself, hoping I wouldn't have to break it down further. "I won't be alone, I promise."

He sighed and glanced upward as though praying for guidance. After a moment, Zach shook his head and sighed again. Rubbing his hands against his thighs, Zach stood and looked at me. "How long do you think it will take to learn what this boy knows?"

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"More than a day?"

"I don't know, Zach. I've never interrogated anyone for information before. How long do you think it should take?"

"An hour. Maybe two."

"Are you serious?"

"You are capable of making him talk, if you put your mind to it."

"What? Pull out torture devices?"

"No, I mean put your mind to it. Visualize him telling you what you want to hear."

"Won't that just put words in his mouth?" I rolled my eyes and looked outside the gazebo at the dogs still running around. "It's too literal. I know what my suspicions are, Zach, and if I visualize Trevor telling me what I want to know... I'll just confirm what I'm already thinking, and it might not be the truth."

Zach smirked. "That's logical, but you are capable of asking for the truth, Nora. You can visualize it or, if you don't think you can, scare him."

"What?" I twisted to look at Zach. "There is no way you just suggested that to me."

"I didn't say hurt him."

"Because that would be wrong?"

"In some situations, no. It's the only way."

"I don't want to think of having to do that. There should always be another way."

Zach stared at me, unblinking.

"Fine. I'll try visualizing him telling me the truth, okay? I don't want to talk about this anymore."

I snapped my fingers for Onyx to come back to the gazebo. She paused, lifting her head, and whined. Onyx looked at Opal, appearing hesitant, but then ran over to my side and sat.

"How do I go home, Zach?" I asked, looking at him as I pet Onyx between her ears. "Can you send me back?"

"No, I'm not strong enough to continue going back and forth, especially since we need to have energy to practice."

"Okay? So, you're going to make me stay?"

"No." Zach sighed. "I understand this is something you need to do, and you're probably right. Whatever Trevor has to share may be useful in narrowing our focus while you learn."

"So, you're going to show me how to come and go?"

Zach nodded. "Yes. Take a day or two, but remember if Trevor doesn't know anything, we have ways to figure it out."

"So you really plan on telling me everything that my mom hid? Of teaching me?"

"Yes," he said, nodding again as he put his hands in his front pockets. "It's time for you to know everything, Nora. Just... Be careful. Remember that when you came here, magic was restored for everyone."

"Whose fault is that?" I lifted my chin, squaring my shoulders. "You tricked me into reversing what I wanted."

"It was necessary."

"Fine. I won't hold it against you so long as you fulfill your promise and tell me everything."

"Deal. You'll go only for a day?"

"Or two." I shrugged. "You know, when I say everything, I mean including what happened to my mother."

"Why?"

"It's necessary," I said, throwing his words back at him.

"Okay, fine. If you return with a day or two, I will tell you everything, including what happened to your mother."

"You'll make it the first thing you share and leave nothing out."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Yes, it is. For me." I nodded.

"Then we'll discuss it when you return," he said. "Now, do you want to learn how to get to and from the Kingdom without needing assistance?"

"That's probably good. That way, if you don't live up to your promise, I can leave without your help."

"You may be as good as your mother envisioned, but you're as sassy as every teenager."

I nodded, pursing my lips. "Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment."

"As it was intended, Nora." Zach gestured to the floor of the gazebo. "I'm going to step out now. You need to think of where you want to be. Envision your destination."

Onyx followed me to the edge of the gazebo as Zach stepped onto the grass. Opal rushed to his side. I cast a quick glance at her, silently saying goodbye for now, and then looked back at the mosaic on the floor.

As I watched, I pictured the grounds behind our house in Briarville. The floor began to swirl like it did when we came, blurring at the edge and creeping inward to the center. The colors in the tile mixed together, becoming a kaleidoscope of hues until it turned a dark navy with wisps of light.

"I'll see you soon, Nora," Zach said.

I lifted my hand and waved over my shoulder, feeling my stomach match the turns of the floor. Onyx stayed beside me, and we stepped into the unknown, trusting Zach didn't lead me astray.