Page 26 of Spirit Storm

"She's your metal witch friend, right? The one that moored that stone castle by the edge of the forest.”

“Yep, that’s her.”

Lily turns to Asher and gets a second hug, shorter but no less sincere. "Hi, Ash."

"Hey, squirt." He leans back and looks at her properly. "You look good. Less raccoony… less haunted."

"Thanks. I feel better, too.”

"I have that effect on the ladies."

Lily laughs and then rushes back to her bench to gather her sketchbook. “Let’s go inside. I’ll show you our dorm, and we can wait for Violet to get back."

My youngest sister leads us back through the garden and into the east residential corridor, through a set of double doors and up a half-flight of stairs to a cluster of rooms arranged around a shared central space.

A round table. A small kitchen unit. Windows that face the forest. If I lean in close, I can even see part of the forge castle.

“I’m in here.” Lily's room is orderly in a way that's specifically hers. Sketches are pinned along the wall in loose groupings. There is a stack of books on the windowsill with a mug balanced on top. Her bed is made. Everything else is covered in art supplies arranged with a logic only she understands.

"Nice digs, kid.” Asher gives the space an approving smile, and my sister stands a little straighter.

"I moved my desk to face the window. It’s crazy beautiful at night when the sprites and faeries come out and dance around all lit up.” She sets her sketchbook and pencils onto the chair. "Violet's room is nice, too. It’s next door. She’ll have to show it to you when she gets back. They’re spelled so we can’t go in without the other person there."

I nod. “I remember.”

"Right. I forgot you were here.”

“And as much as I didn’t want to be, it was what I needed to make sure my powers came back safely.”

We return to the common area and settle around the table. “Do you want anything? We have cookies and juice, some soda, and not much else.”

I check with the others, then wave away the offer. “We’re good. We ate right before we came. Tell me how you’re doing? What’s it been like for you two?”

Lily sinks a little deeper into her chair. “Well, for me it’s not so bad. Since my affinity doesn’t awaken for another couple of years, there’s less damage to overcome. Violet hasn’t said it, but I think she’s really scared.”

“Have they taken the blocks off?”

Lily tilts her head from side to side, considering. "Mine, yes. I think I’m as back to normal as I can be with no actual affinity present.”

“That’s awesome. So, how do you feel?”

“Normal, I guess. Relieved that I don’t have to worry about being overwhelmed or exploding like that witch in Emberwood.”

Yeah, that was horrible.

"And Violet?"

“Violet’s been working with Dr. Thorne. He meets with her every couple of days in the Destiny Spire. He’s taken a few layers of the block off, bit by bit.”

“And how is she doing?”

Lily's expression tightens. "She's handling it. I know there are moments she struggles, but she’s strong and very determined. She hits the practice rooms every morning before breakfast."

I think about the way Violet used to throw herself at any problem until conquering it. She’s definitely determined, but the fear of losing control and detonating like that other siphoned witch must terrify her.

The door to the common room opens, and Violet comes in at full speed, her long brown hair loose and slightly wild. She finds us sitting at the table and squeals. “S’Nark said he could feel you here, so I basically sprinted from the west practice block."

She rushes over, and I barely make it to my feet before she’s hugging me. “I’ve missed you. Oh, how I’ve missed you.”