Daria’s POV

The practice-grounds were earthy and old magic, that kind that sinks in stone and lingers there a long time even after spells had been forgotten. Witches were floating around the outer ring, some with disciplined bursts of energy, others with disciplined focus through concentration. At the centre, warriors were drilling in pairs, and the blades crashed together in smooth harmony. I was now in between the two worlds, and I felt, for the first time in a long time, in balance.

"Again," I said, lifting my hand.

One of the little witches was afraid, and she thrust ahead. The spell hissed irregularly and died away.

Please, do not...