An alarm went off, and Luc rolled over with a groan to turn it off. Phone in hand, she caught a glimpse of Beverly’s latest message. She didn’t need to read it to know what it was about. Yet another suggestion for a piece of experimental tech she wanted Luc to make. And of course, no matter how interesting Luc found the ideas, she couldn’t make any of them.

  Not yet, at least.

  Not until she earned back her grade one certification, the very thing that allowed her to use her power legally, not to mention, what had been her job for the past three years.

  A job she hadn’t been able to do in months, all because she was utterly stupid. Using her power to purposefully incite a magical incident, one that had almost gotten her killed and caused a ridiculous amount of property damage. The only reason she hadn’t been on the hook for that was the Commissioner throwing money at the problem, probably trying to keep Marie’s name away from it. It was hard to say she regretted it, but when Marie could go about her life like normal, and Luc was stuck being nothing more than a normal human…

  She shook her head and pulled herself out of bed, shrugging on the nearest tank top. Sweat already clung to her skin, the swampy, southern heat invading everything, even with the air conditioning on. She dressed quickly, doing her best to organize the chaotic room as she went. Luc had never been the cleanest or most organized person, she’d never had time for it, but even now that she had time, those habits died hard.

  A knock sounded at the door. “Breakfast!” Tobias called through it, his footsteps audible on the creaky farmhouse floor as he walked through the hallway and down the stairs.

  Luc threw another shirt into the pack pile and decided she’d deal with the rest later. The boxes were all there, ready for her to pack everything away again, though Mama Barnes had encouraged her to settle in. While she was grateful they’d welcomed her in and given her a room after losing her apartment along with her license, she couldn’t allow herself to take up a room in her house when she wouldn’t even be here. She’d pack everything up and put it in the closet, leave the room clear in case one of the Barnes’ older kids came to visit over the summer.

  Mama Barnes had a breakfast casserole and a pot of steaming cinnamon apples on the table when Luc got downstairs. Tobias had already given himself a heaping portion of both, digging in with gusto. Luc couldn’t blame him. Everything Mama Barnes made was delicious.

  “What’s the plan for today?” Tobias asked.

  “Finish packing,” Luc said. “I’m going to go shopping for the rest of what we need for the summer. Sunscreen… Energy drinks.”

  “Don’t think they’ll have those at the camp?”

  “I’m not going to take the chance,” Luc said. If she had to try and be functional without her energy drinks, she’d probably never get her license back.

  “No last hurrah before they lock us all up?” he asked.

  “No,” she said, the word firm. The last thing any of them needed was another chance to get into trouble, mundane or magical. “Besides, it’s not prison. It’s community service.”

  “I know,” he said with a shrug. “At least we’ll be able to use magic again.”

  “Again? You say that like you’ve used magic more than once.”

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Yeah, well, it was a fun first time,” he said, and ignored the raised eyebrows Luc gave him. “I want to figure out what all I can do.”

  Luc glanced down at her phone as it buzzed again, another text from Beverly, and sighed. “Yeah, me too.”

  There was so much she wanted to do, limits she wanted to test, bursting at the seams with ideas she couldn’t try out. The incident she’d caused had only proved that she was capable of far more than she thought. Beverly had recognized that, and was the only reason Luc had a second chance at being a magical girl at all. All it would take to earn it all back and get into Mage Academy was surviving the summer at this summer camp.

  Her phone went off again, this time with Marie’s name at the top of the message.

  Outside waiting for you.

  Luc finished her breakfast and pushed back from the table, carrying her plate to the sink to spray it off. “Text me if you need anything, I’m heading out.”

  “Tell Marie I said hi, and no one is going to bite her if she comes inside.”

  The summer heat pressed against her skin in full force as she stepped onto the covered front porch, then doubled again as she walked into the sun. Sunlight bit against her skin as she made her way to Marie’s car, running quietly outside, her girlfriend leaned across the seat as she waited for you.

  Resentment reared its head again as she stared at the car. She hadn’t been able to drive her own since they’d banned her magic; it sat dead outside the farmhouse, lifeless and empty.

  She pushed the feeling aside, putting a smile on her face.

  “Tobias says come inside next time,” Luc said, climbing into the front seat. “He doesn’t bite.”

  “I know that,” Marie said with a roll of her eyes. “But we’ve got a lot to do, and sue me, but I want some alone time with my girlfriend.”

  Her lips tilted into a grin as she closed the space between them, pressing a kiss to Luc’s lips. She leaned forward, hating the console between them, but at the same time grateful for it. This car had seen a lot of action, but they couldn’t exactly be doing any of that in broad daylight.

  Marie pulled back and sighed, reluctantly pulling her attention back to the road. The car eased into gear and took off, carefully driving down the dirt road.

  “My dad is still trying to convince me not to go,” she said.

  “You don’t have to go,” Luc said. Marie still had her certification. She hadn’t been involved in the plan, only jumping in later to save their asses. These past few months while Luc had been working for the Barnes, Marie had been doing magical girl work like normal.

  “And let someone else take you from me while you’re there? Not a chance.”

  Luc scoffed. “Right, because that would happen.”

  “It is,” Marie said with a nod. “That’s why magic gave me these muscles. To fight off your suitors.”

  “Who the hell says suitors? Besides, it’s not like that’s likely to happen. I am glad you’re coming along, though.”

  “Me too,” Marie said. “I think it’ll be fun.”

  Luc had her doubts about that, but kept them to herself. Her idea of fun didn’t involve children, summer camps, or even being outside. Sitting in Marie’s topless car, she could already feel the burn setting in.

  She definitely needed to buy sunscreen.

  Marie pulled into a parking spot outside the supermarket, putting the car into park just as her phone went off. It trilled, a noise that sent a jolt of adrenaline straight to Luc’s heart. She reached instinctually for her magic before stopping herself, just short of her transformation.

  Marie stared at the phone, stricken as her eyes darted to Luc, her guilt clear.

  Luc sighed and popped the door open, stepping out onto heated concrete. “Go save the day,” she said, the words stiff. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

  Relief, then nothing, as she activated her power and everything faded away into perfection. “Try not to have too much fun without me.”

  The words rang hollow as Marie took off, speeding off in her car toward the threat. Luc watched her go, unable to tear her eyes away as her girlfriend raced toward a fight she should be there for.

  The car turned out of sight and Luc forced herself to walk into the store. She wasn’t a magical girl anymore, and no matter how much she wanted to help, she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to become a magical girl again.