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‘Do I?’

‘Squawrk, silly!’

‘Mwel-grrr!’

‘That’s what they say.’ Aiden grinned. ‘And you’ve been immersed in this side of Hudsbury longer than I’ve even known that it exists. You’d know better than me. Has it ever steered you wrong before?’

‘No, but it’s never been about anything like this before.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like…’ Jamie swallowed. ‘Maybe something that could be serious.’

‘Really? Serious, serious?’

‘Maybe,’ Jamie answered as Mist mewed, making Aiden look round in surprise.

‘Amrita triggers your magic? Wow. How?’

‘I… don’t honestly know.’ Jamie shook his head. ‘They told you that?’

‘They talk a lot. Don’t give me that indignant look, Mist. You know it’s true.’

‘Sorrynotsorry!’

‘Why is it I can hear Lunar but not Mist?’

Aiden shrugged. ‘We asked her that too, as Mia hears some things. She says some human speech sounds are easier than others with a beak. She can mimic human speech like other birds – and that’s what you, Mia and everyone else hears. And then there’s the speech people like me, Ophelia and Rayenne hear.’ He paused, listening to Mist and nodding. ‘Like that.’

‘What did she say?’

‘That I should put the kettle on.’ He laughed. ‘Mate, do you need a brew and a chat?’

‘I wouldn’t know where to start.’

‘What do you mean when you said she triggers your magic? You know that’s really rare, don’t you?’

‘So I keep hearing. Do you really have time to talk?’

Jamie didn’t need to hear magic to understand Mist’s or Lunar’s response.

‘I agree with them,’ Aiden replied. ‘And, for the record, I think this sounds important. So I’ll make the time. And I can do now – if you don’t mind me interrupting to serve any customers⁠—’

‘Meow!’

‘Sorry. Of course… any customers Mist⁠—’

‘Squark!’

‘—and Lunar can’t handle.’

‘Thanks. That sounds good.’

‘Come pick a seat then, and I’ll pick a brew. So, what does Amrita think about all this? Does she know?’

‘She hasn’t a clue. She doesn’t know about Hudsbury or magic at all.’

‘Have you thought about telling her? I don’t mean to interfere or put thoughts into your head, but if she really is triggering your magic⁠—’