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‘That’s not really an answer,’ Amrita pointed out.

‘It’s the honest one. Many people have the potential for magic within them,’ Rayenne explained. ‘What’s less certain is if that will come out or not – whether they will use it – and how it will show. In a lot of people, it is subtle, but it will guide their footsteps in life. It might never show as more than a particular skill in a hobby or vocation they are drawn to. Like Jamie.’

‘Jamie?’

‘Yes. I think wherever he was, he would always have been an artist of some sort. But because he was born in Hudsbury, and awake to magic, it became more. I think you share a lot of similarities with him.’

‘I do?’

‘I think that you have always had it in you to help people – to lend stability while they did what they needed in order for them to heal. That maybe you were drawn to your career?’

‘Maybe.’ Amrita nodded, a little tense, not sure that she liked how easily Rayenne was reading her.

‘I think that was your magic, that it guided your hands and your career for your whole life.’

‘Really?’ Amrita pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure how I feel about that.’

‘Without wanting to be too harsh about this’ – Rayenne kept her tone gentle – ‘how you choose to feel about it is fairly irrelevant. It’s as much a part of you as your eye colour. Your magic has been your guide, quietly influencing you towards a vocation that fulfilled you. And it has, right?’

‘I do love my job.’ Amrita smiled. ‘So it’s always been there? Somewhere deep inside me?’

‘I believe so.’ Rayenne nodded. ‘And it probably would have stayed there, in the background, but I think that your gift is based in empathy, meaning it’s primarily reactive to the needs of those around you, rather than proactive like Ophelia’s or Aiden’s.’

‘I know I’m not a cook, or whatever Ophelia is. Does that mean I’m like you?’

‘In that we both have the ability to help people when they are in pain, yes. But I believe our magic works very differently. Mine comes from the elements, but I think yours comes more from within you, and the person you’re helping. I think you likely have what could be referred to as threshold magic – a little like a doula. You can give people calm and soothing through transition points in their lives. Not to alter the outcomes, but to lend them strength, and support them to make it through in one piece. You can see, and guide, people to the truth without flinching or pulling back. Similar to how you support people to work through their pain to heal in physiotherapy. Only more so.’

‘And that’s why it hurt me? Because I was taking on someone else’s pain.’

Yes, Lunar answered as Rayenne nodded.

‘So what happened with the horse rider could happen again?’ The thought terrified her, making her voice catch in her throat.

‘I think that’s unlikely. You made it all these years without any incidents.’

‘Then what changed?’

‘You asked for help in a place that could give it – and when it was truly needed. Your want – your need – to help guided your magic.’

‘So, if I never get put into that position again… if I avoid Hudsbury… I should be safe?’

‘Probably. You could ignore it and never enter Hudsbury again, and probably not be bothered by magic for the rest of your life. But now that you know it exists, is that what you really want to do?’

‘I… don’t know.’

‘It’s no one’s choice but yours.’

‘Even if I was interested… and I’m not saying I am… but even if I was… what choice do I have? It hurt me.’

‘New skills are often painful when you’re learning them. Just like when muscles are being strengthened and repaired. You know this from your work. But you also know it’s worth it.’

‘How do you even start learning something like this? It’s not like there’s adult learning courses.’ Amrita hesitated, realising she didn’t actually know. ‘Are there? I mean, do people in Hudsbury go to magic classes like cooking or photography in other places?’

‘Not really.’ Rayenne laughed. ‘Although we do run some classes in Glimmers, but they’re usually more tool orientated – like using crystals to heal. Or reading tarot cards – that’s one of Ophelia’s most popular. But for a situation like yours, you find a teacher who understands your situation and gift, and learn from them.’

Amrita swallowed hard when realisation hit. ‘You mean someone like you?’

‘If you wanted, I could.’