Not flinched. Not startled politely. Jumped—bodies snapping taut, heads whipping around simultaneously, Hyrin's wind magic crackling instinctively around his hands and Aurex's solar light flickering at his fingertips—like two predators who'd just realized prey had snuck up directly behind them.
Wish stood directly behind them.
Not three feet away. Right there. Between them and the balcony wall, leaning against the stone with her arms crossed and a smile on her face that made it clear she had been standing there for at least several seconds before either of them had noticed.
"Viya has this reflection power," she said casually, examining her nails. "Lets her teleport short distances using any reflective surface. Very useful." She glanced up at them with bright, innocent eyes. "I borrowed it before I sent her back to her cell."
She smiled wider.
"Works great."
Her tail swished behind her—calm, pleased, utterly satisfied with herself.
