"It could," Aaliyah said, "if you let it. But if you let yourself become hard to murder, then it will change you into something you don't want to be."
Aidan turned and looked into her hazel eyes.
"Aidan, you're not a bad person. You saved my life twice, and you've shown me that there is far more to you than just a sorcerer. Thank you for that."
Aidan didn't know what was happening inside him, but he felt his, no, their heart race as his face drifted closer and closer to hers.
Their lips barely touched, hers pushing the magic out of his, when she playfully pushed him away. "If you want a kiss," she said, a smile on her face, "You're going to have to do better than that."
Then she jumped up and ran across the beach, sand flying in her wake. Aidan grinned and took off after her.
Aaliyah knocked on Bartemus's new office door and walked inside.
"You know, the point of knocking is to get a response before you come barging in," the warlock said.
"I don't like it," Aaliyah said. "Aidan's not a murderer, and forcing him to ignore his conscience will destroy him."
Bartemus slowly nodded. "I know, and this pains me more than anything. One day, when this is over it will be your job to bring him back. Until then, he must be prepared to slay Malcommer, no matter what the cost."
Aaliyah clenched her fists. "You're a monster." Then she turned and slammed the door.
Bartemus sighed. "Aye, lass. That I am."
Epilogue
Rickentoh marched into the throne room, his body glowing with power.
"You killed them!" he yelled. "My dragon and twenty-seven others, dead because of you and your stupid warlock!"
"Careful, Rick, be mindful of who you are speaking to. And where is my stupid warlock."
"Dead, just like the rest of them. And how does that help you, Malcommer? How does this fit into your plan?"
"That depends. Who killed Edwin?"
Rickentoh felt for his knife, which of course had been removed before he had been allowed into the throne room. "The new Thunderheart, who else?"
Malcommer laughed. "Then, young pupil, this fits perfectly into my plans. Just perfectly."
"Mail delivery," Timothy said, throwing a small package at the still drowsy Aidan. He had been sleeping so peacefully before his ever-tactful friend woke him. The wizard slowly ripped open the paper. Inside was a letter that smelled like home, and another, individually wrapped package. The letter was fairly short:
Aidan,
I suppose that was the best reaction I could have hoped for, considering how I lied to you for so many years. But I am done lying, and there is one last thing you should know. When your father departed, he left a note saying that when the time was right, I should give the contents of this package to our son. I suppose this is what he meant. I have no idea what it is so special about it.
I love you,
Your mother
Aidan picked up the package, which seemed to already be radiating a strange sort of power. It was covered in cloth and hay, and fell out of its wrapping as soon as Aidan picked it up.
It was a perfectly round stone, white, with red stripes running in one direction. Aidan's heart rose into his throat, and Timothy dropped his own mail when he saw it.
It was a phoenix egg.
Acknowledgements
I have several people to thank for the completion of this book. I never could have come even close to finishing this first chapter of Aidan's story if not for my family. Their love and support is always appreciated more than they know. I want to especially mention my sister, Christianna, who will always be Shortstop to me. I would like to thank my grandfather, for editing this book for me free of charge.
I would also like to thank the friends who have helped me edit the story and let me know when an idea is just plain dumb, specifically AnneMarie McPhearson and Charity Teter.
Finally, I would like to thank Talia Ogren, for always being encouraging when I needed it most and drawing the beautiful map that brings my Gurvinite to life.