…With a nice hidden door in the back, so I can leave without being noticed if anyone knocks and I don't want to deal with them. Nikki drew out the design on the paper Cinza had given her.

  "Oh, that looks fun," Ruby said. She rolled over to the edge of the bed and stuck her head out on Nikki's shoulder, peering at the notebook resting against her knees. "Secret passages? Very cool."

  "I just wish it didn't look so plain and boring." Nikki pointed out the rough square edges of her sketch. "I'm so bad at this."

  "Never fear. We can fix that when we build it." Ruby took on a dramatic tone. "Yours shall be the finest in all the Greywoods!"

  "...Greywoods? Really?"

  "Shush. I'm working on it." Ruby nudged her with her head. "Keep drawing. I want to see what you come up with."

  As Nikki tried to add more detail to the floor plan, the door swung open. They saw a vague outline through the heavy curtain that bisected the cabin—one so short, it had to be Cinza. Sure enough, her ethereal voice filled the cabin a moment later, completely unmuffled by the thick curtain.

  "We're done."

  "Are we already? I thought it was going to take another two days."

  The curtain swept open as Cinza walked in, her hair bright silver and her cloak rumpled and covered in dirt. Ruby tut-tutted at the sight and hopped off the bed, grabbing the hem and pulling it off her. Cinza relinquished it readily, releasing the illusion on her hair as she did and returning it to its natural brown. She looked exhausted, as she always did ever since the events in Rallsburg.

  Ruby shook her head in exaggerated disappointment. "Would you stop getting this so messy? I worked hard on it, you know."

  "One does as one must." Cinza dropped into her office chair, which seemed totally incongruous with the rustic decor. Even more so was the array of screens behind it, attached to several computers Nikki knew to be of surprisingly high quality. Ruby worked it into the design of the building as best she could, but there was only so much one could do to try and integrate such modern technology with the wooden cabin aesthetic. "How goes the design, Nicole?"

  Unlike everyone else, it never bothered her when Cinza used her full name. It sounded so much more elegant and profound in her voice, and the usual irritation she felt simply didn't exist. She respected every word Cinza ever spoke, always eager to listen to that ethereal mystique.

  Even so, she wasn't about to show Cinza the silly ideas she'd scribbled out. "Work in progress." Nikki quickly erased the secret passage before Cinza could spot it, but Ruby noticed.

  "Why'd you scratch it out? I really thought it was cool."

  "What did she remove?" Cinza asked, sitting up slightly with interest.

  "She wanted a secret passage out the back. Maybe so she could sneak someone in at night for some fun. We're all thinking it," Ruby added with a knowing grin.

  "Ruby, you're the only one thinking that," Nikki grumbled.

  "Not necessarily," Cinza added mildly, a faint smile creasing the edges of her lips. "I'm guessing it's not the purpose you intended though."

  "It's nothing. I didn't want it anyway."

  "You wanted a way to escape, correct?"

  I really shouldn't be surprised anymore that Cinza seems to know everything right away. "...Yeah."

  "We have a secret passage of our own for the very same reason." Cinza gestured vaguely across the room. "It leads a good deal out into the woods, beyond the security wall."

  "How'd the setup go, by the way?" asked Ruby. She was unfolding and laying out Cinza's robe on a fold-out table set into the far wall. Once it was flat, she focused and started pushing magic across it in a wave, making it perfectly clean and smooth and repairing many of the little snags and cuts that had formed from Cinza's exertion. "You didn't strain yourself too much, did you?"

  "No, dear, I left all the hard work to Rufus and Makoto," Cinza replied wearily. "They both knew better than to risk your wrath by letting me assist."

  "So we should be totally impenetrable now?" Nikki asked. Ruby flashed another wicked grin before Cinza replied.

  "In theory. If someone actually does manage to walk straight through the forest illusion, they'll find themselves up against quite a few obstacles. Ryan's theory about imbuing eggs and simple objects with traps seems to be holding." Cinza sighed. "I wish I could figure out how Jackson broke through the last time. There should have been no way to make it through the forest without knowing the route."

  "He was a god," Ruby pointed out.

  "If Rachel hadn't arrived when she did…" Cinza shook her head. "The new fortifications will have to suffice. We couldn't get the identification to work though. If you ever need to leave camp, do not go out without Rufus or Makoto leading you."

  "Or kaboom?" Ruby asked.

  "Precisely."

  "Isn't this a bit over the line?"

  Cinza glanced up from the computer she'd been turning on. "What do you mean?"

  "We're putting a lot of scary things on the line with no way to prevent them from accidentally hurting the wrong people." Ruby tilted her head to the side. "Aren't you worried about that?"

  "I won't let anyone hurt you," Cinza replied.

  "That's beautifully romantic, my shining star, but that doesn't help the innocent hiker who might wander into the woods totally lost and suddenly explode." Ruby dropped her cute mannerisms. "We might hurt some people really badly."

  "Better them than us," Nikki replied quietly.

  "She puts it much more succinctly than I would, but yes," Cinza agreed. "Better them than us. I don't want to hurt anyone. You know that."

  Ruby got up and walked over to Cinza, planting a kiss on her cheek. "I know, but I just want to make sure you're thinking about everything here."

  "Thank you."

  "Which also means that we're totally building your secret passage," Ruby added, turning back to Nikki. "If we're going all out, you gotta have an escape plan just like us."

  "...You don't think it's childish?"

  "Not at all," Cinza replied. "It's useful and could save your life one day. One must always be ready to flee, no matter how safe they might feel. Better to build it and never use it, than to be without when they come for us."

  "And they will come for us," Ruby intoned gravely, her face excessively solemn.

  "It's no more childish than she is," Cinza added dryly, nudging Ruby with her elbow.

  "Hey, being a child's never slowed me down."

  Nikki glanced up, surprised. "Huh? You're a child?"

  "Only legally." Ruby rolled her eyes. "I'll be eighteen next September."

  "I always assumed you were my age…"

  "Nope. I'm the baby of the family, lucky me. But hey, we're making a new society here. We can always change that."

  Cinza shook her head. "I shudder to imagine you drunk."

  "Oh, I'd make it worth your while."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Nikki felt increasingly uncomfortable in the presence of the endlessly flirtatious Ruby and her exhausted partner. She went back to her design, adding a room where she could be totally alone. A concentration chamber, square and inert, where she could practice her magic without interference or interruption. Feeling a bit more creative, she added a sloppy rendition of the star symbol to the floor, followed by what she hoped would be seen as candle mounts in the walls.

  It might need to be stone instead of wood, though… Maybe a medieval castle vibe. That could work.

  "Mmm… wait. Ruby, did you move my journals?" Cinza asked.

  "Yeah, we were out of room on the bookshelf. I took all the old ones from before Rallsburg and put them in the attic. Is that all right?"

  "Yes, but where did you put the recent ones? I don't see all of them."

  "Is now really the time for this?"

  Nikki glanced up from her drawing, Unsurprisingly, Ruby had found her way into Cinza's chair, placing her legs through the gaps underneath the arms and sitting right on Cinza's lap, facing her. Cinza glanced over at Nikki with a touch of embarrassment. "Not now, my love. I'm too tired."

  Ruby sighed dramatically, but leaned down and kissed her on the mouth gently. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me." She got up and headed outside. "I'm gonna go take a shower."

  As soon as the door had swung shut again, Cinza relaxed and let out a deep breath.

  "You okay?" Nikki asked tentatively.

  "Oh. Yes, I'll be fine." Cinza leaned down to rest her head against the arm of the chair. It was one they'd managed to recover from the sheriff's station, amazingly intact, but it was obviously built with the typical large male officer in mind. Cinza looked so much like a child sitting in it, but it also meant she could curl up in it quite comfortably.

  "You didn't have to do that. I could have gone into the other room, I don't mind."

  Cinza laughed. "I wasn't lying, I really am that tired. Sometimes Ruby can be a bit insatiable. Don't worry, I'll make it up to her tonight." She swiveled around and logged into her computer, before turning back to face Nikki again. "We're happy to have you living with us, so please, if you ever feel uncomfortable, let us know. I'd much rather you feel at home."

  In truth, they did make her feel totally out of place. It wasn't the sex (though Nikki had to admit, they could be a bit… voracious about it sometimes), it was the way they simply clicked. They were too perfect together.

  She was jealous.

  "I really should just move into my own place."

  Cinza nodded. "If that's what you prefer. I assume you want a space where you can work in peace?"

  "Yeah."

  "Your affinity is quite a gift for us," Cinza went on. "Anything you need to help develop it, please let me know. I'm happy to help."

  "You aren't worried about what happened to Jessica?" It certainly scared Nikki into plenty of sleepless nights, that the only other Knowledge affinities had all met terrible fates.

  "That's what we're here to prevent. We're all here for you." Cinza shook her head. "Besides, you aren't doing ritual magic. As far as we can tell, there's no major risk of recoil like what happened to her."

  "You really want to rely on that?" Nikki said doubtfully.

  "Isn't that why you want a perfectly square stone chamber that locks from the inside?" Cinza pointed out, nodding at the sheet of paper in her hand.

  "You can read that from there?"

  Cinza smiled. "I might be practicing a few enhancements of my own lately."

  "You'll have to teach me those later."

  "Certainly. Though I have to admit, I was surprised when you asked if you could stay with us."

  "Me too…"

  "What happened, if you don't mind telling me?"

  Nikki shook her head. "Nothing really. We just didn't fit together anymore."

  "Did he do something?"

  "No!" Nikki replied quickly. Cinza raised her eyebrows. "Really, he didn't. It's more like… what he didn't do." She sighed. "It's like he just assumed we were supposed to be together. Built up this whole story in his head, about how we were the last two people of Rallsburg left alive, us together against the world."

  "Jessica and Natalie might take exception to that," Cinza pointed out.

  "Natalie was born in Chicago, wasn't she?"

  "True."

  "You're right on Jessica though, but she's obviously totally obsessed with Hailey, so it doesn't really matter here." She shrugged. "That's what it came down to. Joe just felt like we were together by default. I kinda fell for it too, for a while."

  "What on earth does it matter where you were born?" Cinza asked thoughtfully.

  "Fu— nothing at all," she quickly corrected.

  Cinza grinned. "What is it with everyone and avoiding swearing around me?"

  "I dunno. It just feels… wrong, I guess?" Nikki shook her head. "Sorry."

  "It's all right, I just thought it was funny."

  Cinza launched a few programs that Nikki had learned were secure tunnels to allow her to browse the net without being traced. At best, they could only track her back to her friend that helped them with the website, whom Cinza trusted without question. They all wondered who the mysterious 'Tezofarl' might be, but they knew better than to ever ask Cinza. It wouldn't be right.

  Except… Nikki now had a way to find out without asking.

  Should I?

  It was incredibly tempting. She had a power none of them could comprehend, let along wield. She could elevate herself and discover the secret past of their fearless leader, that which even her beloved had never been told.

  No, never. I'd never do that to her.

  Except… wasn't it her job to find out everything? Cinza had said it herself, to develop her gift however she could. She worked so much better when she had something specific she wanted to find out, something she was desperate to uncover. Everyone wanted to know more about the strange small girl with the unplaceable foreign accent, who'd drawn them all together and forged them into a tight-knit family.

  The rest of the group had shared their stories. Even Ruby had told hers a few weeks ago, sitting around a roaring campfire with the family (though without Josh, who had gone to bed already), about her history with her abusive father and running away from home.

  Cinza was the only mystery left in the group. Am I supposed to find out using magic? Is that what she'd want me to do?

  She stood up suddenly. "I have to go."

  Cinza glanced over her shoulder. "Something wrong?"

  "No. I just need some air."

  Cinza shrugged, though Nikki suspected she knew it was much more than that. Nikki walked out, passing a soaked Ruby coming in as she left. She headed straight out into the woods, as far as she could go before she reached the barrier, feet crunching against the leaves and underbrush with every step.

  I'd never do that. She wouldn't want me to. She'd have told us if she wanted it public.

  Nikki sat down against a tree and stared out into the woods, completely unsure.

  "Hi."

  She spun around, her hands balling into fists. She might not be great with magic, but Nikki could still throw a solid punch if she had to.

  Makoto materialized from behind the nearest tree. He didn't make a sound as he emerged, hands in his pockets. He looked so casual, even clad in the robe Ruby had personally designed for him. His was far less reflective and shimmering than the usual, and in fact seemed to actively blend into whatever colors surrounded him at the time. It wasn't perfect camouflage, but it was remarkably effective. The robe faded back into the usual silver-grey as he stepped forward.

  "Jesus, man," Nikki breathed, leaning back against the tree and closing her eyes. If Makoto was with her, she was as safe as could be, no matter what her racing heartbeat might say. "Would you stop doing that?"

  "Sorry."

  "What're you doing all the way out here anyway?"

  "Double-checking." He sat down next to her, scanning the horizon. Always reliable, always on-task.

  She liked how solid and dependable he was. If he weren't so inscrutable, Nikki might have felt something for him, but she didn't really go for the mysterious type. Besides, she knew better. Makoto was deeply in love with Ruby, and Nikki wouldn't dream of making things even more complicated than they already must be in his mind. She saw him more like an older brother than anything else.

  "You?"

  Nikki shrugged. "I don't know. Thinking." She hesitated. "Hiding."

  He nodded. "Me too."

  "What do you have to hide from?"

  "People."

  "Sounds right to me." Nikki closed her eyes and leaned against his shoulder. He didn't move, which she took as a good sign. More than anything, she needed a friend without any complications right then. Nothing but support. "I think I screwed something up tonight."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I didn't do anything, but I thought about doing it. I considered it. Even considering it was scary. Like I was crossing a line right there. I don't know." Nikki laughed bitterly. "Sorry. I'm ruining your hiding spot aren't I? You don't want to hear me whining."

  "I do. Keep talking."

  "I thought you wanted to get away from people."

  "Not all people."

  She shrugged. "I don't get you."

  "Neither do I."

  "Okay then." Nikki laughed again, but with actual mirth this time. "Still want me to keep whining about all my personal crap?"

  "Yes."

  "You're sweet." Nikki sighed, opening her eyes. She decided she may as well practice trying to move pine needles around while they talked. Cinza would want her to keep practicing magic. "I've figured out a bit more about my magic. Not just how to use it, but what it can do. I think I can find out things about people."

  "Like what?"

  "Anything, really. I used it on Yusuf and found out the name of the cult he'd once been a member of. The one that his wife… you know."

  "I do."

  "I used it on Joe and found out the name of his first crush as part of a bet."

  "So you can get names?"

  "Not just names. I saw her face and everything. I… uhh," Nikki's face turned red. "I can get flashes. Like a short clip of what I'm looking for. I saw them together. Like, together together."

  "Oh."

  "Yeah. Anyway." Nikki tossed a pine needle into the air. Out of nowhere, three other needles flew up to join it, bending in midair to form a circle around it. "Show-off."

  "Is that what you felt guilty about?"

  "No, that wasn't it. Joe and I laughed about that. It was a good memory for him, and a great bit of blackmail to tease him with for a while." Nikki laughed. "Seriously, they were… uhh, nevermind. Anyway. I was with Cinza and Ruby earlier, and I had a thought. What if I used my magic to find out where Cinza comes from? Who she is and what made her that way?"

  "That would be a betrayal."

  Nikki nodded. "Yeah, it would. I hate myself for even thinking of it."

  "No."

  "...No?"

  "You shouldn't hate yourself for that. Cinza wouldn't mind."

  Nikki sat up, raising her eyebrows. "You really think that?"

  Makoto shook his head. "I'm sorry. What I meant was, Cinza wouldn't mind that you considered it. She believes in us thinking of every possible option. She wants us to explore magic."

  "So you mean that she wouldn't mind I thought of the possibility, so long as I didn't ever do anything about it."

  "Yes. I think she'd be surprised if you didn't."

  Nikki nodded. "Makes sense, I guess." She sighed. "Cinza would be perfect though. The less I know about someone, the more things I can try to find through magic. It'd be a lot of good practice."

  "Try me, then."

  She was taken aback. "Really? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I can find out literally anything, you know."

  Makoto shrugged. "I don't mind. I can make sure you're getting it right."

  Nikki nodded. "All right then."