She didn’t react the way I thought she would, either tonight, or while I was getting ready. She was acting really strangely. I slept poorly for most...of the night and as a result didn’t get out of bed until about midday. “I was wondering when I’d see you,” Caz remarked. “I didn’t sleep too well, Caz.” “I wonder why,” she said. “Caz, what’s wrong? You’ve been in a funny mood all week.” “Nothing.” “Yeah, right, nothing’s wrong. You weren’t at all excited for me when Tony asked me out. You didn’t. "Oh, I'm sorry." Ryan said, sounding genuinely sympathetic.The truth was that Ginger had dumped him, but there were at least two good reasons why she had to say the opposite. One, to make common cause with Ryan. It was a subtle why of saying, "I know how you feel. I got dumped too." The other was to set him up so that he almost had to compliment her looks. "He said I was too ugly." she lamented, knowing that Ryan would feel somewhat obligated to help build up her self-esteem, and sure. Cassia had dozens of questions burning in her mind about magic, but there was one question that seemed the most important to her. “What’s a sorceress doing in my house?” She asked.Lina’s face betrayed a look of shock, her mouth turning into a small circle. “Oh! I haven’t told you yet, have I? Sorry, just got excited is all!” She reached into her hood and scratched the back of her head bashfully. “Well, if you weren’t aware, the kingdom of Faulka has outlawed the use of magic by anyone who isn’t. This is your last chance to back out and I can tell you're debating with yourself. The doorbell rings again and snaps you out of your thoughts. You reach for the door and, having decided to keep going, open it. You find a friend of mine standing in the doorway with a dumbstruck look on his face. He's openly staring, taking you all in. How could he not? I've got you barely dressed and primed for sex. You step to the side and let him in. He walks past you and enters the living room. I can tell.