A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan

"So from what I understand, you can control your own energy and use it all up at once to make yourself super strong or fast. You can also take someone else's energy but you can't use it and you can make charms which stop people from recovering from being tired. Is that everything? Also does that necklace charm thing last forever? Your glamour can't last when you're asleep, how is it any different?”

"It is different because it is not trying to create something that needs to be constantly changing. A glamour needs to move and change so it must be constantly fueled with new magic. The necklace charm only does one thing and it does not need to change. It will not last forever, but I gave it enough energy to last a few weeks at least. I can create a new one if needed, just not right away. Oh, I forgot to mention that while I cannot use another person's energy, I can choose to give them some of mine as something of a temporary boost. I am not sure what the difference is. Perhaps just a natural limitation which allows me to use my own energy as I see fit but prevents me from simply draining people and turning into a power crazed fool." He reasons.

"Do you inherit your magic from your parents?" I wonder aloud. Ashton shrugs.

"Yes and no. Magic is strange and does not always follow predictable patterns. The imp is easy enough to understand. At least one of his parents must possess fire magic and there must be imp blood somewhere in his family tree. Although it is possible for it to skip generations. Magic can be simply inherited. It can also be changed though. I am a little different. I did not inherit either of my parent's magic, but instead I have a strange magic that sort of combines and branches off from both of them. My mother is particularly skilled at making charms and reading a person's magic. My father is... was able to produce large bursts of raw magic which he could channel into a physical blow. Sort of like a lightning bolt. I cannot do the things that they can do, but it is not difficult to see how my own magic sort of links back to and combines theirs." He concludes. I nod slowly.

"I guess I can see that. You can use large bursts of energy or magic like your dad, but you can also create charms and influence other people's energy which I guess comes from your mum. You don't use it the same way, but it's the same basic ability." I sum up.

"Yes, exactly." Ashton agrees, smiling proudly. I don't want to ruin his good mood, but I can't put off asking about his father forever.

"So... the assassin said some interesting things about the king, how he was your father. I am sorry for your loss." I say bluntly, but while doing my best not to sound too judgemental or like I'm pitying him. It sort of comes out like I'm reading from a page or something. Oddly emotionless. He already knows that I know, I've implied as much several times. But at my words he cringes back a little and when he speaks his voice is quiet.

"You... You are not angry with me?" He asks, his wariness from earlier has returned. Ah, so that's why he was nervous. He's concerned about how I am going to react. Well, he's no idiot. He probably should be concerned. I've literally been letting him live in my home, meet my friends and I've trusted him to keep me safe and it turns out he's not even been entirely honest about who he is or why he's here in the first place. I'm going to guess it wasn't because it's his job. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. I was angry but then I decided that I should withhold judgement until you've had a chance to explain yourself." I tell him firmly. The relief in his face is clear. His shoulders drop and he takes a deep breath. "Thank you Katerina.” He sounds exhausted. I raise an eyebrow.

"Don't thank me yet. I might still be angry with you. Care to share why you lied to me?" I cross my arms over my chest and wait impatiently. Ashton frowns.

"I did not lie, I simply did not tell you everything." He objects and I glare at him.

"It's a lie of omission. You don't need to say something false in order to be dishonest. Why didn't you say anything?" I demand. Ashton looks down guiltily.

"I did not want to publicise my presence. I did not want your mayor to try and use me for his political goals. I- I did not want to have to answer questions or talk about my father and have to speak the truth of my feelings." He sighs. I shake my head.

"Telling me who you are doesn't mean you have to share your feelings or answer questions." I point out. Ashton shakes his head.

"I did not want our friendship to be developed or restrained due to pity. You would have treated me differently.” He claims and I narrow my eyes.

"You don't know that, and now you never will because you didn't give me a chance." I don't think I'm angry, but I am a little hurt. I thought he trusted me more. I suppose not. Trust is earned and I can't blame him for not telling me

everything, but I would have trusted him. I suppose the hurt is just that I've realised I have a lot more trust in him than he does in me. I suppose I care more. Ouch. Ashton just continues to stare at his own hands guiltily. I don't think he really knows what to say. I take a deep breath and prepare to drop the dishonesty issue. I still have questions about his identity, but it's not fair of me to be upset with him over this.

"Okay, I'm not angry. But I have to ask, is there anything else I should know about?" I ask seriously. I did assume that he would have told me if there was something important, but now I'm not so sure. Ashton looks up and opens his mouth to answer but nothing comes out. He tries again and fails. He closes his mouth and stays silent.

"Seriously? You're not going to answer? Is it really that difficult a question? You can't even be bothered thinking up a lie?" I say sadly. Ashton shakes his head.

"I cannot lie to you." He responds and I roll my eyes.

"All evidence to the contrary." I argue.

"I have never told you a lie. I cannot." He repeats and I process his words.

"Cannot... As in you aren't able to lie? Fae can't lie?" I ask incredulously. I had heard stories about that but I had assumed they were false.

“Exactly. That is why it is considered impolite to push for answers among the fae. The only choice is to tell the truth, to evade the question or to stay silent. Many fae have a talent for manipulating words to avoid truth, but it is not something I have ever been particularly skilled at." He admits.

"That's not how it seems to me." I respond, but the sass is half hearted as I am busy thinking about the implications of not being able to outright lie. I guess it would make nosy questions seem extra obnoxious. I sigh and give in a little.

"I suppose it's not fair of me to demand that you tell me everything. But I asked if there is anything else I SHOULD know about. If you can't answer without lying then it means you believe there IS something I should know. In that case, I'm not sure why you won't tell me." I point out. Ashton flushes red and drops his gaze.

"It is not that I will not tell you, but rather that I am feeling a little embarrassed, or maybe ashamed of myself. You see, I did not exactly get permission to come here...”