As soon as Aeliana darted off into Leora's castle, I leaned back in my car seat, the grin I'd plastered on for her benefit finally slipping. I glanced down at my hands, flexing my fingers. The purple flame danced at my fingertips, a small but potent reminder that my magic had returned.
"Time to finish what I started," I muttered to myself, determination hardening my features. That rogue demon had bested me once, but it wouldn't happen again.
I drove back to my own castle, my mind racing with strategies and plans. The rogue demon had been formidable, stronger than most I'd encountered. It had a cunning intelligence that had caught me off guard. But now, with my magic back and a renewed sense of purpose, I was ready.