na Aco

inging to its dark exterior. My subordinate, Levin, had just confirmed the tran

obsidian glass. I had just stepped out of the Glowgold Auction House, still

lit alley that served as a shortcut to one of the Muggle world crossings. She

h her?" Levin asked, no

told me there was more to

her end of the alley. They wore the crests of minor, dis

king over her with disgusting intent. "Hey, little thing. All alone?

ered. "And leave the little basta

hest. Levin reached for the door handle, but before either o

reach for a wand. She simply said to h

y covered his eye

orward, reaching for her shoulde

never tou

an light. She didn't retreat a single step. Instead, she raised her hand w

rce, crashing violently into the brickwork. The second thug managed to draw his wand, but Cristina merely flicked her index finger. His wand shattered into splinters instantly, and an unseen, suffocating weight f

ck of her wrist, a glowing silver thread of magic shot out and literally stitched his lips shut. The t

n three seconds. It was clean, efficient

ing against the cobblestones. The sheer densi

, completely unfazed

stance between us, my eyes dropping to her lips before meeting her

g back an inch. She looked at me, recognizing me from

She smelled like rain and ozone. "You handle yourself well for an Az

hisper that sent an unexpected jolt straight to my core. She too

friction of her robe b

ad no idea she was the master healer I had jus

fall Academy Head Boy... no, higher," Levin's v

byssal House myself, I kn

d, a dangerous, curious smile touc

girl who could take out three grown wizards with

e empty alleyway. "Run a full background check