Derek's voice goes tight in seconds and I glance up at him, unsure I've said wrong as I watch his face go pale. And then I realize in a flash, guilt spiking through me as I round to face him, my hands on his arms.

"Oh goodness, not like that! I'm sorry, I wasn't thinkin' at all. Simon is a wizard and sometimes when he gets stressed out, he... he goes off. That's how he puts it anyway. It just means his magic overwhelms him and fire bursts out. It doesn't hurt people though because it's just magic, not fire. He's okay! Everyone's okay. Not a single person was hurt."

My words come out all in a rush and I squeeze Derek's forearms lightly as I try to quiet myself, still watching him carefully, guilt just rolling over and over in my belly. "I'm really sorry, I should've worded that better."