A wizard isn’t, either. “I know who I am, Ro,” I said. “And I’m not somebody who goes to meetings.” But there I was in a meeting room, even though I didn’t want to be. At least it was mostly empty, just Rowan and me. The room had shiny marble floors, tree-shaped pillars against the walls, and high, arched windows. One of the windows had a stained-glass tree built into it, and when the light from outside came through it, the room turned green. Sitting at the end of the table, with the green light shining over her and making her look a little green herself, was Rowan, my best friend, who happened to be the duchess of our city, Wellmet. She wore a green velvet dress and had her red hair in a braid down her back; she also had on her gold spectacles and an impatient look. “I know you know who you are,” Rowan said crossly. “You are the same Conn you ever were. And,” she went on, “I need you to attend this meeting. It’s important.” She got to her feet and came over to me, where I stood by the door.
