Chapter 44

Rapha looked at the reflection in her mirror nervously. She really didn’t like giving Magic Box interviews. She was a doer, not a speaker. Still, Cara said it was important for her to retain a presence among the people, and Rapha had to admit her daughter had a point.

She took a deep breath and checked her appearance one last time. She looked exactly right: beautiful and commanding, just to the human side of perfection. After all, a slightly awed populace was a good thing, but she didn’t want to intimidate them.

“Come on, Rapha, you can do this,” she said to herself. “You are the most powerful mage in the history of history. Surely you can get through a little five-toc interview on the Box.”

There was a knock on the door.

“Enter,” Rapha said at her most dignified.

Cara burst through the door, followed closely by five of her crew: a camera person, a couple of lighting technicians, and a makeup consultant. Rapha was surprised; Cara usually liked to work a