The flash of light that Eliot produces is blinding. He's reminded of the way Quentin described Mayakovsky's coins, so much power packed into something so small. The last thing he sees before he has to close his eyes against the light is Aleks trying to suppress a smile, and he's so handsome it makes Eliot's stomach flip. The power and the smile are both intoxicating. Greed rises up in him: what if he really could take Aleks home, and work magic that would impress anyone, even Alice and Quentin with their land? Even Julia in all her demigod power?

He banishes the light spell with his eyes still closed. Maybe he's the villain in this situation, wanting to take home this handsome man and use him for his powers.

When he's sure the light's gone, he opens his eyes and blinks the after-image away. "You weren't kidding," he says weakly.