“More, Vi.”
Vi shifted her feet out slightly on the barren ground, getting a better stance. She tried to push the other thoughts from her mind, focusing only on her magic. Her muscles tensed as she urged more power into the flames around her fingers. The moment the ball grew past three times the size of her hand, the fire became wild, barely tamed. Her magic would only extend so far while staying under her command.
“Now, protect yourself with it.”
“What?” Vi looked out to him. This was not part of their normal training regimen.
“Use the fire to push against mine, like a shield. Protect yourself.”
“I don’t think that’s—”
She didn’t have a chance to finish her thought before a wall of flame hurled toward her.
The fire passed over her, nothing more than a whisper.
Fire—naturally occurring or their own—could not hurt a Firebearer. The only fire that could singe a Firebearer’s skin was one created by another sorcerer—a more powerful sorcerer. So Vi would be fine… as long as Jax didn’t really levy his full strength against her.
“Protect yourself, Vi,” he repeated, lifting a hand. Flames crackled, rising up through thin air, binding together into another wall that he pushed toward her. These flames had a tickle to them. Nothing dangerous or uncomfortable, but more powerful than the last.
“I can’t!” Vi called back to him. But he was already moving his hand again. Another wall of flame; Vi staggered.
What was he doing? Her heart was racing. If he kept this up he would actually harm her.Wouldhe actually harm her? Vi thought she knew the answer, but he was making a dangerous case for proving her wrong.
“Yes you can!” He was already readying another pulse of flame.
Vi gritted her teeth, clenching them so tightly her jaw popped. She dropped her eyes to her own flame and willed it to grow.
The fire swirled, condensing into a column, slowly growing in height. Vi began to sweat yet again from the mental and magical exertion. Even if she couldn’t feel heat from fire as a Firebearer, the humidity of the northern jungles did her no favors.
Like a wave crashing against her, another wall of Jax’s fire hit. Vi stumbled, knees hitting the dusty ground. The fire she had been working on completely vanished.
“I—”
“Again!” Jax shouted at her.
Why was he doing this? He had never been like this in any of their lessons before. Vi stared at him, anger singeing her chest. It made the watch feel unnaturally cool against her skin as she struggled back to her feet.
The moment she was upright, another wall knocked her back over. Vi balled her hands into fists, knuckles pushing on the rough ground.She couldn’t give up like this.
She lifted her hand, readying herself, but the next wall never came. Instead, fingers closed around her forearm, hoisting her back up. Vi swayed slightly, looking up at Jax.
“That’s enough for the day, I think,” he said gently. “Sorry for pushing you so hard. I thought it might help jostle something.”
“I… it’s fine,” Vi mumbled, looking aside. Shame took over her for every nasty thought she’d had. “I know you were only trying to help me.”
“Yes, well, I think it’s time we get that skillet cake.” Jax gave her a pat on the back and they started for the stairs.
“You go on ahead.” Vi lingered, sinking onto the bottom step.
“Vi…”
“I’m fine, uncle. Just a bit tired. Just want to catch my breath is all.” Vi twisted, looking up at him and forcing the biggest smile she could. “More like, I’m trying to sneak away to look at maps instead of skillet cakes.”
“It’s always a ploy for maps.” He started up. “You should consider joining me for breakfast, Vi. As you said, you should keep up your strength.”
“We’ll see,” Vi called back. But he was already gone.
With a soft sigh, Vi leaned against the stone, closing her eyes.Why?Why couldn’t she manage anything? Her hand closed around the watch at her neck.
