“Really?” I asked, addicted to his praise now.
“Yes.”
“Wait, you said your pack? There’s more of you?”
“I am the leader. The highest-ranking alpha. I make all the final decisions.”
Something nagged at the corner of my mind. Hadn’t Kass mentioned some pack while speaking to Sterling?
“What’s it called? Your pack?” I asked, taking a step backwards.
But as I moved, the man’s hands snaked out and grabbed my own, preventing me from backing away. “Wait, Halo Fire-Eater. Please.”
An uncomfortable chill lingered on my skin from where the stranger touched me. Suddenly uneasy with where this conversation was headed, but with no way civil way to escape, I stood there, frozen.
“I mean you no harm, Halo. I only want what’s best for you. If you come with me, you’ll be treated like the god you are. You’ll be worshipped.”
The honeyed words that sounded so sweet a moment ago made my stomach churn. Discomfort crawled along my skin. I suddenly wanted to be anywhere but here, alone with this man.
“What is holding you back?” the stranger asked, lifting his face to stare at me.
My eyes flickered to the side. “I have a mate.”
“He loves you, this mate?”
“Yes,” I stated. I wished Kass was here. “He does love me. We even have a child on the way.”
The man’s eyes flashed to my belly, and I felt a surge of dread. My free hand instinctively went to hold my stomach.
“Is that right?” he asked with a smile. “Congratulations.”
I didn’t respond. Magic began to pool in my free hand, ready to be unleashed if needed. The fear and discomfort caused the dam holding back my power to break; magic spilled freely from my hands, manifesting as flames that coated my skin. Even I was surprised. Empowered by my pregnancy, the magic seemed to have a mind of its own, working instantly to protect me and my unborn child.
The stranger’s eyes darted to the fire dancing across my hands. Then he gave me a dry smile.
“Now is not the time, I see.” He bowed his head respectfully, then to my relief, began to walk away. “Goodbye, Halo Fire-Eater.”
I said nothing as the man left, disappearing into the shadowy mountain crags. I stood there, watching for a long time to make sure he was really gone.
A shudder shook me. The encounter was uncomfortable and strange, and left me with a sense of quiet dread. I backed away from the site and retreated to the proper Cinderhollow boundary, a place marked primitively with rocks.
After being creeped out by that man, my determination solidified. Creating a proper barrier with clear magic would kill two birds with one stone. I would prove to Sterling and the rest of the Knights that magic could be used for good, and also keep out creeps and potential enemies to our tribe.
Fiery sparks crackled at my fingertips in anticipation. At my core, I was a fire mage, but my skill with clear magic allowed it to be infused with my natural affinity element. The barrier - if I managed to pull it off properly - would be a translucent dome, visible only to those with magic affinity, and have the added quirk of burning anyone who tried to touch it from the outside.
I stepped back behind the rocks. I took a deep breath, then raised my hands.
Magic pulsed thicker than blood in my veins. An overwhelming sense of power gripped my entire body, like I was part of the universe itself.
The image burned itself into my closed eyes - a vision of a vast, magical barrier protecting all of Cinderhollow.
I will make it happen. I will.
My feet dug into the earth and I gritted my teeth. Sweat dripped down my brow. My arms shook with effort as it felt like all my magical energy was exploding from my body. Magic that was somehow ice cold and fiery hot at the same time surged out of me and into existence so violently that I cried out.
A shockwave sent me flying back. I landed on my ass with a grunt.
Great. I probably fucked that up,I thought with a groan.
