Perhaps I was the fool.
Maybe he never failed his attempts… right now, it felt as if he had perfectly captured me in his web.
The question was, did I really want to break free?
CHAPTER
30
Ifocused everything I had on the fire-leash.
It was all that kept me grounded, but also the one thing consuming my energy, like the wick of a candle slowly burning the wax around it.
The fact that I hadn’t lost control was more surprising, considering I had never really attempted this before. I had never practiced my magic. All my life, the flames had been rejected, and yet they kept burning bright for me even in this moment, despite when exhaustion threatening right around the corner.
We reached the wall of the Aetherion village as the sun was about to dip beneath the horizon, soon giving way for the night. Nicron stood there, casually leaning against the stone wall before his eyes flickered in our direction. For a brief moment, I caught his eyes widening in surprise, before he regained control over his face again.
“Get Michlael,” he ordered a guard on the inside, as they nodded and went running. “Well, well, look at you, fire mage.” He smiled widely, clapping his hand in an attempt at praising us.
“A temptation demon, no less?” he added, as he eyed it up and down. “Usually most initiates settle for shadow demons on their trials…”
I pressed my lips together, I would’ve too, if it wasn’t for my lack of skills.
By now, the temptation demon had quit snarling, locked down underneath my fiery chains, given up, broken.
“So, did we break a record or something?” Ashley asked, placing a hand on each side of her hips.
Nicron cocked a brow at her, a low scoff escaping him. “You took more time than the average mage, however, you made up for it by bringing a temptation demon… I’d say you evened out.”
“We—” Eve barked, before Lionel nudged her, silently telling her to not cause a scene.
Nicron’s eyes slid to my shoulder, his eyes locking in on the rips in my clothing, from where the claws had burrowed into me during the ambush. Slowly, he pushed off the wall, stalking closer as his eyes were locked on it, reaching out his hand as if mesmerized. Was it not normal? Or was it the fact that I had stopped bleeding and already begun healing that had him so fascinated?
Before his fingers reached my shoulder, Malakai’s hand shot out, locking his wrist in place.
Nicron’s eyes darted towards him, turning cold.
“I wouldn’t touch her so carelessly if I were you,” Malakai said coldly, shoving Nicron’s arm back again. “You could gethurt.”
Nicron smirked, but didn’t respond. He took a step back from me, his eyes remaining on Malakai. Between them, I saw how Michlael swept in, using his ability to control the air around him, levitating, almost flying. He movedrapidly, as if sprinting, but he looked relaxed, a faint smile as his eyes landed on me.
“Ah, what a fine catch indeed,” Michlael smiled as he landed slightly in front of Nicron, claiming his space.
“Did she pass then?” Lionel interrupted, causing a brief pause as Michlael eyed him. “Yes,ungifted one, but that was merely the beginning.” His tone changed, ice coating it while facing Lionel, who stiffened.
He was aware that some of us were without powers then. Still, he hadn’t threatened them or cast them aside… Was it because of me and my unique element?
“Nicron, take the others with you,” Michlael ordered, before returning his attention to me. “We have something to finish before you’ve passed.”
“Why only her?” Malakai cut through, the challenge lingering between them.
“Because none of you have the power required.”
Michlael didn’t give him as much as a glance, waving for Nicron to step in. “She’ll be back at the inn before midnight.”
The others stared at me, as if awaiting my signal, were they to fight them off or let me go? I hardly knew myself, but I ended up nodding towards them to follow after Nicron. They looked torn, but began to follow the water mage.
Except for Malakai who lingered, studying me for any sign of fear.
