I hear Maines’s muffled voice say, “Briar, open your eyes.”
The image of Kalix still exists in my mind. She continues to move forward, reaching for me.
“Open your eyes,” Larkin shouts. “Now.”
I feel a surge of magic zap into my body, sending a shockwave through my limbs.
For a moment, I believe it was my own doing, pain I’ve caused myself—or possibly a claw from Kalix finally ripping into me—but my body instantly flies backward, away from the talon reaching for me. Tingles rush through my system, and I land on my back with a thud outside the charged circle.
My eyes snap open, and the sunlight sears them.
I look within the circle, and Maines stands there with her hand over her mouth. Oak bears a shocked expression, and Larkin’s large frame towers over me, already by my side. His eyes are filled with concern, and his palms hang limply at his sides. Pain travels through my back, and I reach behind me, feeling a tiny wet spot on my shirt. I move my hand in front of me to look and see blood coating my fingertips.
“Sorry.” Larkin extends his hand for me to take. “You wouldn’t snap out of it so…I sent a surge of light your way.”
My mouth drops open. “Are you insane?”
“Tell me I was incorrect for doing that?” He leans closer.
Kalix disappears, and I inhale the fresh sea air.
“Something went wrong, and I’m not letting you go back toward her. That blast snapped you back into reality, my friend.”
“Thank you.”
“I told you I have your back, and I wasn’t lying, but I’ve unfortunately made you bleed in this situation.”
He smirks, proud of his reaction. I roll my eyes.
I grab his hand, letting him pull me off the ground. Maines rushes over and lifts my shirt, exposing a cut on my lower back. After a quick examination, she lowers my shirt again.
“You’ll be okay. It’s a superficial wound. Nothing that will scar. I’ll save my healing magic for when you kick Larkin’s ass for doing that.”
Larkin smiles broadly and walks back to the circle.
I brush my clothes off and tame my messy hair. Oak dusts my upper back as I join them again in the training circle.
“Well, that went horribly wrong,” Oak says with a shrug. “Let’s try another route before Silas shows up and murders us all.”
Larkin nods. “We’re going to have to try to get it to come up organically. Deep diving isn’t an option right now until you have more control.”
“I don’t have much control, Larkin.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Not fromher,” I respond.
A rush of breeze moves through me, and I swear I hear a vicious laugh echo in my ears. I shake off the fear. I’m here, and I’m alright. I widen my stance once more and prepare for the next portion of this miserable training. Although my back stings, I’ll be fine, and I can’t wait for Silas to find out that Larkin hit me.
“So, since I just blasted Briar, Oak, it’s your turn.” Larkin motions Oak to come forward.
Oak looks around and says, “I’m not trying to get Silas Nastronde on my bad side. After all, he’s my best friend.”
Maines throws her hands in the air, exasperated. “Again, everyone is your best friend but me.”
“I have to tell them all that.” Oak winks and whispers, “Don’t worry.”
Larkin rubs his head and snaps his gaze at me. I shrug, as if to signal that this happens constantly.
