“What?” I snap, keeping my gaze forward.
“Wouldn’t he want you to run from the darkness?” Larkin’s power grows in his palms. “Would he be proud of you right now?”
My body comes to a halt, and I turn slowly to face Larkin once more. He knows exactly which cord to strike.
“Don’t fucking say a word about him,” I seethe.
“Why?”
I nearly growl.
“Prove it, Briar. Show me what you can do.”
I drop my gaze and bound toward him. I dive into my magic, but this time, I ignore the call of the darkness. Anger fuels me, and I allow my instinct to guide me. My brother’s words flow into my mind the night he died. He told me I was strong, stronger than him. Emotion floods me, and I race forward, myfeet slapping the ground. If Larkin wants me to prove it to him, I'll give a show.
I look over the cliff toward the sun rising in the bright sky.
Light.
I need light.
A brilliant tingle moves into my palms as I approach Larkin, and a grin spreads across his face.
“That’s it,” Larkin calls. “Push.”
I ignore his praise and thunder forward. Lightning zaps my open palms. Maines and Oak watch with wide eyes beside us, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Oak pull Maines slightly behind him in case there is fallout.
I stand inches from Larkin’s face, allowing the light to charge within my body and soul. His words become a driving force as I concentrate the light, urging it to come forward. For a moment, the sun appears to shine brighter, and I realize the light is coming from me.
“Do it,” Larkin whispers. “Let it out.”
I grind my teeth together.
“Show me,” he says.
I slam my palms together, allowing the surge of light to flow through me. I strain every muscle against the unfamiliar surge of burning power, but I don’t hold back.
“You are too close to him,” Maines screams from the side. “Back up!”
I glare into his dark eyes, intoxicated by the power coursing through my system. Larkin remains still, prepared to endure any blow I see fit. I could kill him right now at this distance, and I grit my teeth, fighting back the urge.
The memories of what he said about my brother, what he sold him, and the danger he placed Barlowe in swirl in my mind. I am furious with him, so furious, but I don’t want to kill him.
Yet here Larkin stands, unmoving and ready to accept the fate he believes he deserves.
A sadness spreads through me, and the shock of the need for the power to exit my body takes over. I push my palms down, away from him, facing the ground, and the flow of my light stings as it leaves my body. I scream, and a bright light of power erupts, letting the magic, anger, and sadness leave my body. The blinding light explodes, and we both go flying backward.
We crash against the ground in opposite directions, and my vision blurs as I hit the grass, my head slamming against the earth. Maines rushes to my side, and Oak goes to Larkin.
“Gods.” I hear Maines scream as she kneels next to me.
I groan from the hit and roll to my side, glancing toward Larkin. I do a quick survey of pain and don’t feel anything other than the ache in my lower back and shoulder. I lift my hand and feel against my face, and a scratch sits high on my cheek under my eye.
“I’m okay.” I sit up.
I look across the circle and see Larkin sitting up as well, rubbing his head. Relief washes over me seeing that he’s okay, but regret hits me harder. I thought about killing him; it was short-lived, but it crossed my mind. Maybe I’m destined to thrive in darkness, as my thoughts seem to wander there every time the anger creeps in.
Oak brings Larkin to his feet, and although my vision is still a bit blurry, I see him smiling widely. His shirt is ripped, his hair a mess, and a long scratch on his face matches mine, along with a few others peppering his neck and chest.
