“Fuck,” Ezekiel said in a mystified way, like he couldn’t believe it.
“Fuck indeed.” There were so many mysteries to Charlie and me— there seemed to be no end to them.
Charlie shook out his hand, and the tiny flame vanished. “How can I do that? My parents were Yapluma and Nivita. I shouldn’t have any ability to direct Fire or Water.”
“It has to be because of our bond,” I mused. “I don’t see any other way how you could direct elemental energy that wasn’t in your ancestry unless it was connected to me. You have to be pulling magic from me, in some way. I could feel the power leave my body as you were directing the water droplets.”
“Let’s try it the other way around,” Charlie said in excitement. “See if you can move Air or Earth.”
I was thrilled of the thought of whipping out tornadoes and causing earthquakes, but when I attempted to move a tiny pebble on the ground, like Charlie had shown me, or cast a little gust of wind through the air, neither attempt worked. I tried pulling from Charlie’s energy, like I pulled from Oberi, but it didn’t seem to work in the same way.
By the end of class, I hadn’t moved a single leaf or rock, though Charlie had been able to conjure miniature fireballs and move water droplets with relative ease— not anything near what I could do, but impressive anyway.
We had to stop, before someone noticed what we were doing, but the fact that Charlie could do anything with Fire or Water at all was incredible.
“This is amazing, Charlie!” I gushed as we walked back into the prison. “Just think of all the badass things we’re going to be able to accomplish!”
“Great for you guys,” Ezekiel said glumly. He’d ceased to be amazed at what Charlie could do, and was clearly depressed.
“You’ll get it,” I insisted. “You just need more practice.”
“It’s hopeless. I’m a useless Toaqua,” Ez mumbled. “Charlie doesn’t even have Toaqua blood, and even he can direct Water better than I can.”
“It’s only because of our bond,” I told him.
Ez scoffed. “Yeah, okay. You got all the talent, and didn’t leave anything for the rest of us.”
My mouth dropped open. “Ez.”
He didn’t respond, and stomped into the Villain’s Den. He flung himself into a chair by a table and hunched over it.
I wasn’t willing to let this go, so I followed him. I sat in the chair beside Ez. “Talk to me.”
“Go away.” He turned his back to me, but I got up and sat in the other chair, so he had to face me. He let out an aggravated huff.
“You’re clearly in a mood. I’m not leaving until you tell me what this is about,” I said.
“I don’t want to be bothered by Ava-Marie and the Fuck-Around Gang,” Ezekiel growled.
“That’s anamazingband name,” Charlie added unhelpfully. “Too bad we already picked the Villain’s Club.”
I sent a note of irritation through our bond. Charlie got the hint, and Oberi led him away, to his next class.
I leaned in closer and lowered my voice. “Ez, what’s wrong? You’re never short like this. I know you’re upset about your magic, but this runs deeper.”
He held back a moment, then his anger faded away into hurt. “It’s Dad. We can’t talk anymore without it becoming an argument.”
“It was like that between me and him for a time, too. It’ll pass.”
“This is different. He sent you here because of the prophecy, because he had no other choice,” Ezekiel said lowly. “He actually thinks I’m some kind of psychopath for what I did, like I belong in here.”
“He doesn’t think that. He’s just being tough,” I argued.
“You don’t get it because Dad thinks the sun shines out your ass,” Ezekiel said harshly. “It’s not like that for the rest of us. You can do or say whatever and he’ll just let it slide.”
His comment bit. Was my brotherjealousof me?
“It’s because he doesn’t want to push me over the edge,” I said quietly. “He’s worried about what I’ll do. He knows the rest of you guys aren’t as crazy as I am.”
