Finn came closer, hand gently moving over my back. “I would think she’d have more than the basics with those displays.”
Azar scoffed. “She’s talented, yes, but it will take more than talent. It will take practice and cunning. And learning how to not use all of it.” He nodded his head in my direction. “Best get her back before she collapses.”
Great. He thought I was talented and weak. Awesome combination.
Finn helped me up and Azar joined us, throwing the medallion’s chain across all of us.
When we landed, I once again fell to my knees, my stomach rolling as I casually positioned myself so that when I released the contents of my stomach, it fell across Azar’s shoes. At least this time I had less to throw up, and it was over quicker. And the sound of disgust he made was worth it.
Azar made some quick comment to Finn regarding scheduling our next session, then stalked off.
Finn extended a hand and helped me to my feet. I brushed a hand across my mouth and looked at him. He was grinning.
“What?” I asked, my mouth still tasting nasty.
He gave me a bear hug and swung me around, my feet leaving the ground. “I can’t believe how fast you’re learning this!”
As he put me back down, I steadied myself with a hand on hisshoulder. While I appreciated his enthusiasm, I could have done without being spun right then. I mustered a smile. “That was quick? Felt long to me.”
He shook his head, brown hair flopping. “No, it takes most people months, years, to pick up what you did in a few hours.”
Oh.
“Good for me, I guess,” I said with a weak laugh.
Chapter
Eleven
My father is still stuck on (word obscured). That fucker.
—From the journal of Violet Andrever
The next morning, I had to drag myself from bed. My bodyhurt. There was a scorching in my chest, like I should be bruised all over, although that could have been from the harsh teleporting. I was also coming to learn that wielding powers through my channels was just as exhausting as the drills Kaia put me through.
It only got worse as Azar had deigned to train me again that day. It consisted of more of the same—standing in the snow, attempting to hurl fireballs at trees and bushes at ever-increasing distances. But the following day, Finn informed me over breakfast that Azar had disappeared.
And speaking of people who had disappeared—where the hell was Griff? While he had been in and out constantly during my time here, this time felt longer than usual. And I was still pissed he’d left without telling me.
Sighing, I continued with my standard routine, heading to the training yard. Kaia met me, a slight smile on her face, which I had learned was a sure sign that I was about to get my ass kicked.
“It’s time for you to use your powers in combination with your training.”
I had seen Kaia call up gale-force winds while she fought. Seen others send targeted bursts of water. I looked at my practice sword, considering. And with a thought, I drew up a thread of power and directed it down the sword. Flames licked the edges of the blade. Before I really got a handle on it, Kaia was attacking me. Sparks flew as metal met metal, but Kaia gave no comment as we continued the fight.
When it was over, I stood there sweating, the flames still surging over the blade. I watched them as they writhed, desperate to consume something, with nowhere to go.
“The fire seems to like me.”
“To be expected. You’re angry,” she said by way of explanation. “Understandably so. Flames are a safe way to get it out. Earth requires steadfastness. Water, while changeable, requires a calm path. Air simply exists. But fire? Fire wants to claim, wants to burn. Fire needs fuel.”
“And I have the fuel right now.”
Kaia nodded once. “Then we go again.” She got back into position and we started anew.
After she had run me around the yard several times to her satisfaction, she released me. I started to move on, but she quietly said my name, her severe face softening into something almost gentle.
“He’ll be back,” she said softly, before turning away and barking at another student.
