Ava stood at the edge of camp, practicing her magic with Raine, her control improving daily.
“Amazing,” Raine said as she grew a massive flower, its pink petals aglow in the orange of the setting sun.
“It’s how I trapped Andras when Remy and I were trying to escape,” she said with an ache in her heart.
“How long did it hold him?”
“Not long. A few seconds.”
Quinn joined, studying Ava’s creation with a tilt of her head. Waving a hand, she said, “Trap Raine in one.”
“What?” Raine gave her an irritated glare.
“Don’t be a coward, pretty boy. Ava won’t hurt you.”
“Why are you always making me do this shit?”
“Stop whining and help.”
“Fine. Alright, little frog. Snatch me up with your flower,” he said with a roguish grin.
“You’re disgusting." Ava rolled her eyes.
“No idea what you’re talking about.” He tapped his foot. “I’m waiting.”
Ava drew on her magic, willing a flower to grow from the ground. The wide, blue petals encircled Raine as he stood with his hands on his hips, watching curiously.
“Focus your magic to make the petals thicker,” Quinn coached. “Imagine their strength. That they can’t be broken.”
Ava held out a hand and guided her power.
“Close it.”
Ava looked at Raine for permission and he nodded. “Go ahead.”
Snapping her fingers together, the petals of the flower followed suit, trapping Raine inside.
“Grow thicker vines and wrap those around the petals to reinforce it,” Quinn said.
Green vines sprouted from the earth and Ava wove them together, fortifying the outside of the trap.
“Amazing,” said Quinn. “Do it like that and they’ll be trapped for much longer. Now let’s go eat dinner and see how long it takes Raine to get out.”
“Wait, what?” Raine shouted, his voice muffled.
“Have fun!” Quinn called, grabbing Ava’s arm and leading her to the center of their camp, following the smell of stew cooking over the fire.
“Hey! Come back here! Get me out! Fuck you, Quinn! Hello?” Raine’s voice faded as they walked away.
As they trekked through camp, Maeryn approached with a furrowed brow. “What did you do to that poor man?”
“I taught Ava how to trap him more securely,” said Quinn.
“You shall just leave him there?”
“We’re testing it,” Quinn replied. “To see how long we might be able to trap daemon soldiers.”
“Does the captain have any weapons on him?” Maeryn asked.
