Page 148 of The Fifth Heir

Talia

The four elements struck the central platform together.

Fire hit first.

Heat traveled up my right side, followed by Frost along my left. Storm entered through the floor, filling my legs with electrical pressure, while Shadow climbed from beneath my boots and covered everything below my knees.

The opposing forces should have torn through one another.

Instead, the clear rune pulled them toward me.

I tried to step back.

The barrier stopped me.

“Talia!” Torren’s voice reached me through the roar of fire.

“I’m still standing.”

It was the only useful answer I had.

His power continued pouring from the control pillar. Flames surrounded his arms as he fought to drag them away from the channel. The positional ward held him several yards beyond the platform.

Rafe had partially shifted. Silver scales covered his hands, and talons tore at the Storm circle beneath his feet. Lightning struck the floor each time he moved.

Sebastian’s Shadow spread across the containment barrier, searching for an opening.

Leander stood motionless inside his Frost rune.

His lack of movement frightened me more than the others’ struggle. He had closed his eyes and placed both hands around his torc, concentrating on containing power the demonstration had taken without his consent.

“I can slow the Frost,” he said through clenched teeth. “Not stop it.”

“Hold what you can.”

The order came naturally.

Inside the Trial, they had needed my reading of the channels. Here, with the Hall breaking around us, Leander accepted my direction before either of us could question what authority I had to give it.

His eyes opened.

For one moment, he looked surprised.

Then the cold around my left side eased.

The healer struck the outer containment ring with her control stone.

The clear barrier remained between us.

“Talia, your body temperature is fluctuating too quickly.”

“I know.”

“Are you experiencing pain along the spine?”

“Not yet.”

“Pressure behind the shoulders?”