Page 152 of Huntress

“We’re not stupid, Miss Chantraine. I have studied the awakening of fae blood for over a century, and know that it happens a bit younger than you are now. Add to that the obvious physical changes in your visage, and there’s no possibility that you have not experienced it. Do as I ask,” Cornick demanded.

Elsie bit her lip, then called the dark magic. It came, and she stared at the deep purple swirl in her palm. The dark moon was beautiful, but the magic wasn’t whole. It fizzled and sparked like a fire trying to burn a wet log, then went out entirely.

“The subject does not yet have firm control of the secondary magic,” Cornick spoke into a device.

“I haven’t had it for long, and it isn’t like the hunters give classes on how to use our magic,” she defended herself lamely, knowing she had plenty of opportunities to learn from Perrie and Saint.

“Now,” Cornick said, a twisted excitement shining in his face and eyes. “Show us what happens when you tap into the ethereal.”

Trepidation trickled up Elsie’s spine, but she did as he asked. She called the magic, imagining she was doing it to save one of her squad members, giving herself a reason to push it hard enough to make it show.

The seal lit, glowing with her magic, her eyes lighting up to match. Her hands balled into fists, and she grunted with the effort of not crying out in pain. Her skin was searing hot, the burn seeping into her bones. Elsie let it go, panting and sweating.

“You need to hold it for longer!” Cornick barked, and she fixed him with a cold stare.

“It hurts.”

Fletcher clucked her tongue. “Sometimes pain is necessary to get the answers we need.”

“If we’re going to figure your seal out, you need to do as we say,” Cornick added.

“I’ll try again.” She swallowed hard.

“You’ll do more than try.” Cornick made her try again and again, each time her ability to hold it steady faltered sooner. She could barely hold her head up when he finally told her to stop.

“There’s no point in continuing like this,” he sighed.

Thinking it was over, Elsie reached up and pulled one of the electrodes off her head.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing? Leave those alone.” Cornick snapped at her. “We’re only getting started.”

“It’s been hours!” Elsie complained.

“Aren’t you the best of the best? You’re supposed to be strong!”

The door opened, and a woman with short black hair and bright blue eyes entered. Elsie felt her power crackling from there. A witch. One far more powerful than Perrie. She crossed the room and gave Cornick a simpering smile.

“You called for me, Mr. Cornick?”

“Yes, my dear. I want you to poke around a bit. See what you can make of this girl’s seal and if you can force your way past it.”

“Yes, sir.

She approached the table, hips swaying with each step. Bending down, she stared hard into Elsie’s eyes, then placed one hand on each side of her chest.

“Sorry, this may hurt a little.”

Prickles of electricity danced across Elsie’s skin, then dove deep, penetrating muscle, bone, and organs. Elsie’s back arched, her hands going rigid at her sides, and her mouth opened in a soundless scream.

Saint snarled and surged forward, grabbed the witch by the shoulders, and threw her halfway across the room. He stood between Cornick and Elsie, fangs bared. The armed guards raised their weapons, maneuvering quickly to a position that would hit no one but the demon, ready for Cornick’s command.

“Saint! Saint, you have to stop,” Elsie commanded, jumping off the exam table. She grabbed his arm and pulled, but he didn’t move.

The witch got to her feet, face cold, electricity sizzling between her hands. She descended on Saint, but Elsie got in her way.

“Enough! You will not touch him!” she screamed. “This is exactly why he’s here. I can’t handle any more of this today. If this is how you’re going to proceed with your fucking experiments, we’ll leave right now. You think you’re the only one with power here? What do you think Mordane will have to say when he finds out how you’re treating me?”

“You can’t use Mordane to threaten me, he has no power or jurisdiction here,” Cornick sneered.