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Emely, who had had to drive home, had tried to call me, but I hadn't had the strength to answer.
Until three hours ago, I had been lying in bed, not wanting to leave it.
The reason I was with Harlow now? I needed Salma. It was the only thing that could save me now.
Harlow's expression darkened. “What's so hard about controlling these powers? Your father managed it eventually!”
I paused.
My father had managed to control his ice?
But even if he had, what was the point? He was gone.
“Do you see him anywhere here?” I murmured tonelessly, earning another reproachful look.
“May the Gods protect us from such misfortune.”
My fingertips began to prickle. And I hadn’t even known him.
“Don’t talk like that about…”
“…your father?” She raised her eyebrows and took a big step toward me. “You don't even know this savage.” My chest tightened. “He was a monster.” She narrowed her eyes. “He brought more misery to this town than any other species. And as if that weren't shameful enough for the elemental society, he also brought such an incompetent daughter into this world.”
Coldness began to rapidly spread through my veins.
“Now freeze the coals before I…”
Enraged, I took another step toward her.
“Before you what?”
Harlow recoiled, her expression unfamiliar to me.
“Are you threatening me?” One more step. “You promised me Salma.”
I looked around, but the chest was gone, no longer sitting on her neat desk as usual.
My gaze slid back to her.
“There will be no more Salma.” Her eyebrow twitched slightly. “Not until there is progress.”
My hands clenched into fists until I felt my fingernails digging into my skin. Despair overwhelmed me and my heart began to race.
My supplies were running out.
“But I need it!”
The door flew open.
Instinctively, I recoiled.
Ice shot across the floor, emanating from my feet.
I couldn’t pay attention to Harlow’s reaction because her presence demanded my full attention.
What was Gloria doing here?
Her steely gaze struck me, and with it, the coldness this woman radiated, which overshadowed my own.
