Page 104 of Elemental Becoming

Her pupils widen suddenly, the bright blue swallowed by darkness.

A sharp current rushes through her touch. Her hands lock against mine. I try to pull away—but can’t.

Panic spikes through me.

My magics stir instantly in response, rising hot and defensive beneath my skin, but the bond settles it almost immediately—a low, soothing purr curling through my chest.

“Amara.” Rian’s urgent voice slices through the roaring in my head. “What’s wrong?”

His strong hand lands on my shoulder.

“Ah—!” he shouts, his hand suddenly locking still against myshoulder.

Lyra rushes over, scarves trailing behind her. She stops short, staring at the scene before her: a tiny woman gripping my hands, perfectly still, her eyes black; me, unable to pull away; Rian, a massive warrior frozen with one hand locked against my shoulder.

“What’s happening?!” Lyra shouts, eyes wide. “Should I call the others? Should—”

Kieran ducks through the doorway, concern etched across his face. “We heard shouting. Is everything okay?”

“Don’t touch us,” Rian orders through gritted teeth.

Neither of us can move.

We stand trapped in place like statues, fully aware of everything happening around us.

“Rian,” I breathe. “What’s happening?”

“It will pass.” The words come clipped and strained. “Just . . . breathe through it.”

He squeezes his eyes shut.

“Never seen it myself. Heard of it.” Another breath. “When a powerful seer is taken by a vision, it overtakes everything.”

I feel his hot breath on my neck as he breathes hard.

“Kieran.” Rian says, jaw clenched. “Tell the men everything is fine. Go back to your position, soldier.”

“Yes, sir.”

Then he disappears back through the doorway.

“Mara?” Lyra’s voice shakes.

I turn my eyes toward her. Her green eyes shine with fear. I force myself to stay calm for her.

“I’m not in pain,” I tell her carefully. “I can’t move, but I’m okay.”

Then, a voice that seems to come from everywhere at once says, “Mind the shadows that follow you. They probe for weakness. They want to get in.”

The old woman’s voice is no longer high and musical. Now it is deeper, reverberating in my bones.

“Something is coming.”

A pause.

“A test.”

Her tiny hands tighten painfully around mine, her strength startling.