Page 106 of Elemental Becoming

“Shit—Rian.” I place a hand against his back, rubbing gentle circles between his shoulders.

“Oh dear. I am so sorry!”

Mirelle rushes toward the back of the store.

“He got caught up in a vision that was not meant for him. I have an elixir that will help,” she calls over her shoulder.

Lyra moves to Rian’s other side, both of us clearly out of our depth seeing him like this.

Rian stumbles back against the wall and slides down it heavily. He bows his head between his knees, breathing hard. Lyra crouches beside him, resting a careful hand on his shoulder.

“I’ve got it!” Mirelle calls, hurrying back toward us, herspectacles askew on the bridge of her nose. She pushes them back into place once she reaches him.

Mirelle cups his chin and gently tips his face toward her. “Let’s see that handsome face.”

Rian lifts his head, sweat beads across his forehead. His eyes struggle to settle on anything.

“Alright now, open up,” Mirelle says gently.

Rian obeys.

Within moments, his gaze steadies, finally locking onto the old woman.

Lyra lets out a quiet breath of relief before pushing herself back to her feet. I lean against the wall, the tension draining slowly from my body.

“How are you feeling?” Mirelle asks, her hands fluttering with nervous energy.

Rian offers a weak smile. “Much better. Thank you, Mirelle.”

“It’s quite alright. I am so sorry that happened to you. The problem with being a seer is that although we can glimpse the future, we never know when the visions will strike!” she says, gesturing dramatically. “It’s terribly inconvenient.”

He leans his head back against the wall and closes his eyes. Mirelle’s lips purse as she studies him.

“You’ll feel right as rain in just a few more minutes. Stay seated. Your body is still catching up.”

Then she reaches for my hand. Without meaning to, I flinch away.

“Oh, it’s all right, Amara.” Her voice softens. “I know that was unexpected—for both of us—but it will not happen again now that the vision has passed.”

She extends her hand once more.

“May I?”

Hesitantly, I place my hand in hers. And just as she promised, nothing happens. This time, all I feel is the softness of her skinagainst mine.

Her deep blue eyes hold mine. “Now please listen to me, child. If a vision came for the Spiritborn, I need to know what was said so I can help you understand it. What did I say?”

“Something about shadows probing, trying to get in. And a test.”

My gaze drops briefly as I search through the memory.

“You said the wound is already open.”

Then the final words return to me.

I look back up, frowning.

“And . . . ‘she has already begun reaching for him.’” Fear rises fast in my throat. “Do you mean Thane? Is the Shadeheart coming for Thane?!”