Page 25 of The Lost Elemental

Professor Belthorn moved towards my lab table. “I do think it’s best you have Kai with you to maintain your gift for now. We wouldn’t want any accidents.” Her lips pursed. “I think we should have you talk to Quincy as well. There’s clearly something faulty with your binding spell. You shouldn’t be able to access this much power.”

I glanced around the room, and every eye was fixed on us. Crap. I lifted my voice just enough to make sure everyone could hear. “Yeah, he thought there was something off with my binding. I might not be locked down or the binding wore off. This is probably the extent of my abilities.”

Kai sent me a confused look. “I don’t know about that—”

I stepped on his foot, hard.

He snapped his mouth closed and then that fake grin spread across his face. “Don’t worry, love of my life. I’ll still adore you even if you have weakling magic.”

I sent him a bland look. “Gee, thanks.”

Professor Belthorn focused back on me. “I still want you to talk with Quincy.”

“Of course.”

She nodded. “For now, just work on feeling your magic, not fully utilizing it.”

“Sure.” I couldn’t help the stab of disappointment. It wasn’t an emotion I’d expected. I’d been terrified when I saw that water flowing from my hands, out of control. But there’d been another feeling beneath that. Powerful.

It had been so long since I’d felt that way. As I searched my memory, I wondered if I’d ever actually experienced it.

“It’s one of the best highs, isn’t it?”

I looked up at Kai. “It’s pretty amazing.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Second only to—”

“Kai!” the professor chastised. “Go help Alexander. He could use your assistance.”

“But—”

“Now,” she ordered.

“Oh, fine,” he pouted.

Professor Belthorn patted my desk. “Keep working on the feeling exercises. It will help you with your control.”

I nodded and focused on trying to feel the magic humming within me.

“Don’t get used to the attention. As soon as they realize this is all you’re capable of, the fascination will fade.”

I tossed a quick glance in the direction of the voice. One of Drue’s friends. I thought I’d heard the boy at her table call her Xena. I shrugged. “You’re probably right.”

My easy agreement only stoked her anger, her cheeks heating. “Stay away from Kai. He’s not meant for you.”

“Is he meant for you?”

She straightened in her chair. “Drue’s going to be the first aether in generations. She’ll be claiming them all.”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “Keep smoking whatever you’re smoking. It has to make life more interesting if you’re having those kinds of hallucinations.”

“Watch your back. When Drue’s powers are unlocked, she’ll come for you for trying to take what’s hers.”

There was something in those words that made me pause. Not any belief that Drue was some magical princess-to-be, but Xena’s certainty in her viciousness. That I needed to be concerned about. But I couldn’t let it show.

“I’ll be sure to be on the lookout for the vengeance to come.”

The guy sitting next to her chuckled and she sent him a scathing look. “Don’t laugh, Aiden. She’s a freaking mutt.”