Page 8 of The Lost Elemental

“Thanks, Q.”

Sinclair gasped at her informality, but Quincy simply smiled wider. “I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us all.”

I sent Lainey a sympathetic smile as I stood and mouthed, meet me outside, to her. She nodded. I climbed the stairs to the stage and almost tripped when I caught sight of glacial blue eyes locked on me. I forced my gaze away, swallowing hard.

I did my best to block out the audience and just focus on Quincy, but I didn’t miss the snickers coming from the girls in the second row. I rolled my shoulders back and strode forward.

“That’s how you handle them,” Quincy whispered.

I gave my head a little shake. “I guess there are mean girls everywhere.”

“Truer words were never spoken.”

Laughter bubbled out of me.

“You ready?”

I nodded, the laughter slipping from my lips.

Quincy raised a hand and that rainbow light traveled towards me. I had the sudden urge to run, but I forced my feet to stay planted. The light swirled around me, and my head spun. Energy pricked at my skin, growing in intensity.

“Holy shit,” Kai muttered behind me.

I looked down. So many sparks there was no way to count them all and they only grew in size and number. The prickling sensation intensified as blood roared in my ears.

“Pull back!” Sinclair yelled to Quincy.

But it was too late. There was a deafening boom. And then nothing at all.

5

I blinked against the light as something cool was pressed to my forehead.

“Can you open your eyes for me?”

The voice was gentle, a kind request as fingers pressed against my wrist, checking my pulse.

I blinked again. This time I got my surroundings in snapshots. A room. A couch. People gathered around.

“How do you feel?”

I struggled to focus on the woman in front of me. “What happened?”

My voice came out on a croak.

A snort of derision sounded in the background. “You conned one of our most esteemed testers into believing that you’re an elemental.”

“Now, Riven,” Quincy said, pushing off the wall. “You know better than to trifle with me. I know what I felt, and you know what you saw.”

I struggled to push up on the pillows. “I-I’m not an elemental.”

Riven straightened. “This is the one and only time you and I will agree.”

“Do they teach pompous assholery at that school of yours or does it just come naturally?”

“Ms. Coleman,” Sinclair screeched. “You do not speak to—”

Riven held up a hand, silencing her. “I can fight my own battles, Marjorie.”