Page 90 of Ember and Ash

“What happened to the forest?”

“We’ll get there.”

“We don’t have time to ‘get there,’ Micah.”

“You know time moves differently here. We have time. Lots of it, and we’re taking it. You heard what Gabriella said. You have to master your skills to control the serpent, Ember. Nothing we do matters if you leave Elysium to be overcome by the serpent. I have Silas and Gabriella set-up to train with you this afternoon.”

“Can we at least go to the forest for an hour? Show me how to deal with the trees.”

“When you stop running, they’ll stop mocking you. It’s that simple.”

“I didn’t even have a weapon, Micah, and we both know you weren’t trying to get me to fight. You wanted me to rift.”

“And you were too damn stubborn to actually do it.” He disappears.

I glower at the empty space and rift to the overlook where he’s waiting on me, approval in his eyes. “You’ve got the running and chasing down perfectly.”

“You’re such an asshole.” I disappear again and reappear in the library, where I make the mistake of asking the house for every book that references fire. I end up with books on every inch of the floor around me. I amend my request to every book about spellcasting fire and end up with a table filled with a dozen books. Still too many, but it’s better than my prior options.

I sit down and choose a book, with the house aiding my efforts by flipping to pages. Micah appears in the chair beside me. “What are we looking for?”

“Fire,” I say, more than a little pleased he’s followed me, though not sure how he knew my exact location. “How did you find me?”

“If you try hard enough, you can find me, too, through our mental link. There are limits, but from what I can tell, at least while we’re here, I can track you and you me.”

“Because of the connection to this place?”

“Yes. And you don’t need the books to help you with fire. Practical asset management is something I and our team can help you with.”

“What happened to your insistence I read for myself?”

“That’s referencing passages that can be interpreted many ways. Gabriella can control water, also a unique asset. She’ll help you learn to control fire.”

“You think that translates?”

“She might not wield fire, but she knows how to focus her magic.”

“Does everyone have some unique asset?”

“No. You’re special. But we already know that.”

“I don’t feel special. I feel dangerous. Why does Gabriella have a unique skill?”

“As far as our world is concerned, it’s random. I’m sure there’s a reason, but no one has ever figured it out.”

“You didn’t react well to my fire. I’m kind of surprised you told Gabriella.”

“I gave that some thought. In the universe, there is always an opposite. Good versus evil is a prime example. Water versus fire makes sense. You and Gabriella are supposed to know one another, and you not only need to learn to use your fire, you need to counter each other in battle. Think of the freedom you have if water follows your fire.” A book appears in his hand. “Read this one. We’re all having lunch at the lighthouse at noon.” He disappears after what amounts to not one but two commands. Read the book. Be at the lighthouse at noon. A book falls on the floor at my feet and opens.

The house seems to have its own opinions.

I pick up the book and read the first paragraph:

Fire destroys the most powerful of Nephilim, Seraphim, and demons alike when nothing else will. Those who wield the flames are immune to its destruction.

In other words, if I master my fire, I could kill Jeremy, but what of the serpent I feel inside me? Will killing him really kill it? If not, will Jeremy live on and use me to destroy the world? Will I become possessed outside this world and help him freely? My rejection is instant. No. No, I will not let that happen. I will kill Jeremy and the serpent. It’s not impossible. If I work hard and study hard, I can win this battle. I’ve always been a determined person, willing to face the impossible cases and win. Even that man I thought was my father found that out when I worked for him. With determination, I start searching the book for the best way to kill Jeremy and the serpent inside me. I search. I read. I repeat. And hours later, even with the house helping me, I find nothing.

Absolutely nothing.