We were most definitely too exposed. Rounding the truck, I pulled on my magick and slid a thin layer of ice beneath the front wheels, then I gripped the bumper, dug my feet into the dirt, andpushed. Gods, why did I have to get the king-sized truck bed? This fucker wasn’t going anywhere.
“Give it a little gas!” I called out.
The vehicle rocked as Rani slid over the console and into the driver’s seat. The engine revved, and I put my whole back into it, but too much weight was pulling the truck toward the ditch. I had to get at least one of these wheels on the road or find some way to tow it forward.
Wait a minute…
I pulled myself out and ran across the road to peer over the edge of the cliff.
Not too far down; Rani can manage that.
This would be an excellent chance for a practical application of her training as well. My idea required manipulating water two ways at once, and since our magicks were similar, I was confident it was something I could talk her through. I beckoned her over, careful to make sure no other cars were coming before letting her dart across the road to me.
“I need your help to drag the truck out of the ditch,” I told her, pointing to where the problem was. I explained my plan; how I wanted her to call up a steady stream of water from the ocean below and direct it around the anchor at the front of the truck. I’d freeze it, and then she could pull. “We’re going to use my magick as an anchor and yours as the rope. Make sense?”
She eyed the distance to the truck and then peered over the cliff. The black crystal disappeared and reappeared between her fingers as she thought it through.
“I’ve never pulled water from that far before,” she admitted, body rigid. “Or held it for that long.”
I knew her confidence wavered, but she had no reason to worry. Rani was stronger than she knew. I sensed the untouched pool of magick within her; she’d yet to harness her full potential.
“I mean, if you think the task is too hard…”
“I didn’t say that.”
She glared, and I took a step back, my hands up. “I’m just saying, if you can’t do it, then you can’t do it. There’s no need to be embarrassed by admitting that in front of me.”
A flash of irritation from her side of the bond told me my plan was working. Truly, I should have been an actor. I was a motherfucking emotional chameleon, and my talents were wasted. Rani’s eyes were shut tight in concentration. I felt her pull magick, but she wasn’t grabbing nearly enough.
“You’re right,” I sighed. “It’s too far, and I shouldn’t have asked you to try.”
“Would you shut up!” she snapped, opening one angry eye to stare me down. “I’m trying to concentrate.”
I held back my smirk and did as she asked. This time, the tug on her magick was far stronger—I really was a genius—and a thin rope of water slowly rose in the air to my left. Once it crested the cliff, the water slithered like a creepy snake across the road. When it reached the anchor point at the front of the truck, I readied my own power.
Rani cursed, and the water rope fell to the earth with a splash. The black tourmaline dropped to the ground in front of her, and she rubbed her palm while shooting me another glare.
“That thingburnedme,” she accused. “Why the hell am I holding it again?”
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. We had to move.
“Rani.” I fixed my face to hide my fear, but her spine straightened as if she sensed it. “You need to try again, right now.”
No argument. Thank fuck. She gathered her magick much quicker this time, all hesitation gone, and sent that rope flying to the truck. I froze it on contact, just the tip, and made sure to add a few layers of my own magick to secure it.
“Pull,” I instructed. The truck groaned, but didn’t move. “Concentrate, Rani.”
“I am,” she growled, brows scrunched.
Another groan from the truck, and the front bumper jerked.
“Good. Again.”
“It’s too heavy!”
We gained another inch, maybe two, but it wasn’t enough. The wheels were still hanging off the road. Any minute, the djinn would be on us. A faint hum of a motor keened over the roar of the sea, and I knew I’d have to make a decision soon. Run or fight.
“Make the ocean do the work,” I shouted, the groan of metal loud and continuous now. “The water wants to go back home, so let it, but control its fall.”
