Someone struck up music, and gentle classic tunes melded with the crackling fire. To amuse myself, I changed the cadence of the dancing flowers, now keeping them in time to the music’s beat, much to the delight of the audience.
While I loved my magic and I loved communing with the natural world, I didn’t like this. Performing wasn’t me. Nature answered to no one. I kept a faint amused smile on my lips,but inside I was steaming, pissed off at what the Lords were making me do. This proved nothing. I was giving them what they wanted, not what I was.
Until everything changed.
Sweat poured down my face, dripping down my back in a steady trickle. It felt too hot. I was close, but not close enough to feel like I was standing in the inferno.
A quick glance revealed the fire was burning too hot, the bottom of it glowing a faint blue. Since everyone’s eyes were on me, no one noticed. I glanced back and caught Halvar staring. Not at the flowers or the display, but directly at me, a faint, cruel smile over his lips. The crackling fire sent an orange flame glowing in his iris, but then his smile widened, and that same strange crimson sheen rolled over his eyes.
He flicked his fingers toward the fire, a dart of blood red magic shooting from the tips. Fire shot up through the air, far higher than normal. The base rumbled, magical pressure building toward a massive explosion that if allowed to go off would kill us all.
“Caelan,” I croaked.
The Lord stepped up.
“Something’s wrong,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with barely kept in check power.
His eyes narrowed. “What is it? Your magic?”
“The fire,” I breathed. If I told Caelan what I suspected, I would give myself away, and Halvar knew it.
“Should we evacuate?”
My gaze went to the still grinning Halvar. He sent another dart of magic out, but not at the fire.
Right at me.
Terrible memories rose when that familiar magic struck. Pain and claws and terror and grief. I closed my eyes against that pain, Halvar’s terrible laughter echoing in my ears.
“Evie.” Caelan touched my back.
“Get back,” I croaked. “I’m dangerous.”
“What’s wrong?” His voice was low and urgent.
“Get back,” I pleaded.
Caelan stepped away. I looked back at Moira and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
Her eyes went wide.
Magic exploded from my body.
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
CAELAN
She was glorious. Evie exploded in a riot of color, her dark hair glowing like a star. She was crimson and gold and all the colors of the rainbow. My breath caught as her back bowed, her arms spread out like a sacrifice.
Moira lurched to her feet. “Caelan.”
“What is she?” I whispered.
“Snap out of it,” Moira barked. “Get everyone out of here. Now.”
I turned to her, ready to bite her head off for ordering me around, but when I saw the look on her face, I paused.
