A rock hit the side of her head, and she whipped around, baring her teeth. “Really?”
“It was a pebble. I’m reaching for a rock now. Focus.”
Isla couldn’t see a thing behind the blindfold, but she focused, and the tiny threads that had annoyed her so much previously began appearing, a million little links around her. She had blocked them out the last few weeks, but now they all came rearing back, especially since one of her main senses had been taken away. The more she mentally searched her surroundings, the louder everything became again. It was like endless noise; she couldn’t focus on anything—
By the time she sensed the rock, it had already hit her shoulder.
She winced. The bruise was sure to look like a storm cloud.
“Focus.”
“I am,” she said through her teeth.
Another rock hurtled at her. She sensed it and shot out her hand but missed. It hit her hip.
Isla felt something rising through her ribs, uncurling in her chest.
When the next rock hit her in the stomach, it unleashed.
“Put your arms down, Isla.”
Were they even up? She ripped the blindfold off, only to see sharp blades made from branches, dozens of them, levitating in the air, all pointed at Oro. Rocks hovered between them, vibrating with intensity.
Isla gasped, and they fell to the ground with a lifeless thump.
She took a step back. “I—I’m sorry.” She hadn’t even realized what she was doing. Her power had taken over.
Oro stepped toward her. “I was never in danger.”
But what if shedidhurt him one day? When he was asleep? When she wasn’t paying attention?
“You need to work on controlling your emotions when using power,” he said. “But.” There was a but? “That was impressive.”
“It was?”
“It was focused, at least. A lot more controlled than when Remlar initially released your powers,” Oro said.
“So, what you’re saying is, I am getting more efficient at trying to kill you,” she deadpanned.
“Precisely.” His expression turned serious. “Emotion undoes control,” he explained. “When you’re emotional, your power has no constraint. It might seem like it makes you more powerful, but it can be dangerous. It can drain you completely until there’s nothing left.”
Isla trained harder. She tested the limits of her control, working to keep her emotions steady. Her life narrowed to just her, Oro, and her Wildling power. For over a week, there were no more memories. No more voice inside her head. No sightings.
The shadow of Grim had disappeared, and Isla hoped she never had to see him again.
ENYA
“I want to continue my training on the Wildling newland,” Isla said.
They had worked together for weeks. She was still far from a master, but she felt in control enough that she wouldn’t be a danger. It had been too long since she had visited her people. She needed to make sure they were taken care of, then she needed to start preparing for the inevitability that Grim was coming for her. He had likely orchestrated the drek attack.
What was next?
“And I need help. I don’t just want to bring them provisions. If it’s possible ... I would like to see if anyone would volunteer to teach them skills they didn’t need before. How to prepare different types of foods, for example, and a dozen other things I can’t think of. I don’t really ... I don’t really know—”
“I know someone.”
“What?”
