Chapter 28 #2
“I had it!” I shouted. Another burst of flames, climbing the air violently, igniting the closest trees and greenery around me. Then I saw it.
The way they looked at me.
Ashley’s blank face, the mask she wore when she simply didn’t want to show her concerns, Lionel’s fear, as if he was debating if he should run or fight.
Eve, who looked at me as if I was a monster, a demon, holding her rifle tightly, ready to take aim.
Nate, who wasn’t sure if he should focus on Mey’s wound or me, as his sister battled to stay conscious.
I gasped, taken aback by how fast they shifted, how my abilities made them scared.
How I frightened them. I looked down at my hands, still burning wildly, I couldn’t make it go away, flames consumed my entire body, taking over.
What am I?
Tears threatened at the corners of my eyes.
“I’m so—”
Arms wrapped around me, hugging me tightly. My eyes went wide in confusion.
“Calm down,” Malakai soothed again, and when his hand stroked my hair tenderly, I broke.
The flames retreated instantly, and I somehow smothered them from the trees as well. I kept them at bay along my skin, as a snivel escaped me.
Why was it him?
Why did he have this effect on me? Why did his arms feel comforting, soothing?
It was Malakai, not Lionel, he shouldn’t make me feel this…
safe. My flames sparked once more, my emotions in disarray as I began trying to break out of his hold.
His arms only tightened further, my flames climbed as they sizzled against him, was I actually burning him this time?
“Let me go.” I intended a bark, but my voice was too weak, putting all my strength in trying to break free. I clawed him, I shoved my shoulder into his chest.
I wanted to run.
Run from this moment, run from these terrifying emotions, run from the flames.
But he wouldn’t let me, his arms were like steel.
“Ethalyn,” Malakai said, his voice soft yet controlled and I stiffened.
It wasn’t often that he used my actual name, but when he did…
I knew he was serious. The fires retreated once more, I smelled the burnt flesh and my eyes widened as I finally looked up at him.
I had burned through parts of his shirt and jacket, revealing his skin which was irritated and red. Yet, he hadn’t even flinched.
Instead, a faint smile appeared on his lips, once our eyes met. “Are you okay?”
I had scorched him, and he asked me if I was okay?
“What’s happening to me?” I sobbed.
“You’re not used to how your feelings feed your magic,” he explained, his voice lowered, yet everyone heard him clearly. “Since you’ve hidden the flames all your life, you haven’t been able to practice restraining them when you’re vulnerable.”
“I’m so sorry,” I sniveled, my flames sparking slightly with the emotion, climbing his leathers again.
“It’s fine, we’re all fine!” Ashley cut through. “Well… your fire didn’t hurt us at least.”
My eyes slid to Lionel, who still watched me as if I was about to explode at any moment, his eyes had turned from fearful to calculating.
“I’ll get you some clothes to change into,” Ashley murmured low, and began rummaging through Malakai’s bag that had been placed on the ground.
How was I supposed to convince them that I would never hurt them, when I couldn’t even control myself at times?
The way Lionel looked at me? I burned the image of it into my core, reminding myself that this was how people would see me if I ever let myself slip again.
This was all backwards, my emotions all messed up.
“Ethalyn… you think you can fix Mey’s wound up before I bandage it?” Nate pleaded. “If you’re in control, that is.” He seemed hesitant, he wanted my help, but there was a slight doubt hiding within his eyes, the question; was I in control?
I nodded slightly, as Malakai let go of me.
I was clumsily making my way towards them, taking another deep breath, trying to focus as I let the edges of my flames lick against her wound.
Mey screamed, a primal sound of pure agony.
Ashley put her hand over her mouth, softly and gently muffling her sounds.
“What was the other option?” Lionel asked Malakai, finally finding his words again, but not looking at me.
“I said, don’t,” I repeated firmly, looking at them, as Nate began bandaging his sister.
“What is going on?” Eve hissed, trying to clean the wound on her leg with water, wincing as the cool liquid touched it.
“Let’s take a break, recover and continue,” I ordered, flames dancing around me as if they refused to let go entirely.
Malakai stepped in front of me, blocking my path, as he stared me down. “Take my offer instead.”
“No,” I yapped back. “You think I’m too weak to capture one?”
“That’s not it,” Malakai argued.
“Can anyone enlighten us about what’s going on?” Ashley joined the confusion.
“This is my trial, we’ll do it my way,” I said, looking at Malakai with resolve burning in my eyes. “We’re taking a short break, tending to our wounds, and then continuing our search.”