"So, let me get this straight," I said, holding up a hand. "You're telling me I have to feel the magic, connect to nature, and then ask nicely before casting a spell?"
Lucien looked at me like I'd just insulted his ancestors. "Magic responds to energy, not sarcasm."
"Then it and I are going to have major communication issues."
We were in a small clearing surrounded by towering trees that looked older than sin. They swayed gently, judging me harder than the entire royal court had.
Lucien had been trying to teach me a simple elemental spell for the past two hours. So far, I had successfully turned a leaf purple and electrocuted myself. Twice.
Celine, my wolf, was pacing in my head.
"Let me take over! I bet I could do it."
Diaris, my vampire side, scoffed.
"You'd just howl at the tree."
"Oh yes, brilliant spellcasting—bark until it obeys."
"As if you'd do better, Count Grumpy. You bit a squirrel last week!"
"It was looking at me wrong."
I sighed aloud. "You see what I have to deal with?"
Lucien pinched the bridge of his nose. "Focus, Felice. You're a trifecta of supernatural chaos. You need control before someone else learns how to control you."
"Oh, great. No pressure at all."
I took a deep breath and tried again.
Focus on fire. Be one with the flame. Don't burn your eyebrows off.
I whispered the incantation under my breath. A faint tingle sparked at my fingertips—then—
BOOM!
A nearby tree exploded into flames.
Lucien froze. "Did you just—"
"Okay, okay!" I stepped back as the fire roared higher. "Nobody panic. It's just… aggressive enthusiasm!"
Lucien muttered something in a language I didn't understand but was 90% sure meant why me. With a flick of his wrist, a rush of water magic snuffed out the blaze. Steam hissed into the air.
"Well," I said, brushing soot off my sleeve, "at least I didn't light myself on fire this time. That's progress."
Lucien looked at me with a mix of exhaustion and reluctant amusement. "You might be the most dangerous—and frustrating—student I've ever had."
"Aw, thanks. I try."
But then, everything shifted.
A pulse of energy rippled through the clearing—cold and sharp. The air itself trembled.
Lucien's expression darkened instantly. "Get ready," he said, his voice suddenly hard.
My hand went to the dagger tucked in my boot. "What was that?"
He glanced toward the trees, eyes narrowing. "They've found us."
The forest fell silent.
And for the first time, I felt the storm inside me stir—not from fear, but from instinct.