The moment Logan saw Kimi distracted by Kolton, he seized his chance. His feet moved quietly toward the exit, each step calculated and desperate.
But Kimi's head turned toward him like a predator sensing prey. Logan's body went rigid, caught in her burning gaze.
"A-Kimi, please just let me walk away. I promise I-"
His words died as Kimi lifted her right hand. The window blind beside her erupted into flames.
Logan stumbled backward. With every retreating step he took, another blind caught fire. The flames danced from one window to the next, creating a wall of orange heat.
Thick smoke began filling the grand hall. Olive started coughing, waving her hand frantically through the haze. Her eyes searched desperately for her best friend through the growing inferno. Rylie stood frozen, her face pale with terror.
"Kimi, the fire will consume you too! Stay back!" Olive shouted, moving toward the flames.
