Page 14 of Poison Sun

We’re not evil. At least, not inherently so. Zara’s… ambitious. Willow’s determined. I’m… well, I suppose I’m willing to sacrifice anything to ensure the best outcomes from what my visions provide. Even if that means turning my back on my sisters, no matter how much it broke something inside me when I did.

We’re perseverant. Powerful. Feared.

But we’re certainly not evil.

And, apparently, we’re not as alone in this world as we’ve always believed.

Morgan

I need proof.

I can’t just take his word for it. I have to see it.

“Show me,” I say, watching him with challenge.

He says nothing. Instead, he reaches into his pocket, pulls out a coin, and places it in front of us. A Swiss coin—five Francs—which is a bit larger than a quarter.

Next, he retrieves a small, sleek penknife from his pocket and opens it with a careful flick.

I hold my breath, the room suddenly feeling small, the air heavy with anticipation.

With slow precision, he draws the blade across the tip of his finger, his breathing steady and controlled. Blood wells up against his skin, and with intense focus, he dips the end of the knife into it, coating its tip.

Using his blood for ink, he writes on the surface of the coin.

I watch, still holding my breath, afraid a single sound will mess him up.

Soon, the word is complete.

Levitas.

As he pulls the knife away, the coin begins to stir. First, a subtle vibration. Then it’s lifting off the table, floating into the air, following the motion of his hand as he guides it in a dance between us.

“Believe me now?” he asks, smiling as he focuses on the coin.

It’s a good trick. But at the same time…

“How do I know you’re not actually a vampire, and that you’re not using air magic?” I ask, even though if he was using air magic, I would have felt at least the semblance of a breeze around us.

“An excellent point.” He lets the coin drift back onto the table, and the blood inked on its surface fades to nothing.

Then, with his hand now free, he conjures a small ball of fire in his palm. Pure, unfiltered witch magic.

The fire disappears in the blink of an eye.

“Now, I think you’re the one with something to prove,” he challenges.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I still haven’t seen your magic.”

My heart pounds so fast that it feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. I try to swallow down my panic, but it doesn’t work.

He knows I’m also a blood witch.

How?

“Oh.” Realization crosses his eyes, and he places the pen knife back inside his pocket. “You’re a cinder.”

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