Page 68 of Her Magic Light

It felt like I would explode in a million deadly pieces.

“It’s too strong,” I gasped out. “I can’t control it.”

“Then let it out.” He laughed malevolently. “Let it out and let’s see what you can really do.” There was a scraping sound as he pushed a large prism into place in the room.

“I need the sun.” I ground the words out as my torso heated.

“You don’t, though, do you, Meira? You can feel the power already.” His tone taunted.

“Meira.” Coop’s voice cut across the room. “These men need you.”

A sob escaped me. I was being torn in two. The men with me needed different things than I had inside me and the power churning within me seemed to be ripping me in half in its bid to escape.

“The men are dying, Meira.” Dr. Anderson’s words chilled me. “You’re a killer again. What are you going to do about it?”

I screamed. It was loud and long and an animalistic howl. The energy inside me released without warning, and Dr. Anderson flew backward, hitting the wall behind him before crumpling to the floor.

“Shit. Oh, shit.” I started to move toward him to check for signs of life, but Coop said my name and stopped me.

“Meira.”

I rushed toward the console table. Maybe if I could open the balcony doors, I could help everyone. But there were so many switches and buttons here. I pressed them at random.

“How do I open the door, Coop? How do I get to the sun?” My movements became more frantic. “I need the sun.”

“I know.” Suddenly, his hand covered mine. “Let’s look together.”

“But what about the men?” I glanced over my shoulder.

“We can’t help them until I help you open the doors.”

I swallowed, hearing everything he wasn’t saying.

Coop slammed his hand into a button, and the shutters over the windows began to move. “Part way there,” he said, but his jaw remained tight.

I darted forward and stood in the first shaft of sunlight, sighing in relief as it touched my skin. The familiar warmth tingled against me, and I closed my eyes.

A whirring noise started, and I glanced at the balcony doors as they began to slide open. As soon as I could slip through the gap in the middle of them, I was out on the balcony, offering myself to the light. My hummingbird danced in the corner of my vision as though she reminded me of all I’d done for her.

I drew strength from the good Icould doas I looked out over the glass yard with its rainbows. Beyond the walls of this place was open country. If I could find a life somewhere, anywhere away from shadows, then the people around me would be safe.

Sweetwater wasn’t an option anymore because I’d been found there once before. These people had found me, and now I knew too much about myself. They would never forget.

“Meira.” Coop was gentle as he caught my attention. “There are still men in here who need you. Can you remember how you did it before?” He held up the hand where I’d healed his knuckles, and I nodded, although hesitation stayed any enthusiasm.

The idea of so many men hurt because of me… But I swallowed those thoughts. I could fix this. I could fix this like I couldn’t fix Adrian. I hadn’t understood then.

Who was I kidding? I still really didn’t understand. I had a lot more to learn, but I needed to undo the damage I’d caused first.IfI could. No, I had to. It had to be possible. I couldn’t let six more men die because of Dr. Anderson’s evil.

I knelt at the side of the first man and released a shaky breath. Oh, shit. It looked bad. His face was covered in blood. Gashes covered him. Flakes of something glared from his wounds, almost like shadow shrapnel.

I glanced at Coop. “Where do I start?”

He shook his head. “This is your talent, not mine. Only you know the answer to that.”

But did I? How could I know answers when I only had questions? So many questions.

“Meira. Try,” Coop murmured.

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