Page 33 of A Song of Air
“Lightning beneath the skin,” Corvina supplied.
Iona nodded in agreement. “Our magic reacts when we’re close to each other. Like it wants to force its way out of our bodies.” She cracked her neck. “Makes me restless.”
“Then we will wait here,” Valerio decided. “And we will venture out to find them tomorrow.”
Corvina’s eyes strayed to the forest. “I feel them there,” she whispered. “Somewhere. I can’t pinpoint where exactly.”
Valerio nodded at the blond woman. That was all he needed to know. She was somewhere inside the forest of Ojor, which meant they were closer to their goal.
His father’s goal.
After he dismissed the three Elementals, he walked to the edge of the forest, staring within. Uric’s presence appeared next to him, silent and protective as usual.
“What are you thinking?” his friend asked, though he didn’t need to. He knew Valerio all too well.
“They’re out there,” he said.
Uric nodded, the edges of his white hair grazing his cheeks. “We are being watched.”
“Keep your magic at the ready,” Valerio replied, glaring into the forest, as if he could see the unseen enemy that was watching from a distance. “We may have need of it.”
When those watching decided not to watch anymore. When those watching decided they were sick of lying in silence.
When those watching inevitably attacked.
Net of Ashwood & Iron
The night was restlessand the forest too silent. The scent of death lingered in the air, and it put everybody on edge. Clay was sure nobody slept last night, waiting with bated breaths as the darkness made way to morning. Something was out there; far away, but out there.
Whether or not that thing was a threat remained to be seen.
He wondered if it was the Elemental. Corvina, Iona, and Shula said they’d sensed them somewhere in the trees. Far away, but still close enough to have their magic fritzing beneath their skin. He’d caught Corvina scraping her nails across her skin throughout the night. Even though he’d placed his hands over her anxious fingers, he didn’t think he’d helped to ease her turmoil.
There were dark shadows beneath her lids that morning, and a wariness that the three Elementals shared. They were primed for... something.
“Mommy, I have to relieve myself.”
