Page 74 of Take No Prisoners
"You've seen him! How did he look?"
"Furious." Petri's smile didn't warm their gaze. "If he were a wind weaver, he could carry himself over the walls without a second thought."
Niall nodded. "Each element has an emotion and a sensation."
"Have you found a way to balance them all?"
"Not yet, and I don't have much time," he said.
"Find the place you feel most comfortable. Comfort is key." They grinned. "I feel more balance in the stability of earth, even though it's my weaker element. Find the one that speaks most to you, and you'll find your core."
"Thank you." Niall grinned. "I need to get back, but I hope to see you again at dinner." He reached for Jasmine's hand. "Are you ready to return to the barracks, Princess?"
Her hand felt like ice in his. He countered it with heat until she squealed and fought back with flames of her own. They arrived at the barracks out of breath, sweating, and a little scorched around the edges. Niall grabbed the door handle before she did and wove a tiny healing spell to regrow the delicate hairs on her arms before Frost chewed him out for hurting her.
Frost still glared at them like they'd started the place on fire. "I didn't need two new fire weavers," he grumbled.
"Luckily, you only have to train one," Niall said. "I need to get back to my grandmother."
"Good luck."
Jasmine waved, and flames rolled up her palm to the tips of each finger. "See you soon."
Gods, he hoped he could return in time for dinner. He had all eight elements now, but he still didn't know the first thing about releasing Coryn's trap.
Chapter 18
Efren
After what felt like hours, Vadim grunted and hopped to his feet. "Klaus?"
"It's Niall," Klaus hollered from the base of the ladder. "His signature feels different, that's all."
"He must have been successful," Vadim said.
Efren was relieved Klaus also noticed the change in Niall. Efren had sensed a shift in Niall's confidence as he learned each element. Efren hoped it was enough to defeat the trap.
Niall reached the top of the ladder with Klaus right behind him. He rushed Efren, throwing arms around his shoulders and pulling him in for a hug. The singed tips of Niall's hair scratched along Efren's cheek, and he smelled of smoke.
His face burned as he patted Niall's back. "Good to see you."
"I missed you." Efren's jacket muffled Niall's voice.
"No lookout?" Vadim asked Klaus.
"I can tell from up here if anyone new arrives." Klaus smirked. "I want to see a miracle."
A miracle. Efren studied Niall. He was already a miracle to Efren, even with his face ruddy from the wind and sun, and the dark circles under his eyes from the magic he'd been using.
"Did Petri feed you?" Efren asked.
"I had a delicious cocoa drink, but I don't think that counts as food."
"We'll throw a celebration and grill half the island's chicken if you can pull this off," Vadim said. "Come on, Klaus. Let's give him some room." Vadim hadn't bothered to stand from his meditative position. He crab-crawled across the floor to sit against the far wall, and Klaus stood beside him, hugging his arms to his chest.
Niall turned toward the water weave holding Beatrice in place, but then he turned back to Efren with an unreadable look.
"If this doesn't work, it's going to be messy." He shrugged. "It might be messy either way."
