Page 62 of The City of Zirdai
Of course! Shyla bit down on a groan. “Mojag, can you bring that bucket of sand over here?”
He lugged the container and set it between the two women.
Gurice scrunched up her nose. “Uh, that’s not exactly my forte.”
“Doesn’t matter as long as you use your magic on the sand.”
“All right, but you’ve been warned and if sand gets all over your room, I’m not cleaning it up.”
“Noted.”
Gurice reached out so her hand hovered over the bucket.
“Why do you do that?” Shyla asked.
“It helps me focus and aim. Otherwise, I’ll spray sand in your face.” She gave her a pointed look.
“Okay, I’ll be quiet.”
After a few moments, a bright yellow glow filled Gurice as if someone had uncovered a druk lantern deep inside her. The light intensified and filled her, but Shyla only saw it through their link and not with her own eyes. An odd disconnection.
Soon, the sand grains lifted into the air and shifted, forming a…lumpy sleeping cushion…no…a…sand snake that had just eaten a rat? The glow disappeared and the sand sculpture thudded back into the bucket.
Mojag peered at his sister as if seeing her for the first time. “That was cool. But why did you make a dead rat with a really long tail?”
“It was a velbloud with a tether,” Gurice said, sounding offended.
“Clearly.” But Shyla couldn’t suppress a grin.
“Everyone’s a critic.” Gurice crossed her arms. “Was there a point to this exercise?”
“Yes. Did you see a…anything unusual when you used your magic?”
“Other than the sand blob,” Mojag added unhelpfully.
After shooting the boy a glare, she said, “No. Nothing different. Why?”
“Mojag, did you see anything?”
“Just the floating sand.”
“Can you do it again?” Shyla asked. This time she put her shield back in place, blocking both the siblings’ thoughts.
“All right.” Gurice concentrated.
This time a…scroll formed above the bucket. No light emanated inside the woman.
“Jerky?” Mojag asked.
A sigh. “No. It was a shovel.” She released it. “And, before you ask, no I didn’t see anything unusual. Did this help you?”
“I think it did. Now, I just need to test my theory. Mojag?”
“Yes?” His voice squeaked.
“Your turn.” She removed the shield.
He hesitated but then exchanged places with Gurice. Meeting Shyla’s gaze with an almost bold defiance, he braced as if awaiting a blow. This magic thing was still new to him even though he had known Jayden and his sister were hiding things from him. Hurt feelings over not being confided in mixed with jealousy. Figured she’d be able to do magic. Things always seemed to work out for his sister. He knew he shouldn’t be like that—she raised him after their parents were murdered—he was grateful and—
