Page 28 of Detonation
"I really didn't think you were going to rally after Finley lit your ass on fire and you ran face-first into Noreen's rock slab."
I roll my eyes. Any sane person would run after finding flames on their ass and wouldn’t pay attention to what was in front of them.Whatever.
I rub away the phantom pain in my nose at the memory and huff. "Yeah, that wasn't my finest moment, I’ll admit." I quickly switch my train of thought, sounding like an excited toddler speaking to their parents about an accomplishment. "But did you see that water tunnel I trapped Noreen in?"
I swear I see her fight off a smile. "Yes, I did see that."
"She didn't appreciate looking like a drowned rat afterwards," I smirk. When I get no response from her, I switch subjects. "What's your name? If you don't tell me, you're liable to get a terrible nickname soon. Maybe Blue's Clues for the color of your hair."
Her face contorts in confusion. "What is aBlue's Clues?"
A giggle comes from me at the thought of comparing her to the cute dog. "It's an animated children's show that has a human host and they have a trail of clues to solve a mystery. The puppy is blue, and they're finding clues. Get it?"
She looks unimpressed, clearly not appreciating the thought process. I hold my hands up in defense. "Look, I said it would most likely be a terrible nickname. You can avoid it by telling me your name. Simple!" She narrows her eyes and crosses her arms across her chest as I mutter under my breath, "At least I didn't call you Witch Bitch..."
"How about this—if you're able to defeat me, I'll tell you my name."
My body groans in protest at the thought of fighting again. Is her name that important to me?
I have to go through with it so I can do more than just learn her name.
You kind of have the weight of the realms on your shoulders here—plural.
The mental reminder melts away my excuses. "Alright, Blue,” I say, resolving myself to my faith. “Let's do this."
She stalks over to the circle and I do the same, distantly noticing that the crowd that I’ve already defeated has gathered around us. Likely for the pleasure of seeing me get beaten down myself.
Oh, they're really going to love watching me get my ass kicked. Noreen was a good sport but I’m sure the rest of the camp didn’t appreciate being beaten by a woman they despise.
No, Lana. Don't accept defeat already. Keep going. Keep pushing. Queens don't give up.
Apparently, Blue doesn't want to fuck around and even with my laser sharp focus, I don’t expect the air that spirals around her, growing and growing, morphing into a tornado funnel.
The sight of it locks my knees in place.Beth.
I haven't met anyone with the power to summon one nor have I thought to try one.
My mental fortitude caves, thinking of Beth lying in Hale's arms, the wood protruding from her body, the floor soaked with her blood as the light left her eyes.
Love you more, always.
Angry tears fall down my face as the rage from Beth’s death overpowers me.
I will not let a tornado win again.
I love you, Beth. I will make you proud.
I widen my stance and root my feet into the ground. My hair whips around me, coming loose from its braid with the force of the wind, obscuring my vision.
Fuck this.
I may not know how to beat a tornado but I can damn well destroy its creator. If my defenses held strong against Anshar's dark magic, I’m confident my magic will cut through her tornado.
Digging the toes of my boots into the ground, I summon the pure energy within me, pulling on the threads that run directly from my soul. Lobbing orb after orb of energy at her, I let my rage at Beth’s death fuel me as a feral yell rips from my throat.
The tornado continues to grow, picking up in intensity to a point where I can't even see where Blue is standing. How can I take her out when I can't even tell where she is?
As the frustration from the uncertainty begins to turn my movements wild, I catch myself. I can’t beat her if I can’t see her but I definitely can’t win if I’m too angry to use my brain.
