Page 5 of Detonation
Forcing my mouth open, despite the shooting pain, I rasp out, "Wait."
The footsteps halt.
With more willpower than I knew I possessed, I turn my head her way, just as she turns back around to face me.
I take in her full appearance. She's wearing what appears to be a thin, black, full-body armor, though it looks butter soft. That can’t be right. Soft armor?
She rolls her eyes and huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why are you out here?”
I read her eyes, searching for any hint of malice, but find nothing there other than distrust and a touch of intrigue. Bracing myself for the stupidest thing that I will ever do—and that’s saying something—I clear my throat before saying, “I am ... Oslana.” That did not come out as the shocking declaration I thought it would.Oh well, I’ve committed to this.“I’ve returned to fix the balance in the realm and retrieve my mate from the dark fae.”
Her oval eyes narrow. “I don’t know who you really are but if you knew anything of this land, you would know that Oslana died.Forty years ago.”
I struggle to sit up because I’m really not speaking from a position of authority with my back on the ground. She rushes towards me, her hands at my back, helping me into a sitting position.
Turning my head, I lock eyes with her. “Yes,” I say, my voice calm and sure, though still gravelly. “I died forty years ago but I was reincarnated for a chance to save this realm.”
She gasps and retracts her hands from me like I’m covered in shit.
I chuckle to myself. “Trust me, I know how absolutely batshit crazy this sounds. It took a while for me to believe Gaia and swallow that pill myself.”
She steps back a few feet, disbelief clear on her face. “Prove it. Oslana had unimaginable power.”
Grimacing, a hiss escapes from between my teeth. I look down at the hole in my leather pants that melted onto my skin from where the lightning struck me. My leathers were supposed to be impervious to magic, according to Serenity, but it seems dark magic is the exception to the rule.
I scoff in disbelief. “I just got struck by fucking lightning and you want me to put on a show for you?”
She crosses her arms over her chest again, raising an eyebrow in a challenge.
Maybe people are constantly struck by lightning here and it’s just not a big fucking deal?Toto, I don’t think I’m in Kansas anymore.
Rolling my eyes, I lift my palms up and close my eyes to center my thoughts. Searching for my silver strands of power, I sing to myself, “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
A small laugh escapes the stranger but I ignore her, focusing on my well of power. Which appears to be bone-fucking-dry.
Great. Right when I need to prove myself.
I crack open one eyelid and cringe at the look of utter disappointment on her face.
She wants me to be Oslana. She just won’t admit it.Odd.
She shakes her head and audibly sighs, turning away again. “Parting advice: stop walking towards the dark fae castle. Walk the other way. Very,veryquickly.”
Clenching my hands as she waves goodbye over her shoulder, I feel my temper rising. She has to believe me. I have to prove myself.
I can’t let this opportunity escape me.
Why does it matter so much what she thinks?
All of my thoughts fixate on needing her to believe me, to stay, to hear me out, and a tingling sensation flows through my chest and to my limbs. Trusting in my power, I open myself to the feeling and gasp as thick vines burst from the ground, wrapping themselves around her calves and rooting her in her spot.
Holy shit.
That’s the first time I’ve been able to tap into an elemental power. Until now, it always came to me in the form of energy. This is the first time I’ve trusted it to do what I needed without directing it and forcing it.
Your power comes from your feelings.
I guess Serenity was right. Witch Bitch was onto something.
