Page 87 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Not yet.” Ash knelt behind me. “Maybe it takes some time.”

“Or maybe I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“There is that.”

I slowly turned my head to him.

His silver eyes were the color of the stars above as theymet mine. “What are you thinking when you try this?”

“What I’ve done before,” I answered. “I’m wishing for waterto return.”

A dark eyebrow rose. “And that is what you did before? Yousimply wished to heal wounds and give life?”

“I know it doesn’t sound exciting, but yes, that’s what Idid.”

“What about when you used the embers to fight?” he asked.“When you freed me?”

“I did the same.”

A lock of hair fell against his cheek when he cocked hishead. “I don’t think that’s all you did.”

“Well, if you know what I did, then why don’t you tell me—?”I snapped my mouth shut as it suddenly occurred to me. “It was different as theembers grew stronger. I didn’t wish. I willed it.”

Holding my gaze, Ash nodded. “Remember what I said earlier?The essence is tied to your will. Not your wishes. That is what it respondsto.” He paused. “Then again, maybe you’re not capable of bringing water tolife.”

My eyes narrowed.

Ash grinned.

“Shut up,” I muttered halfheartedly as I turned to the riverchannel.

Taking another deep breath, I once more flattened my handsagainst the arid soil. I didn’t close my eyes this time. I stared at my fingersand the golden swirl on my right hand. Focusing on the pulse of eather inside me, I held on to it, coaxing it to thesurface. My skin grew even warmer. A faint golden glow appeared beneath theskin of my hands, slowly traveling up my arms. I felt it flowing across theskin hidden beneath my cloak as I lifted my gaze to the river channel.

In my mind, I pictured fresh, clear water filling thewaterway, rolling over the parched earth and soothing its cracks and scars. I willedit. Holding the image in my mind, I demanded it. Water would come. It would.Water would come.

The glow around my hands intensified, flaring with brighterpulses. Water would come. It would rush through this channel,healing this land. Bring life back to it. Water would. I would restorelife—

Energy swelled, pressing against my skin. I’d gotten used tothe ebb and flow of eather I used to only feel in thecenter of my chest, and even its intense force the handful of times I’d tappedinto the essence of the Primals, but what I feltpulsing through me now was something else entirely.

A low trilling sound came from Ehthawn.Eather pulsed from my palms, rippling out in dozens—no, hundreds—of finestreaks. Arcs of eather went in every direction,covering the riverbed in a network of silvery-gold radiance that beat back theencroaching night. The spiderweb of luminous brilliance throbbed rapidly. One.Two. Three. Then slapped into the dry earth with a shocking, thunderous clap.

Sucking in a startled breath, I jerked back. Ash caught meby the arms, stopping me from toppling over.

“Sera?” Concern filled his voice as he cupped my cheek. Hestarted to turn my head to his.

The ground trembled beneath us. All around us. Dirt beadedand clumped, rolling down the sides of the riverbank.

“Shit.” Ash stood, lifting me as Odin whinnied nervously. Heurged me back a step.

Crolee lifted his head, lettingout a low-pitched, staggered cry as the riverbed shuddered.

My stomach dipped. “Is it possible that I created anearthquake?”

“I’m beginning to wonder that myself. We should probablymove—” he cut himself off with a sharp inhale. “Fates.”

“What?” I scanned the land, not seeing what had caused himto stiffen.

“Look,” he whispered hoarsely.

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