Page 82 of Into the Isle

Everyone yelped, jumping up as our lives flashed before our eyes—

As the fireball popped and exploded into nothingness in front of her. A wisp of smoke and nothing more.

I was on my feet in a flash, thinking this madwoman was about to melt her damn students to death.

Once my heart lodged itself back in my chest, Hersir Selken put her hands on her hips. “Say we wanted to do all those things . . . at the same time?”

A low rumble of understanding, a curious hum, swept through the students like we were children caught in a magician’s game.

Hersir Selken nodded. “A Shaper skilled enough, and swift enough, would be able to fold those directive runes atop one another to do just that.”

With that, she nodded to us and gave us her back.

The students couldn’t help it this time.

We fucking clapped.

The bittersweet sensation tugging at my heart only grew in opposite directions. Sadness for my lack of ability. Excitement for this new knowledge.

I was so enthralled by Hersir Selken’s introductory lecture. I simply had to learn how to do what she did. I certainly wasn’t discouraged as Dagny said I’d might be. No, I was more invigorated than ever.

There’s no more excuses. My inherent magic has got to wake the fuck up!

Chapter 25

Ravinica

“I AM NOT THE ONE,” Grim said in his slow, measured way.

I walked with the bear shifter through the woods as the sun set in the distance. As promised, I was letting him escort me.

Did I need an escort from Vala Chamber to Nottdeen Quarter? No. It was basically a straight shot west—I actually had to go out of my way north to reach the woods to find Grim in the same spot as last night.

I couldn’t deny the draw I felt toward the huge man, however. The curiosity to know more about this quiet loner. Strangely, when I was with him, it wasn’t like pulling teeth. He wasn’t animated, he just seemed . . . comfortable around me.

Don’t get too close to this man, Vini. Remember what he did last year.

I gulped, trying to stuff away my intrusive thoughts. Part of the reason I was here was to discover what really happened with Grim last year. Pierce through the rumors and find the truth.

We walked lazily, strolling at a pace much more preferable to the breakneck fleeing I’d done last night here. I listened to some nightbirds chirping, some insects trilling. An owl hooted. A raven cawed. The wind was alive in these woods with fauna.

“So,” I said, matching his slow way of talking, “you can teach me to beat the shit out of people, but not how to Shape?”

“Basically.”

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