Page 20 of Watch Me Burn

No.

Sanctuary. I’m going to have to accept their offer, aren’t I?”

“Do I get to at least pick where I’m being shipped off to?”

Instead of answering me, Celeste moves until she’s standing directly in front of me. She holds out her hands the same way as she did before: palms down, fingers outstretched.

This time I know what she wants. I slip my hands into hers, completing the collection.

I wonder what she’s going to see this time.

Celeste closes her eyes. I have no idea how to control my magic, and I imagine it’s like a fart I have to hold in. Like, I could let it go, but everyone in the room will know that I did. Same with my fire. If I lose control now that I know that it’s possible, I’ll burn the hands of the witch willing to help me. Like unwanted toots, I have to keep it in, no matter what.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Celeste intones in a deep voice, “You’ll find what you seek there.”

There? Where?

And, more importantly?—

“What am I looking for?”

Right now, all I want is for this to be a nightmare. For witches not to exist, and for magic not to be real. Since that’s probably not going to happen, the least I can hope for is a little help before they boot me out the door.

In response to my question, Celeste’s eyes snap open. As I stare at her, her irises turn white. Pure, glowing,terrifyingwhite. “You shall know when you find it.”

Okay, then. ‘Cause that helps.

It’s over almost immediately. Her eyes darken again, the black pupil surrounded by her deep brown iris. As she removes her hands from mine, she says two words: “Fire opal.”

“Fire opal?” Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to be looking for… “What’s that?”

“A crystal that’s usually mined in Mexico. It’s closely associated with passion and creativity, but there is a mystical vein that’s hidden underground… including up north. It takes a fire witch to find it, but if you possess some of the crystal, you won’t have to worry about your magic controlling you anymore.”

My lips part.

Fire opal. If I get my hands on a chunk of the stuff, the fire shooting out of my hands will stop. No more magic. No more witch.

I can go back to being normal.

“And it has to be this mystical kind?” I ask. “I can’t, like, go online and see if I can get any old fire opal?”

She shakes her head.

I didn’t think it would be that easy.

“Right now, your newly unleashed magic is a beacon for witch hunters. One found you, my dear, and his partner won’t be far behind.”

As if I need the reminder. “So, what? This is like witness protection for witches?”

“For supernaturals,” Celeste corrects. “There are twenty-five sanctuaries in the US. But only one of them is cold enough to conceal a fire witch. If you accept our offer to hide you from the witch hunters, you’ll be heading out to Alaska as soon as possible.”

“Wait.Where?” I blink. “Did you just say Alaska?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“And I’m going with you.”

For the first time since Celeste entered the cell, Elise speaks up.

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