Page 36 of Angel Lost

I press the screen frantically, fingers too slick with sweat to activate it. Eventually, it springs to life. My finger tingles, pins and needles run up my arm, and my ears buzz.

Aether Testing: Lorelei Bal

Press to continue

I jab the screen

Part one of three

Create a whirlpool of aether

Simple. Wait. How sensitive are these bracelets? How exactly will they know if I’m only pulling a portion of my magic?

Cautiously, I tug, easing my aether forward. Nothing. Pushing the panic down, I feel for it again. It’s there…barely. A mere trickle of magic where normally a dark pool sits in my chest. My head aches with the effort. It’s okay. I can do this.This is what’s supposed to happen. I just didn’t know it would hurt.

I grunt, forcing my remaining aether out of my palm, up into the air. It protests, wanting to cling to me, like the magic senses how depleted I am. Eventually I persuade it into a rough whirlpool.

“And she thought she’d meet the king,” someone mutters from the computer screens. The machines beep in the background, little red power bars flickering on the monitors. Is that me? My aether in digital form? Neat.

Suddenly, down the bond, something snaps; a whip-crack that reverberates around my skull. What the hell was that? Like a homing missile, my aether slams back to me. I pant, absorbing it, measuring it. Not all. It’s not all back. Not everything. Thank Hecate. The boys haven’t lost control, not completely. The aether whirlpool between my fingers becomes more and more dense, shimmering, spinning faster and faster, eager to escape. The priests’ machines beep wildly, the power bars fluxing toward the top of the screen. Shit.

Just as quickly, my aether sputters and wanes, pulled back down the bond. The light in my hands peters out.

“Interesting.”

I am going to kill those idiots.

I wait a few long moments, but not one of the priests speaks. Shuffling on the spot, I run my fingers over the hilt of Naeve’s dagger. Hell, the test. Keep going, Lorelei.

I tap the screen and it lights up.

Part two of three

Create a shield

Tentatively I search out my magic. It purrs at me. Where the fuck are the boys now?Think. Think quickly.I stare at my hands, feigning confusion.

“Is there a problem, Miss Bal?”

“I’m not sure I know how.” I add a plaintive whine for effect. “I always had my other elements to use before.”

“We can add incentive.” My neck prickles. The angel sounds delighted. Without further warning, a bolt of lightning shoots from his hands, scorching the ground inches from my feet. The heat radiates up into my face. Holy shit. I dance on the spot. Another bolt screams past my ear, and the scent of burning hair hits me. Asshole. Patting my head frantically, I reach inside.

“Weareallowed to use appropriate force, Miss Bal. Sometimes it is the only way to be sure.” It’s the mage who speaks this time, and my gaze flicks up just in time to see all three casting in my direction.

“There are often casualties.”

I can’t wait any longer, I reach inside, pulling on my aether, flinging it up in front of me. The bolt hits my shield directly in front of my chest. Holy Hecate, they aren’t pulling punches. Explosions rain down from all sides, each stronger than the last, stupidly loud inside the confines of my shielding sphere. I brace, willing my barrier to thin a little. My aether rebels, bunching in front of me, protecting me. It fights the boys as they pull at my magic. My gaze flicks to the screens. The power bars are dangerously close to the top of the range again. That can’t be good.

Slowly, the attack eases off. I release my aether, cracking my neck and sighing. Emptiness gnaws at my core. It’s like being hungry and havingheartburn all in one. Except…the hollowness is far deeper, more painful. Hand shaking, I reach toward the pad. One more test. That’s all.

I’ve got this.

Chapter Twelve: Lorelei

Part three of three

Protect

---