Page 38 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

“What does that mean?” I suddenly felt very uncomfortable with everyone looking at me.

“Have you ever had an affinity for fire, or find yourself fascinated with fire?” Juniper dodged my question. I hated when she did that.

“I’ve found meditation is easier when staring into a fire, but doesn’t everyone? Please tell me what’s wrong. I can’t take much more.”

At that moment, a knock sounded on the door. Ethan checked again and allowed the Priestess to enter.

“Oh good, Emberly is here.” Juniper said, letting go of my face and turning to her. “Her eyes turned red when she’s upset.”

Emberly takes a quick inhale, her eyes widening for a moment, before composing herself. I recognized her as the Priestess who seemed to make decisions at their arrival. The candlelight danced off the green sparkles of her eyes, and I realized she shared powers with Spencer. My heart skipped a beat, thinking about him.

“Princess, please do what you can to keep him out of your thoughts for the moment.” Emberly gave me a knowing look.

My jaw dropped, and I gasped. “I, h- how did you know?”

Emberly looked at Juniper, who shrugs. She turned back to me. “Seeing souls is just the initial onset for those of us with green eyes. Those who harness the energy can read minds, and some can even control minds.”

“Is that what Egan did? Did he control Spencer’s mind? Or that soldier’s?”

“We can’t say. He shouldn’t have that ability, but heshouldn’t have any abilities at all. He’s an abomination, and we are working to understand what’s happening.” Emberly sighed.

“Now, please, let me work with you so that I can help you control your emotions. The last thing you need is to start a fire or throw rocks when you see Spencer again.”

I nodded. “OK, what do I do to control these emotions?”

“You’ll need to let me into your mind, and I will walk you through calming techniques in real time as you need them.”

I nodded again, not sure how to start that, but accepting instruction all the same.

‘Can you hear me?’

My eyes widened, and I responded verbally, “Yes.”

‘OK, good. Can you respond mentally?'

I thought the word ‘yes.’

Emberly nodded. “Good, we can communicate this way. I will connect only enough to read your emotions during the next round, and I will receive your thoughts only if you intend to send them, as you just did. So, you will have some thoughts held private still.”

I took a deep breath. “How much longer do we have?”

“Just a few minutes,” Father replied.

“OK, can we regroup after, in Father’s office? Spencer included, if he’s able to leave the medical bay. We need to get more information about what is going on with Egan’s network.”

Everyone nodded. Juniper added, “He’s going to leave the bay now, so hopefully he’s not squaring off against Egan if he makes it to the next round.”

The signal to return to seats sounded. I sent everyone else out so that we could go through the planned grand entrance again.

CHAPTER 25

The event announcer proclaimed that Spencer and Egan were to square off for the final round. Emberly was deep in my thoughts immediately, coaching me through many breathing techniques. I was holding Amyra’s hand so tightly that I worried I might just break it. They were reviewing rules of engagement again. I felt so overwhelmed and worried I couldn’t handle any of this. I wished more than anything that I could watch in privacy.

‘Spencer will be ok. Breathe in, hold it, and then breathe out.’ Emberly tried to soothe me.

‘You can’t guarantee on that. Egan is unpredictable and we don’t know how much power he can control.’ I argue back.

‘Breathe in, hold your breath, breathe out. Focus on keeping your face neutral.’

---