Page 65 of Phoenix Burn

I rose and stalked over to the critter. It squeaked and backed rapidly away from both me and my underwear. I snatched them up and then crammed the tatters into my pocket.

Face flaming, I returned to Cara.

“We will discuss Matt in our next session, hmm? Until then, do I have your word that you guys will refrain from suchentertainment?”

I settled to the ground, unable to meet her eyes. But I nodded. “Yes. Of course.”

Cara poked around in her gown and emerged with a pair of gloves.

“These are thin and comfortable to wear. Until you gain some control, I think it is best that you use them.”

I took them from her. “But it isn’t just my hands we have to worry about, is it?”

Cara smiled. “No. But casual skin contact shouldn’t be an issue. And once you are trained, you will have control over it. Until then, you have to be careful.”

I swallowed. Message received, and her use of the word “will” was reassuring.

“Don’t put them on just yet,” she said when I started doing so. And then she held out her hands. “Take my hands.”

I stared at her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. You cannot hurt me, Anna.”

I set the gloves aside and did as she asked. Cara positively sizzled with energy. Instantly, the beast inside me sat up and took notice. Much faster than it ever had before.

It was terrifying.

I tried to pull my hands away, but she closed her eyes and held on. “It’s okay, Anna. Let it go.”

I didn’t understand why it was reaching for her—I wasn’t angry, or—well, attracted to her in that way. But it rose within me and reached for Cara.

And her powerful energy accepted it home. Wove around and merged with it.

“That’s it,” Cara almost purred. “You’re stronger than I expected. It’s a wonder it hasn’t broken loose before now.” But when I scanned her face, her brows had drawn down.

“What’s wrong? Am I hurting you?”

She flashed me a smile. “No, no. I am just assessing what I feel. Okay, now we’ll have your first lesson. Just like a wild animal, unleashing it is easier than taming it. I want you to practice pulling it back. It might help to visualize it as something tangible, rather than just energy. Close your eyes—you don’t need them for this.”

I obeyed. To me, my powerwaslike a beast—one with multiple heads—like medusa’s leeches that latched their jaws onto the other person’s energy and then sucked it dry. So I pinned my lip between my teeth and imagined those tendrils letting go of Cara’s essence.

At first, nothing happened. But then, she showed me the way, gently untangling the interwoven energies, and pushing back on mine. I got the feel of it and started reeling them in on my own.

When the last one let go, I opened my eyes. Cara smiled at me.

“It’s almost time for your run,” she said.

It shocked me—how long had we been sitting like that, lost in the energies?

She continued, “I would like to have another session with you tonight. It would be best, I think, if we can slip in some extra sessions, until you have a handle on it. Until then, wear the gloves, and if you lose control of your emotions, walk away.”

I searched her face for the truth. “Am I a risk to everyone here?”

She actually laughed as she rose. “Anna,” she said, “we are an academy of monsters. A nightmare-ish collection of raw, bestial power and what many would deem magic.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” I pointed out.

“Girl,” the Watcher grinned at me as she pulled me to my feet. “I think you fit right in.”

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