Page 151 of Frost and Death
I mask my deceit, needing the ice and frost to listen, to obey, to manifest. I settle back on breathing when my gift tries to seep out beyond my intentions.
A shift in the sand breaks my concentration. Anger curls in my gut at the distraction, needing this training to work now more than ever.
I open my eyes to Jerrick nearing, and I can’t stop my venom. “Keep away from me,” I demand, wanting and needing to make vast progress.
Jerrick’s surprise at my anger restrains him from ignoring my request.
My small victory dies when I glance down, a gasp of shock escaping me. I jump back from the frost shooting outward, ice blooming above the sand.
I peer over to Jerrick, whose eyes widen as he inspects my power.
Shit, I wasn’t expecting that.
Power still courses deep in my chest, my concern at the mess and Jerrick taking more precedence.
“Brilliant,” he commends, taking a step toward the ice. “This is the perfect way to test your idea from yesterday.”
Panic grips my heart as he advances.
I shake my head, my power twinkling with delight at my fear surfacing and its winter flourishing on the ground. My emotions coax more magic to flood from me.
I can’t focus on that right now; he is still approaching.
I stretch my hand out in warning. “No, don’t!”
Frost bursts from my fingertips directly for him.
He lunges out of harm’s way, following where the swirls of snow flurries lead, on a pile of hay that has ice expanding in all directions.
I gape in horror. I’ve done it again.
Jerrick glances back and forth as I stare at the hay, and my hand in distress. Now, instead of magic coming from my core, it’s stemming from the ends of my hands and feet, cold air sizzling as small snowflakes bloom down my palm.
“No, please stop,” I plea to the Makers.
This is too much. This is what happened when my powers first manifested.
Cracking and the bitter plunge of disaster excite my cursed winter even more.
I want to focus on meditating, but memories come crashing in.
“Frostbite.”
Caution laces Jerrick’s voice.
My heart breaks because this day is not going as he had planned, and he will become another person to fear me.
“I-I can’t stop it!”
Everything I’ve learned and read about is tossed to the side, replaced with the past. My heart hammers in my throat, my pulse quickening with terror.
“I know you can,” Jerrick says softly, stepping closer.
My past relives itself before my very eyes, and I take yet another step away from him. “Please, don’t come any closer, Jer.”
Guilt claws underneath my skin as tears line my eyes.
I… I can’t control myself. I willneverbe able to control myself.
