Page 54 of The Spark that Ignites
“I still don’t understand,” she said. “Like why I grew up across the gate, if this is where I was meant to be. My mother and sister were human. It just ... doesn’t add up.”
Vesper’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to do. But bringing Izzy back is more. It’s part of the prophecy.”
Emmery clenched her jaw, drawing a long breath that did little to calm her racing heart, and turned her back to Vesper. “Look, I’ve read countless novels with stories like these. Aboutpeople who destroy themselves to prove worthy to some god or people they care little about. And you know what? If they survive, they’re so destroyed by the end, they’re barely recognizable.” Sweat slickened her palms, herkhaosflame raging, and vestige a vicious golden halo. “I don’twantthis. I came to Karynthia for refuge, not some predestined agenda of the gods.”
“This isn’t a story, Emmery. This is real.” Vesper’s steps grew louder behind her. “If you don’t do this, we’ll die off and magic will die with us. We need you.”
Drawing into herself, Emmery whispered, “Nobody needs me.”
“We do. Please just—” He breathed a long sigh. “Because you have this power, you need to know there are people out there who want you. Some to hurt you and some to use you. I’ll keep you safe, but you need to be on guard. You need to know.”
And just like that, she was once again a target. It was like the floor was crumbling beneath her. She came here so she wouldn’t have to run any longer. And now ... “Did you know you were bringing me into danger?”
Vesper averted his eyes but nodded, a twinge of shame in it.
“Damn it, Vesper ... I never wanted this. I never wantedanyof this. I’ve been through enough already!” She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t get air into her damned chest and the room was spinning too fast. Emmery fell into a crouch and cradled her hands in her lap, the flames licking up her tunic, eating away at her sleeves. It was hungry, livid, flaring to protect her from the danger. Yet, it didn’t know shewasthe danger—the one out of control once again.
“Haven’t I—” she rasped. “Haven’t I been through enough?”
“I know ... it’s been tough.” But really, Vesper had no idea. He knew nothing about her. And how could he? They’d known each other for only a few days.
Her mind flitted back to that boy playing in Bellamere. That sickly man who had bumped shoulders with her and the children lined up outside the healer’s quarters. “Is that why ... those people are ill? Because—this flame is out?”
Vesper nodded again. “Living without magic ... it does something to us. Most don't live past thirty. They develop a fever, and it takes them. Some become sick as children, others it takes longer, but it’s inevitable. There’s no cure, other than this.”
If she couldn’t do this, they would alldie. This place that was supposed to protect her from the terrors beyond the gate was quickly becoming a nightmare. Emmery clenched her fists, but the flames climbed, and she couldn’t staunch them.
“What’s happening? I can’t—” A small broken sound slipped free.
“It's alright, it’s just flaring. It happens.” Vesper’s voice sounded behind her, somewhat steady yet fear bled through. He placed a tentative hand on her shoulder, but she panicked, not wanting to hurt him. The flames consumed her, and she spun. Her hand grazed his shoulder.
Vesper winced, the smell of burnt leather and skin saturating the air as he staggered back with unfettered horror in his eyes, clutching his arm.
Emmery gaped.
She had melted through his armour with a single touch.
Monster.The voice inside her hissed.Coward.
No, no, no. Not again.Fool.
Emmery flinched from the reddened skin, her nails digging into her palms. Silence inflated, tension ready to snap as she took deliberate breaths, her chest inflating to the point of pain. “I’m sorry—”
“It’s alright,” Vesper assured, but it came out strained. “I’m fine.”
“I hurt you,” she choked out. “I—I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” The words swallowed her as she repeated them, berating like she deserved. She needed to calm; to stifle her emotions against her magic so she wouldn’t hurt him again. So, she wouldn’t hurt anyone else.
“It’s okay, Emmery. It’sokay.” Vesper’s false comforts were enough to soothe her for the moment, enough to stop her flames steady incline up her body, but he kept his space.
In and out, she coaxed herself, pulling air into her lungs and willing her wild heart to settle. She was grasping, floundering, while needing solid ground.
Control. She needed control.
With all her strength, she reached for it. And reached again, until she reined in that loose thread. Wrapped it around her fingers until it cut into her flesh. Until it threatened to split. For her to break. But she hauled her magic back and clung to it. Her flames retreated, dying with her slowing heart, leaving nothing in their wake but the bubbling skin of his arm.
Kneeling before the basin, Emmery clasped her hands together, knuckles white. “How can I help anyone if I can’t even help myself?”
“I remember feeling out of control too.” Vesper waved a hand, summoning a calm breeze to cleanse the hot air reeking of burnt flesh and leather. “It’ll pass.”
