Page 15 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

“You’re scaring her.” Finn flashes Atlas a look before standing up to make his way toward me.

“Good. She should be scared. More people will die with the Beast of Midori alive.”

“Stop it!” I shout, slamming my hands over my ears. A strong ringing sound buzzes in my head and the pound of an oncoming headache is nearly crippling. “Stop saying these things. Please! Stop!”

I close my eyes and try to calm myself. Flashes from my life in Midori rush through my mind, making my skin feel itchy. I distantly hear my name being called. When I finally muster the courage to open my eyes, there is a golden bubble around me. The four of them are staring at me strangely, as if they're afraid.

Atlas kneels in front of me and stretches his hand toward the forcefield around me. He places the palm of his hand against the golden shield but can’t push through it.

“What are you doing to me!?” I scream, claustrophobia setting in. “Let me out! Let me go!”

“Princess,” Atlas says forcefully, but with a soothing demeanor, “I need you to calm down.”

“I said, let me out!”

“This is not our magic.”

“If it’s not yours, then whose is it?”

“Princess, look at me.” His voice is oddly comforting, so I meet his gaze. “Keep your eyes on me. You need to breathe. Can you do that, Princess? Can you breathe with me?”

I want to refuse him, but I know if I rebel now, I might be stuck in this magical force field for stars know how long. I nod in agreement and mimic his rhythm of breath.

“Good,” he bobs his head, offering a reassuring smile. “That’s good. Keep breathing. Hey! Don’t look away from me.” He points an index finger to his eyes. “Stay with me.”

Slowly, I calm down. We maintain eye contact as the force field fizzles. Nyx, Finn, and Eris are standing a few feet behind Atlas, with mouths agape.

“Was that…me?” I ask, a tremor in my voice.

Atlas nods. “You have magic.”

I shake my head furiously, and my eyes tear up. “That’s not possible.”

“It is wild, untamed, undisciplined magic, but it's yours, and it's powerful.” Atlas is still kneeling before me, but he seems closer without the barrier between us. “I can teach you how to control it, if you’ll let me.”

My bottom lip quivers and the itchiness under my skin starts to dissipate. I refuse to let these Tronovians see me cry, but I can't help admitting, “I’m scared.”

“I know.” His tone is gentle, which is reassuring and unsettling at the same time. "But I can help you."

This grumpy Tronovian is offering to help me with my magic, but I don’t know what he wants in exchange. “What do you want?”

He tilts his head and black strands of hair fall in front of his forehead. “What do you mean?”

“You want to help me with my magic, but why? What do you want in exchange?”

“Call it self-preservation.”

“What does that even mean?” I ask as he stands from his crouched position.

“Your magic is raw and wild. If you don’t learn to control it, it will overwhelm you, and it will kill you. I'm surprised it hasn't already.”

“Wait!” I hop up and follow him as he walks toward his sleeping area. “How can this magic be powerful enough to harm me?”

“It isn’t powerful enough to harm you.”

“But, you just said- ”

“It’s powerful enough to kill you, Princess.” He slumps on the ground and stretches his legs out.

---