Rose chuckles. “We are doing this, Katrina. Together, our power is stronger. It’s time you see what we can really do.” She pauses for a second then lets out a sound like she’s hushing the wind. “Shhh.”
In that moment, all grows silent. I look toward the sky. The clouds have vanished. I look out at the calm bay waters, then the moon glows, as if someone is playing with the brightness control. The loudest sound comes from the confines of my ribcage, where my heart still thunders.
Amazing.
“What was that?” I ask, still searching for a hint of the magic I just experienced.
“Environmental manipulation,” Charlotte says. They are the first words she’s spoken since we’ve been out here. I’d almost forgotten she was with us.
“I want to show you one more thing.” Rose lets go of my hand and steps aside a little. “Energy sourcing is how we reenergize. Just us being out here and taking in all the earth offers is filling our needs as Enchanters, but it’s more than that.” She looks to Charlotte. “Show her, dear.”
Charlotte nods and faces forward. She closes her eyes, fists clenched tight, and takes a slow, deep breath. When she exhales, a fog escapes from her mouth. It circles in front of her, but never vanishes. Charlotte opens her eyes and holds her palm up, careful not to touch the eerie vapor substance. She blows on it gently, and I watch as it transforms into sprinkles of glittery particles that release into the air. The wind comes along, and the particles spread until I can no longer see them.
“That’s our power, made up of the earth’s elements. What we take from the earth, we give back. It’s a cycle of life that keeps us powerful and healthy. That’s why when you get to my old age, it’s difficult to keep up, but it’s up to you how long you choose to recycle. What makes us most powerful can also kill us.”
Again, Rose is being vague. I sigh inwardly, but I’m understanding more. I then think about her last sentence. “So what happens when you stop energy sourcing?”
Rose gives me a heartening smile as she says the two most ominous words I think I’ll ever hear. “I die.”
Some nights, I feel like I’m trapped in a bottle, rattling around, hoping it will tip over and crack, just so I can steal a sip of air from the outside world. It’s a bit dramatic, I know, considering I’m currently standing on the massive balcony outside my lavish master bedroom.
Sleep seems impossible lately. Between all the energy racing through my veins, straight to my heart, and the questions that never quit, I’m going out of my mind. And ever since the other night when Rose showed me how to energy source, I haven’t been able to get her words off my mind.
What we take from the earth, we give back. It’s a cycle of life that keeps us powerful and healthy.
It’s all so fascinating how we’re able to recycle the earth’s elements to enhance our senses and turn our strengths into magic. What I once thought was a strange and terrifying curse feels so different to me now. It feels… like magic. It’s also terrifying. To know that one day my end will come—not because of old age, but because I’ll choose to take my last breath—that’s not a power I want to possess.
Restless, I climb onto the balcony rail and walk the ledge like it’s a tightrope. While I pace back and forth, I consider how high I am from the ground and whether I could make the jump. It’s tempting, but I latch on to the trellis beside my balcony, descend a bit, then jump when I’m halfway down, enough to test the strength of my legs from a position no Normal could land carefully.
The second before I hit the patio, I tense to absorb some level of shock. Instead, I just feel like I jumped in place. My laugh carries into the wind, and I look around at the dim house lights and consider my next move. I either abide by Rose’s wishes and get back inside, or I take a quick jog to release some of this energy. The thought of maybe running into Alec crosses my mind, and that’s enough to tip me over the edge.
A little run won’t hurt anybody. With a quick wave of my hand, my tennis shoes tip over the edge of the balcony. I slip them on then tighten the laces, and away I go. I’m jogging along the shore, frowning when there’s no sign of Alec by the time I fly past his house. Still, I decide to keep going and run the length of the shore until I get to the public beach then past the abandoned north side of town toward the bridge that cuts through the nature preserve.
As soon as the wildlife cloaks me from the eyes of any Normals who might be around, I speed up to a sprint, letting my feet carry me as far and as fast as I can go. I recognize the path and know I’m close to reaching the end. The view of the energy plant looms ahead when a dark hooded figure rounds the final bend.
My heart lurches the moment I see him. First, I wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here at this time of night. Second, I don’t need to see the figure’s face to know exactly who he is.
I slow my sprint to a jog then a walk, and he does the same. Neither of us stop until we’re a mere six feet from each other. He swipes the hood from his head and glares back at me. While I still have tons of energy, I’m surprised to find myself breathing heavily. I’ve even managed to produce a small amount of sweat.
“A little late for you to be frolicking around, isn’t it?”
It might be dark out, but I’m not oblivious to the way he runs his gaze over my black sports bra and spandex shorts. Annoyed by his casual perusal, I glare. “You talk a lot for someone who has nothing nice to say.”
His chuckle is so light and surprising that I almost don’t believe it came from him. “So much animosity.” He gives a small shake of his head. “You should be careful with that.”
I take a step forward to let him know I accept his challenge. “What do you know?”
He takes a step toward me. “I know that only someone out of their goddamn mind would go running out here after midnight. Why does it seem like you’re always looking for trouble?”
My mouth falls open. “Did anyone tell you the longer you stare, the harder it is to decipher the truth?”
His mouth tips up at the corner. “Never heard that one before, but I don’t have to look at you to know you’re up to something.”
“Well, I’m not.”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
I shrug as sarcasm drips through my veins. “Maybe because you’re an egotistical prick who can’t see past the angry wall he erects. Ever think of that?”
His jaw ticks, and I know my words stung. I wish I found pleasure in returning his jabs. I wish I could stop caring completely. But there are things about Johnny Pierce I’m desperate to understand, starting with his hatred for me.
“Yeah, well, at least I don’t bring trouble everywhere I go.”
I scoff. “Is that the real reason why you didn’t call me after my audition? Because you think I’m trouble? You keep saying it, so you must believe it.”
Johnny shrugs. “Not sure you’ve given me much else to go on. What does it matter anyway? The Grille isn’t the only job on the island. Go ask that grandma of yours to get you hired somewhere else.”
I can feel my jaw bulge with the grinding of my teeth. While I know he’s right, that isn’t how this is supposed to work. He has no reason to refuse me the job besides the unwarranted hatred he feels. “How old are you, anyway?” I ask.