Ember (39 page)

I let my hand fall, sighing again.

“You shouldn't get so upset every time.” That
was Jaden. He'd been studying so quietly that . . . well, that I
should
have forgotten he was there . . . but of course I
hadn't . . .

He was still on the other couch, not looking
up at me. I assumed he meant every time I failed the spell.

“Easy for you to say,” I muttered. My
patience was running low. “You probably did it like, what -your
third try?”

He looked up. “First actually.”

I tossed a hand. “Of course.”

He made a pitying face, then set his notebook
down. “Well I said I would help if you wanted me to.”

I shrugged, somewhat angrily at first, but I
was too disarmed by his soft demeanor to hold it. “You've told me
everything I need to know at least a dozen times . . .
and
shown me. . . . I don't know what good it would do.”

He leaned up, looking a little bothered that
I would dare mention he wasn't of supreme use. “Are you doing
everything the way I told you to?”

My brow furrowed. “Of course.”

He looked unsatisfied. “Well . . . Try it and
I'll watch you.”

My eyes tightened. I didn't want to
try
and
fail again
under scrutiny, but his gaze was
direct and his tone was all commandy.

I sighed, lifting up my eyes then turning
them down to my hand.

It was flickering with shadows, barely
visible in the firelight. I took a breath.

Okay, concentrate on-

“Roll your fingers out straighter,” said
Jaden firmly.

“I was getting there,” I noted, then turned
back down, doing as he said.

Now, just imagine what the flame will look
like in my han—

“You don't have to close your eyes,” he
said.

I glanced up darkly. “
Okay,
” I
muttered, then turned back down, eyes
open.

Just relax, Evelyn. Think about the fire,
think about your thoughts . . .

“You still don't have them out all the way.”
Jaden reached his hand over to straighten my fingers.

As soon as he touched me, I pulled away.

He gave me a “what gives” face.

“I can't do it with you interrupting me every
two seconds,” I snapped, it was loud enough for the empty library
to echo significantly. The fire seemed to shutter beside us.

“Do you want me to help you or not? You were
doing it wrong.”

I gave him a face. “I don't think stretching
my fingers out an inch further is going to make a difference, I've
seen you do it without even blinking.”

He scoffed. “Yeah, well, you're not me.”

My chest rose violently. “
Obviously.
”
Then I dropped my head into my hands.

“I give up. . . .”

After a moment I felt a body sit down on the
couch. Jaden’s voice came softly beside me. “Hey, I've seen what
you can do, what you're capable of . . . you'll get this.”

I sighed once, then turned my face up to him.
His expression was severe. My heart started to beat off-kilter, but
his stare was unflinching. He moved his eyes down and I followed
them to my palm. Without a word he slid his hand under mine,
cupping it gently.

I thought about asking him what he was doing,
but the words wouldn't come out. My chest was rising heavily now, I
couldn't even look up at him. His grip tightened. I could feel
every finger . . . hard and rigid, course compared to mine.

Just when I thought I might lose it, I felt a
warmth come from my palm, like it had originated within the hand
itself.

The blood around it was rushing, hot, it was
almost enough to make my whole body shiver. I narrowed my eyes on
it . . . then, suddenly, a small violet flame sparked up above my
palm.

Breath escaped me. It grew larger, turning
pinkish at the tips. A fluttering smoke, but it glowed so brightly
. . . the most magical thing I'd ever seen.

Then . . . just like that . . . it was
gone.

My heart beat wildly. I was speechless.

Jaden slipped his hand away from mine and I
began to trace the spot where the flame had lit.

“See. I told you coul—”

I flung my arms around his neck, interrupting
his words. “Thank you, Jaden!”

His body constricted. It seemed my outburst
surprised him. He wasn't the only one.

I let go quickly then he cleared his throat,
leaning back straight.

“Yeah, well, I just . . .” His voice trailed
awkwardly. I'm sure he wasn't a fan of the hug thing. I was too
happy at the moment to let it get me down.

“So I really did it? That was really me?”

He smirked. “Yeah. It was you.”

Excitement grew in my chest and I looked to
the fireplace. I thought I might burst.

I turned back to him beaming. “Would I be
able to do it without you?”

His smirk leveled a bit, something I couldn't
read. “After you do it once, it's much easier to repeat. It's like
that with most spells. . . .” His eyes fell for a moment, then
lifted assuringly. “Anyways, you should be able to, yes.”

I smiled, readjusting to face him. “But, why?
. . .” My fingers lifted to my lips. “Why could I do it—”

“With me?” he finished.

My eyes held as my head bobbed up and
down.

He let out a heavy sigh. The fire followed
this, causing the whole room to flicker, but I was used to that . .
.

“To be honest, I wasn't supposed to do that.
. . .”

My head tilted and he looked back up.

“The rule is, you have to let the person do
it on their own. There aren't any side-effects or anything,” he
added quickly, “it's just . . . I guess it's a way of making sure
the person is ready.” His mouth lifted. “But don't worry, you
were.”

I smiled, though it was a little subdued.
Something more was hitting me now. Something strong enough to
overpower even my delight at using magic. My teeth clicked
nervously.

“If, ah, well, if you can it'd be better if
you didn't tell anyone,” he said, eyes pinching a bit.

I nodded. “Of course . . .”

His smile returned.

I looked down at my hand. “But . . . Jaden?”
My voice was soft. I lifted my eyes to his and leaned forward a
bit. “If you aren't supposed to, if . . . if you could get in
trouble . . .” his face narrowed “. . . Why did you do it?”

My heart beat furiously. He held my gaze
without so much as a blink, only the fire stirred. It looked like
there was much he might say, but maybe I was wrong.

His head turned, as the corners of his mouth
tightened. In that moment, with the drawn expression and
flickering, orange, shadows, he looked just like he had the night
I'd first met him. All hard and indifferent, nothing sensitive or
mindful of me, so far
beyond
me. . . .

My jaw tightened.

“It's late,” he said. “I'd better go.”

I looked down. “Yeah . . .” I guess that was
my answer.

He looked back once, after getting up.
“Congratulations, again. I'll see you tomorrow.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. Then he
disappeared out of the room.

I turned back ahead, sighing slightly.
Hmm. . . .
Then my features lifted as I remembered what had
just happened. This was no time for fretting. I leapt up, grinning
and beginning to pace.

I did it! I can use magic! I can't believe I
can actually use magic!

I paced around the table a few times then
hopped back into the couch.

Through the rest of the night I worked on the
spell, succeeding a handful of times in repeating it.

By the time I fell asleep the sky outside was
turning blue. I never went back to study. Instead I just collapsed
on the couch of the library.

*

“Evelyn, Evelyn! Wake up!”

My head pounded groggily. I brought a hand up
to it.

“Evelyn, it's lunch already. You have to get
up,” sang the voice again.

I squinted my eyes open.

The bright light made my head hurt even
worse. I saw the large fireplace first, then heard low murmurings.
I looked around more to see that there were four boys crowded
around me.

I leapt up onto the couch.

“Ah! You're awake.” That was Nathan. He'd
obviously been the one doing all the shouting. His face was bright,
eyes almost pinched shut with a wide grin.

Trevor pushed him back. “Jeez, calm down,
Nate. You're gonna scare her to death.” The other boys nodded in
agreeance, waving to me as I looked at them.

“Good morning, Evelyn,” said Trevor.

I blinked, sinking down to sit. “Oh. Morning
guys.”

My head was pounding significantly at this
point, but I was too concentrated now to care.

“Did you sleep here last night?” chimed
Nathan.

Trevor gave him a sideways glance. “Course
she did. Why else would she be here looking like that?”

I moved a hand up to my hair
self-consciously.

“There are sweeter things to say to a lady in
the morning, Trevor,” said Ikovos, who'd walked up suddenly,
lifting Trevor and swinging him around in the air.

Trevor struggled. “Ah!”

Nate and the other boys laughed.

Ikovos lowered him with a smile, then tousled
Nathan's hair. “Now, why don't you guys get back to studying and
let Evelyn wake up in peace.”

They all nodded, happily waving to me.

When I watched them run off, I saw the tables
were already filled already with dozens of boys. I ducked my head
immediately behind the couch.

Ikovos laughed fully.

I looked back at him. He seemed light today,
almost gleaming. But maybe it was just his clothes. The pants were
pale tan rather than the usually dark leather, and his shirt was
blue enough to match his eyes.

“Is it already that late?” I asked,
wincing.

His grin spread. “Eleven-o’clock. Did you
really sleep here?” He fell solidly into the couch.

I peeked over at the boys cautiously, then
sat up straighter.
Why was I here?. . .

Oh yeah!

“Ikovos!” I started, smiling wide. “I did
it!”

He coked his head at me. “Did what?”

“
Magic!
” I beamed, leaning forward. “I
did a spell.”

He brightened immediately, a wide grin
spreading across his face. “Really?! I knew you would get it! What
did you do?”

I laughed, then bit my lip considering. “Ah,
just the basic flame spell . . . It's the easiest I know, but—”

Ikovos shook his head. “No, that's amazing.”
He looked ahead. “You actually conjured fire. I can't believe
it.”

I smiled, tapping my feet happily.

“Was Jaden there?” he asked, looking back at
me.

I tensed immediately.
What was it that he
told me to say?
“Um . . . he . . .”

“Wait,” interrupted Ikovos, eyebrows
rising.”What color was it? Was it the same as anyone else's?”

I thought about it, a little fluster by his
many questions.

My head shook. “No . . . I don't think so. It
was purple.”

He grinned. “Purple, you like that color,
don't you? That's great.”

I nodded, joyous again, almost vibrating.

“Well, we have to celebrate!” he declared.
“Remember I said I'd take you to the pool? It's a perfect day for
it too.”

I looked outside. The sun was bright . . .
and the idea of swimming actually sounded wonderful.

“Okay!” I smiled.

“Great, it'll be a blast.”

“What will?” asked a high voice. It was
Nathan. Trevor stood beside him.

“Ah . . .” Ikovos scratched the back of his
head for a second, then grinned, abandoning. “We're going to the
pool to swim.”

Nathan's eyes got wide. “Wow, really? Can I
come?”

Trevor knocked the back of his head. “Of
course not. Evelyn and Ikovos are going, it's obviously for older
kids. . . .”

Nate frowned. It was heart-wrenching. Even
Trevor looked glum.

Ikovos lifted his shoulders. “Well, I don't
care if you guys wanna come . . . As long as it's alright with
Evelyn.”

He gestured to me and the gaze of both boys
followed.

“Of course!” I said without hesitation.

Nathan practically jumped three feet.
“
This
,
is
,
awesome!
”

Trevor nudged him, I could see his excitement
despite the cool veneer. “Come on, Nate, let's go get our stuff
ready.”

Ikovos stopped them. “Hey, but don't go
telling the whole world, okay. The pool is only so big.”

They both smiled coyly. “For sure,” said
Trevor, and then they were off.

Ikovos turned back to me. “Wow. I still can't
believe you did it.”

I warmed with delight.

“I'd ask you to show me, but . . .” he nodded
his head around “. . . I think it might draw too much
attention.”

I glanced around as well.

I wonder if I'll be keeping it a
secret
. . . .

Ikovos stood up, rubbing his hands together.
“Well, I'm gonna go let the Masters know, and also get permission
for us to go to the pool.”

“What's the occasion?” The voice made my skin
shiver. Jaden sunk casually onto the couch. “You sure look happy
this morning,” he added, nodding to Ikovos.

The blond boy smiled. “With good reason.
Evelyn did a spell.”

I stuttered, unsure of the plan.

Jaden's eyes moved over to me. “Is that
so?”

I guess we were just omitting everything.

Ikovos nodded for me. “Yeah, a flame spell
too.”

I blushed. Jaden just kept staring.

“Well, don't get too excited or anything,”
snorted Ikovos sarcastically.

Jaden eyed him, then turned to his book. Even
if he was just playing it cool, he seemed to be awfully indifferent
of the achievement

Ikovos shook his head disapprovingly. “Don't
let him fool you, Evelyn. He's just upset that he wasn't there when
you did it.”

My eyes widened internally, but I remained
calm on the surface.