Supernatural Academy: Year One (Supernatural Academy #1)(98)

Isolation was not something I would wish on anyone.

“How are you feeling?” Louis asked. “Your injuries took a long time to heal.”

I nodded. “Yes, the blade was Atlantean steel, engraved with powerful symbols. My blood activated it, but I’m good now. Free of pain and fully functional. It’s my power that has everyone scared. It’s a bit of a volatile, violent mess.” I didn’t blame the princeps for keeping everyone away from me. I would not survive if I hurt one of my friends. “Please tell me you can block my power again.”

Lights exploded around me, shattering glass across the room. That was the fifth time this week. I was now an expert at replacing light bulbs and also at giving myself magical baths.

He wrapped one arm around me in a strong hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. And I’m sorry, Maddi, but I can’t block your powers again. They’re too strong. That’s why I was a little late getting here; I’ve been trying to figure out a way to help you ease into this level of power. I spoke with a few of the top magical users, and we think we have a short-term solution.”

I sniffled. A short-term solution was better than nothing.

Pulling back, I wiped at my eyes. “What’s your solution?”

He smiled. “I’ll give it to you in a moment, but first … let’s talk. Have they told you anything about Atlantis yet?”

I shook my head. “No one has really been able to communicate with me.” Just a few letters and notes sent in by the princeps.

“It’s rising,” he confirmed. “The process is slow—it has miles of water and tunnels and magical blocks to push through, but there’s no doubt that the lock is broken.”

“What does that mean?” I asked quietly.

He shrugged. “I have no idea. All we can do is wait and see what this brings about. That land has not stood for thousands of years. There’s no way to tell how this will change supes or magic.”

“What about humans?” I said drily. “Going to be kind of hard to hide an island rising from the sea.”

Louis chuckled. “We’re setting up shields and diversions around the area. No human should discover the secret, even if they’re flying above.”

He straightened and clapped his hands together. “Before we worry about that, let’s deal with your power.”

He asked me a bunch of questions, noting the ways my energy had changed now that it was released. “It used to feel like a warm spot in my center,” I told him, pressing my hands to my stomach, right over the scar that I’d always carry from the Atlantean blade. “But now it’s an inferno. I have to actively concentrate on not spilling power everywhere, and if my emotions are riled at all, it…” I lose all control. “If your solution doesn’t work, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to leave this room.”

Louis wrapped an arm around me again. “The thing with your power is that it’s very elemental in nature. I spoke with Asher, and we both agree that you are built for water. In water your power would be easily controllable. Here on land, not so much.”

“You said you could teach me,” I reminded him, trying not to sound as desperate as I felt.

He nodded. “And I will. But neither of us have months right now to disappear. The world is changing at a rapid rate, and we’re going to be needed. Soon. My solution should allow you to finish your school year and give me time to deal with what’s happening back home. Otherwise, we’ll all have much bigger problems than a powerful Atlantean.”

Louis lifted his hand. Dangling in it was a blue swirly pendant shaped like a wave, with jagged edges. “It took six sorcerers to forge this pendant,” he said slowly. “It’s the strongest magical amulet that I’ve ever seen in my years. It’s infused with water and designed to absorb and disperse your energy.”

Reaching out, I slowly took the long silver chain attached to it. “This is my short-term solution,” Louis said as I lifted it over my head, letting it fall down to rest against my chest. “Believe it or not, your powers are still growing, unfurling their wings, which were clipped long ago.”

I shuddered at the thought, not happy to be this powerful. It was too much. The pendant worked immediately; the heat lessened inside of me. A feeling of control came over my energy. I understood what Louis was saying: I’d still have to be careful, but this would help me control the power.

Louis was watching me closely, assessing my energy with whatever magical sight he possessed. “It’s working,” he said, looking pleased.

Turning myself fully in his direction, I decided to be blunt. “Do you know if I’m Atlantean now? Am I the daughter of a god?”

Louis stood, his beautiful face creasing into a smile. “You’re definitely Atlantean. Your power flows like the tides of the sea. And … the god thing … does it matter? Would it change who you are and how you feel? You might very well be the last daughter of the queen and a god, I can’t tell, but you’re still the same Maddison you’ve always been. Your parentage does not define you.”

I had one answer, the other still unknown, but I found myself somewhat satisfied anyway. Louis reached the exit and turned back to smile at me. “Ready to return to the world, Maddison James?”

I pretty much flew out the door.