Eyes of Ember (Imdalind Series #2)(85)

“Now, Ilyan,” Dramin said, “remember, you cannot help her. As much as your body calls for you to do so, she will not be able to show you all that she has accomplished if you do.”

Ilyan nodded once before turning back to me, the intensity of his gaze increasing somewhat. I felt my pulse quicken.

“Great, Dramin!” I yelled back to him. “Now if I mess up who is going to come to my rescue?”

Dramin laughed and I felt my nerves jump.

“What’s the score again?” Thom asked as he flexed his fingers and shook his head, his dreadlocks swinging clumsily.

“Six seconds for thirty-five attacks,” Dramin said with a hint of pride. I let out a deep breath and took another drink.

“Sounds good. You ready?”

I nodded in response to Thom’s question and closed my eyes. My mind opened up completely, letting my mind’s eye see the room in detail. The second I closed my eyes, Ilyan shifted his feet. I could tell he was getting nervous.

“Go!” Dramin’s voice rang out in my ears and Thom rained hell in my direction.

Rather than send things flying around me as we had done in the past, he sent each and every object flying directly toward me. I hesitated for less than a breath before clapping my hands together and forming a large orb around me. The objects began to hit my shield and the fireworks started. The magical arsenals hit the barrier with an explosion, conjured objects vanished, and with one flick of my mind, I sent each of the furniture pieces back to line up along the side of the room.

“Joclyn!” Ilyan’s voice was panicked, but I stayed still, waiting for the smoke to clear. My eyes still closed, I saw Ilyan barreling through the mess to try to reach me. His magic was flaring through my shoulder as he desperately checked for injuries. The second he broke through the smoke, he stopped, his eyes practically bugging out of his head at seeing me standing there unharmed.

“Four seconds!” Dramin yelled, his excitement evident. I heard Thom swear loudly, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of Ilyan.

He walked toward me slowly, like I was going to go wild and attack him.

“Don’t look at me like that, Ilyan. You’re making me feel like I am going to sprout an extra head.”

He stopped his slow advance, his face breaking out into a smile rather than the odd reverent face he had before.

“You’re amazing.”

“So I’ve heard,” I said a little too bitterly.

“I’m not sure you need me anymore.” He spoke lightly as he came up beside me, but his words made my stomach drop to my toes.

“Don’t say that, Ilyan. It is not true. I may have power but I do not have strength. Do not forget, I have seen the sight. I know what was said, what you said.” He blanched at my bluntness, we had yet to discuss all of what I had seen and what it would mean to either of us.

I stepped forward and grabbed his hand, pressing it between mine. I hoped he understood what I was saying. I knew he wasn’t being serious before, but I needed him to understand.

“I know, mi lasko.” Ilyan said, his finger tracing to my mark. The jolt moved through me again and I shivered.

“I heard you. The night you came to me while I slept,” he said softly. “I heard you.”

I blushed and moved away as Dramin came bounding up, grinning ear to ear.

“See, Ilyan, I told you. Turn the girl into a Drak and suddenly the world opens up to her.”

Dramin grinned at me, but I turned away from him still waiting for the blush to go down in my cheeks.

“It’s a little weird, I must admit,” Ilyan said, “the fact that she can see into my future, but the extra power is nice. Makes my job a little easier.”

Ilyan smiled widely and rubbed his fingernails against his black polo like he had just taken credit for something spectacular. I glared at him and smacked his arm, which only caused him to smile more.

“Well, what do you say? Do you want to fight her?” Dramin’s eyes sparkled as his voice bounced through the cave.

“I’m not sure,” Ilyan said, looking me over. “Are you ready to lose, Jos?” I flinched at my nickname but tried not to let it show. That made two times he had used it. I let my nerves melt, bringing a smile to my face.

I had beat Thom twice before. While I was sure Ilyan would be much more of a challenge, I was kind of up for it. I knew I would at least be able to mark him without cheating, and that in itself would be a miracle.

I swiped my hand through the air. A large ornate sword appeared, only to fall gracefully into my hand. Ilyan’s eyes popped a bit before settling into an impressed smile.

“I’m sorry, what where you saying about losing?” I knew my attempt to trash talk him was useless, but I didn’t care. It was kind of fun to do.

Ilyan smiled at me before producing his own sword and swinging it through the air. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Magic and conjured weapons, first person to five wins, unless I take you down first.” I announced confidently.

“Wait. Magic and conjured weapons, Joclyn? Are you sure?” I could see the worry behind Ilyan’s eyes, but it just made me more excited to show him what I could do.

“I’m sure. Will you keep score Thom?” I yelled back to him, but he only grunted in reply. I took that to mean yes and squared my shoulders once before attacking Ilyan. I wasn’t going to hold back.