Fire Study

"That's pathetic, Yelena," Dax complained."An all-powerful Soulfinder who isn't all-powerful. Where's the fun in that?" He threw up his long thin arms in mock frustration."Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not the one who attached the 'all-powerful' to the title." I pulled a black strand of hair from my eyes. Dax and I had been working on expanding my magical abilities without success. As we practiced on the ground f loor of Irys's Keep tower--well, mine too, since she has given me three f loors to use--I tried not to let my own aggravation interfere with the lessons.Dax was attempting to teach me how to move objects with magic. He had rearranged the furniture, lined up the plush armchairs in neat rows and turned the couch over on its side with his power. My efforts to restore Irys's cozy layout and to stop an end table from chasing me failed. Though not from lack of trying--my shirt clung to my sweaty skin.A sudden chill shook me. Despite a small fire in the hearth, the rugs and the closed shutters, the living room was icy. The white marble walls, while wonderful during the hot season, sucked all the heat from the air throughout the cold season. I imagined the room's warmth following the stone's green veins and escaping outside.Dax Greenblade, my friend, tugged his tunic down. Tall and lean, his physique matched a typical Greenblade Clan member. He reminded me of a blade of grass, including a sharp edge-- his tongue."Obviously you have no ability to move objects, so let's try fire. Even a baby can light a fire!" Dax placed a candle on the table."A baby? Now you're really exaggerating. Again." A person's ability to access the power source and perform magic manifested at puberty."Details. Details." Dax waved a hand as if shooing a f ly. "Now concentrate on lighting this candle."I cocked an eyebrow at him. So far, all my efforts on inanimate items were for naught. I could heal my friend's body, hear his thoughts and even see his soul, but when I reached for a thread of magic and tried to use it to move a chair, nothing happened.Dax held up three tan fingers. "Three reasons why you should be able to do this. One, you're powerful. Two, you're tenacious. And three, you've beat Ferde, the Soulstealer."Who had escaped, and was free to start another soul-stealing spree. "Reminding me of Ferde is helping me how...?""It's supposed to be a pep talk. Do you want me to list all the heroic deeds you've--""No. Let's get on with the lesson." The last thing I wanted was to hear Dax recite the latest gossip. The news about my being a Soulfinder had spread through the Magician's Keep like dandelion seeds carried by a strong wind. And I still couldn't think about the title without a cringe of doubt, worry and fear touching my heart.I pushed all distracting thoughts aside and connected to the power source. The power blanketed the world, but only magicians could pull threads of magic from it to use. I gathered a strand to me and directed it to the candle, willing a f lame to form.Nothing."Try harder," Dax said.Increasing the power, I aimed again.Behind the candle, Dax's face turned red and he sputtered as if suppressing a cough. A f lash seared my eyes as the wick ignited."That's rude." His outraged expression was comical."You wanted it lit.""Yeah, but I didn't want to do it for you!" He glanced around the room as if seeking the patience to deal with an unruly child. "Zaltanas and their weird powers, forcing me to light the candle. Pah! To think I wanted to live vicariously through your adventures.""Watch what you say about my clan. Or I'll..." I cast about for a good threat."You'll what?""I'll tell Second Magician where you disappear to every time he pulls one of those old books off his shelf." Bain was Dax's mentor, and, while the Second Magician delighted in ancient history, Dax would rather learn the newest dance steps.[read more]