Chapter 12: Fire in the Moonlight

Tavin let himself collapse in his bed. The day’s training had taken a lot out of him. Chalea’s guidance started out effective, but as the day progressed it felt like he had made less and less progress. Then Valina had run off not long after he started, and he’d hardly seen her all day. He couldn’t get her out of his mind—any spare moment brought her back to the forefront of his thoughts.

Tavin lifted weary arms up to observe his hands, clenching and unclenching them over and over. So much fire had sprouted from his blood, and he had cut into himself so many times he was almost getting used to it. His arms were lead. His arms were boulders. His head was an anvil.

When he had been tapping into Hanari’s power, he felt like he could take on the world; but that strength would vanish after a few minutes, leaving him exhausted. Chalea then guided him through mental exercises and even some physical training until he felt like he could use his magic again.