Victoria

Chapter 11

My dear Heather, 

On account of your invitation to visit, I have spoken with my dearest husband and we would like to take you up on your offer. At your convenience, could you send me a letter to know when the time to visit would be best? Thank you my dear friend! 

Your companion, 

Natalia Ivanova 

I place the feather pen in its holder and daintily fold the letter, sliding it into the envelope. I walk out of the room and head down the stairs to one of the people standing at the door in those silly wigs.  

"This letter is for Madame Heather Taunt." I order. The man bows as he takes the letter. I turn around and I see Demyan looking at me from the stairs. He looks away quickly and starts walking off in the left direction. He is going to the library. It is time to practice my powers.  

"Focus. I know you haven't done this in a while, but still. You need all of your energy on this. Just remember to relax. Breath in, breath out." He says. I close my eyes, gaining my strength and power within my body. I open my eyes when I feel it. 

The glowing blue water is pouring from my hand to the bowl. I have to uphold the power without laughing; which is very hard because it tickles.  

"Natalia, focus." He says. The water immediately turns from glowing blue and cold to glowing red and hot.  

"I'm trying!" I say.  

"Shh!" he says, putting his strict eyes on me. "Just be calm..." he says. I close my eyes and breathe. I then feel the water turn cold.  

"Now, try turning it." He says. I focus on the water until it starts to sway and then forms strait up in swirling mist in the air. It amazes me to think that all that time through my youth I was capable of this.  

"Keep that going." He says. I do as he instructs. I hate this next part.  

Demyan takes out from his coat a dagger and holds it in his right hand. I want to turn away, but that will make the focus leave. So instead I just keep the mist up.  

Demyan takes his left hand and squeezes the sharp part of the dagger and quickly pulls away. I see the dark red of his blood begin to pour out of his hand. I wince, but he doesn't make a sound.  

"Okay, bring it over here." He says. I swerve my hand over toward him and the mist follows, making a beautiful shower of blue. The water follows where I demand it and covers Demyan's hand. The blue cold water mixes with his dripping blood and turns to an auburn color. I watch his blood and scar fade away into nothing; just normal as could be. 

"You can stop now." He says. I close my hand the water fades away like Demyan's blood and scar. 

"What next?" I ask. He writes something down on paper and then clears his throat.  

"I think it would be good to do some practice on shape shifting and then we could call it a day." 

"What should a shift to?" I ask. He smiles. 

"Surprise me; make me go back in amazement." He says. 

I think. Surprise me, he says. Mhhhh.... 

I close my eyes and focus on what I will shift to. I then feel the spring in my back vibrate. From his face, I know I have changed.  

'So?' I say to him. He laughs. 

"Very nice. I have to say, I wasn't expecting you to turn into a small doll." He says. He reaches over to me and picks up my porcelain body.