Soul Bound

Chapter 44

Lightning crackled violently, encircling Eva's daggers in a bluish-white light. It fought against her command like a stubborn dog on a leash, but she fought back just as hard, holding it firmly in place. Sweat trickled down her temple and saturated her shirt; she couldn't tell if it was from the sun's heat or the intense concentration this "simple"--as Sasha had described it--task required of her. With each new bead of sweat, she felt her control slipping.

"Almost there..." Sasha was saying, eyes glued on her pocket watch. "Hold it, Eva."

Eva bit her tongue, using the pain to keep her focused on the electric charge in her hands--not the burn in her muscles or the heavy fatigue weighing on her mind.

"Two minutes!" Sasha cheered. "Now push- or not." She cut herself off when the lightning surged out of Eva's grasp, passed Sasha's head, for the ocean. Thunder roared in its wake, shaking the rock she stood on.

"Damn it!"

Eva hadn't meant to let it go. For a split second, her excitement distracted her. It was all the lightning needed to escape her grasp. Not only did she have to summon a thunderstorm to Storm Cove, she also had to rip lightning straight from the gods' hands--at least, that was what it felt like with all the effort she put into it--and then make it wrap around her dagger. "Simple," Sasha had said. "Just a moment's thought--or a snap of a finger, if you're feeling flashy. You'll catch on quickly."

That was months ago. 

Sasha sighed, like she did every time she thought Eva was close, to only be disappointed in the end.

Frustrated, Eva kicked a pebble off her rock and watched it bounce off the waves. She pushed herself for months, physically and mentally--and this was all she had to show for it. A couple of minutes with a few flashy lights. What a rip off.

"Enough," Sasha commanded before Eva could kick another rock into the ocean. "Take a breather then we'll go back to it."

"Sasha!"

They turned to find Bruce, running towards them at a full sprint. Panting, he stumbled to a complete stop at the base of the rock they stood on. He looked like he'd run across the entire length of the beach to get to them in a timely manner.

They practised at the very tip of the cove so Eva wouldn't hurt anyone if she lost control. It was just as well, because she had definitely fried a few fish in the reef during her time here. It was just unfortunate if someone wanted to contact them.

"Sasha," he gasped between pants, "there's been a..." He stole a deep breath, standing up straight, then he was finally able to speak normally. "There's word of a wyvern and a rider in these parts. He looks like a scout of some kind. Definitely trouble."

A jolt whipped down Eva's spine. She had only seen a wyvern once... This might not be the same wyvern, but it likely obeyed the same masters.

Sasha made a noise of displeasure in the back of her throat. She glanced at Eva. "Stay here. I'll handle this."

"No," Eva denied firmly. "Let me and Anna take care of it. They're here for me." She wouldn't let anyone get hurt because of her. This was her fight. She ran in Aboria, but she wouldn't run here.

Sasha sized her up, pursing her lips mid-thought. "You're not ready."

"I don't need my magic to fight." She was well aware that she wasn't ready to wield lightning unsupervised. "Please, Sasha."

She peered over Eva's shoulder at Arkon and Syran; they were flying over the ocean, playfully nipping at each other's wings and tails. The heat was less severe over the water, which was where they spent most of their days now. These past few months in the Desert Lands have taken a weight off his soul and made him feel years younger. It had done him worlds of good to be reunited with his sibling. She loved watching them fly together, feeling his heart swell when they spoke of times before she was born.