INCARNATE | Book 3 of the Spirits' War Trilogy [excerpt]

3: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Aelshen

I walk thirty paces east and then turn on me heel to face Skye like it's high noon. The little spirit once assumed I was in me early forties, but that doesn't fool her anymore. She knows I've got thousands of years o' wisdom at me fingertips, and someday she will, too.

Which is why we're here.

"Day one o' yer training," I grunt. "Wish it had come sooner, but we have gotten a tad sidetracked." I stroke me hazel beard in thought.

"What an understatement," MacLarty mutters. "Get on with it! I wanna see an intense spirit battle!"

The goth Lycan tosses his dark bangs aside and begins to slap his bare feet against the mud rhythmically. Thirteen joins in, humming the first verse of "We Will Rock You."

I roll me eyes, glancing at Xera and Jennifer. They shake their heads as if to say 'boys'll be boys'. I grin, shutting me eyes as I seek out Skye's spirit and home in on it.

"I'm aware Xunnu trained ye in archery, so feel free to use it. Ye can't defeat me anyhow, lass, but let's see ye try," I taunt, cracking me knuckles and planting me feet a shoulder's width apart.

I boast a long tawny cloak, similar to the one Ru-Yeva has draped across her slight frame and tied at the waist with a length of rope. The garment was once Sejka's. On the back, cerulean beading depicts a raven with outstretched wings – the symbol of the Yáahl tribe. I'll have to ask if the Yeva'si can decorate mine with a ferocious wolf on the back. Mayhap that'd strike fear into Patty's cold, dead heart. Eh, probably not.

"Get on, then," I urge. "We haven't all day."

"As you wish, Father of Lycans," Skye replies. She narrows her eyes at me. I curl me lips into a mocking smile and tap me bare toes against the earth in impatience.

Is she tryin' to shoot some trash talk back to me?

Seemingly unable to think of something witty, Skye gulps, twirling her fingers as she summons the flames. I mirror her movement. The familiar tingle o' fire on skin, harmless yet still rather unnerving, makes me shiver.

Skye bites her lip as she hurls the fireball towards me. I casually extinguish the blaze as it comes within a foot. Then I twirl around with a flourish, raising me hands to the sky. Skye blinks, entranced by the spectacle.

What shall I throw at 'er? Another fireball? A wave, perhaps?

I continue to display an air of indecision as I gaze at me opponent. She takes a step forward and then appears to sense something invisible.

Good. Follow yer senses.

Skye whips around to glimpse a wall of earth surging at her from behind, rumbling like thunder. I scan her face to ensure she'll be able to stop it in time.