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They were slithering up her legs now.
The Elemental soldiers were shouting in unison, “Exit the field! Everyone off!”
Most townsfolk had already fled. Many bolted down the cobblestones, while others gathered at the edges of the greens to watch. Though, some were still in the field, in a state of shock, like Thessa was.
The ground was a rippling heap of blackness.
“Get back! No one is permitted on the field!” The soldier before her repeatedly shouted.
Thanks to his piping hot fingers, Thessa woke up. He was flinging the snakes off of her before pushing her chest back and back.
When her clogs clinked with stone, she blinked, taking in the chaos.
Soldiers rallied. Two split off to incinerate the border of the greens, creating a shallow wall of fire. Any serpents that managed to escape were flamed by other Elementals patrolling the area.
With flame, there were no remnants for reformation.
Before Thessa took her next breath, the soldiers set the entire field ablaze. She winced at the onslaught of heat.All the tents, the stringed lights, the potions, the food, the instruments, the chairs, the beautiful green grass, and the sweet old willow tree, were bathing in fire.
A fiery solstice, indeed.
Her upper lip curled as ash feathered on her hair and atop her bare shoulders. She’d never felt more at home in her life.Thiswas what it’d been like living in Gravenport. To think she’d almost forgotten about Andera’s Army of Egomentals while living in Mabelton.
Incinerate and forget, should be their slogan.
Thessa preferred using fire to create, not destroy. How could a power be so beautiful, and yet so ugly?
“Tess! I lost you, are you okay?” Leora was in front of her, panting.
Ivy and Beatrix trailed close behind.
Leora peered at the scorching field behind her. “I’m so glad I found you. This is madness, we have to go home. We shouldn’t be here.”
Home.
The word ripped through Thessa’s chest. She hadn’t known the meaning of it since she was born. She didn’t know who her parents were or where she belonged, and never would.
She walked back to the townhouses with the others. While there was talk about magical serpents and fire, she hadno words to share.Leora eyed her when they passed the bay, and the tree where the two horses were no longer tied. Only a wagon with a mangled wheel remained.
12
LECTURE NOTES FROM PRINCIPLES OF WITCHHOOD:
Neglecting your Summoning will lead to death by asphyxiation. The air serves one purpose—to guide you to your powers. Similar to a serpent, it will wrap itself around you and pull. If you do not abide,you die.
Thessa’s blood was thrumming, urging her to wake. The pang of panic had been a familiar echo in her body, however tonight felt different. The feeling of serpents encircling her limbs accompanied the buzzing in her veins.
Thessa jerked upright and whipped her linens off. Instead of shimmering scales, or hissing creatures, darkness swirled around her lower legs. It was an opaque, yet airy substance, and black as the pinpoints of her eyes.
As she covered her mouth to silently scream, it crept higher, trying to push her out of bed.
Thessa dropped her hands and whispered, “You can’t be serious.”
Inky tendrils followed her as she tiptoed across the moonlit room.
Leora was still in the midst of her mead and mood-bending slumber. Thessa thought about waking her, but it didn’t feel right. None of it had felt right. Her Summoning was happening in the middle of the night.
She pulled open the massive doors to the wardrobe, grabbed her boots, and slid them on. Peering down at her sleeping tunic, she tugged at the fabric. It outlined the shape of her breasts and exposed her upper thighs. She’d worn the same one when Kellan had come to her chamber back at CSA, begging for agoodbye. Ridding the thought of his searing gaze upon her skin, she swung her cloak around her shoulders and buttoned it up.