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Her heart jumped.
There was no time left.
The confirmatory clang of iron rang in her ears as guards pushed the gates open with their air-magic. She could see the carriages approaching, readying to exit.
Thessa skidded to a stop with no breath left and waved her arms in a panic. “Stop!”
The soldiers on gate duty whirled to face their predetermined threat. They formed a diamond pattern as their spheres of air-magic fused into one, approaching her like wolves on prey. Magic swirled away from the three soldiers in back, casting a net of air so wide that it covered the gates, carriages, and herself.
Storming the gates of the Central Divinity was a quick way to draw the wrong kind of attention. Aside from city services, it was the army’s training center and home of the Supremes. There’s a lot to protect beyond those gates, and impress, considering the Elemental Supreme was also the General of the Elemental Army.
She froze in both terror and amazement. To maintain a personal sphere was usual magic, but emanating their power outward like that was an expenditure. The soldiers in back held their arms steady, each maintaining their portion. Rain battered the shield, trickling down the sides of it like a glistening globe.
The soldier in front had her fire-fingers focused on Thessa as she shouted, “Back up from the gates.”
She did as she was told. Elementals were the superior line of magic. Blessed with both flame and air, not even rain could douse their fire.
Their power stemmed from the highest and lowest parts of the universe: the heavens and the underworld. The blue hue was a combination of air at its coldest peak and flame at its hottest point. Air fueled the flames with oxygen and gave them force to launch, while the warmth of their fire kept the air from icing over … as long as the witch willed it. It was a magical game of give and take; one could easily burn up or freeze.
Immortal does not mean indestructible.
She stopped studying the magic on display and reached a trembling hand into her pocket. Pulling out her carriage ticket, she waved the crumpled, damp piece of parchment high.
The guards’ arms went down, releasing their shield. The soldier in front shook her head while the driver in the first carriage shouted, “She rides with us.”
Thessa tipped her head back, relieved to feel raindrops on her face once more.
Walking up to the first carriage, she was greeted by the driver. “Greenshire or Mabelton dear, plenty of space in each.”
“Mabelton.”
Greenshire’s snow-capped mountains gave way to the gorging river slicing through Andera. Mabelton was just south of there. She’d read about the cobblestone streets filled with various shops, vendors, eateries, and taverns, all wedged between quiet neighborhoods and Crescent Moon Bay.
The driver jerked his head toward the rear carriage. “Other carriage, go on now.” He eyed the guards before looking back to Thessa. “And don’t mind them. Only performing their blessed duties.”
“I know. Thank you, sir.”
After handing her ticket over, the driver of the Mabeltoncarriage pointed toward the cabin. “There’ll be one stop along the border for checks and watering the horses. We’ll arrive by dusk.”
Two steps inside, a soldier slammed the door behind her.
She’d always thought the nameego-mentalbetter suited the line of witches. Something about their training period turned them all into repugnant pyromaniacs.
To be expected, the three passengers stared blankly at her. There were two bench seats facing each other, the upholstery matched the dark jacquard fabric draped along each window. Noam and Rhetter, two orphaned and inseparable males she’d known for too long, sat on one bench, and an unfamiliar female sat alone on the other. Her complexion and eyes were the color of chestnuts. Her hair was tightly coiled with short pieces falling in front, while the rest was pulled back into a neat bun.
Thessa’s hair was far from neat after her sprint in the rain. She removed her hood and swiped some flyaways behind her ears.
Noam and Rhetter waved briefly, as if they’d never met. She’d known them since primary school and didn’t bother asking how they’d got there so fast. They began assembling the same board game they were always playing—Dungeons and Serpents—leaving no extra space between them.
As if noticing the same thing, the lone female waved her over.
Thessa removed her soaked cloak and duffle bag, then plopped down beside her. “Thanks.”
As the wheels rolled, she unscrewed the vial around her neck.
The Botanical witch from the school infirmary had taught herbreathingtechniquesa few years ago. He’d said there was no cure for her wound, rather, collected lavender buds from theschool gardens—for an herbaceous form of balance during times of need.
She’d carried the flower, dried in a small vial around her neck, ever since. It was hardly a remedy, bladesmithing was her preferred medicine, but as the minutes passed, her tension eased well enough.