Lincoln's POV:
The forest was quite once more. To quite.
We had that clearing in the midst of all the ash left behind by creatures that had almost shredded us to pieces. The stench still hung around—burnt bark, charred ground, harsh bite of smoke. My fingers still shook from the flames that I had let loose.
The Forge Flame. That's what Ayaana had named it.
But to me, it had seemed less of a gift and more of a beast racing free of its cage. It hadn't been held back. It hadn't been contained. It had simply… devoured.
And the possibility of what could occur if I let go of myself to it again it might torture my mind and body.
"Everybody still in one piece?" Amir's voice broke into the stillness, calm as always. He eyed the group with a soldier's gaze, already scouting for vulnerabilities
