Chapter 13
Kneeling beside the pond, Neeve raised her hands overhead and spoke one of those strange, twisty words I’d heard Thorne utter. A speck of glowing blue light hovered at her fingertips, no bigger than a firefly. I stared up at it and felt my eyes widen. Could Mistress Ainya do such things? Somehow, I thought not.
“Caladlim,” Neeve said again.
The spark grew and brightened until it was the size of a small plum. Azure light reflected on the surface of the tarn. Neeve lowered her hands, but the glowing ball remained suspended, hovering over her head.
I wondered if that was the end of the magical demonstration, for it seemed clear my stepsister had brought me here in order to show off her own abilities. Especially because I knew nothing, and could no more light a pea on fire with
