I reach for Aven’s hand, just like last time. He takes it without hesitation, I am almost taken aback by his trust in me. “Are you well enough to begin on your own or will you like a nudge in the right direction?”
Julian is watching us; in that same obsessive way he did the first time in the middle of the classroom. It’s unnerving.
“I think my mind will be easier than anyone else’s.”
The side of Aven’s lips lift to form a small smile. “You’d be surprised.”
I raise an eyebrow but choose to ignore it for now. I close my eyes.
Reaching for my energy is instinctual at this point. It caresses my cheek, prodding, searching. I stop it before it can extend outward. Soon, I tell it, but not today.
I push all of my energy back into myself, then try to visualize my mind, wrapping the cold ten
