Pppsst.
Iellieth’s eyes flew open.
There, beyond the end of her nose, sparks of bright green energy danced in circles around one another. Mara and Persephonie were in front of her in an instant. Mara’s eyes were cloudy with pride, and Persephonie giggled in excitement. “You did it, Iellieth,” she exclaimed. “Show her the next part, Mara.”
Iellieth couldn’t move for fear of losing the sparks. If she even spoke or looked away, they might vanish. The whirls grew tighter, faster.
“Perfect, cher’a,” Mara said. “Now, relax. You can bring them back if they go. The first time is the most difficult.”
The swell of frustration her last morning in Io Keep, the anger waiting at the tips of her fingers, pots exploding, and the sudden growth of leaves came flooding back to her. This was the grounded
