AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m no master mage!” I exclaimed.
“Not yet,” Amara said softly. “Mastery requires more than just raw strength. It requires great skill and control as well. But you have the necessary power to take the mastery exams one day if you wish.”
I gaped at her, trying to process her words. I had always known I had strength, but somehow I had never considered a future where I actually became a master.
“You’ve spent too much time with Amara,” Hayes said with a hidden laugh in his voice. “It gives a person a skewed perspective on strength.”
Amara gave him an exasperated look, but he continued. “Neither you nor Luna were raised at the Guild, so you’re probably not aware of the significance of Amara’s very early ascension to mastery.”
“Back in Ostaria, someone mentioned she was one of the youngest masters in generations,” I said slowly.
Hayes nodded. “Only an exceptional combination of both strength and skill allows someone to take the exam so early. I, myself, only took it recently.”
“And what Hayes isn’t adding,” Clay said with a smile, “is that there’s every likelihood he will end up as the next head of our affinity after Master Colton. So it’s a significant comparison.”
“Are you saying Amara could be Master of the Elements one day?” I stared at my master with new eyes.
She scoffed and shook her head. “Of course not. I have no interest in such a position. And, Hayes, I am well aware you could have taken the mastery exam sooner if you hadn’t chosen the route of being a second first.” She turned to me. “All three affinity heads and the Royal Mage have seconds. They’re always proficients, but only the strongest are chosen for the role. It’s considered training ground for future masters. Those who dream of one day becoming head of their affinity almost always choose the path of being a second before they take the exam.”
Clay chuckled. “Yes, while Amara has the skill and strength to head her affinity, she lacks the necessary interest in politics.”
Hayes drew a breath only to slowly expel it, his eyes narrowing as he looked from Clay to Amara and then away. But it was Amara’s expression that caught my attention. She seemed to be showing something akin to guilt and sorrow as she averted her eyes from Hayes.
I had now spent many weeks in close companionship with both of them, and I knew they were old friends. But whatever was going on between them—exacerbated and stirred up by Clay’s arrival—was obviously more complicated than I’d realized.
When I glanced at Nik, I found him watching the two of them thoughtfully. Did he know more about their history than I did? When he turned to look at me, I drew back, however, all thought of asking him forgotten. A discomfort blazed in his eyes, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I touched it, I would be burned.
“The relevant point here is Delphine’s strength.” Nik stressed my name slightly. “Or, more accurately, that Grey is aware of her strength. He hasn’t been able to access anyone as strong as her. And it’s more than that, too. He’s also intrigued by her wall.”
“He knows about that?” Amara looked at me with concern.
I winced. I had freed myself from the fears that had kept me hiding behind the wall before confronting Grey, but when he tried to attack me, I had still reached for it instinctively. And it had successfully driven his power out of me.
“I had to use it to protect myself in our fight.”
“This is the wall you had in Ostaria?” Clay asked. “You were able to use it to protect yourself against Grey’s power?”
I bit my lip as I nodded, realizing that was a point I probably should have shared before now.
“I guess that’s significant. Sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. There was so much going on, and I just didn’t think of it.”
“And of course I didn’t ask,” Hayes said ruefully.
He threw Amara a glance. “Yes, yes, I know this is the problem with how we train. There isn’t a lot of room for innovation.”
Clay sat back, rubbing his chin as he thought. “If the effect could be replicated, it would be significant. I was curious after meeting you in Ostaria and tried to do it myself, but I couldn’t manage it. I was thinking it might be helpful for other apprentices in your situation, but healer assassins are a much greater threat. While rare, thankfully, they’re extremely dangerous. Having a way to block them…”
I shifted uncomfortably, making Ember whine. Murmuring an apology to the fox, I slipped back to my original seat.
“Sorry,” I said again, not sure what else to say to the shocking news that Clay had failed to do something I could do with ease.
Not that I’d used my wall in weeks.
“It’s not your fault,” Hayes said. “I should have asked more questions about your encounter with Grey. I’m the teacher, so it’s my responsibility.”
“No.” Amara sighed. “Delphine is my apprentice, so it’s my responsibility.”
“Regardless of who has failed whom,” Nik said coldly, “the important point remains. Grey knows she’s strong, and for some reason he’s been trying to gather strong healers. And he knows she has an ability he hasn’t encountered before as well. To put it simply, Grey wants Delphine. Badly. And that’s where our opportunity lies. We use his greed against him.”
