Lia
I exhaled slowly, stretching out my fingers as the energy built inside me. A spark of light flickered between my palms, growing brighter as I focused. The magic thrummed through my veins, warm and alive, bending to my will.
I flicked my wrist, sending a controlled pulse of energy toward the target. It hit dead center, leaving a faint scorch mark.
Behind me, Simone let out a low whistle. “Damn, Lia. You’re getting pretty good at this.”
I grinned, wiping the sweat from my brow. “I have to be.”
Simone crossed her arms, watching me closely. “You mean you want to be.”
I shrugged, rolling my shoulders. “Both. I need to be strong enough to protect everyone.”
She tilted her head. “You know you don’t have to do everything alone, right?”
I sighed, flexing my fingers as another surge of p
