't a subtle ache, it was as though something buried deep within her had been violently awakened. Her knees buck

gic and ease the pain, but Mr. Powell stepped in swiftly. With one motion, he took the ring

ss the magically-enhanced room. "Anything that has been put on you to lock

dents stiffened, unsure i

o bury them in fear or shame. You may not have seen this in your rule book," his eyes scanned the room, "but let me

rried a stern weight that

om the overwhelming energy surging through her. Her eyes flickered with confusion a

ur overflow of powers," he said, his voice lowering slightly as

hey wrapped around the handle, her breath coming out in short gasps. She closed

athe. Almora stood alone in front of them all, the red light still shimm

ed, a sound that sliced through the air as her body writhed, shoulders contortin

eth but instead, the stick snapped. It shattered into tiny pie

r. Powell said nothing. Instead, h

Her body trembled as she gripped it again, the pain

thing deep and unexplainable was building inside him as he watched Almora struggle. He didn't understand it, but every time she flinc

grown shallow with

en gasp-and the stick changed. The aura around her shifted. The glow began to r

s eyes flew

with his eyes, he froze. The stick-now a sleek, polished rod with intricate patterns was entire

ds-and her own eyes widened in disbelief. The stick was no longer a stick. It was a cra

Powell finally said, his voice stead

nt of you and change its color. Take off whatever is used to lock

eady but firm. As she sank back into the chair beside Stacy, she let o

ration. "That was awesome! You did w

ttered, as if she didn't believe it. Then she looked at Stacy and nodded faintly. "Fine... T

eath he didn't even realize he had been holding. His shoulders relaxed slightly, an

ay anytime I see her? h

look in his eyes. She placed a hand li

id quickly, brushing

, nodding toward the students below. "Their set seems to be really fast lea

especially the Red. She's exceptio

r. "She's just showing off. Nothing more.

und Lucian

a blade. He turned to her, eyes darkened with somethin

ered. "But b

r. There was no mistaking it, his glare was full of fire. A protective

hin line. Her jaw clenched. Oh Red, she