The Fire That Chose Me
Aiden pressed close, his presence a tether, and for a moment, the world narrowed to the two of them, and the fire that both terrified and empowered her.
Then she opened her eyes. The fire had taken form, a shimmering aura of light that pushed back the shadows, revealing the creature fully. It froze, as if startled by her power, its gaze fixed on her.
“You’re stronger than it expected,” Aiden said, voice taut with warning. “Hold it, Evelynn. Don’t let it see fear.”
She nodded, focusing. The fire in her veins roared to life, hotter, brighter, feeding on the fear and anger that threatened to overwhelm her. The creature hissed, recoiling from the heat, its twisted limbs curling as it tried to re