Blood and Kisses - By Karin Shah Page 0,76

her odds she supposed. She filled her lungs and released a calming sigh. She had to admit they weren’t good, but she wasn’t out yet.

When intermission was over, they began the final test.

Thalia took a seat on one of the fiber mats. Heath would go first as before.

Heath went to the altar. He took a small piece of paper from Mina and began to read from it. As he spoke each line, he burned a pinch of herbs in the candle’s flame. Strands of yellow light hung in the air around him, weaving about each other like a web.

On the last line, he opened the first birdcage. The finches flew around the room for a moment, then out the partially opened window. Thalia felt a force push her backward off her mat. At the same time, the other council members slid back off their mats.

Thalia tried to swallow the hard lump in her throat, but her mouth was too dry. Could she muster enough personal power to blow the council that far?

They stood, and reseated themselves, exchanging meaningful glances yet again.

“Thank you, Heath.” Mina’s words were clearly a dismissal.

He bowed and went to his seat, the line of his back straight and proud, obviously pleased with his performance.

It was her turn. Her final chance to prove she belonged as Champion.

As she took the small piece of paper from Mina, Thalia became hyper conscious of everything around her. Her light robe seemed to bite her skin, the breathing of the witnesses seemed too loud, and she couldn’t seem to get enough air.

Licking her lips, she began to read, sprinkling herbs over the flame. “Reveal the secret hidden from my heart, the magic energy that flows into my art.” With each word something grew inside her, it tingled from the soles of her feet, consuming her in a field of pure electricity. The light of her magic slowly filled the air, tinting everything in the room blue. The ribbons of energy plaited together into a tangled skein. The herbs crackled as she crumbled them into the candle’s fiery heart. “Like this charm of finches from their cage, release the storm of power to be gauged.”

At her last word, she threw open the second cage.

The finches flew in a circle around the room, their tiny wings fluttering overhead, then out the half-open window.

As they disappeared, the charge of power that had built inside her became a rush of wind that seemed to emanate from every inch of her body. It blew out the candles and catapulted the observers back against the walls like debris carried on a storm surge.

Thalia shook with the force of the release, and sank to the rug, drained. Clearly stunned, the witches and mages of the council got slowly to their feet, rubbing heads, shoulders, and backs.

An older mage helped Mina to her feet. Heath bore a shocked look on his broad face. The room was silent for a moment and then the young witch with the kitten on her shoulder began to clap. One by one the others joined in.

Regaining her feet, Thalia smiled politely at the council, but inside she shouted and pumped her fist. She‘d done it! She’d defeated Heath. She was still the Champion.

Thalia held her head high. She’d proven herself worthy. No one could question her ability to serve as the Champion now. She turned to Mina. “Are you satisfied?”

Mina smiled back. “More than satisfied, my dear.” Her brown eyes danced.

Thalia tilted her head. “You knew this would happen?”

Mina put her arm around Thalia’s shoulders and led her to a secluded corner. “I had a suspicion. Your mother always said she thought you had an enormous talent, but something was holding you back. Fear? Lack of confidence?” Mina shrugged. “She didn’t know. But whatever it was, you seem to have conquered it.”

“This whole thing—” Thalia waved a hand toward the altar, and the crowd of councilmen and women who spoke excitedly amongst themselves.

Mina’s expression grew serious. “Was a ploy to bring you to a place where you could discover your real talent, at least on my part.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Don’t tell Heath. He had ambitions.” She grinned, patted Thalia on the shoulder and, with a stately whisper of nylon hose and linen pleats, moved to intercept the nearest clump of people.

Thalia went to Gideon.

“That was quite a show.” The harsh lines of his face made it difficult to guess his thoughts. “Is that how it’s supposed to work?”

“Typically the observer feels