refusing to bend to my will, but a cloud appears within seconds. In a heartbeat the cloud grows to span between one wall and the other, darkening as it grows heavy with rain.
Beside me, Matt laughs in glee and raises his palm too. With a flick of the wrist, he commands the water downwards. Obeying, a stream descends and rushes along the hallway rippling like a river. My heart beats faster—will the water flood under the door? I glance at Matt, whose face is alight as he gestures, commanding the water to move in the direction of his fingers, the same way I’ve seen him command fire.
“You can do this, Lia. Focus and I’ll let you take over the spell.”
The stream hits the door and bounces back, rolling towards us like a gentle wave
“No. I can’t.” The energy flowing from him fills me but my panic overrides the new confidence.
“Now,” he says sternly as the water flows closer. “Command the water upwards, back to the cloud.”
As the deluge sweeps nearer, my mind blanks the way it always does when I concentrate too hard on my magic. The tiny element of control I have over the water slips and instead of evaporating, the water speeds up.
I drop Matt’s hand and step back in an attempt to retreat from the water since the element refuses to retreat from me.
“Shit, Amelia!” The stream hits the walls and splashes up the sides, halfway to the noticeboard. The water sloshes against a paper pinned to the board and pulls it down.
“I’m sorry,” I cry out almost in tears, positive I’m about to drench us both.
Matt steps forward and holds both hands palm outwards.
The water curves and twists into a snaking figure that shifts, curling around and around like a whirlpool thrown into the air. My hair flies forward, pulled by the force in the air and the water whooshes then evaporates before my eyes.
I stare down at the floor.
Not a drop remains and the wood shines, dirt free.
Matt blinks away from his spell and turns to me. He reaches out and speaks my name with warmth and not pity, but I’m desperate to hide my humiliated tears.
Taking hold of his hand again would be a disaster, and I run from the room.
4
MATT
Amelia avoids me.
I choose to sit with Jamie and Ash at breakfast, partly to continue my attempt to gain Ash’s forgiveness, but mostly because I know Amelia will sit with them.
Today, she takes a cursory glance at our table then slides into a seat to sit with some witches from our magic class, switching on her happy smile.
I saw a different side to Amelia last night. How many people know about her family situation? I could’ve kicked myself for sounding like the arrogant dick she says I am. But she’s right—like many of us at the academy, I’ve lived a wealthy and sheltered life. I know Ash is on a scholarship paid for as compensation for his brother’s death, but I wasn’t aware how some students here struggle.
I never paid attention.
Why does Amelia’s opinion matter to me? Is it because she has a closeness to Jamie and Ash I envy? I told the truth last night—she makes me smile. The girl lights up a room and has time for almost everybody. She’s guarded against people like Katherine, and Clive and stays out of their business. I can’t figure out how she feels about me, but she certainly felt something interesting when we touched.
No, her opinion bothers me because she’s happy to give her attention to good people who have time for others.
And I want some of that attention.
What happened last night? That was one hell of a connection. The problem is, I don’t know if the effect was my attraction to her or the energy, since I’ve never allowed anybody to share my magic.
The reason I don’t share is because I’m terrified someone will weaken me—and Amelia did. Not magically, but my resolve to keep people out of my life. To stay focused on being the best. I’ve heard about strong connections like we experienced, and the overwhelming desire for the other person this can trigger.
My attraction to Amelia began months ago. She’s cute—the way her big brown eyes shine and her smile transforms her face. I want to hold her close because she needs someone to share her world with and she’s too shy to spend time with guys. Or does she deliberately hold herself back and hide behind that smile? Last night