The challenge wasn’t over yet. The bracelet was encapsulated in a ring of thorns that would shred my hand—and probably poison me—if I reached inside. Carefully, I laid my palm against the bark.
The magic within the tree reminded me of the protective spells that guarded the Well of Power beneath my house.
I closed my eyes and focused on my intentions.
I won’t hurt you. I won’t hurt the wolf.
I repeated the mantra, adding in please give me the bracelet.
After a few seconds, the magic in the tree diminished. Almost as if it were drawing back into itself. I looked at the bracelet. The thorns were pulling back, revealing the gold within.
Quickly, I reached up and snagged it.
“Thank you.” I slipped the glowing golden circle around my wrist and turned from the tree.
I gave the wolf one last look, barely able to see him where he was protected within the trunk, then stepped toward the battle that still raged outside.
A shriek sounded from above.
My heart lunged into my throat, and I looked up.
Too late.
A massive, icy blue bird was plunging toward me, so fast I couldn’t even move. The creature grabbed me in its claws, picking me up and tucking me under its body. It bound my arms to my sides, its huge talons gripping me around the chest.
Freezing cold surged through me where the bird touched me. The whole creature was made of ice. It had a grip on my arms that bound me from reaching for my weapons. I shuddered hard, cold freezing my veins.
I tried moving my head, hoping to get a better look and find a weak spot, but my neck could barely move. All of me felt cold and stiff, and the only thing I could see was icy feathers.
Shit. What was this creature?
All around, the crowd roared. Below, contestants and monsters lay sprawled on the ground. At least half were dead or grievously wounded. More than half of the monsters were gone as well.
I’d be gone soon, too, if I didn’t think of something quick. With every second, more coldness stole through my veins, leaching out my strength. Even my mind moved more slowly.
Think. Think.
I called upon my transportation magic, trying to zap myself out of the bird’s grasp. A sensation of tearing exploded in my chest, and I gasped, pain shooting through me.
Yeah, that didn’t work.
Head pounding, mind racing, I settled on the only answer.
My Dragon Blood.
If my current magic wouldn’t get me out of this, I needed new magic. I couldn’t just blast out of this bird’s grip. We were a hundred feet over the ground. A fall would kill me. Maim me, at least.
I had to weaken him. And what weakened ice but fire?
I drew in a steady breath and carefully sliced my thumb with my sharp fingernail. Dragon Blood magic was tricky. If I wanted to make a lot of magic—or a new permanent magical skill—I needed a lot of blood.
But a little new magic? Temporary magic?
That took just a little blood. And secrecy. Always secrecy.
I kept my hand hidden by my thigh as my black blood welled. I wiped it onto my black pants—an extra handy color for me—and called upon my magic. As my blood flowed, my power welled within me.
I could try my suggestive magic, but that hadn’t worked on the Fae king and I couldn't be guaranteed it would work on the bird either.
I envisioned the new magic that I wanted to have—something that I’d never seen another mage possess.
I imagined heating up from the inside like an iron. I would be a human torch. The magic sparked within my veins, filling me up and surging out of me. Warmth flowed through me, turning to heat.
The bird shuddered, and its grip loosened.
Shit.
I had just enough room to wiggle, so I grabbed onto the bird’s talons. My legs dangled as the bird slackened its grip on me. I clung tightly, feeding more of the heat into the bird. I smeared my black blood onto its icy blue leg, forcing my warmth into it. Feeding it my magic and my heat.
The icy wings flapped slower, and then dipped lower in the air. We floated right in front of the king’s platform. I caught a glimpse of his green gaze as I turned my head away, panic fluttering in my chest.
He always seemed to be watching me. Always.
I called my magic into me, making sure that my signature didn’t flare too brightly. The last thing I needed was the king realizing