They were said to throw fire and withstandits blast, and Kaylia confirmed this was indeed a trait of theirs.She’d witnessed it.
So, her ancestors could create fire, but Lexicouldn’t, or at least she had no idea how to do so. And she was tooafraid to stick her hand in a flame to see if she could withstandits heat now that she’d stopped taking the potion.
She’d had enough of burns after Orin did itto her. She easily recalled the searing pain of her hand burning,smelled the crispy flesh, and heard the sizzle.
She was innorush to do thatagain.
Now, as she sat in the reddish sunlight ofthe outer realm, she studied the rocky land. The sun shining offthe black stones reflected hundreds of reds and oranges aroundher.
It was stunning, but she was beginning tohate this place that once offered such hope and now onlyrepresented frustration and bitterness.
Cole and Sahira stood by the portal. Today,Brokk and Varo had ventured back to join them while Orin went…well, she had no idea where Orin went, and she was too tired tocare enough to ask him.
Cole scowled as he watched her and Kaylia. Heconsidered Kaylia a threat, and if she wasn’t going to be useful,he would neutralize that threat.
Lexi wasn’t going to let that happen. Kayliahadn’t been able to help her, but she could help them in otherways. She was wise and powerful and had a lot of friends. Theycouldn’t afford to lose having her on their side.
Besides, though Lexi was losing hope, shewasn’t going to give up. There had to besomeway to controland learn how to use her abilities.
Sitting cross-legged in front of her, Kayliarested her hands on her knees as she studied Lexi with an intensitythat almost made her squirm, but she managed to remain still.Beneath the rays of the sun, sweat beaded her forehead and sliddown her nape. Her bun kept her hair from her neck, but she wasstill uncomfortably hot.
“We’re going to try something new,” Kayliasaid.
CHAPTER 20
“I’m up for new,” Lexi replied.
“We’ve been working on trying to get you tocontrol the glow by imagining it doesn’t exist, but I think weshould work on trying to shield it from others.”
Lexi clasped her hands in her lap and fiddledwith her fingers. “What do you mean?”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Coleshift. He folded his arms over his chest as his eyes narrowed onKaylia. She could tell he was trying to decide if this wassomething that could harm Lexi.
“We’re trying to control your arach abilitieslike they’re those of a witch or a dark fae.” Kaylia flicked aglance at Cole. “Many are aware the dark fae hide some of theirciphers to keep the true depth of their power a secret fromeveryoneelse.”
Cole most certainly did. It was somethingLexi had always suspected, but she never could have guessed theamount of ciphers covering his body until he revealed them to her.She doubted anyone, even a dark fae, would ever suspect his cipherscovered him from head to toe.
“How do you keep your ciphers hidden?” Kayliaasked.
“I’m not giving away the secrets of myspecies,” Cole replied.
“This isn’t about revealing secrets orlearning new ones; this is about helpingher. How do youhide them?”
Cole stared stonily back at her while Brokkand Varo shifted uncomfortably beside him. When Cole’s steely eyesmet Lexi’s, they softened, and a smile curved the corners of hismouth.
“I simply imagine they’re not there,” headmitted. “Just like you do with a glamour.”
Brokk’s face scrunched up at this revelation,and Varo gave a small nod.
“But that’s not working for her.” Kayliafocused on Lexi again. “You’re not a dark fae, and you’re not awitch, so we’re going to have to try something different, andhopefully, it will work.
“I’ve seen the silver markings of an arach;you’ve heard about their marks, but not anything like this, whichmeans they keep this hidden, not through imagining them gone, butsome other way. I believe that way might be some kind of shield,and sometimes, they experienced cracks in their protection.
“Those cracks allowed others to glimpse whatlay beneath the shield… the marks. I think we’re seeing all theyhid beneath their shield with you. So, we’ll create one that willeither keep natural light out or stop others from seeing this.
“You have to try blocking out the sun, butwe’re going to do it in small increments. Lift your hand.”
Lexi lifted her hand into the air. The goldenglow emanating from her skin and the silver markings werebeautiful, but she would give anything to sit outside again withoutturning into a glowstick.
