She snapped out of... whatever this was and answered him by digging a small jagged edge into his neck. She had kept the dagger Manos had supplied her with. She held it firm while his grip tightened on her opposite wrist.
“You littlehellion.”
She had no chance. She didn’t even see his other hand move, but she felt the immediate pain that shot up her arm. She dropped her weapon with a sharp cry. Their bodies tangled as she struggled against him. She pulled one hand free, then reached for the other, which remained trapped between their bodies. A rush of shadow flooded around her, as if her power was answering her own outrage. Her power separated them, then faded into the background of the cave.
Theodon staggered back, watching the wisps dissolve into the rocks. She mirrored his steps backward, massaging the soreness in her leg.
He assessed her with those unsettling eyes.
“Take it off,” he ordered.
“I beg your pardon?” She could have sworn she saw a slight uptick of his lips at her surprise.
“The bracelet. Take it off.” He walked around her, positioning himself at her back.
“Why?” Her anger and frustration melted into frantic nerves.
“Because I can feel what’s inside you begging to be released. Clearly, you’ve found a way to suffocate it, and I can’t train you if you’re smothering your own potential.”
“I can’t... this is the only thing that has kept it controlled this long. What if I can’t call it back? Something terrible could happen.”
Her power answered even with it on, but it was contained, dulled. She didn’t want to be apart from this one security she had for more than a heartbeat. There were too many unknowns to this curse... this shadow.
His face softened. “It is frightening to have power like this and have no one to teach you what it is, what it can do. I felt the same, a very long time ago. I’m sorry you spent so long with so many questions.” His words held such sincerity. “I’m not going to take it from you. But if you want me to help you, I need to see. Please, take it off.”
It was the first time he’d said please. It was the first time his order sounded more like a request.
“Is your power strong enough to stop me if... something goes wrong?” Helaina asked.
“Yes.”
“And you can kill me if it gets out of control? If I can’t make it listen?”
His head turned to the side, his jaw clearly tense from the question.
“Yes,” he finally answered, though his response held no pride; it sounded more like shame.
“Promise?”
He hesitated. “I promise.”
She reluctantly unhooked the bracelet and slipped it off, bracing herself. Nothing rushed forth, no shadows, no power. Her fear simmered. It felt odd not to have the warm stones against her skin after so many years, like a piece of her was gone. Facing away from him, she jammed it in a pocket before she lost her nerve.
“Tell me what it feels like to you? When your shadow comes?”
Helaina brought her chin down. “It burns. It’s like a fire between my ribs.”
She heard him move closer. “Stop letting your emotions bring that burn to the surface. Find it with your mind, your intentions, and tell it where to go.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“Years of practice,” he replied.
Her shoulders relaxed as she searched for that odd feeling beneath her skin. He was right, it was easier to listen to it, to feel for it, when the tempest tears weren’t touching her skin. He leaned in over her. There was something about his closeness in this moment, like he was awaking a carnal need she never knew she had.
“Find it and let it go.” He was so close, his voice taking on an almost tender tone.
She did as she was told.
