Page 100 of The Immortal’s Mark

It’s like the moment my other powers awakened, I lost my ability to control my own mind and body.

I can’t even manifest my magic into physical form. The first and last time I experienced success was when I conjured the shield with Henry.

I miss Henry.

He wasn’t friendly, but at least he didn’t make me feel like a complete and total failure.

“Get up and try again,” Lola demands.

I grit my teeth and stand, bending down to brush the sand off my knees. The grains cling to my sweaty skin. With a huff, I give up and straighten, meeting Lola’s stern stare.

And to think, I thought Lucas was intimidating. The pack leader has nothing on this no-nonsense witch.

“She needs a break,” Gregory says. He stands farther inland, arms crossed and scowling.

“What she needs is to stop holding back,” Lola snaps back. “And for the males in her life to stop coddling her.”

He growls. “She just awakened and⁠—”

“And her bloodline is the strongest of the Nightsbane clan,” she interrupts with a sneer. “No masks or concealments remain on her mind or powers. The only thing stopping her from using her gifts is herself.”

Gifts?

I scoff.

Nothing about this is a gift.

“That. Right there.” Lola whirls on me. The purple cloak she always insists on wearing flaps in the breeze. “That is why you are unable to make progress. You are holding back.”

“No, I’m⁠—”

“You are. Do you even want to master your power?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then prove it.” She snaps her fingers, and her cloak disappears. She widens her stance and lifts her hands. Two orbs of purple form in her palms.

“What are you—Ah!”

I drop to my stomach. Sand flies into my face, but the orbs fly over me, missing my head by inches.

I spit out the grit and gape at the witch. “Are you insane?”

“You’ve used your powers before,” she replies, conjuring two more orbs. “If you need motivation to succeed, that’s what I will give you.”

She throws two more orbs.

I squeal and roll to the side.

“That is enough!” Gregory shouts, his voice muffled.

My head snaps in his direction, and I balk at the shimmering surface standing in front of him.

He pounds his fist against the translucent wall, but it holds firm, keeping him back.

“Make a shield!” Lola shouts at me.

I turn just in time to see another fiery orb flying toward my face.