Page 13

I race toward it, fury pounding through me. Everything takes on a different hue. Almost the same color as my tail, but far brighter. The monster comes into focus. Crystal clear. I pass my mom and reach for the beast, my fists tightened. Green bolts of lightning shoot out, cling to the thing’s eyes and teeth.

It whimpers, moves back.

“Let me do this!” Dad yells, shoves me aside. Pushes in front of me then attacks it with his own electricity. Grunts as he continues assaulting it.

The other creature comes over, aiming straight for us.

I move around Dad and focus my energy on the electricity I created. Green energy shoots from my fingers.

It stuns the fish. Dazed, it looks all over, doesn’t move. Cries out.

They both turn and sulk away.

I lower my hands and gasp for air—I mean, water. It massages my insides, calming me.

My dad turns to me, his brows drawn together and his eyes yellow. “What were you thinking?”

“I was trying to fight off those things!”

His nostrils flare. “Well, don’t do that again. Do you understand me?”

“But I—”

“Never again.”

Mom turns to him. “Drake, did you see that? She has the Ayers power.”

His mouth contorts as he continues glaring at me. “You don’t know how to control it. It’ll sap all your energy. Then where are we? Come on. We need to get to Valora.”