Page 67 of These Witches Don't Burn

A strange sensation buzzes in my chest, and I finally exhale. It’s like I’m embarrassed and excited and terrified all at once, and I can’t seem to fully inhale around so many emotions. “I didn’t do anything to the metal. I used the water to push it back out. Elementals can only control the four elements—fire, air, water, and earth.”

Gemma nods, like it’s the most obvious explanation she’s ever heard. “So, can you, like, create fire and cause earthquakes and... something with air?”

I shake my head. “Elementals can create fire after we turn eighteen, but we can only manipulate the other three. Like cooling the air. Moving earth or stone. Freezing water, directing it. But there are limits. I can’t control the weather or anything like that.”

“Interesting.” She furrows her brow and brushes a stray strand of hair out of her face. “Controlling the weather would be a handy trick though.”

“Gemma, this isn’t a game. Magic isn’t a ‘trick.’ If my high priestess found out you knew about me, if she knew I told a Reg—”

“A ‘Reg’?”

“Regs are people like you. Non-witches.”

Gemma raises one eyebrow. “Like Muggles or something?”

A smile pulls at my lips. “Yeah. Exactly.”

Gemma pouts. “This is bullshit. How is ityougot a real-life Hogwarts letter, and I’m a stupid Muggle?”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a Reg. Trust me, being an Elemental isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.”

“Yeah, except when someone attacks you, you can actually defend yourself.” Gemma points to her cast. “Did another Elemental do this to me?”

I shake my head. “No. We think there’s a Witch Hunter after the coven.”

That gets a brow raise. “Witch Hunter? Is that who’s after you? Wait, are Nolan and Veronica witches, too? Is that why someone torched Nolan’s house and tried to rob Veronica?”

That actually gets some semblance of a laugh. “Nolan is most definitely a Reg.” My humor dies when I remember the fuzzy video on my phone.Is he more than that though? Is he the Hunter?

“Nolan’s a Reg,” Gemma says, her eyes narrowing, “but Veronica isn’t.”

Shit.This is what I get for coming unprepared.“It’s bad enough I told you about me, Gem. I can’t out anyone else in my coven.”

“Coven? How many of you are there?”

“Not many. There are only about a dozen families currently living in town.”

“Right. Not many,” she grumbles like that number is huge or something. “How many people know about this?”

“You’re the only Reg I’ve ever told. And it’s technically treason to tell, so you’re probably the only living Reg who knows.”

Gemma flinches. “Please stop calling me that.”

“Calling you what? A Reg?”

She shudders again. “Yes. That. It makes me feel pathetic. Like you look down on me or something. It’s gross.”

Heat flares to my cheeks. “Sorry.”

“What about your parents? Do they know?”

“It’d be kinda hard to keep it from them since it’s hereditary.”

Gemma nods, her expression growing pensive. “So, you and your parents. Veronica and hers...”

“Stop.” I hold up my hands to cut her off. “I’m sorry, Gem. But I can’t tell you who this touches. I know it sucks, but if the Council finds out—”

She scoffs. “What would they do? Ground you?”