Firewalker (Worldwalker 2)

“Of course,” Tristan whispered back. “I forgave you the second you got back, but I had to make you suffer a little.”

After school Rowan allowed only a short homework break for the other mechanics before diving into their training, starting with teaching them about burns and how to heal them.

“What’s the big deal with burns, anyway?” Una said, frazzled. Lily could tell that she’d been standing over the hot cauldron inhaling fumes for a bit too long.

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sp; “Lily, would you show them?” Rowan said.

Lily walked to the fireplace and stuck her hand in the flames. Una pushed Lily back reflexively.

“Are you crazy?” Una scolded angrily.

“It’s okay, Una,” Lily replied. “Look.” She held up her hand to show that it was uninjured. “The best way for a witch to gather energy is for her to go into the flames.”

“It’s called firewalking,” Rowan said, breaking the tense silence. “It’s extremely dangerous and very few survive it. Even those who can survive it, like Lily, are often injured.”

“But in order to generate enough energy to get Rowan back to his world, you’ll have to burn me,” Lily finished quietly.

It took a moment for someone to respond. Tristan crossed to Rowan and shoved him to the floor. “You bastard,” he said, standing over Rowan.

“Tristan,” Lily began, taking a step forward to intervene.

“No, Lily. I thought Rowan was doing this big noble thing by going home, but you didn’t say anything about us having to burn you to get him there,” Tristan shouted.

“Yeah, I have to agree with Tristan on this,” Breakfast said hesitantly. “I mean—what do we do? Tie you to a stake?”

“Yes,” Lily answered. Breakfast’s smile dissolved. “It’s pretty intense.”

“Okay, time out,” Una said, pulling on Tristan’s arm until he moved back enough to allow Rowan to stand. “I’m sure Rowan would never do anything to endanger Lily’s life, so why don’t you tell us what level of damage we’re talking about here. Bad-day-at-the-beach kind of burn, or meltdown-at-the-power-plant kind of burn?”

“She’ll be okay if you three are properly trained,” Rowan answered calmly. “Look, this isn’t going to happen tomorrow. Lily still needs to find my world.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Lily replied, looking away. She knew Lillian would guide her if she decided to worldjump. In fact, there was little chance Lily would be able to ignore Lillian once she entered the spirit world.

“How are you going to find Rowan’s world?” Breakfast asked.

“It’s called spirit walking. Your spirit leaves your body and you send it into parallel universes. It’s a talent that runs in certain families,” Lily answered, looking at Breakfast meaningfully. “My mom and your uncle do it all the time without even trying.”

Breakfast put a hand to his head. “Oh, no way,” he said slowly as understanding dawned on him. “My uncle’s actually in another world?”

“His spirit is,” Lily replied.

“Sweet,” Breakfast said appreciatively.

Rowan regarded Breakfast through calculating eyes for a moment, and then looked out the window. “The sun’s almost down,” he said. “As soon as Juliet gets here we can go to the beach and get back to combat training.” Something caught his eye. He went to the window and moved the curtain. “There’s someone sitting in the car parked across the street.”

Tristan was by Rowan’s side in a moment. “That’s Scot’s car,” he said. “I’ll handle him.”

Una’s arm shot out and she stopped Tristan. “Breakfast. Why don’t you go out and have a chat with dear old Scot?”

Breakfast hurried outside and crouched over the driver’s-side window. After a few minutes, the car drove off and he returned with a troubled look on his face.

“What’d he say?” Lily asked.

“He really wanted to talk to you, Lily. He looked pretty strung out,” Breakfast replied.

“He’s not going to stop,” Rowan said darkly. “The farther you push him away, the more desperate he’ll become.”