Jonas searched her expression for a hint of something soft, something other than vengeance. But all he found was rage, and suddenly he felt pity for her. “What happened to you to make you so angry? So bitter?”
“Perhaps I was born this way.”
Jonas shook his head. “I doubt it. No one is born with such hatred in their hearts.”
“How dare you presume to know anything about me, Jonas Agallon.”
“I know more than you might think, and I have a very reliable gut. You’re a good person, princess. You could improve so many lives with your magic. You could change the world. Make it better, brighter, happier. Don’t you see that?”
“I don’t care about any of that. All I want right now is for you to hand over the earth Kindred.”
Jonas was about to respond when a voice cut through the conversation, interrupting them. “What was that?” A young, fair-haired man approached Lucia, his expression fearless and quizzical. “Did I hear you say something about the earth Kindred?”
Lucia pursed her lips and glanced at him. “I didn’t expect you back from your errand so soon.”
“I move quickly.” The man looked at Jonas, his brow furrowed. “Am I to understand that you are in possession of the obsidian orb?”
“Jonas,” Nic whispered in a warning tone. “That’s the man who was at the palace with Lucia. He nearly killed Prince Magnus. Say nothing.”
“Let me handle him on my own, Kyan,” Lucia said.
Kyan kept staring at Jonas. “You’re wrong,” he said to Lucia, his eyes still on Jonas. “He doesn’t have the orb. I know I’d be able to feel its magic if it were really this close.”
“Perhaps not on him, but he did claim it,” Lucia pressed. “Where is it, Jonas?”
“No idea,” Jonas said evenly. “Sorry I couldn’t be more help.”
The young man narrowed his eyes, and in a sudden flash of light and heat, a ring of flames shot up from the ground, enclosing them in its circle. Jonas started and heard the crowd beyond the fire scream and scatter, abandoning the market.
Jonas shot a tense glance at his friends. “Olivia, tell me you can do something.”
Her eyes were wide and staring, filled with fear he’d never seen from this brave witch. “Oh, no,” she whispered. “Not now. Not here.”
“What are you talking about?” The heat from the flames grew ever more intense around Jonas.
“It—it’s too soon,” she said, clearly stunned and in a daze. “I’m not ready. I’m not strong enough.”
“Do what you can, then!” Jonas urged. “We’ll help!” He looked back to Kyan. “What are you?”
o;Now,” she said, turning back to Jonas, “about that earth Kindred you stole from me.”
Jonas had heard all about Lucia’s visit to Limeros, and he didn’t underestimate the sorceress for a moment. “Sorry,” he said, “but I don’t have it.”
“Oh, please, Jonas. Do you really think you can fool me so easily? Let’s try again.”
“Princess Lucia . . .” he began, but then he was interrupted by a sudden crackling of lightning above. The storm had begun to gather again. A sickening feeling seeped into his stomach. This storm was made from magic, he realized. Summoned by a sorceress who could conjure darkness and evil without even a single crack to her calm, collected exterior.
“Yes, Jonas?” Lucia replied, a menacing smile creeping over her beautiful face.
“You want the earth Kindred?” His mouth was dry, his heart was pounding, but he tried to keep his voice steady and confident.
“Obviously.”
“Then I propose a partnership.”
She raised a brow. “And I propose that you hand over the Kindred before I light you and your friends on fire.”
“All right, all right.” He held up his hands, wracking his mind for the right way to deal with this dangerous girl. “Not the time to consider a partnership. Understood.”