Aelin swallowed, tasting ash. Her magic opened an eye in response. Aelin sucked in a breath. Not here—not yet. She whispered it to the flame. Not yet. But the flame around her and the wolf flared and thickened, blotting out the cave. She clenched her jaw. Not yet, she promised it. Not until it could be done safely. Away from them. Her magic pushed against her bones, but she ignored it. Leashed it. The bubble of flame shrunk, protesting, and grew transparent once more. Through it she could make out a water-carved basin, the slumbering forms of her other companions.
