Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2)

by Rebecca Yarros

“What’s your signet?” Mom shouts, but I lack the strength to lift my head. “You can’t do this,” Andarna argues in a shriek. “You have your purpose.” Even my mental voice is a whisper. “Maybe this is mine.” “Hasn’t manifested,” Aaric answers in a panic. “What about the others out there?” Mom’s voice rises. He starts to answer the ones he knows of, and I tune him out to stay focused on control, on lasting long enough to be the most use. Brennan hits the ground to my left, crouching a few feet away, his lips moving, but I close my eyes and reach for more of the power that’s slowly killing me. “You will cease!” Tairn orders. “I’m so sorry.” The muscles in my arm lock from exhaustion. Finally. Now I won’t have to hold it in place. I’m entering the final stages of burnout, just like I had on top of the mountain with Varrish. “You shouldn’t have to lose two riders this way.” Forcing my eyes open, I stare at the pattern of rock beneath my fingers, and I get it. I finally understand why someone would turn to stealing magic. All of the power in the world is beneath my fingertips, and if I channel, if I take from the earth instead of from Tairn, I’ll have enough power to save— “You must save yourself,” Tairn demands. “I chose you not as my next, but as my last, and should you fall, then I will follow.” “No.” Steam rises from my skin. “Let go,” Andarna pleads, and the rush of air in the chamber paired with the slight tremble of the ground tells me she’s landed. “I won’t do it!” Sloane...