Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)

by Victoria Aveyard

“Manipulate water that already exists. They can’t use what isn’t there.” “Well, what about Cal? Maven? I don’t see many raging infernos around for them to play with.” Julian smiles, shaking his head. “You’ve seen their bracelets, yes?” “They always wear them.” “The bracelets make sparks, little tiny flames for the boys to control. Without something to start the fire, they are powerless. All elementals are the same, manipulating metal or water or plant life that already exists. They’re only as strong as their surroundings. Not like you, Mare.” Not like me. I’m not like anyone. “So what does this mean?” “I’m not quite sure. You are something else entirely. Not Red, not Silver. Something else. Something more.” “Something different.” I expected Julian’s tests to bring me closer to some kind of answer, but instead they only raise more questions. “What am I, Julian? What’s wrong with me?” Suddenly it’s very difficult to breathe, and my eyes swim. I have to blink back hot tears, trying to hide them from Julian. It’s all catching up to me, I think. Lessons, Protocol, this place where I can’t trust anyone, where I’m not even myself. It’s suffocating. I want to scream, but I know I can’t. “There’s nothing wrong with being different,” I hear Julian say, but the words are just an echo. My own thoughts, memories of home, of Gisa and Kilorn, drown him out. “Mare?” He takes a step toward me, his face a picture of kindness—but he keeps me at an arm’s length. Not for my sake—his own. To pr...