He stared at his ashy hands, in shock, eyes unfocused as he gazed about himself. Those trying to help put out the fire had given up, fleeing with the rest of the villagers even as a gust of wind suddenly tore through the streets. The flames that had previously been isolated to just the one structure were thrown across the gap to the next house, immediately igniting the wooden frame and roofing materials, spreading faster than a blink of an eye.

They didn’t stop there, leaping from house to house, screams following their path as windows and doors spilled open, filled with frightened people who’d found their normal lives thrust into a world of madness and chaos.

And then he saw her. No one else noticed her, too busy running away, trying to save themselves and their families, but Cainan’s stare locked on his wife as she strode from the first of the burning structures, dark spheres of flames surrounding her fists. She stopped suddenly, seeming to notice the way the fire had spread. The fires in her hands winked out and she started running.

Cainan gave chase, but his wife had always been fleetfooted, and it was all he could do to keep pace until he realized where she was going. Back to their house.

“No,” he whimpered, “not her,” surging forward as his breath seemed determined to choke itself in his throat. As they ran, they caught up to the fire, passing it, but then another gust of wind sent it surging forward once more, devouring each house on the row, rampaging through town more efficiently than an entire army could.

Cora only ran faster, leaving Cainan behind to choke on ash and smoke. She reached the end of the road and turned, disappearing inside a house. Their house. Oh gods, he thought, hurrying forward. Maybe there was still time. If he could get inside before the front of the house became a wall of flames…

That thought sent fresh energy to his limbs and he raced onwards, neck and neck with the dark flames. Only to stop as they reached the target first, immediately surrounding it, the heat so intense it singed his eyebrows. He staggered back a step, hand thrust across his face to ward off the billowing smoke.

His jaw, throat and mouth tingled.

Inside, someone screamed. Bryony. Oh gods. His own life meant nothing next to preserving hers. With that in mind, he charged forward toward the door. It would be far too hot to open, but weak enough to barge through with his body. And then he could unleash his Ability; it was the only way he could save her now.

CRASH! The roof’s collapse sent wooden shards spinning, sparks flying, sending him tumbling back, one leg pierced by a jagged spear. He growled through the pain, fighting back to his feet just in time to see the door open and Bryony stumble forward. Relief swelled in him as she whirled about to take in the carnage wrought upon the village.