‘I’ve just never heard anyone else call it that.’

‘Before the First War, royalty and governors did not exist. The high houses – those who had the blood of the original elementals – were given the highest status. It was only after the war that the monarchy and governing families took hold.’

‘Are you of high-house blood? Are any of the Shadow Witches?’

Ashes gave her an incredulous look.

‘My blood isn’t important.’ She returned her gaze to the path, taking in a clearing. ‘This will do.’

Sapphire stared at the small open area, suddenly nervous.

‘And no one will find us?’

‘No. No one will find us. There’s a ritual happening tonight. All focus will remain there.’

‘A ritual?’

‘Yes. A ritual,’ Ashes said impatiently. ‘Much like you pray to your Elders, we speak to our ancestors. We ask them for prosperity and thank them for our magic.’

‘Why aren’t you there?’

‘You ask a lot of questions.’

Sapphire shrugged. ‘Aren’t you the one who told me I should?’

Ashes sounded irritated as she spoke. ‘I’m beginning to think you’re avoiding your side of the bargain.’

‘I’m avoiding nothing.’

Ashes wasn’t looking at her. She was looking at the moon.

‘We must begin or we’ll never make it to the barrier.’

Sapphire gritted her teeth so hard it made her jaw ache. Ashes was arrogant and sharp-tongued, and she felt that familiar sense of irritation and desperation bore into her chest. She wanted to wipe that damned smirk off the witch’s face with her bare hands.

Sapphire walked to the middle of the clearing and took a deep breath, centring herself, and called upon the Elders to push her power past the limits others had set for her. She stretched out her fingers and demanded the world bend to her will.

A few moments passed, and her eyes darted to Ashes, who was looking unabashedly bored. Sapphire shut her eyes tightly, demanding focus.

The rain will come to me because I am the storm.

Her fingers remained outstretched towards the sky and she refused to look down.

‘Please,’ she whispered to no one in particular.

Then she felt it. The undeniable vibration of her magic. A small smile spread across her face. When the first droplet hit her skin, running down her cheek, she laughed.

‘Come.’ Her voice was defiant and commanding, and the rain followed quickly after, pouring from the sky and drenching them both. She allowed herself a stolen glance at the witch, and her haunting gaze remained trained on Sapphire – a flicker of doubt still there.

Sapphire could fix that.

She began to flex her fingers, slowly circling them. The rain followed – the storm giving way to a circular pattern. The quicker she moved her fingers, the quicker the water moved, and in a matter of seconds, the downpour had grown into something much more dangerous. A roaring cyclone, angry and looking to consume.