"In any case, even if you refuse to use your full potential by tethering others,” Typhon continues. “You demonstrated a unique gift when you stripped away my madness. If you could restore me to my senses, then you could free the other ancients as well. You could also free the elder elementals who have lost themselves. This alone would send shockwaves through both your world and mine. If those elementals chose to tether to your people, it would dramatically increase the power at your kind's disposal. If not... it would make my kind far more powerful in our own right."

"Do you really think I should do that? Try to free more elementals from madness?" The weight of the possibility settles heavy on my shoulders.

"The answer isn't simple. The other ancients... they are not perfect."

"Unlike you?" I tease.

"Precisely," he replies, completely missing my sarcasm. "We must consider carefully before deciding if healing them is wise. And we need you significantly stronger first. I could have easily destroyed you in the lake or on the elemental plane. We can't risk exposing you again until you're properly prepared."

"How have you been feeling?" Voss asks abruptly, yanking me from my internal conversation with Typhon.

"Fine, I guess?" The words come out more a question than a statement.

"Your powers. Do you feel they're progressing?"

My fingers flex unconsciously. "I'm improving some, but it doesn't feel like enough." A heaviness settles in my chest as I think about my limitations. "Sure, I can manipulate small amounts of elemental energy without drawing power directly from someone. A stone rising from the floor. A sudden gust of wind. A needle of water materializing from nothing. A flare of heat dancing across my palm. But my classmates—" My eyebrows draw together. "My classmates are becoming devastating now that they've tethered. Malakai crafts shapeshifting weapons from water. Mireen can summon entire waves of water from nothing. I can barely⁠—"

"You can do far more than them," Voss interrupts, his half-smile knowing. "Your powers are different, Nessa. Subtle. You're discounting that when you draw from someone, you can temporarily surpass their abilities. And you have access to all four elements, even if in limited quantities."

Memories from last night flash through my mind—draining enough water magic to blast people away like dust in a hurricane. But it required physical contact, and my enemies won't always stand still while I reach for them. It also exposes me.

The memory of last night also includes what happened with Raith afterwards. It's not an unpleasant thought, but it feels too private to have here with Voss staring at me. Heat rises to my cheeks as I recall Raith's touch, his intensity, the way he made me feel...