Fire And Ice

Chapter 78 - The Beginning of The End

Natalia's P. O. V

My finger tingled as I focused, pushing the fire to the highest temperature I could reach. I kept going, only letting up when the singular flame from my index finger had turned white and melted a small hole in the block of cast iron before me.

"Incredible work, Natalia." Miss Asa said as she inspected the newly melted hole, "Your precision has improved so much. You've been practicing your Special Ability and it shows."

I gave her a smile, thanking her.

She was right, in more ways than one. My practice had finally started paying off a few months ago, and I no longer lived in fear of burning my house to the ground. I still had the occasional outbursts, but they were easier for me to control now.

But beyond the practical changes, I could actually see the difference too. Some weeks ago, I'd noticed my mark wasn't quite the same as how it had been when I'd first gotten it. Its faded edges had thickened and grown by about two inches, and it somehow looked more vibrant. In contrast, the mark near my neck remained the same: unevolved and unused.

I waved Miss Asa and the others left in my Special Abilities group goodbye on my way out. Today was the final day of lessons before exams started next week. For this class, while ungraded, we were undergoing a final review of our progress before focusing on other subjects next week.

The mid-May sun was warm as I crossed the courtyard to meet Jenna.

"Hey," I greeted, setting my bag down and sitting with her on what had become our spot on the grass, "Where's Lucy?"

"Hey girl. I think she's still having her Ability review. How was yours?"

"It was pretty good, I've gotten a lot better. How about yours?"

Over time, I'd come to the realisation that Jenna was adept at using her Special Ability, so it was unsurprising when she told me her review went great.

We continued talking, going over potential topics of next week's exams, as we waited for Lucy. She eventually joined us, sighing about her struggles with the review.

"It wasn't awful," She groaned, "but it wasn't good. I really need to practice more. Thank Rebekah it isn't graded."

Jenna placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's okay, Lucy. You said it yourself, you just need to practice."

"Yeah, you're right..."

I was about to offer her my own words of comfort when I noticed Aubrey's scent getting too close for anything good to happen and my mood soured.

"Oh, Lucy!" She called from behind me with mock sweetness, "How are you? I heard you bombed your review."

Jenna glared up at her, her jaw clenched, "Leave her alone, Aubrey."

"I just want to make sure we do better as a species, Jenna. Imagine how shameful it is for a Werewolf spinoff of a Syren to do better than an actual Syren."

I turned to her, my eyes narrowed, "Want me to show you just how good this Werewolf spinoff has gotten?"

She took a step back, raising her crested hand to her chest, "My mom told me the Princess is starting a program that'll let some Werewolves relocate to our world. I don't know what she's thinking, letting them in, but I'll have to make sure the violent ones like you never set foot in Syrenlina."

I smirked, "Oh, you'll make sure, huh?"

Her brows furrowed, "Yes... I will..."

Jenna, Lucy and Aubrey's two shadows looked back and forth between us. I let the silence linger, looking at her with the grin of someone that knew something you didn't. The more uneasy she got, the wider my grin grew,