Kat hadn't expected to find Cage with Jinx, just talking and admiring the sea. She'd wanted him alone so that his full attention could be on her and the panic over what was happening. The flames still danced between her fingers.

Cage's dark blue eyes moved from her face to her hands, and the color left his cheeks. "Shit!"

No "Are you alright?", no rushing to her to stop the madness, to keep her safe. Just a curse word which she felt to the very core. But it was not what she wanted when her being was split in two. Between fear and relief. Disgust and excitement. The purest happiness and misery.

"Well, then," Jinx said, raising her eyebrows.

"Does it hurt?" He moved towards her, finally, and took her hands to have a better look.

"No," she whimpered, doing her best not to ask why he was with Jinx. It wasn't the first time, anyway. She was the one who taught him how to use magic.

"Damn it," Cage muttered, turning her hands over. "Damn this to the seventh circle of hell."

She couldn't agree more, but for different reasons. "Why are you so upset?"

"Because I did this to you." He raised mournful eyes to her. "I should've known, but I didn't, I was so selfish, I just..." His voice faded and he squeezed her hands.

She could feel that the fire was burning him, but he let him feel the pain, annoyed with how this entire situation was progressing.

He should be impressed. He gets to witness my power.

The power that he'd apparently unleashed. How, she wasn't sure yet.

"What do you mean?" Her voice came out stiff.

He noticed because he looked from the magic swirling between her fingers to her face, a small crease between his eyebrows.

"Magic amplifies magic, sweetheart," he said. "And what we did..."

"Look, it's not that big of a deal." Jinx decided to join the party, her voice breezy.

"Jinx, I don't think you should get into this," Cage said, his eyes fixed on Kat.

She ignored the obvious warning in his voice. "Look, we all knew she had some form of latent magic inside her. It's great that it's finally out and she can use it."

"I can't stop this," Kat snapped, wanting to shut her up. "How is that useful?"

"Of course you can stop it," Jinx said with an eyeroll. "You're just filled with energy right now after last night or this morning, or whenever you did it last. You should've seen Cage's magical load. He basically split the sky in two."

Kat blinked as the unease and pain inside her only grew. Then, she turned and glared at Cage as the meaning of Jinx's words finally sunk in.

"You told her?"

He winced the tiniest bit. "Not exactly--"

"It was the most intimate experience we've ever shared and you told her?"

The voices inside Kat's head hissed, but she let them because she felt like spewing venom herself. This was something so private, no one should've known. And even if Cage felt like sharing, maybe she wouldn't have minded that much if he'd talked to Jazz. But Jinx? Why did she have any business knowing about what happened between them? Jealousy burned like poison in her veins.

"Relax," Jinx said in the same bored voice, raising her hands to placate Kat. "So you and Cage fucked, big deal."

Cage winced noticeably this time.

"We did what?" The flames in her hands rose in intensity and he had to let go to avoid getting burned for real.

"No, I didn't tell her," he said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "But she guessed because... Well, because she's right. My magic amplified so much that I had to release it in some way..."

Kat let out a laugh that sounded twisted and unnatural even to her. "Oh, did you now? And what did she suggest for release? Another romping session with someone more experienced?"

"What? No! Kat, what is going on with you?" His voice was much harsher now but she didn't care.

"How dare you?" she said between her teeth.

"No, he's right." Jinx no longer looked bored or dismissive. "How dare you? You should know by now that Cage and I are just friends and that if you want to talk love, I know all about that. Because that's what I have with Jazz. I don't care how desperately attractive you think Cage is, but that's how he is to you. I have my own type, and it ain't him. So stop being a jealous bitch."

"Jinx, that's enough." The commanding note in Cage's voice trapped the scathing reply on Kat's tongue. It also prevented Jinx from saying anything else. "Leave us, please."

"My pleasure," Jinx growled, and headed away towards the captain's quarters.

The fire in Kat's hands dimmed and once again retreated between her fingers. The anger fizzled, too, and she was left with a bitter taste in her mouth.

"I get that you're scared. I would be, too," Cage said, his voice low, but still filled with muted anger. "But you have to stop taking it out on other people."

She glared at him. "Didn't you hear what she just said?"

"Yes, I did. And while I don't appreciate the way she said it, let's think about the essence for a moment. She's right. On both accounts."

Kat's entire body tensed and she fought the urge to return to the bowels of the ship and figure this out on her own. She had never expected to be treated like a child again, patronized and then accused of being unreasonable when she wouldn't stand for it. Why could Jinx get away with everything?

"First of all, there is absolutely no reason for you to be jealous. Seriously, Kat! Why would you even think something could be happening between Jinx and I? Do you not trust me? You know I love you with all my heart and I would never do anything to hurt you. You also know I would never betray Jazz like that."

The shame that came with his words had her shoulder slumping. A part of her, the one that wasn't being poisoned by the voices, recognized the truth in what he was saying. She had obviously overreacted. But Jinx was so infuriating with her smug, know-it-all attitude.

"And secondly, she's right about the cause of this." He took her wrist gently and held up her hand. "What we did amplified both our magics, so yours is appears to be finally manifesting."

She pulled her hand back, doing her best not to make it seem as if she was pulling away from his touch, because she wasn't. She just wanted to analyze her powers a bit while taking in this information.

"You have mentioned it before," she said, her voice meek.

He heaved a sigh but seemed to decide to discontinue the fight for now. "Yes. I just didn't think being with you could make it like this. This bad. Are you sure it doesn't hurt?"

She nodded, wondering why he insisted on that. But then, she realized the reason. "Did yours?"

"Yeah..." He glanced over his shoulder at the storm clouds in the distance. "But that doesn't matter right now. All that matters is..." He turned back to her, his face filled with worry. "How do you feel?"

That was a very important question. As the seconds ticked by and they stood there alone, the anger left her and the initial panic returned. The conflict inside her.

"I... I'm not sure. I know I've been denying any potential magic for so long, hoping it wouldn't be true, that I wasn't tainted, and..." She bit her lip and tears filled her eyes because she felt like a hypocrite.

Yes, it was terrifying on some level. But she'd been yearning to show some form of magic herself for weeks, ever since Cage had managed to master his own. She's witnessed first hand just last night how useful magic could be. If they didn't have it, the sea monster would have destroyed their ship and they would all be dead. So of course she longed to have it, too, be like them. This had turned into a form of relief. She wasn't an outcast. She was just like them. Finally.

"I'm so confused," she finally whispered.

Cage took her hand and led her to the edge of the ship. The wind blew her hair around her face, but the salty air also calmed her hands. The flames flickered in the breeze.

"Let's analyze this logically," he said, staring into the distance. "Principala is there, where the storm clouds are gathering. We may have a few more days of quiet before we will reach the storm and danger. Your magic can help you fight. Defend yourself."

She nodded, aware of that. She was back in the game. No longer a liability, but a powerful asset.

"But I'd have to learn how to use it by then," she said.

Cage nodded. "Exactly. I think that you being able to hold it in view like that is a good sign. Maybe you'll be able to gain control of it faster than me."

She seriously doubted it since he was so proficient at everything he did. But she glanced at her hands nonetheless. There was no heat or prickling on her skin, as if the fire wasn't even there. It somehow frightened her more that she couldn't feel it than if it would have hurt her. It should hurt her. Magic was a curse, in every form.

"I can't stop it," she whispered.

"You can't stop it yet. You will find a way. But for now... Well, I think you might be overcharged with it."

Her eyes flickered to him, confusion coiling with an anger she couldn't justify. Cage didn't seem to notice the tormenting feelings inside her because he stepped closer and stopped right in front of her. Before she could ask what he planned to do, he raised her flame-engulfed hands and then snaked his fingers between hers, locking them together.

A jolt let her know that she was burning him. But then, the burn of magic subsided as Cage closed his eyes. The serene smile on his face didn't fit with the pain she knew she was inflicting.

"Cage..."

He didn't answer and, despite the flames, she felt warmth engulfing her hands. He was doing something to her, thought she couldn't rationalize what that was. After a few moments, the flames dimmed and disappeared, leaving her feeling normal. The slight pain she'd been inflicting also disappeared.

"How did you--?"

The words stopped in her throat as he stepped back, his right fist clenched. She wasn't sure if she had imagined it, but for the briefest moment, she thought she saw a tendril of lightning snaking around his forearm.

"What did you do?"

"I helped." His voice was calm, but when he opened his eyes, she gasped.

The color of his irises had changed. Not into the golden swirl she'd come to dread, but in the incandescent shade of lightning. Her heart thundered against her ribs as she took him in, looking so powerful, like a force of nature itself. Like one of the gods.

She swallowed heavily, the urge to touch him so powerful, it was physically painful. Would it shock her? Would she burn? Even if her yearning for him had always been powerful, dangerous, she didn't think she'd ever found him more attractive or harder to resist. If he was lightning, she wanted to be singed.

She didn't get the chance to find out since he turned towards the sea, raised his right hand, and pointed it in the direction of the storm clouds. A shower of lightning bolts pierced the waters below.

"Did you... did you do that?" Even if it was so obvious that he had. But it had been so far away. How could he channel magic like that? She glanced at her now normal hands and felt empty.

"It's what I did last time to get rid of the excess magic. I think... Well, I was looking to get rid of yours, too." He turned back to her, the smile still on his face, but he looked tired now, as if the show of power had drained the energy out of him. His eyes were once again the dark blue she knew and loved.

"How did you take my magic?"

"The same way I try healing people."

"Do you think you took it for good?"

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Gods, no. That would be too easy. I'm sure it will spike right back. Especially seeing the plans I have with you."

She tilted her head. "Like what?"

He marched to her, took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. The emptiness inside her filled at once and she felt the crackle of magic beneath her skin, once again growing. She sunk her fingers into his shoulders, molding herself against him. This was once again beyond how they normally kissed, merely a prelude for much more to come. And she craved for it. So much that her mind became foggy with desire.

He pulled away, a shrewd smile on his face, and she only wanted him more. "Looking forward to tonight."

His words loosened a knot she wasn't even aware had settled inside her chest. But a part of her had been afraid he wouldn't want anywhere near her because of the magic exchange. To protect her. He seemed to guess her thoughts because he leaned in, stopping a breath apart from her mouth.

"I can't do it any longer, Kat. I can't stay away, even if it would protect you. Because after I've had a taste of you, I want more. So much more than you can possibly imagine."

"Oh, I can imagine it, believe me," she whispered. "And I'm honestly glad you're not foolish enough to try to protect me from this."

"It was a test. Since I can relieve you of the pressure of excess magic, I have no qualms with causing the excess in the first place."

She giggled, but drew away when she heard footsteps. Leila joined the party, the starry look back in her eyes.

"There you are, Kat! I've been meaning to speak with you regarding today's dinner."

"Of course." She threw Cage a longing look, but it wasn't like she could keep kissing him when Leila was around. And since the others were not there for training, there was little else she could do. Either way, maybe they could all use a break after their encounter with the sea serpent. She could use a break from all the tension and her need for him.

She'd barely cleared the steps back inside the ship when Leila stopped and twisted, a huge grin on her face. "Kat, your hands."

She lifted them and only then noticed that the fire had returned. It appeared that, from now on, Cage had the literal power to set her on fire. After the raunchy thought came and went, all she was left with was embarrassment, so she hid her hands behind her back.

"I'm sorry."

Leila frowned. "Sorry about what?"

Kat wasn't exactly sure, but she was still conflicted about her display of magic. It was indecent on some level and she'd been so accostumed to fearing it. Part of her was still afraid, and the only reason she wasn't cowering in a corner was the insane bravery that had come as a result of this entire journey.

"Magic is a tricky subject," she offered, though her voice sounded weak even to her. 

Leila scoffed. "In Endir, having magic is the most sought after honor. You don't frighten me."

"Oh." Kat kept forgetting that. Being raised in a small-minded town had created a reflex in her senses, caused her to believe that everything was the same everywhere, even if on an intellectual level, she was aware that was not the case.

"Now let me see."

Kat raised her hands, doing her best not to look away. Leila seemed to sense her hesitance because she frowned.

"What's the matter? It's beautiful."

"It would be more beautiful if I could stop it."

"Stop it?" Leila sounded truly confused. "Stop what?"

"The magic."

There was a pause, then Leila grabbed her hand and pulled her inside her cabin. Before Kat could ask what she was doing, Leila placed her in front of the mirror.

"You don't stop magic, Kat. It's a part of you."

Kat glanced at her reflection and noted the fear in her own eyes. Yes, as much as she tried, she couldn't just push years of prejudice under the rug in a few hours. "I'm not sure I want it to be a part of me," she mumbled.

Leila clicked her tongue and switched to Endirian. "You. Magic is you. You are magic. Not a separate part of you."

Kat shuddered. Leila only tightened her hold on her shoulders, forcing her to look at her own reflection.

"You are who you are, Kat. And until you admit that and embrace the wonderful being you are, you will continue to feel yourself foreign."

Kat rolled the words around her head. Her knowledge of Endirian had her stuck on the last affirmation. "Feel myself foreign?"

"Yes. Feel like you don't know yourelf, like your soul and your body are two different entities."

Kat's stomach tightened uncomfortably. Yes, she could see what Leila meant. She did feel out of control when it came to her own body and her feelings.

"This is what you have to understand," Leila said, switching back to Iridian. "You are never going to perceive the world as it really is until you accept yourself and who you are. Magic is not a foreign force inside you. It's part of you. It's what makes Kat, Kat."

The words rang true and Kat focused on her own image. She'd changed since she was on the ship. Her features were a little sharper as she ate less than before, and her skin was a darker shade, weatherworn, freckles sprinkling across the bridge of her nose now. And yet, this unfamiliar image was still her, as was the magic bubbling through her veins.

"For whatever reason, this is you, Kat," Leila said, voice so low it sounded slightly hypnotic. "And because this is you, you can do whatever you like with yourself."

That's true. Everything is me. There isn't anything foreign or corrupted about me.

The voices... They were not voices. It was just a part of her she was trying to smother. Her impulses that existed but were improper in accordance with rules made by others.

Made by men with no magic and no power.

Of course Fherras was scared when someone like Cage could obliterate him even without magic. All his policies were based on fear and he'd managed  to instill his own insecurities deep within his people, including her. But she would be better than that.

Leila was right. This was her, magic included. 

Her reflection seemed to change and a foreign sparkle appeared in her eyes. For a second, she had the feeling that the color of her eyes had changed into a lighter blue, the color of steel. When she blinked, she was back to being herself.

I can do this. I will do this.

She raised her hands and extinguished the flames.

I'm so hoping you are enjoying the story. It was very important for Kat to come into her own magical powers and stop fearing them. Of course, this doesn't mean she can wield it like a pro. At least not yet.

Well, we only have one more chapter before we're heading into Wolfbane's lair. I'm sure nothing at all dramatic will happen in that small stretch of time. But, hopefully, with Kat on their side using magic as well, it will go well... Right? If not, this might turn out to be a much shorter book than expected, lol.

Thanks so much for reading. All thoughts and votes are truly appreciated.