Water {Elements of Power 2}

My bare feet pounded against the wooded ground as I ran for my life. It was no use. He was catching me up.

I cringed as a ball of flames flashed past me, narrowly missing my neck, but I didn't stop running. I had to keep going.

Trees hemmed me in on all sides; every direction looked the same. I knew that I had to make it to the shore, whichever way that was. East? West? Running at this speed, with the sun hidden above the trees, could I even work out which was which? My face was wet, whether from tears or sweat, I didn't know.

I heard another cannonball of fire approaching and this time I had to lunge to the side to avoid it, losing my footing as I stepped and tumbling to the ground. He was on me within seconds, a manic glint in his eyes and flames wrapped around his fingers, caressing his skin.

The desire for warmth consumed me; I was drawn to it even though I knew it would burn. I needed the flames, the fire, the power.

As Cinaer lent down over me, I opened my arms to receive him.

"Wake up! Wake up you useless Helian, wake up! We need to get out of here!"

"Wh-what?" My vision swam in front of my sleep filled eyes, but I could just about make out Tristan's face as he shook me frantically by the shoulders. I must have still been half-asleep, because I could feel the heat from Cin's flames.

"Come on, Roxy! The city is on fire. We need to get out; now!"

The room snapped into view at the urgency of his words. I could see the haze from the heat filling the room and thick black smoke billowing outside the windows.

"What's on fire?" I asked, my head still fuzzy.

"The capital! Almost a third of the trees. The fire is spreading with unbelievable speed. If we don't leave now, we might not get out at all!"

He pulled me to my feet and towards the door, not even giving me time to throw shoes on before he bundled me down the rope and into the black smoke below.

He met me at the bottom and grabbed me by the hand, dragging me blindly through the smoke.

I could hear the flames as well as feel them now, as they crackled through the branches. I was gripped with a sudden desire to turn back through the trees and head towards them, finding solace in the fire. But with Cin's manacles on, I would never survive.

Instead, I let Tristan lead me out of the capital and into the woods, where many of the other Sephans had gathered together.

As we ran into the group, I realised instantly that it had been a bad idea. All eyes turned towards me, full of accusations.

Of course, the only possible cause of the fire currently sweeping the capital was the powerless Helian being held captive. Not the many campfires or stoves or the candles in the trees. The big, bad scary Helian must be to blame.

"Tristan," I whispered, tugging on his sleeve to get his attention. "I don't think that I should be here."

He looked past me, to the Sephans glaring at us. "I'm sorry, Roxy, but I have to be here. There is a crisis going on and I can't miss this opportunity for canvassing. I should be talking to people and promising to rebuild the capital, bigger and better than before. I need to show them that I can be a leader. I have to stop them from panicking." He must have seen the anxiety in my eyes because he added, "You should wait out of the way if you feel it will be best."

I definitely thought that it would be best. I moved away from Tristan, to the safety of thicker trees, trying to get away from the stares, but they followed me anyway. Even when I ducked out of sight behind a particularly thick trunk, I could feel them on me, making sure that I didn't go far.