Chapter 17 The Struggle Within

• Elara's mind wandered as she attempted to concentrate on the moves Maeve had shown her. The electricity around her crackled, yet she couldn't stop thinking about Darius. She could feel him even when he wasn't there, in the chilly, distant way he was there and the tension that was still in the air between them. The draw between them got stronger, no matter how hard she tried to resist it.
• She focused on her hands, which gave her power. The training session was meant to help her stay calm and control the fire inside, but it was like trying to keep back a storm. Her heart beat loudly in her chest, and for a moment, the fire went out of control.
• "Focus," Maeve's voice barked, breaking through the cacophony in Elara's thoughts. But Elara couldn't concentrate. Darius's picture stayed in her mind: his broad shoulders, the way his jaw tensed when he was holding back, and the way his eyes seemed to pierce her whenever they met.