Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Smart,” Biana said, glancing at Sophie with a look that seemed to
say, How do you want to do this?
Sophie cleared her throat—but before she could get a word out,
Marella told her, “Whatever it is, don’t try to sugarcoat it, okay? I’m
guessing by the shadows under your eyes that it’s something big. So
let’s just get it over with.”
Sophie nodded. “Okay. It’s . . . about Fintan.”
She went on to repeat everything Fintan had told her about why
Marella needed to train with him, making sure she didn’t add any of
her own thoughts or worries into the conversation. This needed to be
Marella’s decision, since she would be the one taking the risk either
way, whether she chose to train with the enemy or chose to ignore his
warnings about her ability.
Marella leaned forward when Sophie finished, holding her hands
over the fire pit and sparking tiny tendrils of blue flame over each of
her fingers. “Would the Council even allow me to train?”
“I don’t know,” Sophie told her. “I’m not sure if we’d tell them.
Technically, I’ve seen where the prison is now, so I could teleport
there anytime, with or without anyone’s permission.”
“Would the guards let you in, though?” Biana wondered.
“I guess that’s a good point,” Sophie admitted. “Well . . . I’m sure
we could come up with some other excuse for why we’re visiting. That
way you could still keep your ability secret if you want.”
“I don’t want any of this,” Marella muttered.
The flames hovering over her fingers turned white hot and Biana
dragged her beanbag closer, placing a hand on Marella’s arm. “This
probably isn’t much help, but . . . we’re here for you, okay? I know we