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"So like that," said Nick He kept his attention on the burning leaves Tyler hadn’t reacted to the fire, and Nick sensed no power in the space between the

"Don’t tellwith your brother"

What? Who else had Tyler--

Oh Oh The lighter in his hand, the fire on the ground--

Tyler thought he was Gabriel

Infuriating Even Tyler knew he couldn’t stand up for hi to Nick’s anger It swirled around the of a spiral

"Wrong," said Nick "I think I owe you one forTyler look startled, but then his expression settled into so closer to determination

He started forward, heedless of the wind and the flames

Nick instinctively took a step back--but he didn’t need to

His wind grabbed the fla a barrier between him and Tyler

Tyler stopped, but his eyes narrowed "You think a little wind and fire are going to scare round, but his heart was in his throat He rerip The s it draw the fire higher, until the fla to surround Tyler

This was like the leaves with Quinn Only terrifying, as he realized that leaves wouldn’t hurt anyone, and a spinning plume of fire could have very real consequences

Focus

"Think you’re soainstoutward

Nick felt it--er than Nick had i for hie

Nick sent the wind a flare of power hi Tyler had ever done to hilow that encircled Tyler

Then it snapped, collapsing inward, attacking Tyler with fire

The other boy’s clothes lit up like he’d been doused in kerosene

Then the tight coil of wind caught his body and flipped hi clothes and rage

Holy shit Gabriel really had set hi black smoke to swar to lose sight of Tyler in ato die in ht only be seconds He looked like he was screa a sound His hands scrabbled at his throat

Shit Shit, shit, shit Nick hadn’t come here to kill someone

Where the hell was Gabriel?

Nick was torn between sucking the oxygen out of the air and forcing it into Tyler’s lungs Was he burning to death or suffocating? It didn’t matter The atmosphere was too focused on destruction now Thunder rolled overhead Lightning hit a tree

Ozone charged the air and fla branches rained around the strike somewhere off to Nick’s left

"Damn it, Gabriel," Nick called "Stop! Help me!"

Tyler’s cheeks were red and raw His eyes fell closed Nick reached forward and grabbed the other boy’s jacket The zipper was hot fro all of his power into the space between them He did this with Gabriel all the tie He could do it now

Stop this, he pleaded with his element Heal him

It took ain the breeze Wind licked between the the redness from Tyler’s cheeks

For an instant, Tyler didn’t h breath of air Then another

"Jesus," said Nick, feeling a bit breathless himself "You’re not dead"

Tyler’s eyes opened Nick let hi to see pain, confusion, fear

He saw derision

"Not dead yet," said Tyler He grabbed Nick’s jacket with fistfuls of flame and shoved, true power in the motion Nick’s back hit a tree

But that didn’t hurt half asthat hit him next

CHAPTER 25

"Nick Nick"

Gabriel’s voice He sounded al him "Come on, Nicky

Please Come on"

Nick couldn’t remember how to open his eyes It felt like he’d been hit by a truck

"No, you idiot," Gabriel said, that panic giving way to choked relief "You were hit by lightning"

Were his eyes open? He couldn’t see anything Was he talking?

"You’re talking," said Gabriel "Open your eyes"

He didn’t want to open his eyes The air was dancing on his skin and it felt wonderful

Dancing Adaize He wished he could fix it

"Cohimself He felt disconnected, like his body ached, but he couldn’t feel it yet

Next ti Gabriel play bait

Gabriel choked out a sound, half laugh, half sob "I will, Nick

I pro Nick’s cheek "Come on