Free Blood Rush (The Lost Witch Trilogy #2) by Katie Lee O'Guinn Page B

fingers.
    “I was testing you and then I blacked out. What happened?” she asked, sounding upset and confused.
    Sarah sat down next to her grandmother in the sand and looked down at her hands, resting on her knees.
    “I had a really hard day today and I had a lot of energy swimming around. So I went for a run, and I kind of flew a little. But that wasn’t enough, so I tried to control the water like you did, and I did . And it was amazing and kind of scary too. And I thought I had gotten rid of it all. I was just standing there, looking at the lights and color on the water and I felt someone enter my mind and I didn’t even stop to think, I just threw you out.”
    Sarah looked away guiltily and closed her eyes. Today sucked. “I’m sorry that I hurt you. I don’t think we should do that kind of testing anymore. I think I have it down and I don’t want to hurt you anymore,” she said firmly, watching her grandmother’s expression change like a whirlwind.
    Francis closed her eyes, looking down at her lap and breathed in and out a few times. When she opened her eyes again, she was stronger, more clear and renewed.
    “Tell me everything,” she commanded in a clear voice.
    Sarah glanced at her again and then looked back at the darkening ocean. “Why not,” she said with a sigh and told her grandmother everything that had happened that day, including Lash’s declarations of love. When she finished, she leaned her head against her knees and felt finally purged.
    Francis sighed and struggled to stand up. Sarah leapt up, and grabbed her grandmother’s hand, pulling her the rest of the way up.
    “Sarah, there is more at stake here than your heart young lady. There are souls. I need to talk to your father and to Gretchen and Agnes. We’ll figure this out dear. But until we do, keep your heart locked up for a bit. Lash is a fascinating young man and Zane is incredible, but until we know all the pieces, hold back Sarah. Right now, you need to focus on protecting yourself and your family. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right. Tying yourself up in knots over the affections of a good looking boy isn’t something you have time for. Focus Sarah. Focus,” her grandmother commanded sternly.
    Sarah blinked in surprise. She had been expecting a comforting response and instead she had been chastised. “What exactly do you want me to focus on?” she asked with a bite in her tone.
    Francis stared hard into her eyes. “ Surviving .”
    Sarah rolled her eyes and looked away. “Yeah, got it. Thanks Grandmother. Your kind words have healed my soul and I can now go on, strengthened and encouraged.”
    Francis narrowed her eyes at her granddaughter and turned away silently.
    Sarah watched as Francis walked away from her, leaving her feeling cold and vulnerable. She followed her Grandmother back into the house and walked up to her room where she took a long hot shower, letting the steam surround her. She played with the rivers of steam and sat down on the tile floor and watched as the steam swirled and danced around her.
    Now that she was away from her aunt and the ever present dark energy that had constantly surrounded her, she felt more confident and open to using her power to do what she’d always wanted to do. Whatever it was. Whether it was to float and fly or to simply play. She was coming into her own and she had to admit that that alone was something she could smile about. She pushed the steam around with her mind until it formed a small tornado and grinned as she punched it with her fist, sending the steam in all directions.
    Sarah finally turned off the water and got dressed. She towel dried her hair, slicking some leave in conditioner through the waves and heading downstairs to see what was for dinner. She dreaded seeing Zane again but she was so hungry her stomach was clawing at her.
    She walked into the kitchen and found it empty. She heard voices coming from the dining room and so she hurried in