Chapter 73

ELENA INFORMED US OF THE change of plans when we arrived at the training site the next day.

'It'll give you a chance to meet more of the castle inhabitants,' Elena said. 'You only really get to see them at the table. I have arranged for Ada to meet you at your room before dinner. She will create something suitable for you each to wear.'

'She can create something that quickly?' I asked, astonished.

'Oh, she is exceptionally gifted,' Elena said with a smug smile. 'I am so glad to have discovered her before any of the other houses.'

She set to casting the circle then turned back to us.

'Today I want you to learn even more control over your gifts. We will practice creating an energy ball and moving it away from us. Then, at a selected distance, I want you to expand it suddenly like an explosion. Unlike an explosion, however, I want you to control the energy while it expands so it slips over everything in its path without really touching it.'

We stared at her for a moment.

Hmm. That