Playing With Fire

Learning the Craft

The next morning I woke up early and put on some sweats and an old t-shirt. I didn't really know what we were going to be doing, so I thought it would probably be best to wear clothes that I didn't care about.

I headed downstairs to find Carver sitting at the table with two plates piled high with eggs, bacon, and toast.

"Is Charlotte still freaking out?" I asked, sitting down, figuring that this was just a continuation of Charlotte's fussing from last night.

"Nope, I made this," Carver smiled proudly.

"Thanks, but I'm not really a breakfast person," I smiled apprehensively at the massive amount of food.

"Too bad. You're gonna need this," Carver said, pushing the plate towards me. "Using magic requires energy which has to come from somewhere, so warlocks and witches require a lot more calories than most people consume." When I just picked hesitantly at a piece of toast, Carver frowned. "Trust me; you'll want to eat all of that," He tucked into his own plate of food.

I followed suit, although slightly less enthusiastic. I only ate about half of what was on the plate, but Carver should be happy I ate even that much. After putting both plates in the sink, I followed Carver outside.

Carver weaved through the trees that surrounded the back of our house until we arrived at a large empty clearing. Carver stopped turning to face me.

"This was where dad first taught me about who we are," Carver gestured around the space. I noticed that several of the trees around the edge of the clearing bore scorch marks. I stared at Carver as he took out a small lighter. He didn't say anything as he clicked it on and stared at the small flame. Waving his hand above it, he coaxed the flame into a ball of fire that he held in the palm of his hand.

"All warlocks have an affinity for one of the four elements, but those who belong to one of the four old families inherit the affinity of their family. Our family's affinity is fire," Carver lectured, lazily letting the fireball dance along his fingertips. "Once a generation in each of the old families a child is born with the ability the not only control their element but manifest it," He continued giving me a meaningful look.

"I want you to close your eyes," He instructed.

"Why?" I asked apprehensively. I didn't like blindly following instructions.

"Just trust me, Cordelia," Carver gave me an exasperated look. Frowning, I did as he asked. "Now focus calling on our affinity feels like tugging something from the pit of your stomach. It also helps if you think of a strong emotion until you can control your affinity".

I focused all my energy on doing what Carver said. Carver continued to talk, encouraging me, but I blocked him out, trying to recall a particularly emotional memory. It was harder than I thought it would have been. I tried focusing on the warmth that I'd felt last night from being, and I thought I could feel something happening, but when I opened my eyes, nothing had changed.

"Ugh, this is insane," I said, opening my eyes half expecting Ashton Kutcher standing there telling me I'd been punked.

"You just need to concentrate," Carver said gently. "Let's try this again."

This time I closed my eyes and focused on trying to recall all of the rage that I'd been suppressing for the past eight years. Then I combined it with the fresh anger and hurt I'd been trying to ignore since I'd learned that our dad had kept even more secrets from me than I ever could have imagined. I felt a burning sensation rise in my stomach, and I focused on that.

When I opened my eyes, I saw blue flames covering the surface of my skin. I stared in amazement, examining the flames on my hand. I moved my other hand over it, and the flames expanded into a ball. Laughing, I hurled the ball at a nearby tree and watched as it burst into flames.