Chapter 23

Closing his eyes, he calmed his raging thoughts. Deep breaths helped steady his nerves, until he could hear the pounding of his heart in his ears. Then he pictured himself holding tight to the power, whatever it may be. In his mind’s eye, it took the form of long, red-hot cables, spitting and hissing like downed electrical wires. Vic imagined he held those cables in both hands—his flesh sizzled beneath the power but his grip didn’t slip. As he concentrated, he breathed in and saw himself reel those cables toward him, reining in the power. When he breathed out, he kept his hands fisted tight, unwilling to let go.

The heat simmering on the balls of his feet cooled. He flexed his hands—physically, not mentally—and couldn’t feel the power building in his fists. This wasn’t that same power, he realized. Or rather, if it were, his own prowess had grown to the point where he could control it now. It wouldn’t get away from him again.