The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Copy. Paste. Fuck You.

"Let’s see what we’re working with," Hyran said, arms crossed.

Sixteen pairs of eyes were studying Serena. No pressure. Just a casual demonstration in front of the King, his Master Mage, the High General and Beta of Drakenfell, and everyone else who mattered.

She closed her eyes, finding Velkaris’s energy, and the Hidden Flame mark burned hot against her skin.

She held out her palm and winced.

Fuck.

Fire exploded from her hand with the subtlety of a battering ram through a stained glass window.

It hit the far wall with a deafening roar, scorching a black streak across the stone.

She stopped immediately, upon seeing Hyran’s look of horror.

"Right now you are a feral preschooler eating the crayon," he remarked flatly. "I need you to hold your crayon and write your name."

Serena exhaled a laugh, tension leaving her shoulders, and shook her head.

Hyran exhaled. "The level of control you have is the level everyone else gets. And the amount of pain you feel is the amount of pain we feel when we use it."

"How do I solve for both of those issues?" Serena asked, brows furrowed.

"For the pain, there is no fix for that outside of repetition," King Tiberon answered. "It’s similar to shifting for the first time."

Lovely, Serena thought. Considering I’ve done that so many times.

Hale crossed his arms, like this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Don’t wince before it in anticipation. Face it head on."

"Also, you’re clenching your jaw," Gav added, slipping through the door and closing it behind him. "You look like you’re about to sneeze and fight someone at the same time."

"Thank you for that visual, Gavriel," Serena replied dryly.

"I’m here to help."

Serena let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

"Try this first." Hyran flicked his wrist and three training targets appeared in the arena. "Hit them however you would like. Just incorporate flame."

Serena nodded. A bow of pure gold magic formed in one hand, an arrow in the other.

The room froze, jaws on the floor. Hyran, Gav, and Hale were the only people who were completely unfazed. Even Tiberon was surprised.

Serena didn’t notice, already aiming.

She fired the first arrow, which looked like a gold blaze with a point at the end. Her second arrow regenerated in position, ready to go.

The first target exploded when the arrow hit. The second and third were a millisecond behind. Three bullseyes. Three vaporized targets.

She lowered her bow, still unaware of the complete shock around her. Hyran, who had never seen Serena shoot, joined the stunned faces.

Gav snorted. "Believe it or not, there are things she’s not good at," he said, deadpan. "Standing up for herself, for example. Dying. She’s also really bad at that."

Hale stepped into the training arena, looking entirely too serious and not like he wanted to make the targets explode too. "Can you fabricate that for me? I should test it."

A bow and arrow vibrated into existence in his hands.

"Channel fire into me," he called over his shoulder.

He aimed and fired. Three arrows, same cadence as Serena. Three explosions.

He lowered his bow, now not bothering to hide his look of pure joy. He glanced at Serena. "How many people are you able to fabricate weapons to?"

"As many as we need," Serena answered. In everyone’s hands, swords made of pure gold magic vibrated into existence.

Sixteen people stood holding gold swords. Fourteen of them were too stunned to move. Gav tossed his in the air and caught it with his other hand. Hale threw his at a target. Bullseye.

King Tiberon got over his surprise first. "Can you channel fire into the blade?"

Before he finished the question, every sword in the room ignited.

Archibald looked at his sword, then back at Serena, then back at his sword. "How long have you been practicing Aether Fabrication?"

"You wouldn’t believe her if she told you," Hyran said before Serena could answer.

"Few can even perform Aether Fabrication, and I dare say, you are one of the best I’ve encountered," Archibald declared.

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