The route was so dark that Emery shriveled in the suffocating blackness, fumbling through the pockets of her worn cloak in a desperate search for candles.
Her fingers trembled as they brushed against the cold fabric. Unlike Valdis, she couldn't summon fire out of thin air. It was moments like these that reminded her of her lesser talent, a fact that gnawed at her constantly.
How many times had she cursed her limitations? She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand.
Finally, her hand closed around the familiar shape of a candle.
Relief swept over her as she pulled it out, the faint scent of wax grounding her. "Thank God for my fear of the dark," she muttered under her breath, a touch of sarcasm in her tone.
For once, her weakness had served her well. If she hadn't been so terrified of the dark, she might not have packed this essential item.
