The Amazing Human...Nightlight?

“Kneel.”

I obeyed Lon, kneeling in the squishy mud. He slowly put my hands into the water, and a searing pain exploded in my palms. I screamed (and I'm not too proud to admit to it). The pain was excruciating, and even though Lon instantly jerked me away from the pool, the pain only intensified. I curled into a ball, clutching my hands to my chest, biting my lip against the burning sensation.

“Are you certain this is the pool?” Lon demanded of Jenen.

“Yes, but it seems the properties have changed again.” His own voice was concerned.

“Are you all right, Key?” Veija asked, and I felt a gentle hand touch my cheek. “Let me see.”

Several pairs of strong hands sat me up and gently pried my hands away from me. I didn't bother to hide the tears streaking my cheeks. It hurt too dang much to care. I avoided looking at my palms even when the others gasped audibly.

“Oh, Key,” Veija whispered breathlessly.

Finally I forced myself to look, and my own eyes widened. My hands were horribly torn and burned, but where there should have been blood, a brilliant silvery-blue fluid, pulsing with light, dripped from the wounds.

“Told you I was turning into a nightlight,” I muttered, trying to ease the pain by joking.

“If this isn't proof enough that he is Vendaeva, then nothing is,” Lon stated, unwrapping a strip of cloth from his arm and wrapping it around one injured hand.

“Glad I could sacrifice my hands so you'd know,” I said, gritting my teeth as he tightened the lavender bandage. “Though I assure you that up 'til now I've never once bled anything but blood.”

“It's a magic wound, Key. Of course it's going to be different.”

I scowled. “Well excuse me for never having seen a magical wound before to compare it with.”