The sun had just begun to rise, painting the sky with shifts of orange and purple. I waited in a secluded clearing of the woods. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Days had passed since the violent and draining spell to track Isobel, and though I had completely recovered from the collapse, the lingering threat still remained.
We had confirmed Katherine's involvement and identified Trudie Peterson, who is one of Isobel's school friends. She is a discovered through Jenna's research, who is Elena's aunt. Trudie Peterson is the only viable human lead. No one had moved on this new information yet, though the fragmented texts on my phone indicated that was about to change.
My immediate focus, however, was on Bonnie Bennett.
I glanced up at the treetops, taking a deep cold breath. Training Bonnie wasn't going to be easy. She was still reeling from the shock of her grandmother, Sheila's death, and her emotions are everywhere. The grief, the anger at everything that had happened, and the confusion over her staggering power were all volatile fuels. But I knew she needed this. She needed to learn how to control her powers. She need to know how to harness the magic inside her and make it work for her, not against her.
I heard the distinct, heavy snap of a twig behind me and turned to see Bonnie walking toward me. She wore a determined look, but beneath it, I could sense the weight of everything that she was carrying.
"Ready?" I asked as she stopped in front of me. Her arm crossed defensively over her chest.
"As ready as I will ever be." She muttered and her eyes briefly scanning the remote clearing.
"So, you changed the location again. What exactly are we doing here today?"
"The past few days, your training hit a dead end. Your improvement stopped, and you seemed distracted. This place should be far away enough from people. So you don't need to be scared of hurting anyone." I said and Bonnie nodded, and I sensed the flicker of shame over her fear.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of. It is right for you to be cautious. That is why I am here. To help you master that fear." I stated and my voice firm. I straightened my body.
"Today, we start with the basics again. You need to master the foundation. You have a torrent of power, Bonnie, more than most witches will ever wield. But if you don't learn how to control the current, it will control you." I said and she nodded with her jaw clenched.
"I know. I have felt it." She said. I tap her shoulder, sending her my support and understanding before we begin our lesson.
"First, we are going to work on channeling. Magic isn't just about casting spells. It's about connecting with the energy inside you and around you, controlling the flow of that energy, and making it bend to your will." I began.
"And how am I supposed to do that?" She asked, confused and annoyed with the lack of instructions.
"Be patience, Bonnie. Nothing will do you go if you rush things." I said and she let out a heavy sigh.
"Close your eyes." I demand and she was hesitating before she complied.
"Take a deep breath. Feel the magic inside you. It's like a deep current, a powerful flow of energy. Let it move through you, but don't force it. Just let it be." I said and Bonnie did just as I told, but she was impatient and not at ease. She wants to rush this but she wont be able to do what was required if she don't learn to be patient.
"Bonnie. I need you to calm down. It wont happen unless you are calm. Take another deep breath, a couple more if you need. Be calm. Focus on the sound and feel of the nature, not your emotions." I said and Bonnie did as I told. She takes a couple more deep breath until she is completely calm.
After some time, I could feel it. I could feel the wind picked up, and I felt the faint, erratic buzz of energy.
"Yes. Just like that." I said.
"You feel that?" Bonnie asked with a small proud smile on her face.
"Yes I did. And that is good. Remember, whatever we need to learn in the future, being calm is the number one key." I said and she nodded her head in understanding.
"Now, imagine that energy as a massive river. It is powerful, but it's also calm. You can direct it, guide it, but you have to be in control. Don't let the power sweep you away into chaos." I continued and my voice was low and hypnotic.
Bonnie's face tightened. The magic was wild and untamed. I can see that she is struggling with her magic.
"Steady, Bonnie. Don't fight it. Just let it flow. Slowly. Don't rush it." I told her and she take another deep breath before she exhaled slowly, but yet she seemed to be stuck and I slowly can feel her magic becoming stronger but uncontrollable.
"Bonnie, stop." I said but she didn't stop. She continue to control her magic but it didn't work. Instead of controlling it, she calls for more magic to run in her.
"Bonnie, that is enough. Stop." My eyes scans my surrounding. The wind around us become stronger.
"Bonnie! I said that's enough!" I rushed towards her, both my hand holding her arms but she seemed to be deep in trance.
"Vim Claude Et Eam Libera Cum Ego Dico." I cast a spell will temperory lock her power.
"What did you do?" Bonnie asked. I can see and feel her anger.
"You were out of control."
"I was doing what you told me to. I was letting it flow in me!"
"No you did not! What you did was, you allowed all in! You were supposed to control it and let it in slowly."
"Wasn't that the same thing? Slowly or not, I let it in!"
"What you did was dangerous Bonnie. That was reckless. You could hurt yourself, or worse, you could hurt those around you. Uncontrollable magic is like a nuclear weapon. It could explode!" I said. My anger was taking control on me.
"What exactly do you want me to do? I cant be like you but I need to be like you." Bonnie said and those words made me realize something. She wasn't being impatient and reckless because she want to be strong quickly, but she want to be like me. She want to be able to use her powers like I did. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.
"You want to be just like me? Let me give you two hows. One. I am calm and patient, but you, you were impatient and reckless. Two. You are Bonnie Bennett, not Natalia Petrova. Whatever you do, YOU CAN NEVER BE ME. So stop trying to be me. Be you instead." I said and Bonnie didn't say anything. She just looked at me with a defeated look and nodded.
"Okay. I hope we have an understanding here. Do we?" I asked and she nodded.
"Shall we continue?"
"Yes." I stand closer to her and hold both of her arms.
"Vim Eius Aperi, Emitte, Ad Eam Refluere Sine." I cast a spell to unlock her magic.
"Okay. Let's do this again. But remember, be calm, be patient and slowly let it flow. Control it." I said and she nodded again. She exhaled slowly, a few times before her shoulders dropping slightly as she found her rhythm. The air now grew still. I felt her power stabilizing and becoming more focused inside her instead of outside.
"Good. Now, open your eyes, but maintain the connection." I said and Bonnie opened her eyes and I saw a flicker of confidence. She was beginning to understand.
"Now, we will move on to controlling the flow of the magic." I said as I take a step back.
"You have channeled the energy, but now you need to direct it. Sometimes, it's about precision." I picked up a small, grey stone from the damp ground and held it out in front of her.
"Use your magic to lift this. But don't just yank it into the air. Ease it up. Control the flow of the energy." I said and Bonnie stared at the stone. Her eyes narrowing in fierce concentration. I could feel the surge of focused power. Slowly and meticulously, the stone began to rose, hovering a few inches above my palm. Bonnie gasped in silent surprise but held her focus.
"Perfect. Now, gently set it back down." With that, slowly the stone descended. When it settled, Bonnie let out a shaky breath. It was a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration.
"I did it." She whispered in disbelief and a proud smile appear on my face.
"Yes you did. That's just the beginning. Now, let's move on to something more advanced." I said as I motioned for her to follow me to a different part of the clearing.
"I am going to teach you two more basic necessities for survival. The first is telekinesis, which you just performed. The second will be aneurysm."
"Aneurysm?" Bonnie asked as her curiosity overcame her fatigue.
"It's dangerous, but it can incapacitate your enemy without killing them. It causes blood vessels in the brain to burst, which causes intense pain and renders your opponent powerless. This works wonder on a vampire."
"But there's no vampire here."
"You are literally standing in front of one." I raised an eyebrow at her.
"You want me to hurt you?" Bonnie asked with a frown.
"You are still a beginner witch, Bonnie. I am more than a thousand years old and I am much stronger than any supernatural. I can feel your magic, but not the pain. You will need to be at least half as strong as me to make me feel the pain, which will take an immense power and years of training to hurt me." I said and she nodded. Relief shown on her face.
"Okay, now. I need you to focus on me. Visualize my blood vessels in my head and imagine them bursting. Do you understand?" She nodded, understanding what I just told her.
"Yes." She said as she start doing what she is told. She focused, but then she abruptly stopped as doubt creeping into her expression.
"I don't think I can do this. I don't want to hurt you."
"You need to know how to defend yourself. And don't worry about me. It wont hurt, of course. I wont even feel a sting. But that doesn't mean it will be the same with other supernatural beings. They will feel immense, crippling pain. So remember, this spell is not to be used lightly. Only in extreme situations. Only on you enemies." I said. Bonnie takes a deep breath as she tried to focus again.
"Come on. Try again." She focused and after some time, I can feel her magic. She was doing it and eventhough I don't feel any pain, other supernatural will.
"I can feel it, Bonnie. You are doing great." I encourage her with a praise.
"I did it?" Bonnie asked after she let out a gasped as she stepped back in shock.
"Yes Bonnie. You did it. It is not strong enough, but it is good. To another vampire, they might be squirming in pain now. This is good. You need to stay focused. Control the intensity. With enough practice, who knows one day you might be able to make me feel that hurt."