Chapter 13

GRAYSON

A week. Seven days of watching Prue struggle, and we're no closer to her being able to control her powers. I stand at the edge of the hill near our cabin, as Emmett guides Prue through another futile attempt at trying to get her to willingly tap into her magic. The cold air bites at my skin and drives my frustration further.

She sits cross-legged on the grass, eyes shut in concentration. She's beautiful with her red-brown hair glowing in the daylight. But her features are hard as she concentrates on what Emmett's telling her to do. But she's too in her head about it all, and it's preventing her from instinctively tapping into her abilities.

"Feel the energy in you, Prue," Emmett says, his voice annoyingly gentle. "It's there, waiting for you to tap into it. Just reach out and grasp it."

I bite back a scoff. If it were that simple, we'd be done by now. Prue's brow furrows as she overthinks it.

"I can't," she says, frustration in her voice. "I don't feel anything."

My jaw clenches. Hours of this every day, and still nothing. No sparks, no time manipulation, not even a hint of the power that's inside her. We've seen it. She's used it in moments of panic. But she's locked it away, and Emmett's soft approach isn't breaking through.

I move towards them, my gaze fixed on Prue as she opens hers. She deflates.

"Let's take a break," Emmett says.

She nods, stands, and brushes off her jeans. "I'm going for a walk," she says, not looking at either of us as she strides toward the trees.

I watch her go, my irritation building. I want to call her back, to push her harder. But Emmett and I disagree on the approach, and Prue has opted for Emmett to teach her. Something I don't quite understand either, but she made it very clear after one session with me.

"She's not getting it," I say to Emmett once she's out of earshot.

He turns to me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What gave it away?"

I glare at him. "This isn't a joke, Emmett. We're running out of time."

"And you think I don't know that?" He raises an eyebrow. "She's trying. There's no manual on how to do this."

"Trying isn't enough," I snap. "We need results."

"Grayson, you can't force this. She has to accept her powers. That isn't up to us. We can only guide her."

I scoff and run a hand through my hair, tugging on the ends slightly. "We have to do something differently."

"And what's your brilliant alternative? Yell at her until she bends time?" Emmett's voice drips with sarcasm.

"If that's what it takes," I mutter.

Emmett's eyes narrow. "We should tell her about what might happen when she fixes the time streams."

And there it is again, the point of contention between Emmett and I.

"We've told her what she needs to know." I meet his gaze, unflinching.

"Bullshit," Emmett says flatly. "There's a risk to her, and we haven't made that clear."

"She's already overthinking everything. You want to add more fuel to that fire?" I throw my hands up and then shove them into my pockets.

Emmett shakes his head

"You're making a mistake, Grayson. She's stronger than you give her credit for, and we owe her the full truth."

"Strong doesn't equal ready," I argue. "And our job is to get her ready and equipped."

"No," Emmett says, his voice soft but pissed off. "You're trying to control her just like everyone else."

Before I can respond, Emmett walks off.

I watch him go, and the sense of them-versus-me hits me again. It's been like this more and more lately. Emmett and Prue, off together, while I just stand there and observe.

I can't shake the sensation that I'm losing my grip on all of this and on Prue.

I turn to the cabin. We're running out of time, and I'm running out of ideas. She needs to access her power, and soon. But Emmett won't push her, and he won't allow me to either.

I reach the cabin and step inside, closing the door behind me. It feels emptier than ever as I sink onto the couch.

I close my eyes and try to work through this. Emmett and Prue are a team. I'm a spectator. Prue has to gain control of her magic but can't when she actively tries to and overthinks it. Emmett wants to punch me for my approach. I am frustrated. None of this is working for any of us. So I have one choice only. I can't stand around anymore; I need to get active and involve myself whether they like it or not.