Shimmer by Jennifer McBride Page A

rotund belly, skimmed back in on themselves to form a much thinner neck, and then curved smoothly out again to create the shape of a panda’s chubby, cute face.
    â€˜And see,’ said David, pointing up towards the panda’s head. ‘It’s smiling.’
    â€˜So it is,’ Kora replied, smiling herself. The deep fissures in the rocks curved around the base of the panda’s face creating the illusion of a serene smile. ‘I did not expect it to look quite so much like a real panda.’
    When she finally glanced back at David, she found him eyeing her thoughtfully. ‘How come you’re not sweating?’ he asked. His own hair was clumped in sweaty strands down the sides of his face. His eyes narrowed at her. ‘Are you using magic to keep cool?’
    â€˜Yes.’ She smiled smugly. ‘But for a weather shield to work it must attach to a person, and you know I cannot use magic on a human.’
    David’s brow furrowed. She waited, one eyebrow raised. She could see he was trying to think of a way to get what he wanted. Then his eyes lit up, his face triumphant.
    He looked convinced that he had somehow beaten her at her own game. ‘Kora,’ he ordered, his voice smug. ‘I wish for a fresh, cool breeze to blow on me.’
    A twist of fear shot through her. ‘No, David!’ But the command had been clear and specific. Her bands glowed as she resisted the order. ‘Unwish it, David,’ she pleaded. ‘It’s dangerous.’
    The power grew steadily in her chest and her bands tightened. ‘David, please,’ she begged. ‘Quickly.’ But he didn’t speak. He just stared dumbly at her as she battled against the wish. She couldn’t hold out much longer against it. Her power rumbled, mingling with the fear twisting through her. Her body arched with the pain of resisting.
    â€˜David!’ she screamed. She was vaguely aware of him standing frozen, gaping at her. Stupid, slow-reacting humans! She could no longer contain the power and it surged from her chest in a torrent. At once the nearby trees bent over in the wind and the leaves and dust stirred off the ground and swirled around their feet.
    The breeze was cool and strong and David’s long hair lifted off his face as it flowed over him. Perhaps it was this burst of fresh, cold air that finally brought him to his senses. ‘I wish for the wind to stop,’ he blurted quickly. And as suddenly as it began, it vanished. Immediately the heavy, oppressive heat pressed down on them once more.
    Exhausted from the battle against her own magic, Kora could barely stand. She bent over at the waist, resting her hands on her knees, and blew out a long, unsteady breath.
    David tipped his head to one side as he contemplated her.
    She remained hunched over, panting with the pain and effort of resisting his command.
    She didn’t look up but she could feel his penetrating blue gaze as he studied her.
    â€˜Kora?’
    She lifted her dark eyes wearily. ‘What?’
    He dragged a shaky hand through his hair. ‘What just happened?’

Run!
    The heat was overwhelming. Without the use of her magic, sweat ran freely down her back and dripped across her forehead.
    â€˜Can’t I have just one wish?’ David called back to her.
    â€˜No, no magic,’ she panted. ‘Just run!’
    David’s long legs carried him much faster than hers possibly could. Her heart thumped in her chest and she could feel her pulse pounding in her ears. She twisted her head around to scan behind them and tripped, landing face first in the scorching hot dirt.
    She heard his footsteps make their way back to her.
    â€˜Here,’ he was breathing hard. ‘Take my hand.’
    She pushed the long dark hair that stuck to her face away to glare at him. This was all his stupid fault. But she accepted his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. He kept hold of her hand. Half-running,