You drive down to the beach—deserted now in the darkness, with summer tourists and locals all gone home for the night—and park in the quiet corner where the Tidepool sits.
Sand crunches softly as you cross the beach and kneel down next to the pool. As soon as your hand touches the water, the part of your mind that holds your clairvoyance instantly starts humming, buzzing, and wanting to wake up and be active. You trace your finger over the surface of the water in the way you always have: a circle, then the spokes of the wheel, to activate the magic in the water.
The white light shimmers upward into your hand. It feels like plunging into ice-cold water on a hot day: shocking; clean; refreshing; sustaining; overwhelming. You're connected to the ocean, the land, the air, everything around you. You can sense every grain of sand, every bit of salt spray from the sea.
You drive home in a giddy buzz, feeling more powerful than you ever have, feeling the light inside of you brightening the darkness.
Whatever comes next, you're ready.
Chapter 9: Competition