Aria's POV
Power exploded from my body. The forest shook violently. Trees groaned. The earth split beneath my feet. Damon stared at me. There was fear in his eyes now. But it wasn't fear of death. It was fear that something was happening to me.
Something inside me suddenly snapped. I looked at the elder. He was still gripping my shoulder, still forcing his magic into my mind, still twisting images and emotions until I could no longer tell what was real.
"You."
The elder froze. "What?"
My breathing was ragged as I slowly rose to my feet. Golden-black energy crawled across my skin. "You did this."
His expression changed. "Aria, listen to me."
"No." I grabbed his wrist.
His eyes widened. "Release me."
"You made me hate them."
His face hardened. "That is not true."
"You forced these
