The Frozen Beginning (Elemental Diamond Book 1) by Daphne Robynson

stage to stand beside Dolby.
    Dolby deliberately ignores him as he continues to flex his arms to the crowd. Brink stands motionless with the same smug look on his face, as he regards Fielder with interest.
    The fourth’s name is Brogan Hemmer, a boy with the sides of his head shaved and the middle strip dark red. The fifth contender is a petite girl, Pae Hutton, and the last is a short but wide girl named Alue Puckett. The crowd cheers for them as they all walk off stage.
    Brink stays.
    He waits by the High Chamber representatives, with his hands hanging on either side of him. The guard that has lingered near Glacier for the entire introductions of the Pyre team suddenly brings her to the bottom of the stairs.
    Glacier is confused, as an uneasy feeling settles in her stomach.
    She notices that all of the High Chamber members have risen from their thrones, which only happens at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
    A sick sensation churns in her stomach, telling her that this isn’t the end just yet.
     
     

SIX
    BRINK
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    “Now, our esteemed audience,” Karn steps forward, away from his throne and walks closer to the centre of the stage, “we have a very special surprise to share with you all tonight. A surprise that will change the way this Tournament is held from here on.”
    An unsettling air of smugness accompanies his speech as his hands come together to silent clasp behind his back.
    “I would like to welcome back on stage Glacier Wardgrave, Contender six for the Hydra team.”
    The crowds give a small cheer, but they are all equally as confused as Glacier. Nudged onto the stage by the lingering guard, Glacier walks towards the centre of the stage without stumbling this time.
    She looks to the end of the stage, finding Fielder watching from the bottom of the stairwell. Confusion pulls his features into a slight frown.
    Looking back to the audience, she stops at the edge of the stage where she is barely visible.
    “Come closer, my dear.” It is Emilia whose words bring her towards them. Glacier walks achingly slow until she is standing close to Brink. His radiating body heat reaches out far enough to touch her skin, surprisingly soothing her nerves.
    When she looks up to him for the first time, Glacier finds him already gazing down at her. His eyes stir a strangely uncomfortably feeling in the pit of her stomach. His orange of his right eye seems darker than the other.
    He smirks at her boldly, whispering, “So you are the other one Hampton was telling me about?” His words are condescending, a tone Glacier does not appreciate. But instead she remains solely astonished by his dwarfing presence; she does not form any response.
    “Now there is something, ladies and gentlemen, that you do not know about these contenders that I am excited to share with you all… Brink and Glacier are not like us…”
    Her breath is lost as she hears Karn’s words. Glacier’s eyes snap to Fielder, waiting at the steps as he watches. His eyes are still on her, waiting until she looked before he could send her a small, reassuring smile. Glacier tries returning it, but she is sure it comes across like a grimace.
    “You see they have a special talent , you could say. They both have different abilities, each unique. They are not fire or water elementals.” It is the Second Seat that speaks this time. Thanks to Brink, Glacier now remembers his name to be Hampton. “But it will be easier if they show you.”
    He turns to the both of them, and beckons for Brink with his outstretched arm, “Brink, would you mind demonstrating your ability first?”
    Brink nods respectively, striding forward with powerful footsteps to where Hampton stands, surrounded by the other High Chamber members.
    A large steel bowl rises from the floor of the stage, with another larger bowl of concrete surrounding it. It looks like a fountain of some sort, lacking water.
    The High Chamber members take a few steps back, away from