Absorb

With that one word from D—his look pale, cold, and unearthly, changed
by the single drop of blood he had tasted—the voice was silenced.
Taking two branches from the pile of kindling and holding one in each
hand, D put the end of one against the side of the other and rubbed them
together vigorously. He didn’t appear to put much strength into it, but both
branches burst into flame, and, when they were tossed back onto the mound
of dead wood, heavy black smoke and fierce flames instantly sprung
skyward.

Earth, water, fire, wind—all four elements had been assembled.
“Now it’s your turn,” he said.
His left hand reached for the flames. Then into the flames.
The wind howled, and, perhaps guessing something, even the horse
whinnied.

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