Somewhere under the pain and fear, she recognised someone trying to help, and fought the muscle spasms even harder, sliding up through layers of unconsciousness. She couldn’t quite surface, though; just close enough that some of the emotional energy diverted into fire again, limning her fingers in flame.
He jumped back slightly at the sight of the fire. Um, I don’t know if you can hear me, but I need you to please put out the fire, he tried to tell her through telepathy. I really don’t want you to either get caught using magic or accidentally light the bed you’re laying in on fire. Biting his lip, Merlin tried to figure out what to do without panicking. He didn’t have enough control over his magic yet to risk any healing spells.
Oddly, though her hands were swathed in fire, nothing /caught/ flame. Slowly, the flames sank into her skin, leaving behind nothing but a memory — and then a muscle in her back contracted, pulling her into an agonising arch for long moments before letting her go. Another cry was torn from her lips while she strained against the spasm, strained to reach the surface of consciousness.
Okay, Merlin, calm down. Now would NOT be a good time to start panicking. He was starting to think that he shouldn’t have asked her to put out her flames, but the fact that she had put them out at all hinted that she might be close to consciousness. Merlin placed his hands lightly on her arm and, remembering that heat was supposed to be good for muscles or something, tried to use magic to subtly transfer some heat from the fire in the grate more directly to the girl’s muscles. Please, wake up if you can hear me. I know it probably hurts, but I need to know that you will be able to wake up again.
Consciousness meant pain. Involuntarily Summer projected, fear / pain / resistance / negation, but even her own body was resisting the coma now, and slowly her eyes slipped open. A wholly unfamiliar face hovered over her, dark eyed and dark haired and sharp with bones. In fact, nothing at all was familiar, and a whimper escaped her.
Merlin shushed her gently and offered her a small smile. It’s okay. You’re safe, he assured Summer telepathically. I’m sorry if I scared you. I found you in the street and brought you here.
He wasn’t lying, she could tell that immediately. He believed she was safe, and he was speaking into her mind.
Magic.
He had magic too. And he was telling her she was safe.
Summer didn’t actually relax any, but the spasms softened, leaving her muscles aching. “Where am I?” she whispered. “Who are you?”