All of Fablehaven the ownership of Brandon Mull. As with all Fanfiction, I am simply building my own stories in someone else's sandbox.

Tanu was already waiting for him when he opened the door. The inside of the room was thick with mist, like after a hot shower. Seth inhaled deeply and smiled. "Really? Trying to magically influence my emotions?"

Tanu shrugged and grinned weakly. "Can't blame me for trying what I do best, right? I knew one emotion wouldn't cut it, so I tried all of them." He spread his hands wide and gestured at the mist in the room. "I used up my entire stock. Can't you indulge me and say you at least feel something?"

Seth smiled again, but there was no humor in it. "Sorry, I can't feel anything."

"You're no fun anymore."

"So I've been told. Many times now, in fact."

"I used to let you win at checkers. Let me win this one?"

"No," Seth's smile disappeared and the temperature in the room seemed to drop below freezing. "This isn't a game anymore, Tanu. No one gets to let me do anything anymore. I do what I want, when I want. I'm done living under other people's rules. Not you, not the Sphinx, not Stan, not anyone."

For the first time, Tanu's joking demeanor dropped. "I heard what you did to them. Everyone's heard. They were your grandparents; how could you do something like that?"

"I did what I had to do. I'm free to make my own decisions now." Only if someone had been listening carefully would they have heard the slight tremor in Seth's voice as he spoke those words.

"Tanu looked down for a moment. When he looked back up, his gaze held nothing but determination. "You'll forgive me then, for doing what I have to do as well."

In one swift motion, Tanu pulled out a small bottle and emptied it into his mouth. Nearly instantly, he began to grow, shredding his outer garments as his giant's potion did its work.

Unfortunately for the potions master, Seth was faster. He quickly raised his hand up and concentrated. This time, the temperature in the room really did drop, quickly plunging below freezing. The mist around Tanu's growing form solidified into a wall of ice, freezing his giant body in place. Before Tanu could break free, Seth had drawn Vasilis. A single strike ended it.

"Sorry Tanu. No one treats me like a kid anymore."

Reviews keep me going. Also requests if anyone wants Seth to take down someone specific.

I am full aware thermodynamics wouldn't actually work like that. Magic.