Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe Page A

himself in front of me. “Meditation.”
    I quirked an eyebrow. “Seriously? I thought we’d jump straight into Charge. I need to be able to use it before I go to the Academy.”
    “That’s what we’re doing.” He placed my hands on my knees, turning my palms up. “You have to feel each power inside you—be able to separate them. And that takes concentration at first. Meditation helps clear your mind, center you, so you can find them.”
    “I honestly didn’t take you for the meditating type.” My lips twitched into small smile. “Narcos are supposed to be all hot tempered, not yoga masters.”
    “Stereotype. We are pretty hot, though.” He grinned. “Now focus. Close your eyes. Hear the river and clear your thoughts.”
    I felt ridiculous, but I did as he asked. Reese released my hands, and I sat still, listening to the river’s trickle. I had no idea what I was supposed to be feeling or what was supposed to happen. Nervous energy crept into me.
    After about ten minutes of sitting in silence, I couldn’t take anymore. “Ugh, this is pointless.” I jumped to my feet. “I don’t have time for this. I have to learn how to use Charge now. In less than a week, I’ll be at the Academy and expected to…Oh, I have no idea, but they’ll definitely want me to do something with it.” I huffed. “Or worse, I’ll be—” I bit back my rant. I didn’t want to think about—or admit—that I could be gone. I’d never see Reese or my friends again.
    I stared out over the river, scuffing my boot against the bank. Then Reese’s arms wrapped around me from behind. He rested his chin on my shoulder.
    “I know how you feel.” His breath caressed my ear. “When I was told I was coming here, I didn’t have much time to get it together. I didn’t even know if I could.” He turned me around to face him. “But you can do this.”
    “You’re not supposed to be all calm support-o guy.”
    “Yes, I am.” He smiled.
    Taking my hands in his, he brought them before me. He pressed his palms to mine, linking our hands together between us. His head dipped lower, and he brushed his lips gently against mine. A shock jolted beneath my hands, and something hummed, tickling my palms. I cracked an eye open. His hands glowed blue. But mine were illuminated blue, also.
    He drew back, and I stared at our joined hands. As the light spread up his forearm, it reached down mine, and sparks crackled between our palms. I looked into his bright blue eyes.
    “What color are my eyes?” I asked, my voice shaking.
    He beamed at me. “Blue.” Reese broke the connection and grasped my face, pulling me to him. He kissed me hungrily. And I gave in as he lowered me to the bank.
    Pine needles pressed into my back as he hovered above me, running his fiery hands along my arms. I felt my Shythe power building, and I stroked his chest, sending waves of Charge over his skin. He groaned against my lips.
    He lifted his head, his eyes burning red. “I had no idea Shythe power could be this fun.” He buried his head between my shoulder and neck, roaming his warm lips over my skin.
    Shivers wracked my body. Although I knew Reese wouldn’t harm me, as his lips moved over my Kythan ink, my body tensed. Jace had been so adamant during training about protecting our power source. My first instinct was to pull away, but I fought it, allowing myself to relax in his arms.
    He rose up and stared down at my ink. “Show me. Shift. I’ve been going crazy wondering what you look like in Kythan form.”
    My stomach dropped. “I can’t.” I pushed away and sat up.
    Reese’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean? You haven’t shifted yet?” He moved closer, and ran his hand along my arm.
    “No,” I said, averting my eyes. “I mean, I did. But that’s when that crazy power took over. I don’t want to try again until I know I can control it.” I blew out a long breath. “Maybe after I get control over both powers I can do it without going all