Frostbite (Touch of Frost) by Lynn Rush Page A

about it,” Scott said. “Mandy saw Mom use the power the day our folks were killed.”
    Georgia’s jaw fell open.
    “It’s a long story, G, but in a nutshell, Mom somehow got these frosty powers. People were after her, maybe to study her. Then they killed both Mom and Dad. They found out about my powers, and now they hunt me. My last name isn’t even Smith.”
    She shook her head side-to-side so hard her entire body jiggled.
    “I couldn’t tell you, Georgia. I’m sorry. I can’t tell anyone. I was so scared when you saw me covered in ice. That’s a new thing by the way. It happened last night for the first time ever. I woke up with this hair and these nails. I don’t know what it means. I don’t know why I have these powers. And I don’t know why all this is happening to you now, too.”
    “I think my head’s going to explode.”
    “I’m sorry.” I yanked her into my arms.
    I felt so bad, but also relieved. Totally selfish of me, I know, but to have someone who was like me…that just meant I wasn’t alone anymore. Didn’t have to hide myself from the one closest to me besides my brother.
    And now that I thought of it, maybe there were others. People like me and Georgia.
    Scott stood up. “How are you feeling? Do you need something to drink? Mandy woke up thirsty.”
    “Water would be great.” Georgia sagged into the cushions. “What am I going to tell my parents, Mandy?”
    “I’m not sure yet. They won’t understand. Well, unless they have powers, too.”
    She turned her hands palm up, then down, analyzing them. “What can I do?”
    “Maybe what I can, only with heat?” I glanced at Scott as he hurried in with her water.
    “Here.”
    “Thanks.” She gulped most of it.
    The lights flickered off her nails. I thought I even smelled singed hair, but aside from being a little damp, her hair was fine.
    “Let me show you.” I touched the bottom of her glass with my forefinger, and it froze. Rather quickly, too. It surprised even me. It felt easier for some reason.
    Maybe because I’d been practicing more lately?
    “Whoa. How’d you do that?”
    “I concentrated on freezing it. Usually works, unless I’m all worked up and it sometimes slips out. Like tonight at the movies. I totally froze my soda.”
    “That’s why you ran into the bathroom!”
    “And then Zach had to go and kiss me like there was no tomorrow. That’s what threw me into the ice-cocoon you found me in. At least that’s the theory I’m going with for now.” I nodded at Georgia. “Give it a try.”
    She stared at the glass. Her knuckles whitened as her grip tightened. Her nostrils flared, then she let out a breath. “Not working.”
    “We’ll figure it out. We’ll get you some control.” I patted her hand.
    “What if I erupt into a ball of flames and burn my house down?”
    “No. No. I won’t let that happen. I—”
    “How? You can’t be with me twenty-four-seven, Mandy. What if I have a wicked-dream and torch up? What if—” She tugged at her hair. “God, what if I hurt someone?”
    “You won’t. We’ll practice. I’ll put the frost on any flames that show up. We’ll figure this out. I swear we’ll figure this out.”
    Her knowing about the depths of my freakiness made a fifty-pound weight slide off my shoulders. I didn’t have anyone to help me through this supernatural crap, but I could help her. Train her.
    That made me even more determined to find a way to stay here with her.
    And come to think of it, Georgia was taking this all pretty well—
    “Try it again, Georgia,” Scott said.
    She held the glass in her shaking hands and stared at it. Creases lined her forehead, and she narrowed her eyes.
    I glanced at Scott. He shrugged. Hey, was that lipstick on his neck? I shook my head and set my attention on Georgia. Her fingernails glowed like a fiery sunset trapped beneath her skin.
    The ice crackled. The red tint traveled into her hand, then up her arm.
    The ice melted into water. The next