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“They are evacuating to the other ships,” Noratu told her. “Just contain the blaze until everyone is off.”
Flora trembled. She had no energy left. “Power exchange. I can’t hold it on my own.”
It was a brand-new skill. They had barely begun to explore her new aptitude. Draven took control of the meld, soothing her with his confidence and calmness.
You can do this. We can do it. Just open the conduit and trust your mates.
It was more complicated than that, but she didn’t argue. She silenced her insecurities and backed off her emotions. Noratu fed her energy, a thin ribbon of fire to begin with, then stronger, hotter, more intense. Draven guided the energy into the conduit, but paused, waiting for her to signal that she was ready.
Flora quickly pictured the square building. Hot and combustible, the Altorian energy sizzled and glowed. She cooled it, gradually transforming one element into another. Steam rose as the flames began to liquefy.
Now!she urged.I can feel the power exchanging.
Draven pushed the energy out through the conduit. Silver-blue light arched toward the other ship, transforming into water a millisecond before it made contact with the damaged area.
“What are they doing?” one of the trainees asked, his voice hushed with awe. “What isshedoing?”
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
She tuned out the distraction and assured her mates,I’ve got it. You can go faster.
Energy flowed in a steady stream, the power exchange smooth and instantaneous. Flora released the visualization and focused on the feeling. It felt natural now, a visceral part of who she was.
“They are all off,” Noratu told her. “We did it. No, you did it! Everyone is safe.”
Draven pulled back, easing out of the meld. The silver-blue energy sputtered out and Flora’s legs buckled. Noratu caught her, kept her from collapsing completely.
The wounded ship exploded as the other two jumped to hyperspace. Flora watched the ball of fire disappear as hyperspace closed in around them.
“That was amazing,” one of the trainees praised.
Flora’s vision blurred. Noratu sat down on the platform and pulled her onto his lap.
“If she’s from Altor,” someone else was saying, “how did she manifest water?”
Draven shooed most of the trainees from the room. He allowed Cylex to stay and told him to stand guard by the door.
“They are right, firebird.” Noratu brushed the hair back from her face and smiled at her. “That was amazing.”
“I wasn’t sure I could do it.” She blew out a shaky breath. “We’d only practiced it a few times.”
“Necessity is often the best teacher.” Draven joined them on the floor, sitting so he could see her face. “It usually takes conduits years to achieve the sort of control that you displayed today. And that doesn’t include the power exchange. That is a skill that most triads can only dream about.”
She just smiled, too damn tired for any other reaction.
“Once word spreads about this, and thanks to the trainees it will, we are going to be flooded with proposals for Cara and Raina,” Noratu predicted.
“They all have different mothers,” Draven reminded. “There is no guarantee that they will have this sort of power.”
“They won’t care,” Noratu said. “They will not be able to resist the possibility of bonding with someone this exceptional.”
Draven nodded then climbed back to his feet. “Raina and Cara are going to need a higher level of security.” He approached Cylex. “If I ask permission to train you personally, are you willing to change mentors?”
“Yes, sir, but may I ask why?”
“I would like to hire you as a bodyguard for my mate’s cousins. It would become your primary responsibility and I will train you at an accelerated rate in my spare time.”
Cylex stared at Draven for a long, silent moment. His features were expressionless. “Why are you so sure you can trust me?”
