Destiny's Fire - By Trisha Wolfe Page 0,11

now I’d be in more danger if one of them were to discover something was different about me.

“Hey.” Jace nudged my shoulder, interrupting my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

I lowered my gaze to the table. “Yeah. This just can’t be happening.” I looked up into his fierce blue eyes, wishing more than ever mine were the same. “What do they hope to accomplish?”

Nick tossed his menu down. “Nothing. It’s all bull, and they know it.”

“The Narcos know they have us,” Jace said. “We were forced into hiding after we signed that damn Treaty Act. Now, they want to finish us off. Or worse.”

Lana shuddered. “What could be worse than that?”

Jace took in a sharp breath. “Part of the Treaty Act banned us from using our power in the human world, remember?” He glanced around the table, as if he was a teacher frustrated with his lazy class. “The Narcolym used their power to usher the world into a new era, one run by their Flame—steam. It powers everything in the human world. But our power…it’s much more efficient.”

Lana’s eyes brightened. “Like what Devon does at Cogs.” She beamed, and I smiled at her. She could always find a way to bring up her crush.

Jace nodded. “Exactly. I think if they had no use for us, like the Leymak race, they’d have already killed us off. But they haven’t. Not yet. Not until they know for sure they can’t harness our power for themselves.” He looked at the table. “Finding a purpose in the world is the only way Kythan can survive.”

Jace was right. We’d been created to serve—to protect. We were a species designed by the magics of Egyptian sorcerers—guardian shape-shifters that had once watched over pharaohs. But that era was over. Those magics nearly forgotten, buried deep within the earth, just like the mummies of that time. It was getting harder for the Shythe to find ways to serve humans. I squirmed in my seat.

Nick looked up. “Where’s our waitress?”

Lana nudged his shoulder. “Nick, you have to order at the counter. They only bring you the food.”

“God, why didn’t you tell me that before?” He pushed his chair out. “I’m starving.”

Lana followed behind him. “Want me to order you guys something?” She asked over her shoulder.

I shook my head no, but Jace nodded. “Whatever’s fine.”

We were both silent for a moment. I watched him draw invisible circles on the table with his finger. “Dez,” he said, still staring at the table.

“Yeah?”

“Sorry to get all serious on you. I didn’t mean to make you worry more.” He peeked up.

I shook my head. “No. We have to talk about this stuff. We need to be prepared for whatever’s going to happen.” I paused, considering. “I can’t help thinking…”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“The Narcos changed the world with their Flame.” A beat. “They built airships, steam autos, even our levibikes.” I thought of my mother’s Charge. “Our power gets weaker every day. Our magics are lost more and more. Does that mean we’ll cease to exist?”

“No, Dez.” He took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. “Kythan were given magics, created by it, but the Narcolym survive because they found another purpose for their power. We can’t allow this Treaty Act to continue. If they get their way, and we don’t use our power, that’ll be the only way we cease. And I won’t allow that to happen.”

Jace hated the Narcos more than anyone. His siblings teased him over the years, calling him a rebel. But now I saw the strength in his eyes. He’d fight to protect our kind—his kind. It made my heart swell and fall all at the same time. Would he still look at me the same if he knew the truth about me?

Jace released my hand as Lana and Nick returned. “What did you order me?” Jace asked. His face quickly fell as he took in Lana’s pinched face. Her eyes shone a powerful blue, indicating she was worried.

“I ordered you something, but I think we should go,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.

“What is it Lane?” Jace asked.

Before she could answer, he shot up, knocking his chair to the floor. I craned my neck to look out the windows surrounding the diner. Crap.

Making their way up to the double doors were the three Narcos from the club. Reese stopped suddenly, noticing me through the glass. He waved at Jace, then looked at me, puckering his lips into a kiss.

“Screw it,” Jace said. “He’s dead.”

Chapter Four

I GRABBED JACE’S ARM. “Don’t.”

He