we going to—” My words caught in my throat as I halted mid-stride.
We stared out over the bay. Airships hung over the harbor, their Daimler engines choking out black smoke, a dark haze conflicting with the purple-orange night sky. Giant, round swells above the ships reflected the lights of the pier against their shiny silver. And their canvas sails reached out over the inky water, beating in the breeze.
“They’re here.” I turned toward Jace. “And more than just their Council.” I glanced at the three huge airships in our harbor. “That Narco at the club had a neck tatt, and I felt the heat rolling off his hands. What are we…” My words died again as I saw the three Narcos making their way toward us. Crap. Why would our Council agree to a Treaty Act? And why the hell would they ever allow the Narcolym into Haven Falls?
Jace pushed me behind him. “Let me handle it.”
I attempted to get around him, wanting to hit the stupid Narco one last time. “I don’t need you protecting me, Jace. What the hell is all that training for, then?”
He shot me an impatient look. “Please, Dez. Just…look after Lana.”
I studied my best friend’s panic-stricken face, and gave her a weak smile.
The Narco that had pinned me to the wall, Reese, and his two thugs marched toward us.
“Great,” Nick breathed. “Guess it’s on now.”
Jace and Nick stepped in front of Lana and me.
Reese stopped right in front of them. “I guess you didn’t come out to play alone, after all.” He grinned at me, then looked at Jace and cocked his head. “Do you really want to do this?” he asked.
Jace cracked his knuckles. “Don’t see why not.”
Reese rubbed his hands together and they flamed red as heat built in their center. A red glow snaked around and up his forearm. “You’re not ready.” His eyes flared. “I thought you might have some tatts, but you’re powerless. And besides”—he nodded toward his two buddies—“we’d get in trouble for disturbing the peace. Though it might’ve been worth it if you were full shifters.”
The Narcos beside Reese waved their hands at us as if we’d wasted their time. I released a breath that I didn’t know I’d been holding. As much as I wanted to take the guy’s head off, I was more worried about my friends getting hurt.
I turned to Lana. “Let’s get out of here.” Then to Jace, I added, “Come on, let it go.”
Jace balled his hands by his thighs, white knuckled. “He can’t get away with treating you like that.”
I laid my hand on his shoulder. “Jace…” And with just his name, he relaxed his hands and turned to go.
As we neared the bike ramp, I glanced over my shoulder. Reese’s glowing red arms faded as he passed under dimly lit gas lamps. We were almost to Jace and Nick’s levibikes when I looked back one last time. Reese waved—a smile spreading across his face. Then he winked at me.
My birthday was right around the corner. I’d be seventeen and have my full power, and then I’d see that Narco hothead again. Treaty Act my ass.
Chapter Two
“DUDE, DID YOU SEE that Narco’s arms?” Nick asked Jace over the low hum of the levibikes. He pushed his goggles onto the top of his head and stared wide-eyed at Jace. “I think I shat myself a bit.”
Jace kicked his levibike into a higher gear. He shook with laughter in my arms, and I sighed with relief as his tense form melted. Pressing myself closer to him, I rested my cheek against his back. Then I thought better and scooted farther down on the leather seat, making some room between us. The steam engine warmed my calves, and I gripped the brass handles, balancing myself as Jace took a sharp curve.
We bobbed as the levibike hovered over the cobbled roadway. Haven Falls, our protected sanctuary, was built on top of earth magnet. Steam-powered machines floated along the city streets, propelled by an equal amount of opposite magnetic energy built into their frames. I studied the two-story buildings—their windows lit up like twinkling stars—trying to envision what might change as the Narcolym invaded, and also wondering if it would affect my change.
Lana gave an exasperated huff. “Sit farther up.” She slapped Nick’s shoulder before adjusting her seating on the back of his levibike. Nick always drove, leaving Lana stewing from behind. “Not that his arms weren’t something to gawk at, but I’m more concerned about