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  Cyndra opened her mouth to answer, but Milo cut her off.

  “You’re not staying, are you?”

  “No, I’m not,” she answered. “I have to sell my shop and go to the Southzone. There are some people I need to find. It’s important and Rune and I are the only ones who can find them.”

  “Why?” Mavi said, holding back tears.

  “We’re the best trackers,” Cyndra said, glancing back, aware Rune was listening if out of view.

  “Will you come back or are you gonna vanish like everyone else who leaves the village?” Milo snapped in typical teenaged fashion and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I’m not staying in the south, but no, I’m probably not coming back to live in the village. I have something, for both of you and more I can tell you later. When I’m settled, after…all this is done, I’ll visit and you’ll be able to visit me—”

  “That’s what they all say,” Milo said before stalking out of the shop.

  Mavi frowned and took hold of Cyndra’s hand. “How long are you staying?”

  “I’m not sure, Mavi,” she answered and knelt down to meet her eyes. “I have to talk to the council about buying my trailer, but I won’t leave until I talk to Milo and see your dad.”

  “I’ll check on him in a bit. I’m sure he went to go tell Kyle, because, you know, boys.” Mavi shrugged. “Everyone’s leaving, if you have to go, Cyndra, you have to go. That’s what Dad says.”

  “When I’m done, Eastzone may be a better place to live, keep your fingers crossed for me, okay? And promise you’ll come back this evening if you don’t see me first, I really do have something for you.”

  “I will,” she replied and came in for another hug before darting away, chasing after her brother.

  Twins? Rune asked, appearing from behind the shelving unit.

  “Milo’s fourteen, older by a year.”

  When you said kids, I was expecting…six-year-olds. We can figure out something else, Cyndra, you shouldn’t have to sell your home just so we can get to Southzone.

  “I’ve already decided, Rune. Honest, it’s okay,” Cyndra said, walking back toward the counter to mask the lie. She met Zorin’s frowning face when she glanced between the curtain rod and doorframe. The heat returned to her body instantly. He held her stare as she replied. “Why don’t you check out the town? I need to take inventory for the council so I get a decent offer.”

  Do you want anything while I’m out?

  “Something cold to drink if you find a good deal.” Cyndra spun and followed him back to the exit, hefted the door open to let him out, only to see Kyle heading her way. One thing she did not miss about the village life was the speed of news traveling. She kept the door open and tilted her head when he smiled. “Well at least one of you is happy I’m here.”

  “Boyfriend?” Kyle asked as Rune rounded the ZGuard station, heading toward the busy part of the marketplace.

  “Friend,” she replied and lifted her eyebrow high for effect. “Why?”

  “Hate to tell you this, Cyn, but Milo’s got a crush on you,” Kyle said through a chuckle and entered the shop. “Wouldn’t be the first, right?”

  “You out grew it, so will he. Hope you’re not making fun of him.”

  “No. I did, however, tell him not to tell you. Be prepared anyway,” he said, blushing a bit, similar to when he confessed his crush on her three years ago when he was the same age as Milo. “Anyway, he said you’re heading south and I’m going north tomorrow for one more pre-training course with your friend before I go to Zonecorps. Wanted to, ah, say thanks and all. You’re an awesome friend, Cyndra.”

  “I didn’t know you were leaving so soon, no wonder Milo’s pissed.” She frowned and rubbed the back of her neck as she walked to one of the two duffle bags on the counter. “I have something for you. My friends and I found a great bargain during our travels.”

  Kyle came to her side and shook his head. “No way, Cyn, I can’t take all this.”

  “You can and will. Trade it, get what you need for your trip. I’m giving the rest to Freddie. He can do whatever he needs to do with it so he can take care of those two.”

  “How can you affor—”

  “I made a good trade, trust me, kiddo.”

  “This place never deserved you—” Kyle flinched and glanced toward her sleeping area. “What the fuck is that?”

  Cyndra whipped her head around. The tip of Zorin’s wing peeked through the curtain. “My uh, gargoyle tapestry. Found it in an abandoned, ah, lighthouse.”

  He jumped back. “It moved.”

  “Must be the wind,” Cyndra said, shoving the duffle bag in his arms. “The fabric is ripped, that’s why it’s in back. I can’t display it until I sew it.”

  “Oh.” He chuckled nervously, glancing back again.

  Cyndra pushed on the bag to get his attention, shocked at the realization he saw Zorin. “I want to see Milo before I leave. Mavi said she’d talk to him, but we both know he won’t listen to his little sister, but he may listen to you. Tell him the whole story. Maybe it’ll work.”

  “If you’re sure, Cyndra.”

  “Everyone has crushes, I was no different at his age, and no, I’m not telling you. Go be a good friend.”

  “I’ll do my best,” he said, heading toward the door.

  “That’s all I can ask.” Cyndra rounded the counter and pulled the curtain all the way before he looked back. “Swing by later, I’ll be here for a while. Lock the door for me.”

  “You got it, see ya.”

  Cyndra didn’t wait for him to leave and ducked around the curtain, meeting Zorin’s worried gaze.

  “He saw me.”

  “How can he see you?”

  “You called me a gargoyle again.”

  Cyndra frowned. “How can he see you, Zorin?”

  “He must be a caster—”

  “Can’t be, he’s only seventeen,” Cyndra said, shaking her head.

  “A siphon?”

  “Shit. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Do you think he’ll start to sense me and Rune or our crystals?”

  “I’m not sure. Do you know his parents?”

  “Not personally. He lives with his father on the far side of the village. Shit.”

  “The boy said he’s going away, perhaps that’s for the best,” Zorin said, approaching slowly.

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  “I should have known how much these people relied on you.” The regret in his voice churned her insides. “We can find another solution to the money problem.”

  “It’s not that, I’m giving up this life by choice for a reason.”

  “Then what’s bothering you, Cyndra?” He inched closer, coaxing her powers to spring to life and draw him near.

  “I’m terrified about what comes next.”

  “We all are.”

  “This is my problem, Zorin. There are thousands of people inside that mirror-realm waiting on me to decide what to do. My family’s stuck in that whacked out prison with a crazy psycho bitch who almost killed us.” She balled her hands trying to hold back the raging powers, knowing her emotions were making it impossible. “More casters may be out there, running from soulless and wraiths they don’t even understand. Now there’s a siphon in my village? It’s too much.”

  “Then put it all aside and focus on what’s most important.”

  “How do I decide that?”

  He stepped closer, tempting her with his energy. “Weigh the risks and consequences, figure out—”

  “I can’t think when you’re around,” she grunted, feeling her skin sizzle and the power of her fire fill her right arm.

  “Do you want me to go?”

  “No…stay,” she whispered.

  He froze, stared down at her. “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

  “Not yet.” She shook her head, the confession stuck in her throat.

  “Because?”

  You felt it last time, there’s no stopping the siphon whe
n—

  We touch, he replied, wrapping his fingers around the back of her neck. Drawing her near, Zorin absorbed the raging heat, making her dizzy. She palmed his chest, spilling more of her fire into his body, needing to cool down. He rumbled against her ear. Give me your energy, Cyndra.

  “I can’t,” she whispered, brushing her hand along his chest. “Once you feel…the rest of this, you’ll want what I want and I’m...”

  “I already want you,” he said softly, lowering his mouth to her cheek, taking more heat from her body with each caress of his lips.

  “But you’re not—” She shook her head, breaking from his grasp, trying not to think anymore because her whole body started shaking.

  “Not what?” He stepped toward her, breathing heavier.

  “You’ll push me away again.”

  “No, Cyndra, never.”

  “Don’t say that,” Cyndra shut her eyes and backed into the wall.

  “Why?” He inched closer, cooling and exciting her simply by being near.

  “Go, Zorin,” she whispered, trying to breathe. “You have no idea what this feels like.”

  I think I do, he projected as his hands fell to her waist. Zorin pressed his forehead to hers. Let me ease your fire, Cyndra.

  She tilted her head to meet his eyes. Sliding both hands up his chest made him tremble, and releasing her fire warmed his skin. Something new and exciting sparked in his eyes, making her throb, though she knew better than to clench her thighs this time.

  Give me your energy.

  Are you sure?

  Yes.

  With the fingertips of her left hand, Cyndra reached up and traced his mouth, feeding him her energy, unable to stop the rising heat or the yearning deep in her body. Zorin growled and dipped his head down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back, feeling her legs give when he siphoned her. In return, she gave him an extra blast of fire. His body responded, growing hard and ready for what she wanted, exactly what she needed. He had to know the truth.

  “More,” she groaned against his ear as she slid her hand down his stomach.

  He captured her wrist an inch from his waistband and met her eyes. “More what, caster?”

  “You,” she cooed and trapped his mouth as she pushed her energy, emotions, and all her fire through the siphon, their bond, and her kiss. Heading toward madness, Cyndra shoved his hand beneath her shirt instead, desperate for what only he could give her. Touch me, Zorin.

  Chapter 5

  Zorin went still, hearing her words and understanding exactly what she meant when her energy flooded his skin. Cyndra’s arousal matched his. The desire propelling her actions tested the last of his resolve. Already hard and longing for her, he parted from her lips and gazed down, wishing he could be what she deserved. “Cyndra.”

  Don’t stop, she projected. I want you, right now.

  “And I feel the same, but—”

  “No holding back. No pushing each other away.”

  “I’ve no idea what this form craves.”

  That’s exactly what I want to find out, don’t you? She stared up at him with wild eyes and darkening cheeks. I want you to touch me and siphon me and fuck me while I touch you and feed you and feel you inside me.

  Shocked by her candor, yet unwilling to let her go, Zorin tightened the arm around her back and slid his hand beneath her shirt to cup her bare breast. Cyndra tilted her head back and moaned, arousing the depths of his soul, stripping his will to fight. I won’t refuse you, if this is what you want, Cyndra.

  “I need you. You started this storm inside me, only you can put it out, Zorin.”

  Hearing the truth of her desire, feeling her body quiver when he teased her nipple, Zorin leaned closer, staring into her eyes. “Only I can ease the storm?”

  Cyndra rubbed her heat against his erection as her cheeks flared. Yes.

  “I will take you right here until you scream my name, caster,” he murmured against her lips, brushing them slightly, purposefully teasing her now. “Or we can wait until—”

  “Cyndra?” A voice he didn’t recognize called her name from the front of the shop. Zorin went still while she sighed against his cheek and quaked. The man called again. “Cyndra Raine?”

  Slipping his hands from her blazing skin, Zorin stepped back and gazed down at the shivering caster.

  “I can’t move.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Siphon me.”

  “Cyndra?” The man raised his voice.

  “Be right there,” she called, as her trembling fingers wrapped around his wrist. “Only if you can…I—”

  “I can,” he replied, opening the siphon fully to draw down her power until she stopped shaking. She squeezed his forearm, adjusted her shirt, and whispered thank you before darting into the shop, leaving him with her lust fill energy and blistering fire whirling through his body.

  “Um, hi,” she said with a hint of surprise in her voice.

  Zorin moved closer to the curtain to peek between the rod and doorframe. A man a couple inches taller than Cyndra with light hair and dark eyes smiled as he entered the shop.

  “All this time…it’s really you,” the man said, lifting his right hand, showing her the wavy lines of the watercasting brand. “It’s me, Jack.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Remember yet? We were on the island together before the flare. I’m a caster, just like you. Your grandfather, the Shield, was protecting us,” he said, pulling a crystal, smaller than the ones she and Rune carried to show her.

  Are you getting a caster vibe? Cyndra asked him without looking back, pretending to study the pendant.

  Zorin filtered through everything Cyndra left behind during her last kiss trying to determine who had come to her shop. I’m unsure. Keep him talking.

  “You knew my grandfather?”

  “Yes.” He grinned. “My memories started returning a few weeks ago, but I didn’t put it together until—”

  Cyndra’s shoulders tensed. “What’s your family name?”

  “I still don’t know, the family who adopted me told me this crystal is all I had on me when they found me in the group home a few months after the flare.”

  “How did you know I’m a caster?”

  “You were one of my memories. And Kyle, well, he didn’t really buy your story. He told me what he saw in the back and it all clicked.” He tilted to the side to look around her.

  Zorin moved away from the doorway, clenching his hands.

  “A tapestry?” Cyndra chuckled, trying to play off the incident.

  “Of a gargoyle?” The man named Jack laughed louder. “You’ve been to the island. You found him, didn’t you? Are you still here, Zorin?”

  Shocked hearing the man call his name, he glanced into the room. Cyndra and Jack stared at the curtain. When she nodded her head slightly, Zorin entered the shop to see the man smiling.

  “You know me?” Zorin asked, watching the man’s face and listening carefully.

  The smile faded. “You don’t remember either?”

  Zorin stepped closer to Cyndra and studied the man’s eyes. Jack didn’t look familiar, and with the apprehension coming from Cyndra, Zorin had to be certain this wasn’t another soulless trick or scheme of Mergan’s. “No, but it seems you do.”

  “Silvio said I’d have an easier time recalling memories since I was ten when the flare hit, on the cusp of awakening.”

  “Most casters awaken—”

  “Much earlier, I know. My parents didn’t want me to become a target for the normals—Human factions and their siphons. They did everything they could to stall the process.” Jack shook his head. “I’ve remembered something new almost every day for the last few weeks since Silvio died. I’m really sorry, Cyndra.”

  “This…is. I just can’t right now,” she said, shooting Zorin a look he’d never seen then darting around the counter and vanishing behind the privacy curtain.

  “Damn it, I thought they had a plan. D
idn’t she get a crystal? Or a note—” Jack began.

  “She did,” Zorin said, realizing he had no business sharing any information with this man, yet feeling a strong desire to trust him. Before he had a chance to ask a question, Rune walked into the shop smiling, which slowly faded seeing Jack standing beside him.

  Who’s that? Rune asked as he narrowed his gaze and reached for his belt.

  “Said his name is Jack. He’s from this village,” he replied, watching the man lift his right hand, revealing the watercasting symbol. Rune raised his hand, showing the triangular fire brand.

  “Can’t be…little Rune?” Jack said, grinning and signing Rune’s name before reaching out his hand.

  Rune shook it without hesitation. Zorin tensed, waiting for something to happen.

  “I still have trouble believing it’s been twenty-five years, what do you remember?” Jack asked.

  Well, Cyndra and I— Rune projected while signing.

  “Rune,” Zorin called softly.

  Where is she?

  “In back, we should have a word,” Zorin prodded carefully.

  Jack smirked. “It’s cool. I’ll wait. Have a chat.”

  Zorin followed Rune around the counter and into the sleeping area, only to find it empty. With her energy and fire still churning through his body, he didn’t know if she was near or far, and by the look on Rune’s face, he was just as concerned.

  Who is this guy?

  I don’t know, Rune. He knew all our names and says he was on the island with you and Cyndra.

  He seems normal to me, but what do you think?

  As far as I can tell he is a caster, I’m somewhat overloaded at the moment, but he has not lied, that much I know.

  How?

  Zorin smirked, unsure he wanted to give his secret away.

  Rune pouted. Aw, come on tell me.

  I can hear the human heartbeat if I focus.

  Amazing.

  “It can be distracting.”

  So what do you want to do?

  “You go find Cyndra and I’ll talk with our new caster friend, Jack, and see what else he remembers. Confirm what I can.”

  Rune nodded, picked up a carrot from the top of the stuffed backpack, and took the rear door out of the trailer. Once alone, Zorin shook his limbs and wings, trying to release some of Cyndra’s wild energy from his skin, and returned to the shop to see Jack glancing casually at the items she had for sale or trade.