Free Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

back in there all poo would hit the fan.”
    “Thanks. Yeah, I was fine.” I gave Jace an apologetic smile. “Come on, let’s go. This place is had. Think I’m over birthdays for one year.”
    Jace stepped in front of me. “Are you all right?”
    “Everything’s cool.” I smiled wanly. “I think we did a good job of diverting. What do you think?”
    “Best damn job ever.” His lips twisted into a grin. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
    Tucking my bustle beneath me, I sat sidesaddle and wrapped my arms around his waist. He cranked the levibike. Then handed me his goggles. “It’s pretty nasty with bugs tonight,” he said.
    “Thanks.” I slipped the goggles over my head, absently adjusting them, my mind still lost back in the club.
    We were all quiet as we zoomed down the roadways. I was relieved Lana wasn’t in a talkative mood. I didn’t have the energy to talk over the levibikes, faking nonchalance. As Nick turned down their road, I waved to them, and Jace and I kept on toward my unit. I only lived five minutes from them, but the ride felt longer as my thoughts spun. I couldn’t piece anything together.
    Jace hovered up to my walkway and killed the engine. The silence was startling. He turned around, facing me. “Hey,” he said, bringing me out of my trance.
    “Oh,” I said, glancing at my unit. “We’re here.” I pulled the goggles off and handed them to Jace, then jumped off the levibike.
    Jace caught my hand. “Dez,” he said lightly, and I turned toward him. “I know Sylvia’s going to have you on lockdown through the change, probably starting tomorrow. So I wanted to give you something before you go.”
    “You didn’t have to get me anything.” Knowing Jace, it was probably a new weapon.
    He reached into his pocket and brought out a small, black box. I accepted it, hesitantly running my fingers over the velvet case before lifting the lid. Inside was a silver bracelet, and as I removed it from the box and held it up, a bright blue gemstone dangled from the delicate chain.
    “Jace…”
    He rubbed the back of his neck. “I just wanted to get you something. You know, for the change.”
    “It’s beautiful.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you.”
    He tentatively hugged me back. “It matches your eyes. I know it’s cheesy, because we all have blue eyes, but yours are actually a shade darker. Like topaz. And…ah, hell.”
    I drew back, forcing the lump in my throat down as I stared at the gem. It did match my eyes. My blue lens-covered eyes. “I don’t think it’s cheesy.”
    “You don’t?” He arched an eyebrow.
    I shook my head. “No. It’s really pretty.” I smiled.
    He glanced at the cobbled street. “When things calm down around here, after you complete the change and are feeling better…” He paused, looking up and staring intently at me. “I was thinking—”
    “Training?” I broke in, beating him to it. I knew Jace was dying to test my power in a sparring match.
    His eyes fell. “Yeah. That’s what I was going to say.”
    “Sure.” I was confident now that I’d actually be able to show him my power after what Reese had told me. “You know I’m up for it.”
    “All right,” he said. “Good luck. I’ll tell Lana you’ll contact her on the communicator. She’ll be going crazy until she hears from you.”
    “Thanks again for my present.” I clutched the case. “I’ll talk to you guys soon.”
    He started his levibike and glanced at me, giving me a small smile. I waved, watching him take off down the roadway.
    I was thankful he’d assumed my mom wouldn’t let me out tomorrow. I hadn’t thought of it, but he was probably right. She’d want me close, just in case the change started early. And I needed some time to myself to think about everything that had happened. About what I’d discovered at the club…
    My power. And Reese’s.

    Waiting for my change to begin the next day was maddening. My mom prepared a birthday breakfast of