Free Determine by Viola Grace Page B

* * *
    “Well, Breaker?” Starburn crossed his arms and scowled at their telepath.
    She chuckled. “Don’t worry, Starburn. She likes you, a lot. Liskey was just stunned by getting to sit with Guardians.”
    Warp blinked, “She didn’t find any of us attractive?”
    “She thinks you and Tangle are lovely. Starburn is a little dark for her taste, but I am just right.” Breaker laughed and preened.
    Starburn closed his eyes and remembered the creamy skin, the black and silver hair in a riot of curls and the devilish look in her eyes when she teased her friend. Instructor Hydrangea Graham was an interesting woman, and he wanted to cross her path again.

Chapter Two
    H ydra couldn’t stop the soft smile that came over her features every time she thought of that day at the diner. Two weeks later, she and Liskey managed to make it back for another round of forty-seven-ingredient soup, just for comparison, and they felt that familiar prickle in their minds. Other customers collected their orders and left the diner in a few moments.
    This time, the prickle rapidly turned to welcoming warmth. Hydra grinned at Liskey.
    “Did you feel that?”
    Liskey was primping like a madwoman so that was answer enough.
    Chuckling, Hydra quickly ordered a pot of tea and a glass of water. It arrived on her table a moment before the Guardians arrived a little the worse for wear.
    The group staggered over to their table and pulled chairs in. Their armoured uniforms were covered with soot and grime.
    “What happened to you?” Hydra touched the back of Tangle’s hand. He seemed the most stunned out of the batch.
    Starburn looked at her hand and removed it from Tangle’s. “He had to use his talent for an extended period of time. He is a little tired.” She frowned with concern. “You all look like hell.”
    Liskey had been playing charades with the server, and a moment later, there were water glasses and teacups in front of everyone. Liskey poured the water and then did rounds with the tea.
    Tangle drank the first glass of water and held his cup between shaking hands for more. Liskey kept him topped up and summoned another pitcher of water with a glare at the server.
    Hydra noticed that it was a different server than the one she had seen when she and Liskey had arrived. “Breaker, is there a problem with our server?”
    Breaker looked at the young man with weary eyes and she nodded. “He is a reporter. Our regular server is stuck in the chiller.” Hydra was going to sort it out, but Starburn got to his feet and walked behind the counter. There were thuds and curses followed by a bright flash.
    The regular server came out bristling with the indignity of a wet chicken and quickly began taking orders.
    “What was the flash?”
    Starburn resumed his seat next to her. “I toasted his data scanner, but his first images were already sent through. Hopefully, you won’t be recognized.”
    He took her hand as casually as if it was something that he did every day, and damned if it didn’t feel just as natural to Hydra.
    She let him hold her hand and asked, “So, what did you risk your lives for today? I just had to deal with a Nyal noble who wanted me for his collection.”
    Starburn’s hand heated up when she said that.
    Tangle looked up, and the hydration had improved him dramatically. “A fire in a seven-story accommodation. Breaker kept them calm, Starburn pulled the flame away, Warp opened exits and I built ladders. Lots and lots of very tall ladders.”
    “No wonder you are tired.” She tilted her head.
    “What do you build them out of?” Starburn rubbed his thumb along the side of hers, “You honestly don’t know?”
    “I have been concentrating on learning new customs and how to find my way around a new world. I am not one to poke my nose where it doesn’t belong.”
    Tangle smiled. “A refreshing attitude. I grow vines and force their shape with my thoughts. Breaker is our mind reader, Warp rearranges molecules into