by A. Blythe
I watched as Quinn secured my arms and legs to the table. “Have you ever done this before?”
Sonja shot a nervous glance at her companions.
“Let me guess,” I said. “The answer is no.”
“They’ve put cuffs on,” Greer explained.
But they’d never taken them off. Awesome. I was a guinea pig.
“We’re well prepared, Miss Winters,” Dr. Hyatt said. “Personally, I’ve been looking forward to the day when I could remove a pair of cuffs. It’s exciting to be a pioneer in a cutting-edge procedure.”
How lucky for him that I came along.
“I’m going to sedate you now,” Quinn said, preparing a syringe. “That should help contain any burst of power once the cuffs are off.”
They’d knocked me out when they’d put the cuffs on as well. I hated the lack of awareness and control that came with unconsciousness.
“I’ll be right outside,” Greer said.
“Tell Reed…” I began, as the chemicals kicked in. “Tell him I wish he was here.”
“I’ll let him know,” Greer said. As his face disappeared behind the door, everything went black.
Although somewhere inside me, I knew it was a dream, I embraced it like it was reality. I stood in the warehouse where I often trained with my friends. Esme was there, her cheerful face illuminated by the moonlight streaming in through the upper window.
“Esme,” I called happily. As I began to run toward her, bright orange flames shot up from the floor and surrounded her.
I threw out my hands to douse the flames with magic, but nothing happened. The copper cuffs sparkled.
“Reed,” I yelled. “Reed, control the fire.” I spun around, frantically hoping for a glimpse of the Protector. Esme and I were alone in the warehouse.
I felt my body for weapons. Daggers, guns, anything I could possibly use to save Esme. When I glanced up, Esme no longer stood in the circle of fire.
“Rose,” I cried.
The older mage met my gaze. “You look well, dear.”
“I’m so sorry, Rose,” I said. “Please forgive me.”
“Don’t be silly. I made my choice. You and I both know there’s nothing to forgive.”
The cuffs on my wrists began to vibrate. “What’s happening?”
“They’re changing,” a familiar voice said.
“Jamie!”
My handler stood in the circle of fire. I rushed toward the flames, but the intense heat scorched my skin and sent me skittering backward.
“Copper looks good on you,” he said.
I studied my wrists. The copper cuffs began to expand. The metal slid up my arm, coating my skin like molten armor.
“It hurts,” I whimpered.
“Nothing hurts you,” Jamie said. “You’re indestructible.”
“Like a robot,” I murmured, as I watched the metal glide down my torso. My body was being encased in copper.
I howled in pain.
“It will all be over soon,” Jamie said. “I promise.”
“I got out, Jamie,” I said. “That’s what you wanted.”
“No,” he replied. “That’s what you wanted. Otherwise, it never would have happened.”
I didn’t understand. The flames grew taller to the point where I could no longer see Jamie. When I tried to move toward him, the metal on my body stopped me. My entire body was rigid.
“Alyse?”
He was still there, crouching inside the flames.
“I’m here,” I cried. “Don’t give up on me.”
I dragged myself toward the fire. I couldn’t bend my knees, but I forced my body forward. The copper covered every part of me except my face. I felt the metal inching across my cheeks. In a moment, my mouth would be sealed over.
“Alyse!”
I heard a chorus of voices now. Jamie, Rose, Esme. They were all inside the circle. All in pain. I couldn’t let them suffer, not because of me. The heat burned as the flames reached out and licked my body. I continued forward, stepping straight into the wall of fire. I screamed like I’d never screamed before—a yell so deep and primal that it shook me to my core. Suddenly I was lit from within. Now there were two fires burning me, one on the outside and one on the inside. The copper began to melt. Thick and hot, the metal oozed from my skin like lava down the mountainside. I bled copper. It flowed from my body until every inch of my skin was visible again. The melted copper formed a golden puddle on the warehouse floor.
I was free.
I summoned a giant fire extinguisher and set to work on the circle of flames. I needed to get them out—to save them. Smoke billowed around me until the fire was reduced to a few sparks on the floor.
When the air finally cleared, I wasn’t surprised to see that the circle was empty.
I awoke in some kind of containment cell. The walls and ceiling were white and there didn’t appear to be any doors or windows. Nowhere for a djinni to escape after shifting to mist. Was this a precautionary measure or a double cross?
I ran a finger along my empty wrist. All traces of the copper cuffs were gone. Not even a red mark on my skin.
To my great relief, I felt my powers surging within me. “Hello magic, my old friend.”
I stood, wobbling slightly as my feet hit the ground. I longed to shift, to test the magical waters, but my main concern was getting out of this room.
“Hello,” I called. “I’m awake. Can someone let me out?”
No answer.
“Greer,” I yelled, pounding my fists against the wall. “Tell them to let me out.”
Somewhere an intercom buzzed. “Have a seat, Miss Winters.”
I spun around, looking for the source of the sound. “Dr. Hyatt?”
“Indeed. Have a seat. You look well, but I’d like to ask you a few questions as part of the post-op.”
“Can we do it in person?” I asked. “Is the containment necessary?”
“It is for our safety as well as yours,” he replied. “Now please sit.”
“I don’t have a lot of time,” I said. “I need to get out there and take care of business.”
“And we appreciate your eagerness,” Dr. Hyatt said. “But first we need to run a few tests and make sure everything is as it should be. It would be irresponsible to simply release you back into the world without a spot of due diligence. PAN lawyers would rake us over the coals.”
“How bureaucratic of you.” And how typically PAN. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’m going to give you a series of instructions,” he said. “Just follow along.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Sounded simple enough. “What’s the first instruction?”
“We’d like you to shift to mist,” he said.
“Okay, I can do that.” Maybe.
I focused my will and imagined each molecule in my body dissipating.
“Very good,” Dr. Hyatt’s voice said. “Now shift back to human form.” He paused. “Any human form.”
Any human form? It was like Christmas and the Fourth of July rolled into one. I used to change skin like other people changed their clothes. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until this moment.
I concentrated and the mist reformed, taking human shape.
“Very attractive,” Dr. Hyatt said. “I approve.”
“Ha, ha,” I said. I’d opted for the body of one of my former aliases, a Russian supermodel called Paulina Judenko. “She’s nice, right?” Paulina got me in front of more Eastern European criminal bosses than I could count.
“Thank you, Miss Winters. How about an animal form now?”
“Any animal in mind?” My options were more varied than most djinn I knew. Farah was a Hinn, so she was only capable of shifting to small mammals like foxes. Flynn and Mix were Janns, so they had the advantage of shifting into larger mammals like bears and tigers. I, on the other hand, could pretty much choose whatever animal fit the situation, big or small.
&nbs
p; “Ladies’ choice,” Dr. Hyatt said.
I chose a domestic cat. Black and white with an angry face and a half-chewed ear. The kind Serena Edwards would rescue from the side of the road in a heartbeat.
His voice crackled over the intercom. “Nice touch with the ear.”
I shifted back to Alyse with ease. “Thank you. It’s all about the details.” I started to get excited again. No more buying clothes or relying on Farah. I was myself again. It was as liberating as I hoped it would be.
“Now we’d like you to conjure a weapon,” Dr. Hyatt said.
My specialty. I rubbed my hands together and imagined an AK-47 in my grip.
Nothing.
I focused my will, channeling my magic to form the weapon in my hands.
“Any luck?” Dr. Hyatt asked.
“Not yet,” I said. Weapons had always been my strength. As a Marid, I was a member of the most powerful caste and, even among my own djinn, my powers were superior. It was one of the main reasons I graduated at the top of my class from the Academy.
I tried again. I even aimed smaller, focusing on a simple throwing knife. Nothing happened.
“Houston, we have a problem,” I said.
“No weapon?” Dr. Hyatt asked.
I tried not to panic. I needed every advantage if I hoped to defeat the Dragon. I couldn’t afford to lose my ace in the hole.
“What can I do?” I asked. “I need the full strength of my powers.” Especially if I had any hope of defeating the Dragon and her minions.
“It may take a little time,” he said. “I have no doubt you will regain every bit of your former strength.”
“You’d better hope so if PAN expects me to hold up my end of the bargain. How about letting me out now? I’m starving. I could really go for a cheesesteak.”
“No problem, Miss Winters. I think you’ve earned it.”
I sat outside of Pat’s Steaks with Reed and Greer, sucking down a cheesesteak and discussing the results of my post-op test.
“Dr. Hyatt assures me that the full scale of your powers will manifest eventually,” Greer said, slurping down a Diet Coke. “You just need to stay calm and try not to force it.”
“It’s going to make defeating the Dragon a little difficult if I can’t whip up a weapon on command,” I said. “You need to get the fried onions next time, Reed.”
“I told you I’m not a fan,” he said.
“Your loss.” I chewed happily on my cheesesteak. “I think we should practice in Wissahickon State Park so I have a huge canvas to work with.” We’d trained Pinky there and it worked out well. It was relatively private with varied terrain and there was plenty of space for shifting. As long as we went when there were few hikers and cyclists, we’d be fine.
“That’s a good idea,” Reed said. “You know I’m happy to help you.”
“I just said not to force it and you’re making plans to overexert yourself,” Greer said in disbelief.
“Practicing is not forcing,” I said. “I haven’t had my powers for months.” Many long, desperate months. “I need to make sure I’m at the top of my game before I go up against the Dragon.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Greer mumbled.
I glanced at Reed. “You’re going to be my date to the gala, right?”
“You know I’m not going to let you do this alone,” Reed said.
I stared at my empty cheesesteak wrapper. “If I need to lose a few pounds before the gala, I’d better start now.”
“Your cuffs are off, Alyse,” Reed said. “You don’t need to worry about that anymore.”
“By the gods, you’re right. It’s awesome, isn’t it?” I said. “See? I’m still me, aren’t I?”
“I never doubted it for a second,” Reed replied.
No, he never did. I was the one who was worried. Truth be told, I still worried that he’d reject the new me. Technically, the old me. I was no longer in need of his protection or his help. Alyse the Marid could do everything on her own. She needed nothing and no one.
My mind drifted to the lucid dream I’d experienced during the removal process. I hadn’t told anyone about the dream. It felt too personal. Seeing their faces again…Knowing I couldn’t save them.
“Greer, did I say anything while I was sedated?” I asked.
His brow creased. “Not that I know of. You moved around a lot, though, even with the restraints. They were concerned you might break through in your sleep once the procedure was over.”
“Did something happen while you were sedated?” Reed asked. I heard the note of concern in his voice. He cared about me—that much was undeniable.
“I had a dream,” I admitted. “I think I felt when the cuffs actually came off. When my essential fire broke free of containment.”
“Soulfire,” Greer said, shaking his head in awe. “That’s my favorite thing about djinn, did you know that?”
“I wasn’t aware that you had a favorite thing,” I said.
Reed covered my hand with his. “I can tell you right now it isn’t mine.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You have a different favorite thing? Care to share with the class?”
“Not the class,” he said. “Just with you. Later.”
I couldn’t resist a smile.
“Soulfire is what creates you,” Greer said.
“Soulfire is what powers me,” I said. “The cuffs snuffed it to a flicker, like the blue gas light in your oven. On but not fully engaged.”
“Should we have Flynn join in the training fun?” I asked. After all, he’d been my regular sparring partner for months. “We can have him meet us at the warehouse. It’ll be an enjoyable surprise.”
Reed grinned. “It wouldn’t be the same without him.”
I examined the fake copper cuffs on my wrists. “They’re incredibly good.”
“Sonja made them,” Greer said. “She’s an excellent mage.”
“And pretty,” I said, eyeing him closely. “Can’t go wrong with that combo, right?”
“I don’t need a matchmaker,” Greer said. “I have my mother for that.”
“Don’t you think it’s time to settle down?” I asked. “You have your eye on the woman in accounting, but for how long?”
He gave me an exasperated look. “You finally decide to give my brother a chance and now you’re in a hurry to pair everyone off? I don’t think so.”
“My situation with Reed is complicated,” I said, and cast him a sidelong glance. “Right?”
Reed shrugged. “It’s only as complicated as you choose to make it.”
Well, that’s me told then.
The warehouse door was raised a foot off the ground. Flynn was already inside, pacing the floor.
“Took you long enough,” he said, watching us enter. “I could’ve watched another episode of Property Brothers before I left.”
“Someone’s in a grumpy mood,” I said.
“Tessa is still making me jump through hoops,” Flynn complained. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“You’ll have to take a lifetime, I would imagine,” Greer said.
“She’ll cool off,” I said. “She always does.” Tessa was an expert at the pouty toddler routine, yet Flynn fell for it every time. For a womanizing djinni, he wasn’t very bright when it came to his own woman. Blinded by love, no doubt.
“What are we doing today?” Flynn asked. “And where’s Pinky anyway? Shouldn’t she be here?”
“Pinky is still recovering from the mall incident,” I said. I couldn’t have Pinky here anyway. She couldn’t know about my cuffs because her mother couldn’t know. I hated keeping secrets, but I had to do what was best for the mission. “It’s just the Reed brothers and you.”
“Your own male harem,” Flynn said, his blue eyes twinkling. “Some things never change.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I said.
“Why don’t we call Mix and complete the set?” Flynn asked.
“Don’t be a jerk,” Reed said.
“You’re lucky she included you.”
“Included me in what?” Flynn asked. “She loves it when I kick her ass. Brings back fond memories.”
I resisted the urge to smile. “You know what? It really does. In fact, I’m in the mood for a good ass-kicking right now. Let’s get started, shall we?”
“Greer and I will stay out of the way,” Reed said, barely able to contain his glee. Flynn was about to get the whooping of a lifetime and he had a front row seat. Part of me felt a little guilty for the ruse, but I couldn’t deny myself this brief moment of fun. My final revenge for Flynn’s lying, cheating ways.
Flynn rolled up his sleeves. “You didn’t bring any weapons. What kind of sparring are we doing?”
“Just us,” I said. “No weapons.”
We met in the center of the floor and circled each other.
“You know I’m stronger than you,” Flynn said. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to prove today.”
My lips twitched. “You’re stronger than me, huh?”
“We both know it, Alyse. Why can’t you just admit it?” He fisted his hands. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Give it your best shot, sweetie pie,” I said.
He lunged for me and I shifted. Not to mist—that would’ve been too easy. Instead, I shifted into…Flynn.
“By the gods,” he shouted, just before he made contact with my jaw. His jaw.
He was so taken aback that he stumbled to the side and went careening onto the floor.
“Is this Pinky’s doing?” he asked, blinking in disbelief.
“No,” I said, and helped him to his feet. “But it is a very big secret and I need to trust you.”
“But you don’t trust me,” he said. “That’s the whole basis of our relationship.”
“Not as a boyfriend,” I said. “But I do trust you with my life.”
He stared at his mirror image. “Change back so I can talk to you. This is creepy.”
“I agree. You are creepy.” I shifted to Alyse. “Better?”
He marveled at me. “How?”
I held up my wrists. “I’ve struck a deal with PAN. They removed my cuffs in exchange for my help to defeat the Dragon. And to do that, I need your help.”