“The purpose of this exercise is to expel some of your nervous energy before the guests arrive,” Tally2 explains. “Plus, you’ll get to play with the hotter side of your gift.”

“Is this a wise idea?” Acacia and Ash, the smell of reason.

“You should give her some space,” she cautions, “unless you like your coating extra crispy.”

I’m Team Brody on this one, Superego informs me.

Yeah, I agree. “Wouldn’t it be smarter to do this with preventative measures in place? Like after Ryan comes home? Because…water?”

“Ryan won’t be home until everyone’s already here. Don’t you trust me?”

I point to the window, where she’s watching from a safe distance. “I can ask you the same question.”

“Touché.” She taps her finger on her chin. “I understand if you’re too scared to try.”

“She’s not scared,” Connor defends me.

Intriguing as Creature Connor is, I prefer the talking version. Fortunately, he shifted back while I was inside. Unfortunately, the same awe-filled, puppy-bear eyes are staring at me. I’ll disappoint him by refusing the challenge, and his eagerness is a tempting persuader.

What if I hurt them? Surely, I can’t hurt them. They’re magical just like me. “Maybe I’m scared of what I’ll do to you.”

“Innately flame retardant,” Tally2 quips.

Even if they’re shielded, I’m still uncomfortable spurting my spark flamboyantly. I don’t do anything flamboyantly.

“You always have your emergency shut-off switch to fall back on,” she reminds me.

“I don’t have as much control over that as you might think.”

She blows out a breath of relief. “Even better! What fun would it be with you in control?”

“You can do this, Sheyla,” Connor eggs me on.

Brody grunts. “You don’t have to do this.”

“She probably can’t do it,” says a third voice. I didn’t hear Molly approach, too busy worrying how to fight my fire.

“Sure, she can,” Brody says confidently. “That doesn’t mean she should.”

Despite doubting my capabilities, he doesn’t disclose where my goat is tied. Point to Brody.

Good looking out, Bro, Superego compliments him.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Oh, come on,” Tally2 crows. “Everyone likes hotdogs!”

When Molly growls, I press closer to Brody. He gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

She switches directions. “Look at it like this. You need to experience your element. What better way to learn than in a safe, supportive environment?”

I glower at her. “You don’t mean that.”

“What? No friendship bracelets? I thought we had a moment earlier.” She flutters her lashes. “For the sake of diplomacy, we should take a vote.”

“That’s ridiculous. You can’t take a vote on this. It’s my choice.”

“Hope you like your boyfriend well done,” she goads.

Point to Tally. I missed my evening run, and I’ve grown dependent on the extra release to get me through the day. I have to do something to burn off the excess. “Okay,” I cave. “What do I have to do?”

“Well, we have options. Strong emotions work best. I just need to figure out the most effective for you.”

“You mean like picturing an audience in their underwear if you’re nervous to give a speech?”

“You wanting to see me in my underwear doesn’t exactly surprise me.”

“If you’re doing this, you may want to hurry it up,” Molly warns. “Phelan’s on his way.”

“Why would you tell them that?” Brody isn’t impressed. He prefers the forced stop.

“Because if she burns herself up, I can go home,” she chucks a hard truth.

“I didn’t ask you to come here. I’m sorry you had to.”

“Yes, why are you here?” Tally2 spits. “Seems strange to me the Sinsear Tribunal would take such a keen interest in one fire elemental.”

“You said yourself there are very few remaining,” Brody interjects.

I feel the emotional shift in all of them. Even Connor’s nervous. While there’s obviously more to the story than they’re letting on, I can’t let that concern me. I need to focus. Anger is an adequate catalyst, but it takes a lot to get me riled. Fear is another option, but being surrounded by protectors countermands intimidation.

“Why are you so interested in her?” Brody volleys. “In a strictly systematic environment, she’d provide the missing link for making the most of your meals, but you don’t drain humans, so I fail to see why she’s important to you.”

“Explain,” I demand.

“A human’s blood is the ideal food source,” Tally2 claims. “The blood is like the meat and potatoes of the meal.”

I grimace, and she smirks, gaining fervor for her explanation. “There are other things we can take. Desserts, if you will.”

“Not cool.” I shudder right out of Brody’s grasp.

“Declan, for instance, would scarf the victim’s breath.” Bright side: she sees this potential as it is—wrong. She used the term victim instead of prey. “Ryan would slurp the excess liquid. There’s a lot of liquid in the human body.” She waggles her brow, and I narrow my eyes. “I’d dispose of the remains, sort of like a composter.”

“And, my role is?”

“You’re the star of the show,” she clips excitedly. “You snatch their fear, making the whole thing less messy. I don’t mind letting the light shine on you initially since it always lands on me.”

“That’s all hypothetical, right? You don’t do that.”

“That doesn’t stop us from wanting to,” she admits.

“This is how it works for those who don’t seek alternate means like donated blood?”

“Your buddy Brody would know more than me, being he’s a nose-rubber of the elite,” she snips. “What’s it like being the family pet, Brody? Do they let you clean up the scraps, or do they finish the job on their own?”

Molly growls again, her control wavering as her anger grows. Her skin begins moving of its own accord. It’s not a muscle twitch. It’s more like bugs crawling underneath.

“The technique leaves no tangible evidence,” she presses when no one jumps in.

“What happens if there are no groups? What if there’s a lone wolf or an incomplete set?”

“That was the initial purpose of the Good-Ole-Sentry,” she ignorantly continues.

As Molly kicks off her shoes, there’s a low roar lasting longer than the growl did. She isn’t looking for a fisticuff. She’ll move right into her creature form to attack. Will Tally get a taste of her own medicine? No, that’s the wrong way around. Tally will be the one tasted. Guess Molly is set on giving me a free preview of her chomp services. No need, Lady. I’m buying. Guaranteed.