Reese aimed the brass tube at the fall and turned a small gear. The hook shot out, bringing a clear cord with it, and circled around a rock jutting from the side of the fall. He clipped the tube onto his black leather belt.
“It’s my grappler,” he explained. “Ready?”
I tightened my hold. “Where did you learn how to scale cliffs?”
Reese turned the gear on the device, and we began lifting up as he reached for the first crevice in which to place his hand. “You don’t grow up around airships and not pick up a few tricks,” he said with a grunt, and he began climbing. The pneumatic gears in the brass tube grinded as they helped pull our weight.
When we reached the top, Reese loosened the strap and clung to the side, allowing me to climb over and pull myself up. I stood hands to hips, viewing the woods. “Wow, you were right. We can pretty much see everything from up here.”
Reese yanked the tube, reeling the cord in with a loud zip. “But no one can see us.” He winked.
The river trickled over boulders and rocks, echoing a haunted melody against the trees. Reese led us to a clear spot near the bank, and we sat down cross-legged on the pine straw.
“Remove your eye lenses,” he said, opening a small, black box. “You can put them in here for now.”
I hesitantly dipped my head forward, stretching an eyelid open. I’d never shown anyone other than my mom my real eyes. “What’s the first thing I should learn?” I asked, pinching the lens between my finger and thumb before dropping it into the water-filled box. I listened to the river’s song as I removed my other eye lens. It was peaceful. I looked up to see why Reese still hadn’t answered my question.
He stared at me, searching my eyes with his head inclined. “You’re beautiful,” he said, and my face heated. Then he cleared his throat. Taking my hands in his, he positioned himself in front of me. “Meditation.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Seriously? I thought we’d jump straight into Charge. I need to be able to use it before I go to the Academy.”
“That’s what we’re doing.” He placed my hands on my knees, turning my palms up. “You have to feel each power inside you—be able to separate them. And that takes concentration at first. Meditation helps clear your mind, center you, so you can find them.”
“I honestly didn’t take you for the meditating type.” My lips twitched into small smile. “Narcos are supposed to be all hot tempered, not yoga masters.”
“Stereotype. We are pretty hot, though.” He grinned. “Now focus. Close your eyes. Hear the river and clear your thoughts.”
I felt ridiculous, but I did as he asked. Reese released my hands, and I sat still, listening to the river’s trickle. I had no idea what I was supposed to be feeling or what was supposed to happen. Nervous energy crept into me.
After about ten minutes of sitting in silence, I couldn’t take anymore. “Ugh, this is pointless.” I jumped to my feet. “I don’t have time for this. I have to learn how to use Charge now. In less than a week, I’ll be at the Academy and expected to…Oh, I have no idea, but they’ll definitely want me to do something with it.” I huffed. “Or worse, I’ll be—” I bit back my rant. I didn’t want to think about—or admit—that I could be gone. I’d never see Reese or my friends again.
I stared out over the river, scuffing my boot against the bank. Then Reese’s arms wrapped around me from behind. He rested his chin on my shoulder.
“I know how you feel.” His breath caressed my ear. “When I was told I was coming here, I didn’t have much time to get it together. I didn’t even know if I could.” He turned me around to face him. “But you can do this.”
“You’re not supposed to be all calm support-o guy.”
“Yes, I am.” He smiled.
Taking my hands in his, he brought them before me. He pressed his palms to mine, linking our hands together between us. His head dipped lower, and he brushed his lips gently against mine. A shock jolted beneath my hands, and something hummed, tickling my palms. I cracked an eye open. His hands glowed blue. But mine were illuminated blue, also.
He drew back, and I stared at our joined hands. As the light spread up his forearm, it reached down mine, and sparks crackled between our palms. I looked into his bright blue eyes.
“What color are my eyes?” I asked, my voice shaking.
He beamed at me. “Blue.” Reese broke the connection and grasped my face, pulling me to him. He kissed me hungrily. And I gave in as he lowered me to the bank.
Pine needles pressed into my back as he hovered above me, running his fiery hands along my arms. I felt my Shythe power building, and I stroked his chest, sending waves of Charge over his skin. He groaned against my lips.
He lifted his head, his eyes burning red. “I had no idea Shythe power could be this fun.” He buried his head between my shoulder and neck, roaming his warm lips over my skin.
Shivers wracked my body. Although I knew Reese wouldn’t harm me, as his lips moved over my Kythan ink, my body tensed. Jace had been so adamant during training about protecting our power source. My first instinct was to pull away, but I fought it, allowing myself to relax in his arms.
He rose up and stared down at my ink. “Show me. Shift. I’ve been going crazy wondering what you look like in Kythan form.”
My stomach dropped. “I can’t.” I pushed away and sat up.
Reese’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean? You haven’t shifted yet?” He moved closer, and ran his hand along my arm.