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  There was no way she was going to be able to stand in the flier with this much heat coming off her skin. She stood, stretched and walked to the edge of the new plateau. The base of this plateau was bedrock. It was the sturdiest place left on the whole planet, so Hahvi was really hoping that the Bormaic enjoyed their new location.

  Step by step, she made her way through the cooling rock until she reached the floor of the valley. With cool stone under her, her body changed its temperature back to normal. Hahvi looked up to where Aliora was waiting, and she waved for a pickup.

  There was a glint in response, and soon, the flier was coming toward her.

  She wavered as Aliora settled near her. Her legs did not want to walk, and her arms were leaden. It took all her effort to walk to the flier and even more to stand as they returned to the city.

  Aliora kept looking at her with equal measures of fear and respect, but Hahvi was too exhausted to care.

  The flier set down in the same place it had taken off from, and mentally, Hahvi groaned at the distance she would have to walk.

  Aliora left the flier and whispered frantically to Rackon.

  He strode forward and lifted Hahvi in his arms before she could do more than shuffle weakly to the edge of the flier.

  “Rest and relax. We don’t have a medical facility, but we do have healers.”

  She spoke slowly and carefully. “I think I will be fine. I am just tired.”

  “I will feel better if we have a diagnostician examine you. Humour me?” He smiled sweetly, and she was lost.

  If Hahvi was honest with herself, she was also exhausted, and if she didn’t have to walk, she would go anywhere he wanted to take her.

  “The healers are all on alert with the upcoming move. You should be in and out in no time.” He was trying to comfort her, but all she wanted to do was remain still.

  “Wonderful. I hope that the suit recorded what happened there, because I am unsure as to what the hell I was doing. All I know is that there is a plateau flat enough to take this whole city with a little bit of wiggle room, and I think I made it.”

  He chuckled. “I am sure that the Citadel dispatchers are frantically analyzing the data stream as we speak.”

  “Good. I am not doing that again.”

  “Will you be able to divert the lava?”

  “Of course, but I don’t have to melt rock to do that. I just have to make a diversion and hold it back. Much easier.” She yawned, and her stomach rumbled.

  He didn’t say another word as they entered a building that had the medical tang of physician offices anywhere.

  The receptionist looked up with a practiced smile. “Hello, what do you need today?”

  Rackon sighed and lifted her higher in his arms. “She melted down the top of a mountain and is now having trouble moving. I would like her to see a diagnostician.”

  The receptionist looked from his face to Hahvi and back again before she nodded seriously. “Of course. This way please.”

  Hahvi grinned, “She’s a truth seer.”

  “Very good. Yes, she is.”

  The seer took them to a quiet and pleasantly arranged room. “Put her on the bed, please.”

  Rackon laid her down carefully. “It will just be a moment.”

  Hahvi relaxed against the springy bedding. “I will be right here.”

  He chuckled, because they both knew that she wasn’t capable of running away.

  The diagnostician was a woman with white streaking her black hair and the same even grey tone that the rest of the population had.

  “Hello, I am Tiska. What seems to be the problem?”

  Hahvi raised her hand to stop Rackon from talking. “I used my talent today, and I haven’t really used it before. I believe that I am exhausted and depleted. I can barely move at all.”

  Tiska smiled. “That happens. Are you visiting?”

  As the woman chirped along, she took a seat next to Hahvi’s head and placed her hands on either side of her skull.

  “I am visiting. I am here for a job, and after that, I don’t know where I will head off to.”

  Tiska’s concentration was turned inward. She was focussing, and it showed.

  Five minutes passed while she took inventory of Hahvi’s body. She finally came out of her trance with a jerk and a frown.

  “What is it?” Hahvi and Rackon asked it as one.

  “Her body is exhausted, needs food, a supplement of vitamins and minerals and a lot of water. It is her mind that is causing me concern. There is a block in her thoughts, and I have never seen anything like it. It has an organic look, but I have no idea how to get around it. Do you remember having anything installed?” Tiska was asking Hahvi.

  “No, I don’t, but lately, I have had strong reactions to things that should not cause anywhere near that amount of concern.”

  “You are wearing at it. Eventually, it will break, and at that point, whatever is inside you will come out.”

  Hahvi nodded. “I understand. I will brace for it.”

  Tiska smiled sadly. “There is no way to brace for it. It will open or it won’t. There is no in between. If you were planning on staying on a while, I would recommend a psychic counsellor who could walk you through it.”

  “I don’t believe that it will be possible.” She smiled and sat up. “So, all I need is some rest and a good meal.”

  “And some vitamin and mineral supplements. Your body cries out for them.”

  Rackon came around and lifted her again. “Give us a writ for the supplements, and we will be on our way.”

  Tiska quickly filled out a prescription pad and handed the note to Rackon. “The sooner the better, and she really does need rest. Tell her employer to shove it until she is rested.”

  Hahvi chuckled. “I would love to see that, but it isn’t possible. I am sure I will be fine with a day of rest.”

  On that note, Rackon walked out of the office holding her tightly against his chest.

  Baron Thakeri blocked their path back to the quarters that had been set aside for her. “What is wrong with her?”

  Rackon scowled. “She is exhausted. She used her body’s energy to melt a plateau large enough to hold our city. How do you think she should feel?”

  The baron frowned, “So we can’t move the city tomorrow?”

  Hahvi raised her hand and gave him a numb look. “I gave myself two days so that I could recover and not let a cascade of lava burn through the city. Without the rest, I might not be able to hold it back for the time you need to get to safety.”

  Baron Thakeri’s cheeks darkened. “You would threaten us?”

  She got angry. “I would try and keep your population safe instead of rushing and putting them at risk. If you are a twit and want the city lifted early, I will be sleeping through it. Let me know how it turns out.”

  When the baron continued to block their path, she heated his feet.

  He yelped and jumped to one side.

  Rackon pushed past him and continued until he got to her quarters. He set her on her bed and smiled down at her. “I didn’t know you could do that.”

  “Neither did I, but he really irritates me. Far more than he should.” She settled back against her sheets and relaxed.

  “Don’t fall asleep. I have to get you some food and the supplements.”

  She smiled and waved him off. “Wake me up when you get back, Sleep Master. I am sure that I can eat in my sleep if you put your mind to it.”

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead and left her staring after him in surprise. Something was starting between them, and she embraced her replenishing sleep with a smile on her face.

  Chapter Nine

  Rackon went to the council kitchens, and after a few polite requests, Hahvi’s food was underway. His next stop was the dispensary.

  “Is she ill?” Baron Thakeri was at his side as he waited.

  Rackon fought the urge to punch the baron in the face. “No. She is simply exhausted. She melted rock with the heat gener
ated from her body. That is bound to create an imbalance.”

  “I don’t think she’s right in the head.” The baron’s voice was certain.

  “Because she rejected your advances? I think it shows remarkable fortitude on her part and bad taste on yours. What were you thinking?”

  The baron scowled. “You know about that?”

  “Of course.”

  “She felt it?”

  “She did, and it enraged her that you would try a psychic seduction on first introduction. I have to admit that hearing of it shocked me as well.” Rackon collected the hypos that the staffer handed to him and checked them one by one.

  When he was certain that all was as had been written, he took the supplements and slid them into a bag.

  Baron Thakeri was stunned. “I had no idea she knew that I—”

  “Had no self-control? She is lovely, her body is amazing, but her mind has barriers that you cannot pass. Don’t even try.” Rackon left the baron in a stupor and returned to the kitchens, picking up a tray with a grin and words of thanks before heading back to his sleeping fire dancer.

  * * * *

  A low, repetitive hiss came to Hahvi before she was able to open her eyes. “What are you doing, Rackon?”

  “The supplements first, and your meal is next. If you are awake, sit up.” He was amused as he dropped another cartridge into his gun and the hiss came again.

  She struggled to sit up but managed it with bleary eyes looking around the room. “How long was I asleep?”

  “Two hours. The food I had prepared is good hot or cold, so you should be fine.”

  She grimaced then grinned. “I am pretty sure that I can managed to heat my own food.”

  He blinked at her. “Is it coming so easily?”

  “Calling fire is definitely something that I was born to do.” She smiled, and something in her soul settled.

  Rackon stared at her for a moment before firing the final hypo into her arm between the Masuo bands.

  He got to his feet and crossed the room to grab a tray. He brought the large mass back to her and set it on the bed.

  He lifted the covers from dish after dish, and one by one, she reheated the food before she ate it.

  Hahvi laughed. “I had no idea that it would actually work.”

  “Still experimenting then?”

  “Of course. Until I can try this out in every scenario that I can imagine and several that I can’t, I am not going to have a complete grip on my talent.”

  She chuckled and yawned again. Rackon slipped a cup into her hand, and she slugged back some more water.

  “Where is Aliora?”

  “Showing the records to the council and uploading your work to the Alliance archive.”

  “What?” She yawned again.

  “Your fire dance was recorded, and if you ever wondered what you look like while the talent is running through you, we now have video proof.” Rackon smiled and stroked his fingers across her forehead.

  A wave of fatigue ran through her. “Cheater.”

  “Whatever it takes to get you to rest. We can discuss the rules tomorrow.”

  Her mind slipped into warm darkness while strong hands eased her to the bedding, tucking her in.

  Hahvi smiled as two arms held her in the darkness. She could not only smell the distinct musk that was Rackon, she could feel his mind lazily twining with hers. With her mind and body safe, she rested once again.

  The light was bright and harsh when she rolled over, sat up and stomped to the lav.

  Rackon and Aliora were sitting at the table, talking quietly and playing some sort of a game with thrown objects and flat cards.

  Hahvi shook and gasped as she faced the downpour of water in the shower. Her body was a little heavy still but far more rested than she had felt the night before.

  She towelled off, scrubbed her hair dry and let the Masuo regain its normal shape. She blushed slightly when she realized that she had stomped naked across the expanse of her room.

  A brush was sitting next to the mirror at the dressing table, and she tried to run it through the green shock of hair that refused to lay flat.

  She had been as stunned as the rest of the physical talents in the dome when her hair turned green, but it just added to her mystique after a while. It proved that despite the restrictor suit, the talents could change and adapt.

  When Hahvi’s stomach rumbled, she sighed and faced the embarrassment of streaking past her friends.

  Aliora was studiously looking at her cards. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I slept a lot. What time is it?”

  Rackon grinned, “Near to dinner, but the council has asked if they can have a meal with you. Apparently, the recording and the examination of the new site have given you new levels of importance in their estimation.”

  Hahvi groaned. “Is there anywhere I can get a snack?”

  Rackon reached out to the table and tossed her a fruit that gave off a delightfully sweet scent. “This should hold you.”

  She made a face but bit into the fruit, slurping sharply when it tried to escape its skin via her mouth. Sweet, rich and sticky, the fruit disappeared in seconds as she gnawed greedily.

  Finishing the fruit, she returned to the lav and washed up. Pattering back into the main room, she took a seat at the table.

  “So, what have I missed today?”

  Aliora snickered, “Well, your efforts yesterday have now made their appearance all over the Alliance. No one has seen power like that in the Citadel records.”

  Rackon grimaced and looked irritated. “You have a list of requests longer than my arm. Dozens of worlds wish you to attend them to help with their volcanic issues and some just want help altering the geography.”

  Hahvi chuckled before a sudden realization made her blood run cold. “Have these reports reached Resicor? Is my name attached to them?” She licked her lips and waited while Rackon and Aliora caught on to her worry.

  Rackon asked, “Why is it an issue?”

  She grimaced, “If the guard of Resicor realize that a talent can still use their power through a suit that appears to be their original restrictor suit, they may not use the dome as a means of restraint anymore. I have family back home. A sister, a brother and a niece. I don’t want them at risk at any time in this process.”

  “I will contact the Citadel and see if there is something that can be done to protect them.” Rackon leaned forward and covered her hand with his own.

  Aliora looked between them and spoke cheerfully. “Hahvi, where do you think you would like to go after you are done on Bormaic?”

  Hahvi shook her head. “I have no idea. I will go where I am needed and where I can use my skills. Will the Citadel send a pilot for me, do you think?”

  Rackon’s face darkened before he nodded. “I am sure that they will.”

  She looked into his dark eyes and tried to interpret what was going on behind them. When Aliora cleared her throat and stood up, Rackon joined her, forcing Hahvi to follow suit. The mystery of Rackon’s sudden quiet would have to remain just that. It was time to greet the councillors who had been convinced that she was the woman for the job.

  Chapter Ten

  The twelve councillors were cheerful and friendly, but the centerpiece of the meal was slightly disturbing to Hahvi.

  Projected above the dining table, a white-hot female was dancing slowly, twisting and turning solid stone into rippling liquid. Hahvi had never seen herself while she was using her talent, but the faces of the guards on Resicor who arrested her now made perfect sense.

  A councillor, Ekilnio, asked her, “Did you realize that your foot prints are now steps that climb from the valley to the plateau? I visited the new site early this morning, and you did an amazing job.”

  She blushed, playing with her food. “Thank you. I did what needed to be done to get the result that would serve the city best.”

  The councillor asked, “Will you be up for your task tomorrow?”

  Sh
e nodded. “Yes. I will hold the lava back while the city takes flight.”

  He beamed. “It is a wonder that you appeared just as we needed you.”

  She looked over at Rackon, and he met her gaze, smiling slowly. “It isn’t a wonder, it is a dream come true.”

  The rest of the evening went along the same lines. Men and women asked her how she did what she did, and she answered that she didn’t know.

  While the conversations went on, Hahvi noted that Baron Thakeri had cornered Aliora. She was backing away from him until he reached out to touch her, and her expression changed into passionate and besotted.

  “Excuse me, please.” She left a councillor who was engaged in a geological analysis of the new area, and she moved to block Baron Thakeri and his newest victim.

  A memory from Hahvi’s past flared into her mind in full force, and she was damned if she would let history repeat itself.

  “Why, Baron, how unusual that you are attempting to leave the party early. Perhaps you simply don’t like events that are not held in your honour.”

  Aliora moved to protect him. “Leave him alone, Hahvi, you don’t understand.”

  “Don’t I? He seduces everything that takes his fancy and then blackmails his victims into keeping quiet. Does that sound familiar? Do they all not know that they have been your victims, Baron? Or do they all believe that they were the only ones?”

  Thakeri moved forward and scowled, “Be quiet. You are making a scene.”

  Several of those watching looked at each other with shame in their expressions, but the shame turned to rage as it became obvious that they were not the only target of Thakeri’s attentions.

  Aliora frowned, shook her head and stood aside.

  Thakeri moved to grab her, so Hahvi set his hand on fire.

  The moment that pain flared through him, he lost his control over Aliora. She staggered and Rackon caught her. “Oh stars. I almost…” Aliora retched to one side, losing the meal she had just eaten.

  Thakeri was clutching his charred hand. “Bitch! Just because you are frigid doesn’t mean we all are.”