Parallel Fire Read Free Page B

emergency warnings were programmed in English, not Refarian. Maybe in case the plane is ever captured by human officials.
    Capture , she thought dully, the world growing dim again. Sure hope we don’t get our asses captured after we crash…
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    Nevin circled the downed craft, trying to assess what, precisely, had gone wrong. Trailing his fingertips along the plane’s side, he emitted his natural energy, working to power the machine. No reaction. With a quick glance back at where Anna lay off to the side, unconscious—he’d carried her there immediately in case the craft blew—he opened both of his palms.
    Dropping to the ground so he wouldn’t have to steady himself, he concentrated on his open hands. He cupped them in front of his chest, closed his eyes, and allowed his natural energy to build. It was his one true blessing from All, his gift of energy; that it was such a markedly unusual one only made it all the more special. Perhaps now it would be the thing that could save both their lives; if his natural power could somehow infuse the craft—if it had been a simple matter of a ruptured tank—then he might be able to power them back out of this isolated place.
    A glowing ball of pure energy formed between his hands, and manipulating it carefully, he began directing it toward the plane.
    Behind him, Anna’s soft voice startled him. “I’ve never seen anything quite like that before.”
    He focused his entire being on wielding the power sphere, but nevertheless, it changed hues from a bright golden shade to a warmer and richer one. Of course his energy would react to Anna; if there were any woman alive on this planet who could cause a reaction like that, it would be her.
    â€œI have to…use it. Wait.”
    â€œIt’s your energy, isn’t it?”
    â€œAnna…a moment,” he barely managed to gasp before finally catapulting the powerful orb of energy into the craft. He watched as it seemed to explode into a million pinpricks of glowing power, then hoisted himself back into the cockpit and, in vain, attempted to start the damned thing once again. After several long moments of manipulating the controls, he dropped back to the ground, and strode purposefully to Anna’s side.
    â€œHow are you feeling?” He took her bare hand into his own gloved one. “You took quite a nasty hit to the head.”
    She smiled up at him wanly. “Not so good.”
    Searching the area around them, he knew he had to get her someplace safe for the night. Bears were already coming out of hibernation, and there were wolves and other predators. “We could sleep in the plane,” he suggested. “Probably the safest bet tonight.”
    Her eyes drifted shut. “I wanna lie down.”
    â€œYou don’t really need that, Anna. In fact, you should stay awake until we can determine the extent of your injuries.”
    â€œCan we at least warm up? Make a fire or something first?” She struggled to sit up. “Wait! I have an idea. I just need to shapeshift, then I can go for help.”
    Anna pressed a hand to her temple. “I know I can,” she insisted, but by the way her face drained of color, she was obviously fighting a wave of nausea, “Just a minute…” she attempted weakly.
    Nevin cupped her shoulder, aware that the warmth of his body radiated through his glove and her uniform, but he didn’t move his hand. He liked the idea of her feeling his heat, and besides, he had the perfect excuse: She needed his warm touch after tonight’s shock.
    â€œYou need to rest, Anna. It would be dangerous for you to shapeshift and make that long trek back to base. You might grow too weak.”
    â€œI’d be fine,” she tried to argue, but he cut her off.
    â€œLieutenant, I am ordering you to stay here, with the downed craft, and pass the nighttime hours within the cockpit.” His voice was stern and