Shiver and Bright Read Free

it is very rare that they can improve on nature.” Worvin was matter of fact as he took her deep into the station.
    A woman with a pale body and long hair was waiting for her in an office. “Welcome, Nathaly Welling. My name is Kaylee Morgan Lacoss, and I am in control of this station.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Kaylee. Thank you for sending a rescue.”
    The woman waved her to the available chair. “It was no trouble. Worvin was happy to get out. Worvin, thank you for the retrieval. You can resume your normal schedule.”
    Worvin paused. “I...Yes. Of course.”
    He turned and left the office.
    Kaylee smiled. “Congratulations. I haven’t seen Worvin that close to confrontation in a while.”
    “Why congratulate me? His emotions are his own.” Nat took a seat and eyed the woman with the delicate features and the occasional flicker of transparency.
    “Indeed. What a sensible way to look at it. Now, we have taken you in on a contingency basis. What can I help you achieve?”
    Nat scowled. “I want to go home and free my parents. What do I need to do that?”
    “Well, Miss Welling, you need to become more than you are.” Kaylee sat back. “It is as simple as that.”
    With the cryptic statement between them, the director of Station 13 slid a contract over to her and smiled.
    Reading over the form, Nat raised her eyebrows a moment before she put her signature and thumbprint down. Challenge accepted.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    With slow control of her breathing, Nat folded her clothing from home and slipped on the new outfit that Worvin had delivered. It was definitely different from anything that she would wear at home, but it did suit her talent.
    The laces of the top would not be rattled loose or affected by the fields that her talent generated. The rings that held the skirt in place would eventually need to be reinforced, but they were solid enough for now.
    Friction closures didn’t work on her, but the drawstring trousers and the lace-up tunics she normally wore wouldn’t make a good impression or prove that she was a woman in control of herself and the destinies of those around her. Becoming a Citadel Master was her only option, and she was going to do it as quickly as possible.
    The boots were also laced up, and when she looked at herself in the mirror, she knew that this would make the impression that she wanted. Worvin had picked it out perfectly. The fit was amazing as well. It was like the dress was made for her.
    She ran her hands down the front of the black fabric and nodded at the mirror. It was time to start the testing and then complete the training.
     
    Dirven Lacoss was Kaylee’s mate, and he was handling the actual application of the monitors.
    “The lab is suspended, so nothing you do here will affect the station in any way. You are able to use you talent without fear.” His handsome feline features shifted in a smile.
    “Good to know. What do you want me to do first?”
    He held up a beaker with blue and clear liquid in it. “Mix this.”
    She cupped the beaker in her hands and used her talent to vibrate the contents wildly.
    The beaker was hot pink in seconds.
    “Can you ignite the contents?”
    He was watching his readouts.
    Nat vibrated the contents until a flame shot out the top.
    “Stop the heat.”
    She cooled the beaker and jumped when the glass split and the block of ice was sitting on shards in her palms.
    “Oh, dear. Let me just get that for you.” Dirven put on gloves and quickly removed the block, setting it aside in a container before he worked on the broken glass in her palms.
    She only had two small cuts that were easily sealed with a spray.
    Nat looked up and smiled. “What is next?”
    “Next, we put you in that harness and see how much you can shiver and shake.” Kaylee answered her, drifting in through the wall.
    “You...”
    “Molecular alignment is my speciality, and by extension, Dirven’s.” Kaylee grinned.
    Dirven smiled. “Kaylee ran afoul of her own