THE FIRE SAGA

BLAZE 96 - ADAPTATION

Waking on the couch, I'm smothered by the concern of my caretakers. My fingers and toes are numb, excluding where my hand was directly connected to Brody. It's twitching. Bright side: my eye is not.

Derry's scowling, and Brody's standing as far away from me as he can while maintaining visibility.

"Who won?"

Tally, who I didn't realize was functioning as a footrest, laughs and clips me on the shin. I groan when the amplified sting vibrates through my body.

"Give her another dose," Tally demands. "She's still tingling."

The pain is awkward and new. I haven't been damaged before. Not a fan. Ryan places my gyrating hand in his. A flooding warmth pools in the areas hurting the most. A few minutes later, the throbbing dissipates, along with the warm feeling.

"It was a draw," she advises. "Tie breaker needed."

I hold my free hand up for a high five. "Not losing feels like a win."

Brody grunts, Derry grimaces, Ryan shakes his head, and Tally slaps her palm against mine.

"What's with the face, Peepy D?" She pokes at Derry.

He sucks in a breath.

"What?" Bringing my hands to my temples, I rub slow circles to alleviate the pulsing current in my head. "What's wrong?"

She huffs. "I think it's an improvement."

"What's an improvement?"

Derry coughs, Ryan's brow hits the ceiling, and Brody points to his head, conducting my thought train trajectory to my hair.

My hair feels different. It takes me a second to register the change. It is not straight with a bit of sexy wave. My long, auburn hair is now curly! Not loose, flowing curls, either. These things are coiled as tight as my fists, now pounding at my poor head in time to the tiny construction workers wreaking havoc in there.

"It looks...nice," Derry offers.

My eyes are heat-seeking missiles aimed at him that he dodges in favor of his suddenly interesting feet.

"It suits you," Brody claims, something strange in his voice. It's softer. Reverent. My cheeks spark.

"You okay, Brody?" Ryan prods. He doesn't look okay.

He shrugs.

"Bug Zapper is less than impressed with his new ability," Tally announces.

I lift a brow. "His new ability?"

"For someone so connected to the feelings of others, you sure fizzled out on this one," she chides.

"It seems when you broke the bond between Brody and the Tribunal, you completely separated his ties to the Sentry," Ryan explains.

"That was the goal." I eye Brody warily to gauge his reaction to the news. "Did you know?"

"I haven't shapeshifted since you broke the connection," he admits. "I didn't want to test your limits."

"And now?"

He furrows his brow. "Shapeshifting isn't an indoor activity."

"Well, let's have a go at it outside," I suggest.

"Sheyla," Derry chimes in, "you need to rest."

I ignore him. I feel fine. Ryan, the magic hand man, sorted any lingering electrical strain. I do, however, flip Derry off on my way out the door. Brody begrudgingly follows.