“Try again.” Kill’s voice was somewhere between gentle and hard. I wasn’t sure how to describe it, but this was the one-millionth time he had corrected me and told me to start over, and I was getting frustrated. Not so much at him, but my lack of control over my power. How the hell was I supposed to protect myself when there was every likelihood that I’d kill myself or someone innocent in the process?

The fire warmed my fingertips as I closed my eyes and focused on the feeling of heat crawling through my veins. I could literally feel the energy coursing down my arms, ready to explode from my hands. I cracked my eyes open to look. My hands were glowing a molten red. It was fascinating and scary all at the same time. My hands were weapons, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

“You need to focus. If you don’t block out the mental saga you’ve got going on, you’re never going to be able to hit the target. You’ll throw wide and singe the damn forest.” There was no menace in his voice or frustration, but his statement was spoken with a confidence that made me believe every word he spoke was the truth.

Taking a deep breath, I exhaled, clearing my mind. I set my sights on the target ahead and tried to control the rapid pace of the fire that burned in my fingers. Fisting one hand, I hoped it would be enough to contain the blaze within as I raised the other, prepared to let the fire energy fly. I aimed, narrowed my eyes on the bullseye, and let the power burst forth.

A blaze of red and orange was all I could see before the target was engulfed in flames. And the grass around the target. And the small tree five feet to the side.

“Fuck.” I dropped my hands, rolling my shoulders in an attempt to loosen the knotted muscles within. Throwing my head to the sides, I swung my arms and tried to limber up, knowing that Killian was going to demand I try again. And again. And again.

Kill jogged to the other end of the clearing, extinguishing the target, grass, and tree in a cloud of white and exchanging the charred target out for a fresh one before he returned to my side.

This hadn’t been exactly what I’d had in mind when I came outside for training. Weren’t training sessions always sexy time for guys and girls to get close while she learned to kick some ass? Could I change my mind and convince him to help me with human self-defense instead? I grinned at myself as I pictured tackling Killian to the ground. Now that would be fun.

“It won’t help you to fight off a dangerous shifter, though.” Damien stepped onto their back porch, watching us practice on the safe side of the barrier. I could only catch sight of the spelled wall if I focused hard enough, and even then it looked like a slight waver in the air. I knew a regular human would never notice it. The Gargoyle was right. I needed to master this, and deep down I wanted to. It was just discouraging to fail time after time.

“What’s she thinking about?” Killian took a swig of water from the plastic bottle in his hand, and I watched his adam’s apple work. Wiping a hand across the back of his mouth when he was finished, he cocked his head at me as Damien filled him in.

His eyes squinted mischievously as a joyful look appeared on his face. He was so cute when he smiled. “Well, Annie girl, that can be arranged.” He sauntered in my direction, and I placed my hands on my hips, readying myself for his playful attack. He didn’t tackle me as I’d anticipated, but he did toss the bottle in his hands onto the grass. “If it’s my nearness you want, my hands on your body, all you have to do…” he trailed off as he stepped up close, sliding behind me as he placed his hands on my hips. Slowly, I felt him angling my body before he leaned forward, letting the scruff on his face lightly scratch my skin as he whispered in my ear, “… is hit that target.”

“I can hit it.” Hell, hitting it wasn’t the problem.

He chuckled, “Only the target, Annie girl.”

I sighed. Bloody hell—I tried the phrase on for size. It felt right. He might as well have asked for the damn moon.

“Focus.” His voice was still soft as he caressed his hands down my arms, bending to accommodate for the height difference. The bare skin of his arms made me wish I didn't have my black cotton jacket between us. The fresh, magical scent of him surrounded me, and I was comfortable, free of triggers or flashbacks. I leaned into his embrace as he lifted my arms and flipped my hands over so I was staring at my palms.

“Your fire lives here.” He traced a finger down the center of my palm, igniting all the nerve endings as he went, that simple touch awakening my body. “Your Phoenix holds the power, Nix. I don’t think you’ve been asking her for help. Without her, you’re just a human. She’s the source, the well of all your magic. Have you acknowledged her power? Her place in your life?” The light wind from his breath tickled my neck where the loose strands of hair escaping my messy bun hung down, swaying against my skin with each word he spoke.

Something resonated deep within, and I realized I hadn’t brought my Phoenix into my training session with me. I’d been focusing past her, trying to get the fire to cooperate. Everything that Killian said made sense. I reached within myself, hoping to bring her forth.

Hey girl. I cooed as I tried to talk to her. I should have figured out that you are the source of our power. It makes sense, though. You’re a powerful mythological creature. You know this is my first time trying my hand at this. I felt her ruffle her feathers, appeased by my apology. I realized that she had been a little annoyed by my accidental slight, but she and I together created one being, and I knew we could be kickass if we worked together. There was no other way to move forward other than as a united front. Whatever happened to me tomorrow also happened to her, and vice versa.

“That’s it. Do you feel those sparks between us, baby?” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms, letting our magic scintillate together. I closed my eyes and leaned my head on his shoulder as the sensations ran down my body. His Puca was close, and my Phoenix was interested; very interested.

I could picture the green in his eyes growing luminous as his creature pushed through, trying to mingle with mine. I wanted to open my eyes, turn in his arms, and take in the sight, but his soft caress felt so good that I stayed in place. I had been deprived of such touch all my life, never able to enjoy the comfort, joy, and pleasure it could bring thanks to the rough life I'd led, but now I was blossoming under my five men’s care and attention. No one had ever taken the time to work with me through my issues until now. The heat level in the house was almost boiling hot, but none of the men had ever pressured me or tried to take advantage. That was more than I could say of any other guy that had ever been in my life.

“Pull your Phoenix forward and let her guide you.” He turned my palms face down and angled them up in the direction of the target, bringing his hands to my shoulders when he was done positioning me. His thumbs dug into the tight muscles underneath, and I moaned out loud. His gentle massage felt like heaven, but I knew I’d never be able to concentrate enough to hit the target if he didn’t stop touching me.

“Enough. Hands to yourself for a minute.” I gently brushed him off and took up my stance once more. Raising my hands, I closed my eyes and called on my Phoenix—she truly did need a name. She cawed in agreement as she stepped up, pushing just below skin level. She wouldn’t show herself, but she was with me as much as she could be without shifting. The zings of power expanded, playing with Killian’s and Damien’s. Feeling his power reminded me that he had been on the porch, watching every second of Kill and I’s interaction together. I shut the mental link down. Focus.

This time, when the heat suffused my fingers, I felt my Phoenix lending control. It was like taking a torrent of energy and power and forcing it through a funnel, shaping and pinpointing it, preparing to aim it where I so desired. The power that zipped down my arms didn’t pertain to fire this time, but the overwhelming dominion I held over said power. My Phoenix cried out in jubilation as I narrowed my eyes at the target in the distance, feeling indomitable.

Blazing fire energy shot from my glowing hands, this time burning a hole straight through the center of the target. I whooped, my hands returning to their regular color as I reigned in the energy.

Clapping and cheering rang out from behind me. I turned, throwing my fists in the air in glory, to spy Killian clapping and hollering just steps away while Damien and Ryder celebrated with me from the wooden porch.

“Not bad, huh Rainbow Dash?” I teased with a wide grin.

He just shook his head, letting me have my victorious moment. “No, not bad at all, little bird.”

My Phoenix preened under his praise. She wanted him to step off the porch and shift for us. I wouldn’t lie. I wanted that too.

“I’ll put out the fire.” Killian jogged away again.

“Good, and I’ll start this one.” Checking me out, Ryder whistled. “You look good in yoga pants, but I can’t wait to get you into La Perla.” He held his hands up, framing me between them.

“Don’t they mostly make lingerie?” I scrunched up my nose as I thought about it, sure I was right.

“That they do.” His grin could only be described as carnal.

“You couldn’t even go two minutes without making a sexy joke, could you?” My scolding was playful as I climbed the few steps onto the deck.

Sliding his hands into his pockets, thumbs out, he leaned into me. “Who said it was a joke?” His eyes were bright, and I was grateful for this break in what had turned into a stressful day.

“On that note, I think the jacuzzi tub upstairs is calling my name. I need to wash the sweat and soot off of me.” It was true. After practicing for a few hours this afternoon, the smell from the charred targets clung to my clothing and hair. I needed to bathe, and then I needed to read up on everything Theo had given me. I was determined to go into tomorrow as prepared as I could possibly be, so with the exception of a relaxing bath, I’d spend the rest of the night with my nose buried in the paperwork.

“Are you going to be ok, Nix?” Ryder turned serious, looking into my eyes in earnest, trying to gauge where my head and heart were.

“As long as they don’t try to micromanage my life, or lock me up or something, then I’m sure we can come to some agreement on how to move forward. I’m hoping that if I’m as rare as you say and they want me to be a member of their community, then they’ll try to work with me? I mean, I’m not going to be ok if they tell me I can’t stay with you. I mean, shit, I’m already having issues with the school.” I let my volume decrease as I finished talking, unsure if I should bring up the weird meeting I’d had with the counselor.

“What issues?” Killian asked as he came to stand in front of me, along with Ryder and Damien. He crossed my arms in his typical stance, angling his head down to stare at me. He was always so intense. I stared right back at him.

“Your friend, Ahmya, has a big mouth and doesn’t seem to like that I’m staying with you all.”

“Fuck, she reported you?”

I nodded, raising an eyebrow. “Seems she’s jealous. Sucks for her because green’s not her color. I’m not worried about one little fox; I can take her on if I need to. It’s more having to deal with the aftermath. I don’t want to anger her father.” I shrugged. “First I need to worry about convincing the Council to let me live my own life and then I can worry about the school. They can’t dictate I spend every night in the dorm room. If it wasn’t for the complaint, I doubt they’d have noticed or cared.”

“We should talk to Hiro about this. With his RA job, he could probably shed some light.” I knew the RA position was wearing on Hiro. He wanted to be home with Nix. He’d been able to get someone to cover him while he stayed with Nix during the rebirth and subsequent healing process, but the last few days he’d been back and forth to the dorms in between his classes.

“Later. Let’s just get through tomorrow.” I gently built my mental layer in place and pasted a smile on my face, hoping they bought it. Waving to them, I turned to go back inside, ready for that bath. I needed to soak in very hot water and let it wash away my stress. The truth was that the school issue might not matter anymore, anyway.