Nick looked up. “Where’s our waitress?”
Lana nudged his shoulder. “Nick, you have to order at the counter. They only bring you the food.”
“God, why didn’t you tell me that before?” He pushed his chair out. “I’m starving.”
Lana followed behind him. “Want me to order you guys something?” She asked over her shoulder.
I shook my head no, but Jace nodded. “Whatever’s fine.”
We were both silent for a moment. I watched him draw invisible circles on the table with his finger. “Dez,” he said, still staring at the table.
“Yeah?”
“Sorry to get all serious on you. I didn’t mean to make you worry more.” He peeked up.
I shook my head. “No. We have to talk about this stuff. We need to be prepared for whatever’s going to happen.” I paused, considering. “I can’t help thinking…”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“The Narcos changed the world with their Flame.” A beat. “They built airships, steam autos, even our levibikes.” I thought of my mother’s Charge. “Our power gets weaker every day. Our magics are lost more and more. Does that mean we’ll cease to exist?”
“No, Dez.” He took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. “Kythan were given magics, created by it, but the Narcolym survive because they found another purpose for their power. We can’t allow this Treaty Act to continue. If they get their way, and we don’t use our power, that’ll be the only way we cease. And I won’t allow that to happen.”
Jace hated the Narcos more than anyone. His siblings teased him over the years, calling him a rebel. But now I saw the strength in his eyes. He’d fight to protect our kind—his kind. It made my heart swell and fall all at the same time. Would he still look at me the same if he knew the truth about me?
Jace released my hand as Lana and Nick returned. “What did you order me?” Jace asked. His face quickly fell as he took in Lana’s pinched face. Her eyes shone a powerful blue, indicating she was worried.
“I ordered you something, but I think we should go,” she said, glancing over her sh
oulder.
“What is it Lane?” Jace asked.
Before she could answer, he shot up, knocking his chair to the floor. I craned my neck to look out the windows surrounding the diner. Crap.
Making their way up to the double doors were the three Narcos from the club. Reese stopped suddenly, noticing me through the glass. He waved at Jace, then looked at me, puckering his lips into a kiss.
“Screw it,” Jace said. “He’s dead.”
Chapter Four
I GRABBED JACE’S ARM. “Don’t.”
He jerked out of my grasp and sidestepped me. I huffed and jumped in front of him, pressing my hands against his chest. “Jace, he only wants to get a rise out of you. Don’t do this. Please.”
Nick planted himself in Jace’s path. “Dude, this will not end well. Listen to Dez.”
I looked over my shoulder, silently thanking Nick, and he nodded. Jace relaxed his stance, but I kept my hands on him, scared to lose contact.
“Come on,” Lana said. “Let’s walk right past. Don’t even look at them.”
“What? But I just ordered my food.” Nick threw his hands up.
Jace blew out a deep breath. “You see.” He nodded his head once toward the Narcos. “This is what I meant. They’re waiting for the bottom to fall out. Then they’ll make their move.”
I didn’t know if Jace was right, but if the Narcos wanted the Shythe to restart the feud, they picked a good target. Jace wouldn’t be able to tolerate this much longer.
“Nick, go get the food. Lana,” I said, glancing out the window, “help Nick and meet us at the levibikes. We can have a picnic, instead.”