I stared into the flames in front of me but felt no urge to feel their heat. Nothing was good enough. Nothing was hot enough, and my routine of disappearing into the forest had turned into a bitter experience. The small fire I could create only made my desire for Zoran’s heat worsen. I tossed a couple more twigs onto the pile and watched them ignite.

Wiping my face on my jacket, I debated just going back to Hobbs. Sitting here staring at the fire was only torturing me. Hobbs had barely given me anything to do, but after what had happened three days ago, everyone was a little hesitant to go near the cliffs. I guess he didn’t want me crawling around them either. The list of herbs he gave me was a chore meant for a child to complete. It had only taken me an hour or so, and I had spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the woods, upset that I couldn’t burn the whole forest down.

A twig snapped, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Reese walking toward me.

He gave me an over-exaggerated smile. “Hey.” Walking to my side, he sat down and crossed his legs. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’ve been avoiding everyone,” I muttered, wrapping my arms around my legs. This damn cold was getting to me.

“Yeah, the Haywoods asked me to check on you.” He tossed some dried up grass into the fire.

I watched them burst into flame, and for a moment, the heat warming my skin increased. It wasn’t enough. No man-made fire would be enough to satisfy me. “Why? Two more days and I’m gone. They don’t need to worry about me.” My head fell to the side.

“It’s okay, Fin. The whole town was shaken up by the last shapeshifter. Stop punishing yourself for it. No one was killed. I was proud of you for going in there,” he chuckled. “That was a pretty brave for a brat like you.”

“Hmmm…”

“Look, the governor isn’t mad. That shapeshifter...” He shook his head. “No one could match a power like that. I don’t even know how’d we kill it if we caught it. I mean, the thing threw fire at us.”

“Why not leave it alone, then?” I muttered, standing and dusting off my pants. “Has anyone ever thought about just leaving them alone? Since, technically, it was just defending itself.” I marched off into the trees with my hands jammed into my pockets.

“Hey.” Reese jumped to his feet and stamped out the small fire with his boot before chasing me down. “What has gotten into you? You will not talk like that.” Grabbing my shoulder, he swung me around to face him. “They’re shapeshifters, Fin. Because of creatures like them, our parents are dead.” He jabbed his finger into my chest. “We’re lucky to be alive. I had to watch mine be torn apart by one of those demons. I will not feel sorry for them. They’re not human.”

Sucking in my lips, I nodded. “Yeah. Whatever, sorry.”

“It could have been a shapeshifter like that one who killed your parents. Did you ever think of that?”

My mouth dropped open, and I looked at him. “Who told you about that?” No one old enough to remember talked about the fire.

“I overheard the governor talking to some council members. Fin, your entire village was burned to the ground by one of those things. It deserves to die. All shapeshifters do.”

“I don’t want to hear this.” I moved passed him toward town. If it had been a fire shifter, how was I any different?

Reese jogged after me and caught up in an alleyway close to the main square. “What is with you?” He snatched my arm and yanked me back. “Why are you acting like this? People are starting to talk. You can’t just ignore everyone.”

“I know.” Clenching my fist, I stared at the ground. “I just don’t want to talk about it.”

Reese gave me a stern look. “To be honest, the governor told me to keep an eye on you. He’s starting to think something happened up there that you’re not telling him.”

“Nothing happened. I already told you that.”

“It doesn’t matter if I believe you. The one you have to convince is the governor, and you’re doing a horrible job of that by running off by yourself every day.”

“I know,” I said sharply. “I just want to be alone. What’s wrong with that?”

“No one blames you for the fire shifter. We’ll find it, and kill it.”

“Just shut up.” I jerked my arm free. “I’m tired of hearing it. Everyone saying it’s not my fault. I know it’s not my damn fault! But that doesn’t mean I want to talk to you, or anyone else.” I pushed him back.

“Fin?” He staggered back. “What wrong with your eyes?”

“Nothing is wrong, Reese. I’m sick of constantly repeating myself to you. When are you going to figure out I just want to be left alone!” I threw my hands down and felt an immense heat rush to my fingertips.

Reese’s eyes grew wide as I brought my hand up to my face. A fire was dancing around my palm.

“Curse the gods.” What was happening? I looked into the terrified face of my foster brother. “Reese?”

“Shapeshifter,” he breathed. “Shapeshifter!” He ran into the center of the courtyard. “Shapeshifter!”

“Reese, no. Reese, wait!”

Screams joined my foster-brother’s voice.

“Shit.” I backed away as my chest tightened. It was over now. Turning on my heels, I ran for the forest. I burst out of the alleyway and slammed into a woman. We both toppled to the ground.

“Fin!” snapped Mrs. Haywood. “Look what you’ve done.” She shook her head at me.

Bread and apples scattered the ground. My foster sisters dropped to their knees to gather it up.

“I’m sorry.” I grabbed my caretaker’s arm and helped her to her feet.

“You are too old to be running around like a heathen. I taught you better.” She dusted herself off.

The voices of men sounded behind me. I turned around to see Reese standing at the front with the governor at his side.

“There!” yelled my foster brother. “Fin– he’s a shapeshifter. I saw him control fire. The boy is cursed.”

A smile played across the governor’s lips. “Kill him.”