She flinched back, covering her head with her arms, her eyes closed against the end incoming. Perhaps that’s why it took longer than it should have to realize that the tsunami failed to arrive. Instead, a sad, little wave lapped against her ankles. Not even a cold wave. The entire chill zone centered around her chest as shock sent shudders to her toes and back up to rattle her teeth. It may have lost its oomph, but she knew to her core the call had been too close to rejoice in. Hands gripped her shoulders, kept her on her feet, which was good because her knees were deep in wobbly. She almost feared to look, sure something had to have changed, but what? “Are you all right?” He sounded the same, so she ventured a look. The Chameleon’s man stared at her, anxiety fading into cautious relief. “She’s lost most of her color.” “Not as much as she needs to lose.” His woman’s voice was flat, but with a hint of acid that Ashe found reassuring rather than annoying. At least she hadn’t changed.
