“Arms up!” I heard Draco call to me through his pained throat. Right. I learned how to get out of this. Please let me be able to truly put my training into application.
I raised my right arm and quickly elbowed his hands, then his face. He let me go on instinct, and I tried to run toward Draco, whose eyes were centered on me, when my foot became incased in ice.
One of the gurney men had an evil smile on his face as his hands glowed in white. Great. Ice powers. All of these subjects so far had been offensive powers. There had to be something to that.
Think, Rose.
God, I had an idea hit me but it was a long shot. I had to at least try.
Emanuel was close, his eyes looking over me with laughter. He thought I was done for.
I closed my eyes and focused. Pulling everyone’s emotions that were nagging at me. Holding close the emotions that haunted me. Savoring the emotions that kept me from going insane. It was time to use their minds against themselves. Hopefully it would buy us the time we needed.
An ear-piercing scream erupted from my lips as I let all those feelings build until they were too much to be contained.
Everyone within a short radius of me was now feeling everything I had ever felt and held onto the memory of.
The subjects that were still conscious started scratching at their heads, unable to control themselves from trying to dig out the emotions inside them. Emanuel cursed loudly, hopefully feeling every grueling moment of Josie’s death by his hand that I’d felt.
My vision started to blur, using my power like that was too much, and I knew I was going under soon. I looked at Draco and whispered I love you before I fell to the ground and everything disappeared.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Draco
My feet were moving before my brain even registered the motion. It was Phillip’s vision come to life. I prayed she was just passed out and not lifeless. Everyone around was still suffering from her power, so I had time to break the ice from her foot, and scoop her into my arms.
Her eyes were closed but she was breathing softly. She just exhausted herself. She wasn’t dead.
Phillip was there in an instant to see if one of his visions had happened. He let out a shuddered breath of relief when he saw that her chest was moving from her lungs working.
“Get her out of here,” I told him and he didn’t fight me one bit. He gently cradled her in his arms and left as fast as he could.
“Time to finish this.” I looked at Emanuel who had seemed to gain control of the rush of emotions inside his head.
His eyes turned red, and I prepared myself for his fire. But all that came from his hands was a small puff of smoke. He was drained.
I jumped at him and we clashed in a battle of fists. I punched, and he returned it. We grappled back and forth. Both fueled by anger, and the determination for our fight to end.
He wasn’t as trained as I was, but that didn’t make it any easier. He still knew what he was doing.
When his movements started to slur just the slightest, I gripped him by the neck and thrust my knee into his face. His strength and stamina was leaving him. I walked over to the gun that was the closest and turned around to finally end this.
A loud crash and an intense bright light entered the room, completely covering everything. I shielded my eyes as best as I could but looked toward Emanuel’s direction.
I swore I saw a human-like figure near him, and then they were gone.
“Shit,” I cursed and looked around for anyone running from the room but there was no one alive.
Quickly I moved toward the doctor and found him lying on the ground. Blood coming from his eyes, nose, and ears. My gaze darted to the other subjects in the room and they shared the same strange fate.
Examining the area for anything that could help us gain more knowledge of their plan was cut short by the sounds of sirens echoing in the distance.
The case was gone, but I’d noticed a USB that was attached to a broken laptop and a notebook that was on the ground, underneath the desk. Both could be useful.
Just as I started heading out the door, the subjects’ bodies started to burn. Completely consumed by the powerful gene that was never theirs. I stopped over to where my bag of leftover weapons was and then made my way out to the SUV that was waiting for me just outside the door.
The cops and fire trucks were almost to the building as we drove off. Missing all the action, and for that I was thankful. The world of super powers would still be a secret for now. I’m sure Phillip was going to have his hands full for the upcoming weeks keeping everything under control.
But for now, I had my hands full of my woman wrapped inside them. She was snuggled against me, passed out cold as we drove back to headquarters.
Everything had finally gotten to her, and the exhaustion from it all knocked her out. I didn’t panic. But simply held her, keeping her safe while she rested. I counted her slow breaths to ease my wandering thoughts, because right now this was all that mattered. Tomorrow we could worry about everything else. Right now she was safe, and the rest of my family was safe. Because that’s what they were to me. Family.
I carried her up to an apartment room, Phillip unlocked the door and I went about setting her down on the bed.
“Everything was changing so quickly. I’m sorry.” Phillip stood next to me as we watched his sister breathe peacefully in her slumber.
“Expect the unexpected.” I looked at him and gave him a half grin.
He gave me a weak one back before turning to leave.
“We’ll get him. Tonight we rest, and enjoy the life that survived. Tomorrow we go back to the grind.” It was the best speech I had at the moment and it seemed to work for him for now. He nodded and then left the apartment. Maybe another five minutes later after I had washed up a bit and stripped out of my torn clothes he reappeared with a shirt and gym shorts.
“Thanks,” I told him as he handed them over to me. I had no issue with nudity, but clothes were a nice comfort while having to deal with others. He simply nodded and left. I changed into them quickly and thought about what I wanted to do now.
I had too much adrenaline and power running through my veins to go to sleep, and after everything that happened I didn’t think I could. But I lay down next to Rose regardless.
Crazy-ass woman. She couldn’t just stay behind and let me take care of everything without her getting in the middle of harm.
Truthfully I should have known better. Rose was stubborn, brave, and so strong. I was surprised she didn’t use her sword of words on the men to take them down. She could bring a man to her knees from digging around in their soul if she wanted. This time she pushed herself beyond anything we’d ever thought possible and it proved how powerful she was. My brave woman.
I forced myself to not think of anything that occurred and just clear my mind for the night. My body had been through the burner. Literally. It needed rest. I stared at the ceiling, listening to her breathe for hours. Once her hand reached over to mine in her sleep, my eyes closed, and I found peace just moments later.
“I’m so pissed you went in alone.” Rose’s voice woke me from my peaceful sleep. I grumbled, still feeling the need for more rest.
“Next time you don’t leave me in the car thinking you can protect me. I’ll chase your ass down no matter what so you might as well have me by your side to begin with.” She continued on and I agreed. At least if she was near me I could make sure she didn’t do something stupid. Like she did last night.
“Okay.” I opened my eyes and looked into her tired face.
“You need to sleep more.” I pulled her against my body, feeling her solid form in my arms was the best feeling I could have. She was all right, safe, and still with me.
“I’m fine. But I’m pretty sure we need to go down and talk to everyone. There’s so much we need to go over.” She tried to sit up and I wouldn’t let her leave.
“There will always be evil to spoil the day. Not going to
let it stop us from finding every bit of happiness in each moment we can.” I kissed her head and kept talking.
“Like the fact that you love me, a moment I didn’t get to really take in so I think you should try it again. That way I can fully experience it.” I was all grins and teasing now. I’d learned a long time ago that you had to let things go or they would consume you. To find the happiness in each day. I’d forgotten that, and being with Rose had brought back the light in my life.
She shook her head and looked up at me. Her beautiful hazel eyes were brimming with love as she spoke the words to me before claiming my lips.
“I love you.”
A knock at the door stopped our kiss from going any further and I tried to remain calm as I stood up to answer it.
When I saw Phillip standing on the other side, I gave him a look that said many things. Most of them not very nice.
“What, I let her tell you she loved you. The rest can wait till later. You both survive, I’ve seen it.” He was being dramatic. But both Rose and I followed him down to talk about everything that happened.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Rose
We all sat in the TV room just listening to Draco talk about what happened after Phillip got me out of there.
A bright light that took Emanuel and the medical case away.
A bright light that also killed those around that were still alive.
“It didn’t affect you at all?” I asked him and he shook his head no. That was sort of strange that everyone else suffered but he didn’t even feel slight pain.
“I’m working on decoding the USB you found, along with checking out the notebook. It looks to be notes from the doctor but everything is written in chicken scratch,” AJ commented and I gave him a smile. He was a hero in my book, and we couldn’t have done anything without him.
I told him as much and his cheeks grew pink with blush.
“I can’t see a future where we go after Emanuel right away, but it looks like it will be a few weeks before any new action starts.” Phillip’s eyes were glossed over as he searched through the possible futures ahead of us.
“Whenever his father took on too much power it would wipe him out for a while. His body needed to build its own strength before taking any more power from others. Hopefully he takes after his dad and needs time to recoup,” Draco added, and I felt a little relief inside me flutter.
“Guess it’s back to training huh?” I asked.
“Yeah. We need to get you in more fighting shape, plus we need to see what this new side of your power can do. You can absorb emotions, influence, and project them. That’s something I haven’t even heard of in my time.” I think Draco’s words were a compliment, so I took them as one. I was pretty darn cool.
“We also need to bring more people to our society, starting with talking to Leon the fisherman when he returns, and any others that AJ locates. It’s the only way we can win this battle,” Phillip stated and I felt the severity of his words even without him stressing them. Big things were coming and we needed to hurry up and get our shit together before it’s too late.
“I concur,” Draco agreed.
“Me too.” AJ spoke as well.
“I want a shower first but then I’m in.” I had to get my say in, couldn’t let the boys have the moment to themselves.
Everyone looked into each other’s eyes and found solace that we were in this together.
Our Hero Society.
“All right, let’s all clean up and meet up in the kitchen for some breakfast.” Phillip stood and went to two bags that were next to the door, and then brought them over to Draco and me.
“Thought you guys would want something clean to wear.” He smiled and I jumped up to hug him. He might have hidden Draco’s solo mission from me, but he was still the best brother I could ever ask for.
“I love you, butt face.” I hugged him tight, and he returned the sentiment.
“Love you too, beautiful,” he said and I felt like crying. He teased me all the time, but he never once called me names. No matter what I said to him.
“I’m really proud of you,” he added before letting me go and walking out of the room. I felt that his emotions were all over the place, but none of them were bad. He was happy that we were all okay, and felt the determination to continue on with our goal of changing the world.
“Let’s go shower together. It’ll save water.” Draco stood and grabbed my hand. Leading us back up to the apartment.
“Okay, yeah, bye, AJ. You’re so cool, AJ.” AJ spoke to himself as a joke since none of us had said bye to him, but I could feel that he wasn’t truly upset. He was happy he found somewhere he belonged.
“Bye, AJ!” I called out to him as the elevator doors closed.
Draco quickly opened the door and started removing both of our clothes.
“Time to consummate our love, beautiful.” He turned on the shower with a smirk on his lips. I stood close to his body and ran my fingers up and down his hard muscles.
“There you go again aging yourself, old man.” I waited and the reaction I got from him was better than I expected.
“Time to fuck my beautiful woman until her toes curl and her voice is hoarse.
“Better?” He smiled and wrapped his hands around mine, pulling me into the shower with him.
Oh yeah, his newer version was so much better.
Rose
Two weeks later.
“Okay, what’s the surprise?” I asked as Phillip led me down the hallway to the second lower level of our hero headquarters. I heard AJ and Draco walking behind us, and for some reason I was the only one blindfolded. I really didn’t think my reactions to things were that dramatic, that all these theatrics were needed.
“Ready?” Phillip asked as he untied the blindfold. I guess I was whether I said so or not.
I looked ahead at the wall at the end of the hall and just stared.
Painted on the wall was a Spartan helmet, with wings stretched out to the sides of it. It was both feminine and masculine at the same time.
Next to the symbol was a picture hanging on the wall.
JOSIE LOMES, honorary recruit.
Her bright green eyes were beaming past her glasses and her black hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
“I made sure everything was taken care of. She wanted to be cremated and her ashes spread at sea. I also donated to her favorite animal rescue.” Phillip stood next to me and spoke. Tears started falling down my cheeks. It was beautiful to know how even though her death was sad, that she would live on here, and through those we protected.
“AJ drew up the symbol,” he added and I looked at the painting again.
“Why this?” I asked, but even as the words came out I started to understand the meanings behind the two pieces.
“Spartan helmet represents our Greek origins, and the duty to our society. To use our abilities to become the heroes that the gods meant for us to me.” AJ stepped up and touched the paint with his hand.
“The wings are for Josie, the first fallen recruit that will be immortalized forever now. And I kinda thought it would fit well.” He smiled and I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around him for a nice hug. He was a genius.
“It’s absolutely perfect,” I told him then looked at Draco. His eyes were on the painting, approval was written all over his face. He always felt the burden of the gods’ final breath weigh heavily on him, and with this symbol it was like he wasn’t alone in that burden anymore. We were with him. Living out the path they created for us.
“Time to go have a talk with our next hopeful recruit.” Phillip rubbed his hands together and nodded for us all to head toward the door.
I sent out a prayer to the universe that Leon would join us.
“To the dawn of the Hero Society.” I looked at the symbol and all it represented.
“To the dawn of the Hero Society,” they all said in unison.
As we all walked toward the elevator I knew that whatever wo
uld come our way, we would aim to be the heroes in the darkest of times. Even if the darkness was just around the corner. We would always rise like the dawn, to fight the shadows of the world of mankind.
Sneak peek of Day, book two in the Hero Society series.
Leon.
I sat at the bar of the infamous Club V, thinking over the conversation I’d had with the three people this afternoon as I got off the boat from a month long trip.
A society of heroes. Sounds like a load of crap.
I ordered another round of good old Jack, and tried to erase any thoughts I’d had of considering their offer. I listened to the sound of the music while my mind took a turn toward the bitter memories that could help me with my decision.
I’d been the king of high school. Football captain, ladies’ man, and was on a fast track to scoring a spot in the professional football league once I got into college a few years later. All-American man I was deemed. Until the curse of my powers came. Yeah, it would have been easier to win at football if I could have unleashed my speed and run faster than traveling sound. But couldn’t control them at the ripe age of seventeen. I’d messed up and someone got hurt. And not just a bump on the head, but paralyzed.
I wished hard that it would have stopped there but it seemed I was doomed for more. I was in the hospital visiting Charles after the incident when he asked me to tilt the TV over more for him to see when I knocked it clear off the wall and it smashed against the floor. I barely even touched it.
Strength and speed. Something most would love to have the ability to possess, but I was not one of them. I wanted my normal life back, and that feeling had never gone away.
Leon Daniels, all-star football player, became the recluse. Afraid to be close to anyone for their safety and then soon became a joke to everyone he once called friends.
And now I had been given a choice to join a group of people like me, to use my powers for good.
Dawn (Hero Society Book 1) Page 15