by CJ England
Kira almost bit her tongue in surprise. His abilities were legion. He could do it all. He was the one Enhanced who could copy all the other Suprahumans abilities. No wonder she had felt such power. This was a man worthy of leading his people, just as the others she had joined with were.
Kira reached up and touched his face and gave him what he had given her. She showed him her life. She showed him who and what she was.
Benjamin held her, in awe of the woman who had come into his life. He hugged her tightly. For the first time, he understood all she had been trying to say to him. All she could do for his people. All they could do together. On the psychic plain, they pulled slowly out of each other's arms.
"It is time to go back." Her voice was almost sad.
"It is time to fight." Benjamin was looking forward to it.
"Your wounds are healed, my Sovereign, but we have one last thing to do before the joining is complete."
"And what is that?"
Kira didn't answer. She didn't have to. The knowledge filled his mind as surely as it filled hers. He watched as she placed her hand on the back of his. A dagger appeared in his hand and he touched it to her left arm, just above the elbow on her biceps. The power rose above them, ruby set in gold.
"I give you control. You give me strength. Together we will conquer our enemies.” Kira watched the ruby red power descend onto her arm.
"You give me control. I give you strength. Together we will conquer our enemies." Benjamin felt the tickle of power in his hand. Their eyes met and the power exploded, searing their flesh and dragging them back from the psychic plain to the real world.
* * * *
Benjamin stood upright, his heart pounding from the experience of joining. He felt a sharp pain in his hand, and saw a “K” had been burned into it where they had joined. He looked down and saw Kira lying in his arms in a faint. He smiled. She was just as beautiful in the real world, as she was in his mind.
He frowned when he saw the charred skin through her burned shirt. He ripped the shirt away from the burn and was surprised to see the shape of his dagger burned into her arm where the blade had touched her. The pain of the joining, as well as what she had done for him, had left her unconscious and he hoped she stayed that way. The brand hurt like hell.
Noise finally intruded on his mind. He looked around and saw himself in the middle of a battle. Suprahumans of all enhancements fought a few strangers and—he blinked in surprise—an army of ... ghosts?
Benjamin looked down at Kira. He didn't want to leave her, but this was his fight. He bent down and gently leaned her against the tabletop. He looked in disgust at his blood that stained the carpet. It stained his clothes as well. His shirt hung in ribbons on his muscular frame. With a tearing motion, he ripped the torn shirt from his torso.
Benjamin reached down and picked up two of the daggers. He stuffed them in his waistband. He grabbed the others and stood over Kira, one in each hand. Calling on one of his enhancements, he took a deep breath and let out a roar.
Gallegar, Lucas, Danolas and Patrick heard the roar. It sounded like a hundred male lions had sneaked up behind them. As one, they turned to do battle, knowing Kira's life was in their hands.
They stopped, surprised, as they saw The Sovereign standing strong and well in front of them. It was he who was roaring. They turned back to the battle, but found most of the Suprahumans had lost the will to fight when they saw Benjamin. Only those loyal to Superjack fought on.
When he saw Kira leaning against the table, Gallegar jumped up on the stage. He went to her, ignoring the big man standing at guard.
"She is well. The blood is mine.” Benjamin glanced at him then he glanced around the room. “She gave all her strength to me. I replaced what I could but..."
Gallegar touched her face with gentle hands. “She has given you what you needed.” He bent and tenderly gathered her bloody form to him, unmindful of his own clothing. “I will guard her here. You have a battle to win."
Benjamin inclined his head in agreement, noting the loving way the dark man touched Kira. He leaped off the stage and landed near Lucas, who was methodically shredding one of the monkeymen's clothing. Benjamin used his daggers to fight off another Suprahuman who had been coming at his back.
Lucas glanced his way and seeing who it was, nodded his thanks. “Is Kira all right?” he asked.
"Yes."
"Good,” Lucas growled, planting his foot on the monkeyman's face and giving it a kick. The man flew across the room. “Now go kill that little bastard so we can be done here."
Benjamin laughed, liking the big man. Using his daggers, he fought his way through the crowd looking for his enemy.
A man with long blond hair waved a staff at one of the beast changers. Benjamin blinked as a rope appeared out of nowhere and wrapped itself around the beast changer. It fell to the ground wound up tight as a mummy.
He passed a brown-eyed human who was pummeling one of the flyers. The flyer kept trying to hit him back, but his fists went right through him. Benjamin had to see it twice to believe it.
He pulled his attention back to the battle and after several minutes of searching, saw Superjack trying to fight his way to the door. Benjamin took a deep breath and kicked into hyper-speed. Before Superjack knew it, Benjamin stood in front of him. He switched into his strength enhancement and jerked the young Enhanced off the floor by the neck.
Superjack wriggled and squirmed as he tried to catch his breath. Benjamin stared at him, anger darkening his eyes. Finally, when Superjack went limp in his grasp, Benjamin turned toward the crowd. He switched enhancements one more time, and let out his lion roar. “Enough!!!"
The crowd paused. All who were still fighting turned and looked toward the sound. The sight of the young Enhanced in Benjamin's grip shut the fighting down quickly. Benjamin strode to the stage, Superjack still in his hands. Once there, he whirled around and swept the crowd with glaring red eyes. He dropped Superjack in a heap before him.
Gallegar still crouched by the table, holding Kira, protecting her with his strong body. Lifting her, he walked over to Benjamin.
Lucas, Danolas and Patrick joined him, the bodyguards just behind them. Benjamin touched Kira on the face.
"Does she waken yet?” he asked softly.
Kira herself answered him. “I am awake, Sovereign. I am just very tired."
Relaxing, Benjamin leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Gallegar's arms tightened around her. “I thank you for my life, sweetheart. But if it hadn't been for that drug, he never would have gotten close to me."
One of the Suprahumans stepped up and bowed before Benjamin. “Sovereign, please forgive us. When we were called here, you were already on display. Superjack and his minions said he defeated you with his hyper-speed. We didn't know what to think. Are you saying he used a drug against you?"
"Karl.” Benjamin put his hand on the man's arm. “Myron has come up with a drug that could not be defeated by my enhancements. If this drug works on me, it is logical to assume it will work on us all."
Many of the Suprahumans paled at this news. None wanted to see a drug like that exist. If it could take down their strongest warrior...
"It must be destroyed!” Karl was outraged.
"See to it,” Benjamin ordered. “You are now the head of the lab. Ferret it out and destroy it.” He didn't notice Karl's look of surprise and pride.
He turned to Superjack, who was just regaining consciousness. “Now I must deal with the traitors. Gather all who stood with this creature."
Hurriedly, all those who had fought on Superjack's side were shoved together in front of the stage.
Benjamin stood above them. His chin-length black hair was still matted with his blood, and without a shirt, he looked like a pirate of old getting ready to punish his crew. He glared at the fifteen men and women who stood silent and frightened before him. He paced back and forth, stepping over the moaning body of his erstwhile replacement.
"This is all?�
�� he inquired.
"As many as we saw fighting against you and your people. Some are dead.” A man, who had eyes like a snake, pointed at the bodies littered on the ground.
"They have escaped my wrath.” Benjamin stared threateningly at the group of traitors. “But you have not. I will see to you after I have dealt with this pretender sovereign.” He reached down and grabbed Superjack by the arm.
Superjack squealed like a pig, and struck at the muscular arm holding him. “I did nothing wrong! I met you in fair challenge! You're cheating! It's that bitch's fault."
He got no farther as Benjamin reached out and slapped him hard across the face. “You owe the lady an apology,” he said, quiet menace in his voice.
Superjack just narrowed his eyes and stubbornly stayed quiet.
Lucas cleared his throat. “I do believe I told the little bastard I would slice off his tongue if he spoke to Kira that way again.” He flexed his claws. “Don't suppose you'd let me...” His voice trailed off sadly.
Gallegar and Danolas heard him laughing uproariously in their heads.
Superjack's expression was priceless. He started plucking at Benjamin's arm in an effort to get away.
"My apologies. I think I have something different in mind for ... the little bastard.” Benjamin looked at the group who stood protectively around Kira. He couldn't hear the laughter and thought Lucas was serious.
"I think I owe you thanks for my life as well. Kira said you were protecting me so we could finish sharing the power ... joining she called it."
Gallegar stepped forward. He allowed Kira to drop to her feet, still holding her carefully around the waist. “I am Gallegar, King of the Vampires, first of the joined. I welcome you to our circle.” He and Benjamin shook hands.
Benjamin noticed his possessive arm never left Kira's waist.
The blond man Benjamin had seen fighting earlier bowed elegantly. “I am Danolas, High Priest of the San Francisco Witches Society. Thank you for allowing us to come to your party.” He grinned hugely, his eyes sparkling.
Lucas next greeted him. “I am Lucas, Master Shapeshifter of the Wolf Clan. I am Chosen.” He said it with a smile on his face.
Benjamin knew through the joining the werewolf was also joined, but it had been done in secret, so he had to be careful how he spoke of himself.
Patrick, came forward, and willed himself corporeal. Murmurs rose behind him. “I am Patrick. I lead the Ethereals. I am new to this joining, just as you are. I expect you will have a few questions for us. I don't suppose you got to hear everything in the rush."
Benjamin looked at the four men who stood proudly before him. He watched Kira's face as they introduced themselves. Love and admiration gleamed in her eyes. This was a special group. One he himself had joined. He hadn't known what he was getting into at the time, but he found that he liked these men. Kira had been right.
He laughed. “You know none of your kind really exists? And here I thought my people were the oddest in the city. Where have you all been?"
"Most of us live in the Lower City, away from the humans. It is safer there.” Gallegar gave the group a meaningful glance. “None may know about us."
Benjamin snorted. “If you can keep our secret, we sure as hell can keep yours.” He turned and looked at Superjack. “Now as for you..."
Myron squealed again. “It was a fair challenge. Just because no one saw it doesn't mean I didn't win."
Karl, the Suprahuman who was now head of the lab, sneered at Myron. “You wouldn't know a fair challenge if it hit you in the face!"
Benjamin had a look of contemplation on his face when he turned back to the crowd. “You didn't see Superjack win, did you?"
The crowd muttered amongst itself. After a while cries of: No! We did not see him win! We saw nothing. No challenge is handled that way! were heard.
Benjamin nodded. “And you didn't see me lose either.” He looked down at Superjack, still squirming in his hard grasp. “I think perhaps we should redo the challenge, here in front of everyone.” He ignored Superjack's gasp of surprise.
Kira put her hand on Benjamin's other arm. “Is that necessary? You may get hurt again. You are not completely well."
Gallegar, who had been following the same train of thought as the Suprahuman, pulled her back against him to comfort her. “It is necessary, A Ghra ... If there is any doubt of Benjamin's abilities to lead his kind, he will not be an effective leader."
"Who would dare doubt it?” Kira huffed angrily. “I saw the truth. I will make sure everyone knows it!"
"I can't hide behind a woman's skirts, sweetheart.” Benjamin was firm. “You already saved me. I have to reestablish my authority."
"He's right, honey. Let it go."
Kira glared at Lucas when he finished the mind-speech, and then at the others as she asked. “Is this a guy thing?"
Danolas tried to smooth the waters. “It is more a leadership thing, my Lady."
Benjamin stepped in. “I will fight with Superjack, so all may know there is no way he could do to me what he did, without drugging me first. It must be done.” He wasn't asking for permission. He was stating a fact.
Kira sighed, and then nodded. She didn't like it, but all of the Chosen felt what Benjamin intended was the right thing to do. She trusted their judgment.
Benjamin sensed Kira was still worried, so he bent and kissed her cheek. He felt Gallegar's heated glare on the back of his neck and shivered.
Okay, so the vampire was saying “hands off." He gave Gallegar a little bow in recognition, and with a slight smile, Gallegar nodded back. They understood each other.
Benjamin stood and looked around the room. “Make the Challenge Circle!"
All the Suprahumans scurried to do his bidding, moving back to form a large circle that encompassed most of the room. The prisoners were held just off to the side and Kira and the Chosen climbed up on the stage for a better view.
Once the circle was in its place, Benjamin threw Superjack into its center with a negligent toss. Superjack scrambled to his feet, searching for a way out. His eyes were wide with fear, his nostrils bulging in an effort to pull in enough air.
Benjamin jumped into the circle himself and smiled at Superjack. “You have one shot, traitor. You better make it good.” He moved himself into a fighting stance, but his motions were careless. He wasn't worried by anything Superjack could do.
Superjack gulped. All could see his Adam's apple move up and down. He gave one more desperate glance around the circle as if looking for freedom, before turning back to Benjamin. He screamed his defiance at Benjamin and, using his hyper-speed, lunged ferociously at him.
Benjamin saw him coming, even without the enhancements he had. What he didn't see until the last minute was the mini-syringe Superjack held in his outstretched hand. He barely had time to swing away as Superjack made his pass.
He could hear the crowd's gasping, and fury lit his brain when he realized they thought he was retreating from the coward he was fighting. Not stopping to think, he kicked into his own hyper-speed enhancement and raced after him, grabbing him above the wrist where he held the syringe.
Angrily, Benjamin squeezed until Superjack screamed with pain. The audible sound of a bone breaking filled the room. The syringe fell to the floor and rolled to Karl's feet.
It was over.
"You son of a bitch!” Karl bent and carefully retrieved the poison. “So much for a fair fight.” He looked at his Sovereign. “Are you all right? Did he touch you with this?"
"Not this time.” Benjamin gave Myron a hard shake. The beaten Suprahuman was whimpering as he cradled his broken wrist against his body. “Last time he took me unawares. This time I was prepared for him. But not even I thought he would try to cheat in a room full of his brethren."
"Coward! Cheat!” The rooms exploded in angry catcalls.
"What do you plan to do with your betrayer?” Kira and the other Chosen made their way down to Benjamin.
Benjamin gave Superja
ck another little shake. “Our law allows me to deal with him as I see fit.” His face darkened. “To cheat on a fair challenge. To develop drugs that would harm his own kind and then to use them. All of these are evil enough to warrant death."
Kira's Chosen looked at each other. They could feel the stirring of Kira's power.
Danolas mind-spoke to Kira. "If any deserved the punishment, my Lady, it is this man."
"I will kill him only if that is the Sovereign's desire. I will not give him the idea."
The High Priest bowed in agreement.
Patrick looked at both of them. “Y'all were using that mind-speech again. I didn't get it all."
Benjamin looked down curiously at Kira. “You can read each other's minds? I thought I heard you say something."
She nodded. “All my Chosen can read mine, when I so choose. The joined who are linked together can read each other's as well."
"Will I do this link thing?” Reading minds sounded good to him. It wasn't an enhancement a Suprahuman could have.
"Yes,” Kira sounded distracted. “Later on tonight."
Benjamin thought he heard Lucas say, “Shit!"
Gallegar smoothed the hair from Kira's face. It was sticky with Benjamin's blood. “What will you do with Superjack, Sovereign? As a leader I know that punishment should be given quickly. But it is a difficult decision."
Benjamin thought for a minute. He'd made his decision the second he saw himself pinned to the table in Kira's vision. It wasn't something he wanted to do, but Superjack needed to be executed. For the good of all his people.
"Hold him,” he said to two large Suprahumans who stood in the crowd. They took Superjack by his skinny arms and turned him to face Benjamin. Benjamin stood tall, and strong above him.
"As The Sovereign of the Suprahumans, I declare you, Myron Feldmen, a traitor to your people.” Benjamin glared down at the pathetic young man. “You have lied and cheated in order to promote yourself, not caring who you would hurt in the process. For these crimes I sentence you ... to death."