Reality Hero

by Ashlynn Monroe

  His heart swelled. His lips brushed hers softly. He pulled back to look into her green eyes. What he saw stole his ability to think. Reality. She was his whole world. When she looked at him he wasn’t a mutant freak created in a lab. Dina Dell loved him.

  Zane gathered her into his arms. They were young, but they’d survived things most adults never would face. He was ready for this, but he needed to be sure she was too. “Dina…”

  She put her fingers on his lips. “You’re always trying to take care of all of us, always trying to make us strong. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours,” Dina whispered.

  She was wrong. She was the one who took care of them and made the hovel they lived in a home. She was the one who’d made them a family and kept them together after they’d escaped the lab. His body craved hers, but he loved her too much to rush her. She pulled his face to hers. The kiss stole his resolve.

  “Um, hello? Earth to Zane, Earth calling. Are you home in there?” Rain sounded annoyed. She snapped her fingers in front of his face.

  He pulled his unfocused eyes out of the distance and returned to the present. Those old memories were nothing but ghosts tormenting him. He had firsthand experience with torture, but nothing hurt like those old reminiscences.

  Rain interrupted his thoughts. “So are you going to go see Miss Average or what? It’s quiet tonight. If I need you, I know where you are.”

  “I’ll go to her. I’ll always go to her.”

  Rain’s face twisted and, just for a moment, something he couldn’t put a name to flittered across her expression. He nodded. Closing his eyes, he visualized Dina’s apartment. In his heart, he hoped he was the reason she’d never moved. She knew he could always go to her because of his ability.

  He gave Rain’s shoulder a quick squeeze, and then he was gone.

  * * * *

  Dina stood on her balcony drinking the wine she’d bought on the way home from work. She needed the liquid courage. An image of Zane popped into her head. He wasn’t just the best-looking man she’d ever seen—he had compassion and heart. He was the best of them, and the only man she’d ever loved.

  None of that mattered, she was still going to throw him under the bus. “I’m such an idiot,” she muttered into the lonely wind.

  He would come to her, because that was the kind of man he was…good. She didn’t deserve his friendship. She’d been the one to make the choice to end what they’d shared. She’d done it to protect him.

  The man was born to be a hero. Science just gave him the edge. He cared—too much. She adored that about him. She also loved the way his muscles rippled when he moved. Zane was tall. His body was lean and total masculinity. When she looked into his amazing, blue-gray eyes, she felt as if she could see the best in herself. That’s what made rejecting him so hard. She loved him too much to be the reason she lost him, so it was easier to lose him on her own terms. Selfish, but essential for survival. As long as he was alive, she could keep breathing. He was air and sunshine, without him her world would be a wasteland.

  The man should be modeling or acting, not doing taxes by day and fighting crime by night. He deserved a normal life, but he’d never really have one. Her hand trembled and she set the wineglass on the balcony ledge. She closed her eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. It shuddered out of her as she exhaled. Her tall, dark, and handsome hero with the soulful eyes would come to her, and she hoped he’d save her—one more time.

  Dina looked out between the bars of the cage. Her body had grown, but they’d never given her more spacious accommodations. If she were this uncomfortable, she couldn’t imagine what Zane, Aaron, and even the slightly smaller boy, Ian, experienced. They were all taller than she was. The child-sized prison was just one more daily torment they each endured. She sighed, leaning her head against the cold bars. Ian was watching her again. He was always watching her. It was annoying, but she didn’t have the heart to scold him. What was there to do but wait to die?

  Zane was sleeping, but her sister stared blankly out. They were all changing, all but her. She wouldn’t do it, wouldn’t give the bastards the satisfaction of winning. She couldn’t see the others, Aaron or Bridget. She only saw them when they went to the lab or back to the cell. It was so cold. If she ever escaped, the first thing she would do was find a blanket and someplace warm. Then she would just stretch out her body as fully as possible.

  Zane suddenly screamed. His body convulsed. She hit her head on the bars as she jumped with surprise.

  “Help,” she screamed.

  Their monstrous keepers came running in. They dragged Zane from his cage and threw him, none too gently, on a gurney.

  “Zane,” she cried.

  They took him away and she clutched the bars as she watched him go. This was it. She knew it in her soul. She’d never see him again.

  And she hadn’t—at least not as he’d been before the transformation. They brought him back later and he seemed altered, stronger. She’d been so sick and weak. His startling transformation had almost been an insult as she lay dying. Then the others had changed too. Ella had become something more first. Her twin had been the reason they’d worked so hard to try and change her. She’d kept her resolve to fight, even as they’d pushed her past her limits of endurance. It took only a few weeks for the irrevocable development of their abilities. Zane was the last to go through the evolution. Only Dina remained as she was.

  “I…we’re getting out of here,” Zane hissed.

  Dina was too weak to raise her head. She felt something going on inside of her, but she fought it. Whatever they’d been trying to do all these years was doing its best to work. Dina refused to let those psychopathic bastards win. She’d die before she’d accept what was happening. Focusing all her energy, she held onto what she was, but it was weakening her.

  “Agreed,” Ella said. “I’m different. If we stay, it’ll get worse, I know it’ll be bad. I don’t know why they did this, or how safe it is to leave, but I’m taking my chances outside. They know we’re changing, but I don’t think they realize just how much, but they will figure it out if we stay much longer.”

  Dina rolled over and tried to look at her sister. She wanted to give her permission to run. She wasn’t going to make it, but she wanted to see her sister free before she died. Her eyes wouldn’t focus. The only thing she could see was Ian’s steady, concerned gaze. She squinted. His face looked starker. His body appeared larger, as large as the older boys already were.

  She turned away from his constant scrutiny. She didn’t want anyone watching her die. They all had enough bad memories. She didn’t want to add to their emotional burdens. She just hoped they wouldn’t forget her as the rest of the world surely had done by now.

  She heard metal tear. Screams. She wanted to see, but the effort was just too much.

  “There are more. Run.” That was Aaron’s voice.

  A small smile touched her lips, using precious energy, but it was worth it. They’d make it out. She could be at peace when it happened—when she gave up. As soon as she heard silence and knew they were gone, she’d let go. She hoped those nuns who’d raised her hadn’t lied. She’d been a good girl; somewhere there was a place of comfort and peace waiting for her. Even hell would be better than the cage. At least there was fire there, so she’d be warm.

  The cage shook and she heard the sound of metal screeching as it gave way. She forced her eyes open.

  “I’m not leaving you, Dina. Don’t leave me either.”

  Zane was risking himself. As he picked her up, she could see the others had already fled. The mad scientists who played God with them, lay strewn about the floor. They wouldn’t be hurting another child again. She hated death, but if anyone deserved it, these men did.

  She glanced into Zane’s handsome face. He’d matured in only a few hours, he looked more like an adult than a teenager. Dina couldn’t resist touching one of Zane’s large biceps. They’d been kept weak and underfed. She had no idea how he’d suddenly become so ta
ll and muscular. The softness of a boy was no longer in his face. She felt her heartbeat a little stronger and blood rushed to her cheeks.

  Dina fought, struggling for each breath, willing herself to keep going. He ran with her through the dark labyrinth—their personal seventh level of hell. When the cool, night air hit her face, she gasped in a great breath. The others emerged out of the night shadows where they’d been waiting for them.

  “Thank God you made it,” Ella said, gazing at Zane adoringly. Dina noticed her sister looked different too, her body was more developed.

  Ian was the only one who looked at her, and for once, she looked back. A bond of camaraderie was forming. He gave her a small smile, and she returned the expression without feeling annoyed with the kid. Tonight they were free. It was the first smile she’d experienced with her heart and soul in years.

  Zane held her tighter. “We made it. Hang on for me, Dina,” he whispered against her hair.

  “Thank you,” she said hoarsely. She’d fight. Now she had a reason to.

  Zane had saved Dina’s life. Now she wanted a favor, even after she’d broken his heart. She owed him, not the other way around. Dina took a long drink of her wine. How fucked up is this? He deserves so much better than a friend like me. She was still going to ask him.

  She drained the glass. Grabbing the bottle off her little patio table, she gave herself a refill. Tonight she needed the warm, soothing, and relaxing sensation she got from the slight buzz. Her job had finally driven her to drinking.

  * * * *

  The place smelled like cinnamon and vanilla. Zane opened his eyes. She’d gotten some new art since the last time he’d been there. It had been at least a year since he’d been inside her apartment. He saw her, recently at Bridget’s birthday, but it wasn’t like the old days. She was so cold to him. His heart raced. A breeze fluttered over his face. It felt good. Using the transportation power always left him feeling feverish for a few hours afterward.

  She stood on the balcony. The sliding glass doors were open wide. The wind ruffled her long blonde hair, bringing a hint of her perfume to him. He knew she kept her hair dyed so people wouldn’t connect her to her famous sister. He missed the natural chestnut tresses. When they were young, he’d spend hours running his fingers through the heavy mass. She was his peace. Without her, he was losing the battle to hold onto what was left of his humanity.

  She wore a long, beige, silk robe. Her small, slender form stood just outside of the open French doors to her balcony. He didn’t need his special vision to see the contours of her body. Her robe shouldn’t turn him on. It was modest, but everything about Dina heated his blood. His cock stirred. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rebellious dick. He’d been with other women since Dina, but none of them ever made him feel like she did.

  He watched her silently. Zane drank in the sight of her before she tried to pick a fight with him. Something brushed his ankle and he glanced down. Honey, Dina’s big tomcat, rubbed against his leg. The monster must weigh as much as a small car. He scratched the cat behind the ear. At least one of you is happy to see me. He missed the days when she’d have been the one to rub against him. When they were young, she’d have turned around, giving him a sexy smile, and dropped the robe. He doubted he’d ever get a greeting from her like that again, but that didn’t keep him from dreaming.

  She took a sip of wine. He’d never seen her drink alcohol before. She’d been expecting him, so her actions were a direct insult. Everything bad that ever happened to him was a result of his mother’s alcohol abuse. He never touched the stuff, and thought Dina didn’t either. He wondered if she’d forgotten his feelings, or if she just didn’t care.

  Her body stiffened. She whirled around, gasping. Dina dropped the glass. In an instant he caught it, and without spilling a drop, he handed the glass back to her. She scowled. He was unable to miss her disapproval. Her eyes seemed to shine with challenge as she took a long drink. Her eyes never left his. They stepped inside and she set the glass down on a small end table next to the couch.

  “I hate it when you poof. Not only is it creepy as hell, it can’t be good for your internal organs. I wish you had just let the glass fall. I don’t like to see you exert yourself unnecessarily. There’s no telling what those abilities do to your body or life expectancy.” Dina put her hands on her hips, tilting her head to the side. He loved how expressive her face was. She couldn’t bluff. He grinned, remembering a long ago game of strip poker she’d lost to him. “Don’t get me wrong. Thanks for protecting my security deposit. This white carpet wouldn’t look good with a big red spot, but I don’t want to see you die over a glass of wine,” she scolded.

  He’d missed her giving a damn. She was the only person on Earth who didn’t want to see him use his abilities. He crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his eyebrow as he looked at her glass on the table. She glared at him, picked it up, and took another long drink, draining the wine.

  “I told you to get some bars on those windows. This isn’t the best neighborhood. I don’t like you standing out on that balcony. Those glass doors are just begging for trouble,” he said as he scowled at the offending architecture.

  “My doors aren’t begging for anything, Zane. I like my place just the way it is. I don’t want to live in any more cages.” Her voice was pinched.

  The words made him flinch. He dropped the subject of her security. They appraised one another silently. He always came by, every single night, just to be sure she was safe. She didn’t know, but he couldn’t sleep if he hadn’t checked on her. She’d probably be angry if she knew, but he didn’t care. Her life mattered to him, more than anything else ever would. Even if she wanted nothing to do with him, he’d never stop loving her.

  “How are you, Di?”

  “Desperate. I’m sorry I had to ask you to come. I know the hours you and the others keep.”

  Her words hurt. Knowing she wanted nothing to do with him and hearing it were two different things. He wished she was glad she’d had an excuse to see him; he was happy to see her. She’d told him she was sick of freaks years ago, but he’d hoped she’d seen all the good his affliction had done. He’d wanted her to see him as something other than damaged.

  Grunting, Zane shrugged. Dina scowled, but dropped the subject.

  “Speaking of bad habits…what the fuck is with the wine, Di?”

  “I’m not your mother. Don’t try to be mine. Not everyone who drinks a glass of wine is going to turn out to be a child-abusing alcoholic.”

  He flinched again.

  “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

  He didn’t reply. Things were bad between them, and he didn’t know exactly when that’d happened.

  She cleared her throat and opened her mouth as if to speak, then she closed it again. She turned away. “I wouldn’t normally ask you to do this, but my job is on the line. It’s been a tough year. I have a project I want you to be involved with.”

  He didn’t like where she was going with the conversation.

  She continued. “I’d like you to star in a reality television program.”

  Zane felt his mouth actually drop open. If she’d asked him to do anything else, he would have willingly complied. Reality TV was the last thing he’d suspected she needed him to help her do. She had to be joking. Maybe he already was on TV, a remake of The Twilight Zone, or possibly a hidden camera show? He scanned the room using one of his newer abilities, no hidden cameras. Dina didn’t know about this skill yet, so if she’d thought to trick him it wasn’t going to work.

  “No,” he said flatly.

  She turned. Her big green eyes looked at him, wide and slightly haunted. His heart constricted. Fuck.

  “Oh, please, Zane, if you don’t do this, my life is over.” Those beautiful eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Dina’s soft voice trembled. She placed her small hand on his arm beseechingly. She sounded serious. Faced with her genuine distress, he crumbled.

  Fighting to say no, he tried n
ot to notice how the light caught her skin and made it look like satin. Everything about her was pure beauty. She had creamy skin with a smattering of freckles on the bridge of her nose. Her body was rounder than it’d been when they were younger, in all the right places; he liked the change. Zane licked his lips, and his mouth went suddenly dry. He wanted to take her in his arms and make love to her so badly. He clenched his fists to keep from reaching out and pulling her to him.

  “I’m so sorry. I hate that I asked you to do this. I understand why you can’t help me. Please forgive me for asking.” She turned again, but not before he noticed honest shame on her face.

  Her apology melted him. Once she’d been his salvation. Her presence kept the bad dreams at bay. She was still his anchor. Even absent from his life, thoughts of her kept him centered. In all the years he’d known her, she’d never asked him for anything. Without Dina, Zane knew he’d have followed the dark path that Ian, the friend they’d failed, traveled.

  Thinking of Ian caused his fists to tighten involuntarily. Dina glanced at his hands and scowled. She wiped away her tears and straightened her shoulders.