He nodded and scooted backward, away from the fight. Olivia crawled through a maze of legs, blood, and debris, stopping twice to heal a fallen resistance fighter. She popped up in front of a huge soldier, smashing the heel of her hand into his nose with every bit of strength she possessed before punching him in the throat. He crumpled to the carpet, blood covering his face. She didn’t know if he’d stay down, but she wasn’t going to wait to find out.
The soldiers might be strong, but the rapid-fire use of so many different abilities gave the resistance army the advantage. She sidestepped as an electrical discharge zapped past her, knocking two mean-looking soldiers backward and pinning them against the wall, as the owner of the skill continued to pepper them with voltage.
As she positioned herself against another soldier, Olivia was grabbed from behind and yanked through the crowd. Fighting against the strong arms, she kicked backward hitting his groin. Kenneth dropped her and fell to the carpet, screaming like she’d cut his man parts off instead of only bruising them. She stepped over him, resisting the urge to mess up his pretty face, and headed for Luke.
Before she could reach him, a line of soldiers marched in, stopping in front of Jenner with their weapons raised. The fighting stopped as dread filled Olivia. Matt yelled to get down as gunfire erupted over their heads. Olivia rolled to the side and saw Theo in the corner, efficiently picking off the guards in quick succession with his favorite Glock. Kenneth shrieked as the soldier beside him jerked, and the wall behind him became covered with blood and brain matter. Theo didn’t hesitate. He fired at Kenneth, and then he dropped the gun to his side.
“His heart was bad,” Theo said, wiping tears.
Jillian wrapped her arms around him. “You saved us. You’re a hero, buddy. My absolute hero.”
Frank walked in, dressed in a dark suit and looking one-hundred percent the dignified politician. He half-smiled at Olivia and mouthed “Sorry.” Jenner straightened and smiled, acting like he wasn’t surrounded by blood, guts, death, and his jury. Frank glanced at the people in the room and turned his attention to Jenner.
“It appears there are a few people present who would like some answers from you.” Frank motioned to the crowd.
“Insignificant. I suggest we have our meeting in a different location.” Jenner shook his head.
“I didn’t come here for a meeting. I came to make sure you are removed from your position.” Frank stopped in the middle of the room.
“You tricked me?” Jenner’s voice cracked. “But you said you wanted to learn from me. I could be your mentor.”
“No. My sector is free. My people love their lives and having choices.” Frank crossed his arms over his chest.
“But the freaks . . . what do you do with them?”
“You mean the freaks like me?” Frank held out his hand, a blue fire erupting from his palm. “There are no freaks.”
“Do you realize what could happen if you don’t catalogue their abilities?” Jenner leaned himself against the wall with a horrified expression.
“You get what you have here—a lot of death and destruction and the end of your political career. You maybe even lose your life.” Olivia stepped in front of him. Frank’s palm flame was awesome. He was definitely going to have to teach her that trick.
“At this time, your citizens and my military have invaded your base and taken appropriate steps to remove you from office. My forces will stay to help maintain order and peace while your people transition to normalcy. There’s a lot of work to do here, but there are a lot of people to help. Once order is restored, we’ll stay until a new leader is established. The people in this room will ensure you get a fair trial and will help get things on track.”
“You can’t do this.” Jenner grabbed something out of his shirt and pressed the center of what appeared to be a dog-tag. He glanced around wildly, pressing it again when he apparently didn’t get the response he sought. “No. No. This must work. I thought of everything.”
He screeched as an explosion sounded in the distance.
~ ~ ~
The explosion startled Luke even though he’d expected it since he’d moved the bomb to a safer location when he found it in the lobby. When faced with Jenner’s absolute insanity, the sound had shaken him a bit.
“You people.” Jenner lunged for Olivia.
She sidestepped. “I’ve done nothing to you.”
“Maybe not, but your kind has. Do you know how it feels to be ridiculed because you can’t do things with your mind? I was supposed to be a great one. I was supposed to have skills that only come along once in a century.” Spit collected at the sides of his mouth as he rambled.
“What are you talking about?” Luke asked, trying to keep him talking. He’d never smelled true crazy before, but it was a scent he’d never forget.
“My mother was a harsh woman. She had no abilities. My father was very gifted. He always told her I would be more skilled. She was okay with that, until my father died while saving a family from a fire. My proposed skills became a burden. She took her grief and turned it to hate for me, and hate for anyone with skills. And you know what? She was right. It’s not fair you should have something other people don’t. It’s not fair you think you’re so much better because you can start a little fire or heal a little cut.”
Olivia shook her head, glancing over at Luke. He shrugged, feeling sorry for the guy, but not sorry enough to help him live if it came down to that. They’d discussed the end in detail, but the only thing they’d been in agreement over was that he had to be stopped. Jillian didn’t think death was the best treatment for their anger, and that he should stay in prison as a reminder. Matt wanted him to die fairly, after he’d been tried for his crimes against the citizens.
Luke just wanted to shoot him and get it over with. Olivia agreed, though she’d rather kill him with her hands. He had to admit Matt and Jillian were right. The people deserved closure and explanation for his crimes. He nodded to Frank, who gave the signal to his guards. They moved in, handcuffs and shackles ready, and started immobilizing Jenner’s guards.
Jenner screamed and tried to run, but they pinned him against the wall and secured his limbs. The set-up seemed brutal, but when the people cheered, Luke figured it was just. Jenner would be temporarily housed in one of the maximum-security prisons. He’d be the only prisoner since he’d either executed or “reformed” the others. At least for now. He’d be joined by anyone that had willingly taken part in his scheme until a trial date could be set.
But that was the least of their problems at this point. First, they had to flush out the complacency drug and make sure there were uncompromised sources of food and water while rebuilding the sector enough that the people felt secure. The civilian soldiers cheered as Jenner was led away, and they were joined by even more of Frank’s military outside. Jenner was placed in the back of the limo. Jillian and Matt would ride along to make sure he was locked up properly. Frank’s military would guard the facility at all times.
“I’m sorry I was late. The storm delayed me. What did I miss?” Frank reached for her.
“I’ll tell you later.” Olivia was moved away from Frank by the crowd as they came to shake her hand and hug her.
The buffet table was loaded with more food than the people had seen in months. People crowded around to eat, smiling and laughing.
Olivia was heading to the front doors, needing space and fresh—free—air, when Sandy stepped out of the shadows.
~ ~ ~
Matt caught Jillian staring at him again.
“How’s Theo?” he asked.
“Great. Enjoying his fame.” Jillian rolled her eyes.
“He deserves it. He scared me when he ditched me, but he was so confident I knew I couldn’t go after him.”
Jillian nodded, taking his hand. She was nervous, and he didn’t know why.
“So, do we say goodbye now, or do we wait until after we lock up Jenner?” he asked, regretting the words as soon as they left his m
outh.
“Is that what you want?” She turned away.
“No. But I’ll go if that’s what you want.” His soul cracked in half, one side mourning and the other full of hope.
“What I want is you.” She launched herself into his arms.
~ ~ ~
Olivia took a deep breath.
“Thanks for saving my life,” Sandy said.
“It’s what I do.” An uncomfortable silence settled around them.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.” Sandy reached for her hand, but she took a step back.
“There’s nothing to say, Sandy. You made your choice.”
“But I didn’t. Not really. He drugged me.” Sandy reached for her again.
She allowed him to take her hand, and reached up with the other to touch his face. “He would never have drugged you if you hadn’t chosen him in the first place. You weren’t happy with me. You loved me, still do, I think, but it’s not that kind of love.”
“I do love you. More than I can tell you. Please give me another chance.” He moved like he was going to drop to his knees, but Olivia stopped him.
“Don’t. Just don’t.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Sandy, I’ll always love you, but what we had is over. We weren’t meant to be more than friends. I think you know that.”
Sandy squeezed her hand, his emotions swirling around her. Her heart constricted with the memories of their marriage and the good times they’d shared. She looked over Sandy’s head to see Luke standing by the elevators. He was worried.
“I know I’ll always love you. You’re my best friend. Always have been. I hope someday you’ll be able to forgive me for everything I did.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“I’ve already forgiven you.” She hugged him tight.
“So, this guy. Does he make you happy?” Sandy asked, moving his head toward Luke.
“He does. He really does.” Tears filled her eyes.
“Good. Tell him if he breaks your heart, he’ll have to answer to me. I’ll see you around, okay?” Sandy let her go, following the crowd outside.
Olivia watched him, lightness filling her heart. Luke caught her around the waist as she finally exited the building.
Fat tears streamed down her face, but she smiled. “It’s over. I can’t believe it.”
“Well, believe it. You were amazing.”
“I did squat.”
“You’re fearless. You should run for governor.” He squeezed her close.
“Ha. Very funny. I just want to live a normal life. Theo should run for governor.”
“There’s a lot of work to do here.” He scanned the empty streets leading to the motel and the abandoned homes and businesses close by. “A lot of work.”
“I know.” She sighed, glancing up before more tears fell.
“So, did you break Sandy’s heart?” What would normally have been teasing came out worried and sad.
“Yeah. He broke mine, too, but we’ve closed that chapter of our lives.”
“Olivia . . .”
Her gaze never wavered. “Don’t. I know you have a lot to do, but don’t say goodbye yet.”
“I wasn’t going to say that. Ever.” He turned her, so she had to meet his eyes. “I was going to say even though you don’t want to hear it, I love you. Even though there’s a lot of work to do here, I want to build our new lives together. If you’ll have me.” A huge smile broke over his beautiful face.
She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Absolutely. I love you, too.”
Table of Contents
INTO THE FIRE
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Into the Fire Page 27