“No, he’s not at fault for what happened with Dr. Bisbee. Not only that, but I also read about him saving all those kids. He’s a hero, and if this institution treats him like a villain for doing what’s right, it isn’t the school for me.”
His face paled, but I knew I’d somehow struck a chord. I’d believed myself to be an insignificant insect among giants. But he’d just admitted that if my powers were honed well enough, I could potentially render any of these big-bad Supes powerless. Just like I’d done with Jeff Jones in high school. I was quickly beginning to understand my worth.
I didn’t mind being kicked out of school. Dr. Bisbee had all but imprisoned me here, and that was enough for me to leave and never look back. But if my abilities were what Dr. Aynesworth said they were, I could probably get accepted into a different school. That meant I might have some play here.
I decided to give it a go and see how much pull I had. If I could make them let Kaden stay, he’d have one person standing up for him. He had done something horrible, killing all those men, but he’d also saved a lot of children who were being used for unimaginable things. The article said he was being contained to prevent him from hurting others.
What about someone supporting him? Those men should’ve been stopped long before they hurt him or the other children. The fact that the men who’d disappeared had included a judge, a high-ranking policeman, and wealthy businessmen made it clear the real threat was who he’d killed, not that he’d killed them.
“You should reconsider,” Dr, Aynesworth said. “Mr. Pearce is a dangerous man. As you well know.”
“Maybe, or maybe he was just being controlled.”
Dr. Aynesworth shook his head. “No, at least not overtly. Dr. Bisbee can’t use her powers on Kaden. It would drive him mad and make him a bigger danger than he already is. If you insist, we won’t force him to leave, but…”
I put my hand up, stopping him. “I won’t change my mind. Kaden stays, or I go.”
The man looked considerably older than he had a moment ago, but he nodded as he stood. “Mr. Pierce would like to have a word with you. Shall I send him in?”
I nodded, and he left. I figured I’d probably made a new enemy, but hell, he obviously didn’t have the same vendetta against me as Dr. Bisbee did, or he wouldn’t have agreed so readily. That was something, at least.
Chapter fifteen
Kaden
“Whydidyoudothat?” I asked the moment I entered the room.
“Do what?” he asked.
“You know what, why did you force him to let me stay?”
“Because, it’s not your fault Dr. Bisbee is a psychopath.”
“I thought you hated me.”
He thought for a moment. “I never hated you. I didn’t understand you. I mean, you have this weird dark glow for one thing. Also, you jumped down my throat for laughing at my friends when they coated the soccer team with snow for being bullies. Oh, and let’s not forget the energy bolt.”
I cringed. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
He smiled, which sent strange shivers up and down my spine. “No, I don’t suspect you did.”
I looked at Lysander, and a sigh escaped him.
“Dr. Bisbee is an expert at forcing people to do things against their will. Did you intentionally send that energy bolt at me?” he asked.
“I don’t even remember it happening.”
“I didn’t remember what happened when she used her dark magic on me either. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t you that threw that bolt. I’m guessing it was Dr. Bisbee manipulating someone else to do it.”
I hadn’t thought of that. Could she have used someone’s powers to do that? I mean, it was possible, I guessed. “So, what, we’re friends now?”
“If you wanna be, I’d rather be friends than have you staring at me with those angry brooding eyes of yours all the time.”
“What?” I asked, then laughed. “Did you just say I have brooding eyes?”
“Dude,” he said, standing up and walking toward me. I immediately reached for him, afraid he’d still be weak from his injuries.
He stopped mid-sentence and stared at me. “What are you doing?”
