“I don’t trustthem,” she said. I knew by them she meant other Supes. Since Lowen, the first-known superhero found her powers in the early sixties, the world had developed a love-hate relationship with Supes.
Mom had tried to discourage me from the moment she got the call from my high school principal saying I’d developedsome kind of powerto fend off Jeff Jones. I probably should’ve taken her advice, but something compelled me forward. Now I had Kaden and two of the best friends I’d ever had in the twins, I knew I’d made the right decision.
“Mom, Iamone of them.” She sighed at that and kissed my cheek. “I’ll call and let you know what’s going on as soon as I know. But don’t freak out if I don’t call you for a day or two.”
She grabbed my coat and stopped me in my tracks. “That’s bull, and you know it. I think I’m doing pretty good, considering you’re only eighteen.” She sighed, and I could see the internal war she was having between wanting to protect me and needing to let me be my own person. “The least you can do is call me the moment you land and let me know where you are.”
I wasn’t able to smother my smile. Libby Phillips would always be my mom, even if the world turned upside down and I became a superhero.
“Love you, Mom,” I said as I dashed out the door and into the airship.
I was vibrating with excitement about the adventure. Kaden had told me about the things he’d been doing when he went to work with Dr. Fagan and the Water Elementals. I knew I wouldn’t be much help, but at least I could watch and see what he was learning.
When we finally landed, I launched myself into Kaden’s waiting arms and was pleased when he embraced me and swung me in a circle. “God, I can’t believe you talked them into letting me come,” I said excitedly.
Dr. Fagan came up behind us and said, “Well, it was actuallyustalkinghiminto letting you come.”
Kaden looked down. “This is dangerous, Lysander. I didn’t want to put you in danger’s path.”
I kissed his adorable mouth and smiled. “I can’t think of any place I’d rather be. Besides, you said the island was ugly and smelled like sulfur. This looks like paradise.”
Kaden chuckled. “This isn’t the island I’m working on.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” I quickly said. “Show me around.”
“We should probably get to work,” Dr. Fagan said, but when we ignored him, he just chuckled. “Okay, you have some time. Kaden, be at the main hut in one hour!”
Kaden showed me around the small island. At one time there had been a volcanic cone in the center, but that had long ago eroded and was now covered in lush forest. The smell of tropical flowers was intoxicating and occasionally hit us in the face as we walked through the thick jungle.
When we came to a small stream, Kaden sat down and motioned for me to sit next to him.
“You look concerned,” I said, becoming worried myself.
“I am, Lysander. This isn’t a vacation, it’s serious and dangerous. When I was working on the island by myself, I didn’t feel out of control at all. Now you’re here, I can feel my powers buzzing inside me. As my polarity, you magnify what I have, and that’s sorta scary.”
“Why does it scare you?” I asked, confused.
“I’m not sure I can control it when you’re around,” he admitted.
“What? So you’re breaking up with me?” I asked, suddenly feeling alarmed.
“No, that would breakme. I’m just telling you why I’m concerned about you being here.”
I nodded. “So, you’re here to learn your limits, right? If my being here helps with that, that’s a good thing. Not something to be worried about.”
He looked at me for several long moments before he sighed. “I just want you to be safe.”
I smiled at him, taking his face between my hands. I wondered if he knew how gaga I was over him. “I’ll be fine. I doubt they’d let the islanders stay here if you were a danger to them. And Dr. Fagan and Elana are here, so they must think it’s safe.”
“Maybe,” he said, then kissed me before he lay back on the soft grass.
I lay down next to him, enjoying his smell and the warmth of his body next to mine.
“So, what do they plan for you to do?” I asked.
“It’s pretty spur-of-the-moment stuff. They want me to focus my energy on small tasks, then when the pressure builds, they want me to let it go and see what happens.”
“That’s what scares you?” I could feel him nodding. “I’ll be here, Kaden, if you need me. I’ll be right here.”
