My teeth hurt as I ground them so tightly against one another and gave it everything I had to drag these soaked people through the stormy, cold-as-hell waters.
Holding my breath and looping my arms around theirs, locking them in place, we shot forward.
My muscles felt like limp noodles by the time we reached the shore of the city park, one of the few places that wasn’t against a sea wall. First responders were waiting with their flashing lights and emergency gear, and the coast guard helicopter zoomed overhead, circling the sinking boat. Not wanting the masses to see my face, I made sure my goggle glasses were secured over my eyes, keeping my identity a secret.
The key to being a hero with powers was keeping your two identities separate. Otherwise people who didn’t agree with having said powers could cause problems in your life. Or, if there was a villain, they would attack those closest to you. Both were no good, so I was under my goggles and leather outfit.
Summing the strength from deep in my soul, I stood and helped the tired family to the responders who were running to them.
They offered me help, and some oxygen, but I just wanted to get back to my apartment and crash. That stunt took everything I had.
I noticed reporters pulling in and ran for it.
Just around the block, an old blue truck pulled up and the door opened in the rain for me.
My eyes focused on the driver, and my body sagged with relief, seeing a familiar face: Draco, the immortal turned mortal, so he could change time and save everyone. I hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to him since that night in all the chaos, but he was there for me right now. I didn’t think I would have been able to get home on the trickle of energy I had left.
Dragging my exhausted body the few feet to his truck, I all but fell into the cab.
“Good job,” was all he said before driving off, and I passed out.
My body felt achy when I woke up in the early morning. When I opened my eyes, everything was blurry, so I reached over for my glasses on my nightstand. But I didn’t feel them.
“Oh, here.” Someone’s voice startled the shit out of me, and I sat up quickly, calling whatever water in the air to me, ready for attack.
A fussy silhouette of a person moved back a step.
“I’m not a threat. You’re at headquarters. You passed out, and Draco brought you here to rest and be looked over by our on-call nurse.”
I saw something come closer into my vision and reached out, having a sense it was my glasses being handed to me.
My body relaxed as I slid them on my nose, relieved to be able to see again.
A petite, blonde-haired woman stood in front of me. She had a pink birthmark on her right cheek that extended from her eye down to her lips. She was quite beautiful and unique. Not appealing to me like my muse was, but of course, seeing that mark I knew who she was—Draco’s girl.
“I’m Arthur.” I changed the vibrations of the water I was still holding hostage, and they evaporated into the air. Then held my hand out to shake hers in hello.
She smiled and grasped hold of mine.
“I’m Rose. Welcome to the team. You really did a good job last night. The family is perfectly fine, and they had insurance to cover their boat. Really, a great second hero save.”
Second? That was my first.
“Uh, sorry. The big battle was your first save. You really helped us out so much. I’ve been waiting for the day when you came to be a part of us. Of course, I understand why you were hesitant.”
My chest constricted, and she instantly dropped her hand from mine.
“I’m an empath, and a psychologist as well. I can usually feel emotions from people, just being near them, and can influence them if needed. The feelings are more intense with touch, though. A constant battle, having powers.”
That it was.
Rose started moving toward the door of what seemed to be an apartment and turned back toward me with a gentle smile on her face.
“Well, enough of that. Janie, our self-appointed resident cook, has breakfast all made. Wanna come officially meet the rest of the crew?”
Chapter Fourteen
Gwendolyn
