I pushed back from the table, the chair screeching against the floor. Shadows curled instinctively at my boots—my power responding to the urgency building in my chest. The council members flinched as the air dimmed around me, lights blinking on and off. I usually kept the extent of my abilities hidden, but I felt like a show of power was needed here.
“I’ll see to it that you get a response from us within the hour.” Randell nodded respectfully to me. “I give you my word of honor.”
Sly spoke up from where he’d been propped up in the corner, “You damn well better. My patience is at an end, and I won’t lose this opportunity to get my daughter back.”
“Are you all threatening us?” George Handston asked, his face turning a bright shade of red. He’d refrained from speaking until now because he was a coward.
“Take it as you will,” Jesse growled. “The time for action isnow, and so far, this council has thoroughly screwed the pooch.”
“This insubordination can’t be tolerated!” Claudia screeched. The other three members had kept their mouths shut this entire time, perhaps wiser than their counterparts.
“You’ll not only tolerate it, but do it smiling, or I’ll make sure this council is no more.” She gasped, “You can count on that.” John stalked over to the table and leaned down in Randell's face. “You’ve got one hour. Make the right fucking decision.”
As a group, we filed out of the room, and Nathan teleported us to the Hawthorne warehouse. All of his abilities had leveled up since the flame up incident.
“So, what did the windbags have to say?” Adelaide met us in the garage.
“The usual bullshit.” Jesse stomped up the stairs and disappeared inside.
“I assume things didn’t go well?” She looked to Sly for answers.
“Randell promised to have an answer for us in an hour.” He followed Jesse, and the rest of us fell in line.
Delicious smells were coming from the kitchen, and, of course, Zane headed in that direction.
“Everyone, fix a plate. I made a pot of chili, and all the fixings are on the counter.” Adelaide entered, and Jesse handed her a bowl full to the top.
“I’m not really hungry right now. I’ll eat later.” She tried to hand the chili back to him.
“You have to eat.” John frowned at her, taking the bowl and guiding her to the table. “I know it’s hard, but wearegoing to get our baby back.”
“I know we are. I won’t accept anything else.” Adelaide sat and began eating. “What are we going to do if the council won’t help us?”
“We’re going to defend the base without them.” I took a seat beside her and dug into the delicious food.
She looked at Sly and John. “Can we win without their help?”
They both took a moment, then Sly nodded. “I think so. Between the nine of us and our friends and family, we have enough to put up a hell of a battle.”
John nodded. “Our abilities are strong, and the four-legged allies at our disposal aren’t to be overlooked either.”
“We have my flame-up ability. That’s worth ten ordinary abilities, at least.” Nathan’s eyes gleamed. “I can’t wait to add to my collection.” He scooped a heaping spoonful of chili into his mouth.
“What are you collecting?” Zane raised a brow at him.
I rolled my eyes. Would these fools never learn to ignore comments like that from Nathan?
“Eyeballs and ballsacks.” He continued to eat, as if what he’d just said was completely normal.
“What thefuck? Where the hell are you keeping them?” Zeke looked a little green. He pushed his bowl of chili away.
“In my room. I’m going to make Reverie a purse and a necklace out of the ones that are the highest quality.” Nathan looked up when Zane started gagging. “What?” he asked in confusion.
“Son, surely you can see how disgusting that is?” Jesse looked at him in amazement.
All of us ignored the quality comment, but I was more curious than I’d like to admit. What constitutedqualityin a ballsack? I subtly glanced down at my lap.
At this point, nothing Nathan did shocked me anymore. He was completely deranged, and Reverie’s absence had only added to his insanity.
