Somehow, though, Alex was responding. “Are they? Darn, they didn’t tell me that when I got them.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and turned to the side; was that enough? Did it do the trick? She leaned forward and cocked her head, black hair cascading down to rest in her lap.
“Your hair — I’ve never seen it short,” I grumbled. “There are a lot of things about you that haven’t changed. But… isn’t change good, too?”
Alex held back a smile; she wasamused. If she laughed at my expense, so be it. At least she was holding her head up again.
“It can be, yeah.” Her voice was husky, and it made my stomach clench.
“Your ability score changed; that’s impressive. Most Variants stick to the same output levels, and just get better at how we use it. I haven’t seen you drink since that day Reed and I basically kidnapped you, so I’d call that a win, too.”
She let out a boastful laugh, and my skin heated. My power came out slow, steady. A candle flame instead of a wildfire. Warm, but notscorching.Calm.
“I’m glad you can admit it was a criminal offence,” she snickered, and I was buzzing now. “And hey, I don’t usually drink. Just in?—”
“—June.” I nodded.
Her smile didn’t falter, though. “Yeah, not the best coping mechanism, I know.”
“At least you’re not burning things to the ground, or hurting anyone,” I jutted my chin toward the scar that was still on her hand.
That hadn’t changed either.
Alex wiggled her fingers, and leaned back. She sat up straighter, her chin pulled up, and shedid lookdifferent. It wasn’t the horns, though. It was her energy, the way she carried herself.
“You’re right; change is good.” Her voice was honey. “And you’ve changed, too. I never thought you’d be the one sitting in a hospital room with me, but I’m glad you’re here.”
And just like that, my world shattered. Every moment I pushed away, every feeling I stifled, all the things that I wanted to destroy instead of build on—Alex smashed all of my effort to bits.
I’m screwed.
SIXTEEN
ALEX
The world was brighter,now.
We had one day before we took off for Connecticut, one day before we would enter the Crowns Club and put my abilities to the test. My output had officially climbed to sixty percent; Joon had been at sixty-five when entered the academy. Turns out, all I needed was a better conductor to close the gap between us. There were moments where I wished he was still here, so he could see it. Even then, when the grief started to roll in, I wasn’t drowning.
After three years, I finally came up for air.
My new attachments were healed; there was still scabbing around the implantation sites, still some hair shaved around them that would take forever to grow back. Luckily, mine was thick, and it wasn’t noticeable. I’d even started to accept the new, outrageously large ornaments on my head.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic.
They weren’t huge, but they were heavier, and I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never wear a hat again without alterations. The worst part was that I’d need an entirely new, entirely specialized helmet to ride my bike. It would cost a prettypenny, too. But I was stronger, I was sleeping better—aside from damned, evil pillowcases—and I hadn’t fallen asleep when using my ability. It still made me tired, but I wasn’t unconscious or sniffing vials until my nose bled.
“Spin for me, darling,” Reed purred as he twirled a dramatic finger in the air. “Let’s see the full effect.”
He seemed entirely too thrilled with the idea of clothing therapy. Don’t get me wrong, I loved a good shopping spree, especially on the VIA’s dime. But the timing was…terrible. We were preparing to take on a Villain organization that had targeted Heroes, targetedJoon, and here we were in a little boutique, trying on dresses. Reed swore it wasimperativeto the mission, but I was convinced he just wanted to goof off. He was twenty-four, but sometimes, he reminded me of a teenager.
Reed had already picked out his clubbing outfit; it was easy for him. It took only a few minutes for him to choose some fitted pants and a button up, only taking extra time to pick out a new watch that I was positive the VIA didn’t realize they were paying for. I, unfortunately, was on my tenth dress change, and he was determined that every choice so far had beenwrong.
“I’m gonna start considering this as harassment,” I grumbled, although I complied.
Reed balked from his chair, legs spread lazily as he clutched a hand over his heart. “Forgive me for trying tobonda little bit with my teammate.”
“I’m not going to be your teammate forever, and how is gawking at me in skimpy clothes considered bonding?”
