“Ouch.” My mouth tasted of copper. Compared to the rest of my wounds, it wasn’t much more than a nuisance. I’d need Tylenol, and I’d be back to normal by morning. “Why hold back?”
The challenge had been issued.
Reaching for my thighs out of habit, I couldn’t help but smile as my fingers tightened around the batons. I promised I wouldn’t be caught unprepared. With danger around every corner, it had become harder to hide Hellion away. Tonight I needed him. The colors of my suit shifted until it turned crimson. Nails had picked the wrong night to attack my friends.
“Tint?” I ignored Janet. I’d deal with questions later.
Nails spun in the air, another attempt to land a toe to my skull. The baton cracked off her shin, stopping her short. Even as the razors tried for my chest, I smacked them away. Sparks flew with every parry. She had speed on her side, but she was no different from any other ninja. I ducked and pivoted close enough to brush against her body. I snapped my head back, smashing against her nose. She flipped backward, retreating.
It was my turn to smile. Blood dripped from a gash across her forehead. It wasn’t enough to save my team. I wanted Nails to regret her decision. Every assassin after would think twice before accepting the bounty on my head. I narrowed my stance, holding the batons up, ready for her next attempt.
“They said you were worthy.” I’m glad somebody thought so. “It’ll be an honor to kill you.”
Orion and Wyatt were occupied removing whatever goop she had thrown. Janet, on the other hand, lay on herside with an expression that hovered between worry and shock. She’d have questions. So far, I could explain them away, but if Nails kept speaking, I’d have to come clean. I wasn’t willing to jeopardize my role at Secret Identities. My fingers tightened around the batons, ready to end this.
I charged. The angle of her hips changed as she prepared to sidestep. It wasn’tjustabout protecting the team. I needed to protect Drew. As Nails blinked, her eyes opened to black spheres. The shock on her face made me happy. She knew my powers. The dossier probably said I wouldn’t use them as Hellion. It was right… until now.
She froze, listening for my footsteps. Swinging wildly, I ducked and rolled out of reach. When her nails dragged across my bicep, I hissed. But it put me into a position to crush her elbow with an audible crunch. The arm dropped to her side. I tossed a baton to the side. When it struck the pavement, she spun, exposing her back. Separating the other baton, I wrapped the wire around her neck before kicking her knees out from under her.
Hellion had won.
“Yield,” I whispered in her ear. She flailed, trying to claw at my torso. With a knee in her back, she tried but couldn’t reach. “Yield,” I growled.
“Tint.” I barely heard Janet.
I leaned closer, wanting her to hear every word. “I won.”
“Tint!” Janet shouted.
Giant arms wrapped around my chest, lifting me off myfeet. With strength I couldn’t match, Wyatt pulled the baton from my hand. Nails keeled over, gasping for air. Before she could recover, Orion used one of his gadgets to bind her arms behind her back. When she rolled over, I made sure she could see the grin on my face.
For the third time, Hellion won.
“Tint?”
This time, I heard Janet’s voice. Reality set in when I saw her face. I had broken bones and saved my friends, but the victory turned bittersweet when I saw the fear in her eyes. What had I done?
I shook free from Wyatt’s grasp. Without saying a word, I bolted for the alley. When I heard Janet’s boots against the pavement, I turned the alley black, making it impossible for her to follow. The questions I could handle, but the look on her face? The disgust? I’d never be ready to deal with that.
Instead… I ran.
13
Wyatt: Where are you, friend?
Arthur: You never miss bagel day.
Orion: Let us know what’s up.
Janet: …
New Message
Janet: Drew, are you okay?
No call.No show. For the first time in my life, I ditched work to avoid the deluge of impending questions. No amount of courage would let me stare down the accusing glances disguised as concern. Instead, I spent the day in bed, replaying last night on a dreadful loop. It always ended with eyes filled with disgust.
Inhaling the scent of fresh ink andpulp, I shoved my phone into my pocket. At least there was one person who wouldn’t ask questions. Standing at the entrance, I watched as Booker bobbed his way through the sci-fi section of the bookstore. He danced from one shelf to the next, as if the speakers blasted rock and roll. The rest of the world couldn’t violate this space, not with him in his natural habitat. He bent over, inspecting a book and giving me the perfect view of his ass.
