Rise

by Sarah Bale

  Marble asks, “What did you find in Silver City?”

  “Not much. And nothing that will help us.”

  Trace says, “We met one of the six residents there. She was nice, but I’m not sure she was all there.”

  “Oh,” an Upper says. “Do tell.”

  “She said the spirts sent us there to talk to her and then told us some legends of her tribe.”

  The Upper nods. “I see. Yes, it would appear she wasn’t a very good source of information.”

  I add, “And, there weren’t any signs of Doc, Ink, or any other Hero.”

  Marble turns to the Uppers. “Maybe we should try to reach out to the Gods, since they’ve made contact with us.”

  Seven says, “I think that is a good idea.”

  Without another word, the Uppers turn from us and move inside. I really don’t like those guys.

  Turning to Marble, I ask, “Are we free to go back to my place?”

  Trace jumps in. “Actually, if it’s okay with Marble, I’d like to take you to my place in Dallas?”

  I swear to god Marble’s jaw looks like it’s going to break in half.

  Trace goes on, “Only for the night, since we’re both off. We’ll be back early tomorrow. And we can come back right away if we’re needed.”

  Marble nods. “Fine.”

  When he’s gone, Trace turns to me. “Fuck. If he could see me, he would have totally hit me just now.”

  “You’re not wrong. So, why the sudden trip to Texas?”

  “We already know they bugged your house once. No telling who or what will be listening to us now. Thought we might be able to talk more freely at my place.” He grins. “Plus, I’m kind of hoping to get lucky tonight.”

  I snort. “We’ll see.”

  But, I’m thinking he’s totally going to get lucky.

  He holds out his hand. “Let’s go.”

  Trace’s place is not what I expected. There are personal touches everywhere. He hasn’t violated any rules, but there are sports memorabilia from his favorite football team, as well as a signed jersey hanging on the wall. Too much white, silver, and blue on those walls, even if we are in Dallas.

  I point to the jersey. “Where’d you get that?”

  “I helped that player out of a situation a while back. He gave it to me in thanks.”

  He doesn’t elaborate and I don’t ask. But it kind of makes me wonder what kind of situation he helped the player with.

  “I’m surprised the Uppers let you keep it.”

  “They got signed items, too.” He rolls his eyes. “So it was okay to break the rules that one time.”

  I follow him through a cozy kitchen, to a back door. He opens it, letting me go out first. Even though it’s November, the weather is still decent in Dallas. He flips a switch by the porch and bulbs light up in the trees in the yard. Ahead, there’s a seating area that looks like it’s right out of a movie.

  I turn to him. “Wow, Trace.”

  “Some of us like our houses to feel like home.”

  “That might be the most Texan thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

  He shrugs and sits on one of the cushioned lawn chairs. I sit next to him, looking up.

  “The lights remind me of stars.”

  “That’s what I was going for. My old house – before – was smack dab in the middle of nowhere. Since they wouldn’t let me go back, I was determined to at least have this.”

  His statement makes me frown.

  “What?”

  “Just thinking about everything that they’ve taken from us. Our homes. Our stuff. Our families and friends.” I let out a shaky sigh. “I don’t think about it much, but when I do, it’s very hard not to get angry.”

  “Maybe things will change soon.”

  “Now you sound like the Gods and Edna.” But, I’m smiling.

  “Speaking of the Gods, did you notice how angry the Uppers were that Zeus reached out to us?”

  “I wonder why they’ve never tried to talk to us before?”

  “Oh, I’m sure there are a lot of reasons why. But the more important question is why now? And, I think they know more about the crater than they let on.”

  I lean back in my chair. “The crater thing bothers me. How does it work? And why reveal itself to Doc, Ink, and me?”

  What it really boils down to is, I don’t like the implications. Doc and Ink have gone Rogue. And then there’s me. If anyone finds out that I’ve seen the crater, they’re going to think I’m in cahoots with Doc and Ink.

  Trace says, “I’m not sure, Alpha, but I know one thing – our time is running out. If we don’t figure this out soon, I’m worried that the Uppers will.”

  We spend the rest of the night vegging out on Trace’s couch, watching TV until it’s time for bed. And then we have all sorts of fun in the bedroom.

  Trace rolls off me, letting out a happy sigh. “Damn. That was good.”

  “I didn’t even have to use my new pink lusty power,” I reply with a laugh.

  He peers at me. “That’s because we’re meant to be together, right?”

  My mouth literally drops open and he laughs at me.

  “Kidding, Alpha. It’s way too soon to be thinking of the future.”

  But, I kind of get the feeling he’s looking for some kind of answer from me.

  “We have fun together, Trace. Let’s just leave it at that for now.”

  “Am I the only one you want to have fun with right now?”

  The shadow Villain crosses my mind and I shake my head. “No. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing, does it?”

  He sighs. “I guess not. Just as long as we’re honest with each other, then I’m okay with it.”

  “Deal.”

  “Would you ever hook up with Marble again?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “Just curious.”

  “I’m sure Marble doesn’t want anything to do with me at this point.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  But, it kind of is.

  I reply, “Let me put it like this, I don’t see hooking up with him in the near future.”

  “Good. I like knowing I have him beat on something.”

  I’m about to reply when Trace’s watch buzzes, scaring the crap out of me.

  He laughs as he reads the message. “Jeez, Alpha. You act like your watch doesn’t go off all the time.”

  “I guess I forgot where I was for a bit.”

  He stands. “I need to get ready. My car will be here in ten minutes.”

  “Want me to hang around while you get ready?”

  He nods and pads to the bathroom. I get dressed while he’s in the shower. There’s something domestic about us getting ready together, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Like, it’s nice, but it’s also a bit scary.

  Trace kisses me at the door. “I’ll see you in DC.”

  For the first time ever I feel compelled to say, “Please be safe out there.”

  “Always am.”

  But things are different, so I say it again. “Trace, please don’t take any chances out there.”

  He grins, showing off a dimple in his cheek. “Keep saying things like that and you’ll give a guy a lot of hope, Alpha.”

  One last peck on the cheek and he goes outside to the waiting car. When he’s gone, I head back to DC. I just wish I could shake the bad feeling that’s settled over my soul.

  Eighteen

  Marble’s waiting for me at my house and I’m not a bit surprised to see him there.

  “Been here long?”

  “Got word when you left Texas.” He pauses. “We need to talk.”

  I unlock my door and he follows me inside.

  “If this is about me and Trace-”

  “It’s not. We got a call about an hour. Someone reported a body.”

  I turn slowly. “Bodies are reported every day.”

  But this is different if he’s come here, to talk to me.

  “Is it Doc
? Ink?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m about to go check it out and wanted to see if you wanted to come.”

  “Is this code for you need a ride?”

  He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “This is me trying to make up for being a dick toward you.”

  “Wow, Marble. I’m shocked that you’re admitting it.”

  I’m really shocked. He’s not the type to admit when he’s done something wrong.

  He nods his head once. “Shall we?”

  We go through the house, to my backyard. He takes my arm like he’s done it a million times, and I let out a laugh.

  “What?”

  “It’s been a long time since we’ve done this.”

  “Too long, Alpha.”

  The look he gives me sends my stomach into a million exploding stars. Holy crap. Does he miss me? The temptation to dive into his mind and look is overwhelming, but then I stop myself. If he’s still interested then I want him to say it. I don’t want to have to look for it in his mind.

  I smile up at him as we take off.

  He lets out a laugh. “I don’t remember it feeling like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like we’re traveling faster than a speeding bullet.”

  Oh crap - which means I’m going too fast. I slow my speed a tad and he relaxes.

  “Where are we headed?”

  “Alaska.”

  “Alaska? Really?”

  “Yeah. I thought it was strange, too. The anonymous tip is certain it’s a Hero, and since we have a couple unaccounted for-”

  I look into his eyes. “What are we going to do if it’s one of them?”

  “I’m not sure. The Uppers will be glad, of course, but that still doesn’t give us any answers. Like why they went Rogue.”

  We’re silent as we head toward Alaska. The air is frigid and I shiver as we land.

  He notices and says, “We might need to tweak these weatherproof suits.”

  “This is the first time the weather’s effected me.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t have to deal with the cold on top of everything else.”

  “Why Marble – it almost sounds like you care about me.”

  “You know I do,” he grumbles out.

  Not the declaration of love I was looking for, but still gives me an ounce of hope. I’m saved from making a smartass reply as several officers come toward us.

  “Hero Marble. Hero Alpha. Thank you for coming.” The man removes his sunglasses. “Hero Marble, the Uppers want you to identify the body.”

  Unease fills my body. That means it’s someone he knows. Marble gives me a small smile and follows the men toward a roped off area.

  Another officer comes to my side. “Hero Alpha, would you like a cup of coffee?”

  I nod. “That would be great.”

  I follow him to a makeshift tent where he pours coffee into a foam cup, and I dive into his mind.

  Are they certain it’s a Hero?

  Yes.

  How do they know?

  A human body couldn’t bend that way.

  Did you see the body?

  No.

  Why not?

  I’m new. My boss said I didn’t need to see something like this.

  I pull out of his mind and take the coffee. “Thank you, sir.”

  He nods and leaves me standing there. I try not to worry, but I can’t help it. What if the body is Doc? Or Ink? What am I going to do then? I’ve dated both in the past. Will that make me a suspect? Will Marble hand deliver me to the treatment facility? I sigh. Maybe that’s what the universe is trying to tell me – that I should just give in.

  I spend what feels like forever wallowing in self-pity and don’t notice Marble coming back. He touches my arm and I let out a yelp.

  “It’s Blot.”

  I look around his shoulder. “It can’t be.”

  Blot doesn’t die. That’s not how this works.

  “Alpha, it’s him. I identified the body myself.”

  I shake my head and try to move past him, but he stops me.

  “You don’t want to see this, Alpha.”

  Something in his tone makes me look up.

  “What happened to him?”

  “He was tortured before he died. There are- there are pieces of him missing, and, what’s left of him is at an unnatural angle.”

  My stomach roils and I fight back the bile threatening to rise up my throat. That’s why they didn’t want the new office to see it, either. It’s so gruesome that they know it would traumatize him for the rest of his life.

  “Who killed him?”

  Marble looks so freaking tired as he says, “There’s no signs of any Heroes. Or Villains.”

  So Doc and Ink didn’t do this. That’s good, I think.

  “Who killed him, then?”

  He breathes heavily through his nostrils. “Basics.”

  “Marble-”

  Saying something like that is dangerous. For us. But especially for them.

  “The officers told me their suspicions before they showed me the body. I only confirmed their thoughts. There’s no way a Hero or Villain could wipe their scent from the scene, but a Basic could.”

  “But why? Why kill Blot?” My voice rises with each word.

  He pulls me into his embrace, holding me tight against his chest. Through all the cold that is Marble I hear the steady beating of his heart and it soothes me as nothing else can. It’s always been that way, though, if I’m being honest.

  “I’m not sure, Alpha. Blot was one of the good guys and we’re not going to just let this go.”

  We stay there, holding each other for what feels like an hour, until his watch buzzes several times.

  He sighs. “I don’t want to answer them.”

  “Then don’t.”

  But, he’s already letting me go, just as he always does.

  “This is Marble.”

  Upper Seven asks, “Did you identify the body as a Hero?”

  “It’s Blot.”

  Seven nods. “Good. So, it’s not a Hero.”

  I start to say something, but Marble beats me to it.

  “Will all due respect, he was a Hero. He might not have had a title like us, but he was one of the good guys.”

  “That’s debatable. He was known to help the other side, too. I’ll let the others know that it wasn’t the Rogue Heroes. You and Hero Alpha should return to headquarters immediately.”

  The call ends and Marble lets out a frustrated sigh.

  “Marble, are you okay?”

  “I think they sometimes forget that they work for me.”

  I think we both know that’s not the case. Not anymore.

  He says, “Come on. We should go.”

  “This is why I took Trace to Paris, you know? I get tired of it, too. Sometimes, I just wish things were like they used to be.”

  He turns to me. “I know, Alpha. But things will never be like that again. Especially if Basics are killing us.”

  What I’m about to say is dangerous, but I’m tired of playing it safe.

  “They could be different. If we were all united.”

  “That’s not going to happen, Alpha. Heroes and Villains aren’t meant to work together.”

  I think of the shadow Villain and reply, “I think you might be wrong.”

  Nineteen

  When we get back to DC, Marble has me drop him off at headquarters and I head to my place. He didn’t seem angry at me when I left, which might be a first.

  Trace shows up just as the sun has gone down and I throw my arms around him when he comes inside.

  “I could get used to a welcome like this.”

  “Blot’s dead.”

  Trace freezes. “No!”

  “His body was found in Alaska.”

  He shakes his head, as if he can’t believe what I’m saying.

  “Who would want to kill Blot?”

  “It was a Basic.”

  “Alpha, that doesn�
�t make a lick of sense. Why would a Basic kill Blot?”

  “I’m not sure. The way he was killed,” I pause. “Marble wouldn’t even let me see him. Said there were parts missing.”

  “Fuck.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “Do you think this has something to do with Doc and Ink?”

  “I don’t know what to think, Trace. It all feels connected, though, and that scares me.”

  I remember what the shadow Villain said about things happening quickly. Maybe he was right.

  “I don’t like that look.”

  “What look?”

  “The look that’s on your face.”

  I sigh. “When I was in Chicago, the Villain said things would happen quickly.”

  He frowns.

  “That’s why I didn’t voice my thought out loud.”

  “Look, Alpha, I know we’re not exclusive, but I can’t say that I’m thrilled sharing you with a freaking man shrouded in shadows.”

  “Sorry.” But my tone is anything but.

  He wisely doesn’t say anything and picks up the remote. “Come on. Let’s watch some TV before duty calls.”

  Something startles me awake and I open my eyes, trying to figure out where I am. Trace snores next to me in bed, his mouth slightly agape. My watch shows that it’s only midnight, and there aren’t any alerts from headquarters. So what on earth woke me up?

  The TV is making a static sound from the living room. That must be what woke me from my slumber. I slip from the bed and go to the living room and grab the remote from the table. When I hit the off button nothing happens.

  “What is it?” Trace asks from the doorway, wiping sleep from his eyes.

  “The TV’s on and I can’t get it to shut off.”

  “I turned it off before we went to bed.”

  He goes behind the TV and unplugs it from the wall. When nothing happens he meets my worried gaze.

  “Well, that’s not good.”

  My watch buzzes and it’s Knuckles calling.

  “Hello?”

  “Sorry to call so late. Is your TV on?”

  I glance at the snow-covered screen and reply, “Yes. Is yours?”

  “I’ve tried everything. If the sounds from the apartment above me are any indication, it’s not just me, either.”