Power Up: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Novel (Supernatural Prison Trilogy Book 2)

by Aella Black

  But what about everyone else?

  Once we were out of sight of the other inmates, the warden did an about-face, her hands clasped behind her back. “I want to make something perfectly clear. Your parents are allowed to see you only because I am allowing it. No one else has this luxury. Because of their positions, your mother and father hold sway over our program. You,” she said, pointing at my chest, “are being treated well and making new friends. Besides missing your schoolmates and dances and such, you are not unhappy. Understood?”

  My knee-jerk reaction was to refuse. I wasn’t about to lie and say I was having the time of my life in prison. I was tortured during breakfast, for crying out loud.

  She must have seen my defiance, because her lips pressed into a hard line and her eyes darkened. Holy cow, those were Phoebe’s eyes. I saw it now. The same shape, same crystal-clear blue color.

  Then she spoke, and there was nothing left of Phoebe in the woman standing before me. “I hope you also understand the consequences should you defy my orders. You are aware of Warrick, I presume?”

  I scowled. “We’ve met.”

  Her lips curled into a cruel smile that told me she knew exactly how we became acquainted. “Good. He acts under my authority. Should an unsavory word slip past your lips, I won’t send Warrick after you. Oh no, it’ll be far worse to watch him hurt those you care about.”

  Was she a psychopath? I tried not to give her the reaction she was looking for, but I was seething inside.

  The warden cocked her head. “That little girl—Birdie, you call her? You’re quite protective of her.”

  Still, I said nothing. The walls seemed to press closer together, crushing me.

  “Or maybe there’s someone else.” The warden’s eyes searched mine. “Not my daughter, surely?”

  I clenched my jaw. She’d witnessed only moments of us interacting, and we sacrificed a hug to keep her off our scent. There was no way she could know how I felt about Phoebe.

  Even more chilling, the warden was implying she would torture her own daughter to get me to obey orders. This woman was too evil to be believed.

  She waited, as if trying to get some kind of confirmation out of me. I wasn’t about to give in and beg her not to hurt anyone. That would show weakness. It’d show how much I cared. And right now, that was dangerous.

  “I understand,” I said, trying to act nonchalant. “But I’ll give this place three stars, nothing more.”

  “And nothing less.” She flashed me a cold smile. “I rather like you, Alexander. You’ll make a superior addition to our team one day.”

  In your dreams.

  I was led further down the hall, then around a corner, and up some stairs. Finally, the warden placed her hand on a metal door and turned to give me one last threat. “You know, everyone is replaceable.” Where was she going with this? “Particularly politicians. There’s always someone waiting in the wings. Someone dying to take over.”

  If she hadn’t opened the door at that moment, there’s no telling what I would have said or done.

  “Kathleen! Aaron! Glad you could come.”

  I watched, both fascinated and horrified at the way the warden instantly transformed from someone who’d just threatened my parents’ lives to acting like their best friends. After shaking both of their hands, she stepped back. It was the first time I’d seen my mother and father since that fateful night I was taken to Leavenworth.

  “Alexander!” My mom rushed over, crushing me in a hug.

  Unbidden tears sprang to my eyes. Wow. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed my parents until now. Wrapping my arms around my mother, I hugged her back, inhaling the familiar scent of the perfume she’d worn ever since I could remember. Tears sprang to my eyes.

  “How’re you holding up, son?” Dad asked softly.

  My father could command a room filled with hundreds of people talking at once, his loud, booming voice rising above all others. I’d never heard him speak like this. Ever.

  Mom and I broke apart, and Dad ruffled my hair. He hadn’t done that in years.

  “Well, I don’t want to get in the way of your little reunion. See you all later.”

  I looked back at the warden, who gave me one last pointed stare before letting herself out. No doubt the guard was waiting outside the door.

  I had to choke out the lie. “I’m fine, Dad. Thanks for asking.”

  Mom smiled at me. Here I was, desperately trying to hold back tears, and her eyes weren’t even glossy. Then again, she’d always been good as masking her emotions. Came with holding public office, I supposed.

  Dad sported his best politician grin. “Good to hear. This place has top-notch security and is safe as it gets. Are they treating you well?”

  I blinked away the last bit of extra moisture and noticed the one-way mirror on the opposite wall. No doubt the warden was listening to every word.

  Swallowing thickly, I shrugged. “It’s not the Four Seasons, but what is, right?”

  “That’s the spirit,” my father said.

  “We were so upset when we learned they’d transferred you here,” Mom said. “We demanded they let us see you.”

  “It was tough doing,” Dad added. “Highly secure and confidential, this place.” He puffed out his chest as if he and my mother had accomplished some heroic feat. Was I supposed to applaud them for it?

  “That’s great,” I said dully, the overwhelming emotions of our reunion fading away fast. “I’m glad you could come.”

  “We’ve missed our handsome young man.” Mom winked at me. “Especially seeing you playing football.”

  Yeah, right. They never attended my games when they had the chance. It made me wonder if they were aware our conversation was being monitored.

  Before I could call them out on it, my father asked, “So, how’s that super strength?”

  He was smiling. My father was actually smiling. Was he proud of my ability? Because I’d give it up in a heartbeat if it meant breathing free air once again. And though I wouldn’t presume every one of us here felt the same, I’d bet my college fund most of the supernaturals did.

  “Super,” I said drily.

  “Alexander…” my mom chided. “Why are you being such a grump?”

  I was about half a second from telling her exactly why I was a “grump.” Not a moment too soon, however, the warden’s threat stopped the word vomit I almost spewed.

  Everyone is replaceable.

  Even if she didn’t follow through with that particular threat, the warden had easy access to my friends. She could make their lives a living hell here at Lansing.

  I couldn’t let that happen. I had to sell this delusion better than I was. Only problem was, I’d never been good at small talk, least of all with my parents.

  “So, um, how’s work?”

  “Oh Alexander.” My mother laughed like it was the silliest question she ever heard. “You don’t want to hear about our boring jobs.”

  I’d hardly call being the mayor of a major metropolitan city boring. And why was she acting so weird?

  “Speak for yourself, Kathleen. Washington is a nightmare these days. Then again, where isn’t right now?” my dad said, chuckling.

  Yeah, climate-induced disasters were freaking hilarious.

  My father’s position as a Congressman had never interested me, but now with so little access to what was going on outside of these prison walls, I was eager for any bit of news Plus, knowledge was power. I’d take whatever I could get.

  “What’s been happening?” I asked.

  “Oh, you know.” Actually, I don’t. “Tornadoes, hurricanes, an earthquake or two—”

  “Aaron, don’t get started with all that doom and gloom,” Mom interrupted. Then she turned to me. “I want to hear about the friends you’ve made. Any girls catch your eye yet?”

  Should I mention Phoebe? Her mother didn’t say I couldn’t, so, technically, I wasn’t breaking any of her rules. I really wanted to know just how deep my paren
ts’ knowledge went, but I also didn’t want to reveal to her mother just how close Phoebe and I had gotten.

  I would have to tread carefully.

  “Actually, I have made several friends. One of them you probably even know.”

  “Oh wonderful!” my mom said, clasping her hands together. “Who is it?”

  I’m glad you asked… “Do you remember Phoebe Atkinson?”

  I didn’t miss the split-second meaningful look my parents gave one another, one that told me they already knew Phoebe was alive and well. Though the “well” part of that phrase wasn’t accurate at all.

  “Phoebe was at Leavenworth with me,” I continued, “and now she’s here too.”

  “Oh, how lovely!” my mother said. Lovely? What was “lovely” about her being locked up at either prison? “She and her mother are together again. I’m sure they’re beside themselves with happiness.”

  I wanted to throw up.

  The news had reported that Phoebe died in a house fire. It wasn’t until I arrived at Leavenworth that I discovered she’d survived. Only those involved in the SCC would know that.

  But if they knew that, surely they knew Phoebe’s mother had been here at Lansing all these years. Did they think her abandoning her daughter was “lovely” too?

  I didn’t know what to think. So much was wrong here that I couldn’t seem to wrap my mind around.

  Mom gave me a quick peck on the forehead. “Well, I have a meeting in a few hours, and your father is headed back to the capital this evening. We love you, Alexander. I wish we could call.”

  “Rules are rules,” Dad added.

  “Right.” I couldn’t believe they were leaving already. We’d had, what, five minutes to catch up?

  I panicked. Even if they were somehow involved in all of this, it was obvious my parents didn’t have a clue what was really going on here. Who knew if I would get another opportunity to see them? I owed it to my friends to try to do something.

  But I wouldn’t risk any of their lives—my parents included—so I couldn’t just come clean with the warden listening in.

  Maybe if I whispered in my dad’s ear? He’d always had a good poker face.

  No, too risky.

  Then it hit me.

  My father was a huge Civil War buff. It’s actually how I got into it in the first place. As busy as he was, I’d sought some way to connect with him. Turned out, it was something—the only thing, really—we bonded over.

  There was a quote by a famous Union general that went something like this: “If I owned Texas and Hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in Hell.”

  I was one-hundred percent certain my father knew the quote, but what I didn’t know was whether he’d figure out what I was trying to say. Neither of the prisons were what they seemed, and it was imperative that he knew that.

  “Dad, before you go…” I grabbed his arm before he could walk out that door. “I forgot to tell you, one of my friends here is from Texas.”

  My father’s best friend in Washington was from Texas. We’d been to his family’s sprawling ranch on more than one occasion. “Oh yeah? What’s his name?”

  I forced out a laugh. “Actually, that’s a good question. I don’t know. We just call him Tex.”

  My dad chortled. “I’ll bet he’s a colorful character.”

  I laughed genuinely this time at my father’s choice of words. “Oh, believe me, he is. And being at Leavenworth and now Lansing with him, it made me think of that quote by Philip Sheridan you told me one time. Tex had never even heard it.” I used my best ‘golly gee’ voice and hoped the warden was buying it.

  My mother certainly seemed to be. “Alexander, you know not everyone has a well-rounded education like you’ve had,” she admonished. “But I’m glad you’re able to share your knowledge.”

  Speaking of my education… did they know it was non-existent here? I itched to tell them but had the presence of mind to know that revealing that information would result in someone getting hurt.

  Since I was this close to spilling the beans, I spoke quickly. “Anyway, I wish you both could come visit again.” I released my father’s arm, but not before giving it a firm squeeze. His expression didn’t reveal he’d caught my clue at all. Eyebrows raised, I said, “Rules are rules though, right?”

  And if we were getting out of here, it was more obvious than ever we were going to have to break all of them.

  6

  Phoebe

  Zapper smacked into the concrete wall, electricity shooting through his convulsing body.

  A Lansing inmate advanced, smirking. She was tall and athletically built, with a cruel streak that stretched for miles.

  “Come at me again, Sparky,” the girl taunted. “I dare you.” But even as she said it, she grabbed him again and Zapper arched his back, crying out in pain.

  I watched, disturbed and thoroughly confused as to what this girl’s power was. Zapper jerked violently under her touch, and then I realized.

  She could take another supernatural’s power and twist it back on themselves. Zapper, who had the ability to electrocute but only in small doses, was now suffering from his own power.

  Cathy, Lucy, and I were sitting on a picnic table a short distance from the action. Lucy caught my eye. “I can see you're uncomfortable,” she said. “But, trust me, you don’t want to get involved.”

  Uncomfortable was putting it mildly.

  A crowd had formed, all Lansing inmates, all cheering for the girl. She shocked Zapper again, and he moaned.

  I wasn’t a fan of the kid. After all, he was one of Wolf’s pack members and had zapped me on more than one occasion. He’d also helped ruin our escape. Despite all of that, he didn’t deserve this.

  A boy from Leavenworth pushed through the crowd, telling them to cut it out. Someone punched him in the face.

  That’s it.

  I stood. “Someone has to do something,” I said through gritted teeth.

  My gaze swept across the guards who stood by, watching and laughing. Luther had been just like them, but even he intervened—if only because it was required of him. Obviously, my mother let the guards do whatever they liked.

  Funny, I didn’t recall her being so lenient with me when I was a child.

  “Whatever you’re about to do, it’s not worth it.”

  Cathy wasn’t telling me something I didn’t already know. But as more Leavenworth kids inched forward, the Lansing inmates turned on them. “Superfreaks aren’t welcome here!”

  I’d heard that name more than once today. Each time the insult was aimed at someone from Leavenworth. Apparently, the kids from Lansing considered themselves the “real” supernaturals with “real” powers. It was a rift I’d seen forming during lunch, and now it had boiled over.

  My feet propelled me forward just as an all-out brawl broke out. Problem was, it wasn’t a fair fight.

  Dangerous powers were being utilized, none of which belonged to the Leavenworth kids. Screams filled my ears. And though some teens wrestled with one another, most stood silent, their powers unseen and unfelt, except, of course, by their unfortunate target.

  As I reached the fray, I saw a Leavenworth girl’s eyes widen, and water began bubbling out of her mouth. What the—

  Another girl, this one in a blue uniform, laughed, clearly the one in control. But of what? Was she causing her to choke on her own saliva?

  I held on to the gasping girl, who looked to be a little older than me. Water poured from her mouth. “Stop!” I screamed at her torturer. “She’s drowning!”

  “That’s the point,” the other girl said with a smirk.

  Why did I have such a useless power? I remembered the moves Rocky had taught me. Maybe there was something I could do.

  I swung my leg and kicked the Lansing girl right behind the kneecaps. She crumpled. The Leavenworth inmate coughed and spluttered, trying to get the liquid out of her system. “Are you okay?” I asked, kneeling next to her.

  She nodded, trying to catch her
breath.

  My ears suddenly rushed with the sound of water, and moisture collected in my throat. I tried to swallow it down, but it crept up, blocking my air passages. Apparently, I was getting the waterboarding treatment too.

  I twisted to glare at the Lansing girl. “Why?” I tried to choke out, but the water had already pooled in my mouth. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Maybe next time you should mind your own business,” the girl said, hands on hips.

  “Mei, knock it off.” Dane’s voice boomed from behind me. “Don’t make me ask again.”

  Mei instantly took a few steps back. “But she’s a superfreak.”

  “No one’s a superfreak as far as I’m concerned,” Dane said. “Stop, or I’ll make life real difficult for you.”

  My hands were now at my throat, dark spots literally swimming in my vision. I was going to pass out. Then die. Then come back to life again. And everyone would know my secret, not just Dane and Lucy.

  Just as I was about to give in to the looming darkness, the water pressure let up. I lurched forward, coughing up water and taking in a breath so big I thought I might choke on air.

  Dane crouched down and patted my back. “You alright there, Phoenix?”

  I nodded, blinking away the dark spots. “Thanks,” I rasped.

  “Don’t mention it.” Then he lowered his volume and said, “Your power is cool and all, but I didn’t really want to see it in action.”

  Suddenly, my wildly pounding heart slowed, and I didn’t feel so anxious or angry anymore. I was… calm.

  It felt good but unnatural, considering I almost drowned to death. That would have been a first for me.

  Looking around, I spotted Heath, the apath guard, surveying the scene. Was that him that made me feel that way? Interesting…

  “Inmates! In formation, now!”

  I recognized my mother’s commanding voice. It wasn’t one you could ever forget.

  Everyone else recognized it too. The fighting stopped immediately, and inmates began forming a straight line. Dane helped me up to my feet, and I stood next to him as I wiped the last of the water off my chin. He was completely silent, standing at attention like a soldier. I mimicked him, not wanting to draw attention to myself.