by Dee J. Stone
He pinches his nose. Man. Lindsay won’t let me near her now.
She finally okay with you hunting?
He shakes his head.
Don’t fight over this, I say.
It’s okay. She’ll come around.
That’s what he said the last time I asked him that. I’d hate to be the cause of their problems. When I think about the two of them, my thoughts drift to Stealth. Of that kiss. I try to shut it out, especially because Kale can read me. He hasn’t said a word, but I’m pretty sure he knows about it.
He clears his throat. He’s definitely reading my mind. What do you know about her? I ask.
She had a screwed-up life. Her parents locked her in the house and exploited her powers.
I look at him. What?
Well, they only let her out of the house to steal things. Money, precious jewels and stones and riches from the wealthy.
It’s almost like my past. So similar it’s scary. That is pretty screwed up.
We have a connection. Is that why I feel drawn to her?
The cops could never catch the thief because she was always invisible, Kale says. Stealth doesn’t really know how to live among people. All she’s been taught is to steal and fight. Dr. Evans is working with her. So are my parents and some of the Elites.
That’s good to hear.
Kale’s staring at me. What? I ask.
What do you think of her?
My stomach flips. Twists. I push these thoughts and feelings away, because it’s all a game to her. But hell, it’s a great distraction from Glen’s death. Instead of him keeping me up at night, she does. I don’t know her. Barely spoke to her.
Kale tries to hide a knowing smile. She’s sorta like you.
Yeah, she is. An outsider. She hasn’t made friends yet.
Someone approaches the group of villains. A tall, muscular guy who also bears the ShadowBlade logo. It looks a little different from the logo on the first Blade I saw. I realize now that the first guy’s not an actual Blade. The logo is a sticker.
I pierce through their masks to read their lips. I can see their identities, but it means nothing to me. I don’t recognize them.
They’re talking fast, and I only catch bits and pieces. They’re discussing being recruited into the ShadowBlades.
Kale and I exchange a shocked glance. He’s using his telepathy to invade the villains’ minds. This is it. What we’ve been waiting for.
The ShadowBlade is talking about tests these villains need to pass in order to join the Blades. He interrogates each one, assessing their strength and power. They flinch underneath his hard glare.
After he’s done, the Blade shakes his head. “Not good enough,” he snarls. “What do you have to offer me? Fire? Acid?” He crosses his beefy arms. “Bored. We’re looking for something…” He eyes all six of them. “Different.”
He walks over to the fake Blade. The sticker seems to impress him. Only for a second. When he learns the fake’s ability is shifting into birds, he laughs so hard it echoes down the alley.
Kale looks at me. Crap…
Can you read the Blade’s mind? I ask.
Nope.
Vlayne most likely used her telepathy to hide his thoughts.
“Unless you have someone of great value,” the Blade tells the group. “We have no interest in you.”
The group nods solemnly, their faces intimidated by him. “I’ll contact you in a week,” he says. “We are giving you one more chance. Do not waste my time again.” He shoots up to the sky like a rocket, leaving behind a gust that sends the villains flying to the ground. He zooms off.
Dammit, I say, watching his form shrink in the sky. He’s too fast. Could have led us to Vlayne’s location.
Kale points to the group. Maybe they can help?
Doubt it, but let’s follow them. This is the closest we’ve ever gotten.
He nods and we watch the villains for a bit longer. No one utters a word for a few minutes. Finally, one says, “We have one shot. One. We need to find someone extraordinary.”
They agree and slowly begin heading back. Two fly, while the other four climb into a car and drive off.
Let’s go. I jump to my feet and leap to our car. I drive slowly so the group won’t catch us trailing them.
They stop the car and get out. We’re still in Downtown Brooklyn. I stop, too, and Kale and I crouch behind another mountain, this one made of wood and rubble. The villains walk into what looks like an abandoned building. They meet the other two inside.
We watch. And watch. Nothing seems to happen. They’re not talking about anything important—just the usual villain stuff and girls.
Nearly twenty minutes pass before one says that they’re on a mission to find the strongest villain in the world. Someone so valuable the Blades won’t think twice before recruiting the entire group.
The ShadowBlades must be seeking powerful villains to join them, since many were killed in February.
The group leaves the building and heads off in different directions. We’re done here.
“Let’s go,” I tell Kale. “There’s nothing more to see now.”
We head to the car.
Chapter Ten
I’ve been pacing in my room all day as thoughts swirl around in my head. Glen’s death, Stealth, the ShadowBlades, that villain group who want to be recruited by the Blades. From reading their minds, Kale learned they call themselves the Black Nightmares, or Nightmares, and that they got together a few months ago.
They are convinced the Blades will recruit them all. They think the only thing they need is a secret weapon and they’re in. I doubt that’s true. The Blades seek only the best. But this group is so desperate to get into the Blades that they’ll take anyone with a powerful ability.
I need to use that to my advantage. But how?
I stop pacing. I’ve got it.
Kale, I call in my head. Can you and Lindsay come to my room, please?
They’re in the lounge, watching a movie. Prizm’s in there, too, annoying them by shining different colored lights in their faces. Kale leaps to his feet and Lindsay follows him.
A few minutes later, they’re walking toward my room. I open the door and they sit on my bed while I take the floor.
“What’s up?” Kale asks. “Did you think of something?”
He knows why I was in my room all day. He encouraged me to come up with a plan instead of going to practice. Made excuses to Accelerator.
I get to my feet and start pacing again. I walk to the window and peer out. A few kids are playing tennis, some are in the pool. A recently married couple is taking a stroll around the yard.
“X?”
I continue to stare out, because Kale won’t like what I’m about to say. But I need to. We have no choice. “The Nightmares are on a mission to find a villain so powerful the Blades won’t think twice before recruiting them.” I turn around. Lindsay’s hand is clasped in Kale’s. They both look curious.
I return to my spot on the floor. I don’t say a word for a bit. I hate that this is what I’ve come up with, but I can’t think of anything else. We’re running out of time.
X, Kale says. Your thoughts are a mess. What’s the plan?
Does Lindsay know what we discovered yesterday?
Yeah. She and I had a long talk and she understands how important hunting for the Blades is. She’s getting used to the idea.
Good. That makes things a bit easier. I clear my throat. “We need someone to go undercover and pretend to be the villain the Nightmares seek.”
Kale’s mouth widens. “Seriously?”
I nod. “I would do it, but Vlayne knows me. She knows you, too.” My gaze flicks to Lindsay. “But she doesn’t know Lindsay.”
“No,” Kale says. “No! We are not sending Lindsay.”
He has a right to feel this way. I’d feel the same if someone suggested my girl risk her life.
“We have no access to the Blades,” I say. “No clue where they’re hiding.
But these villains do. The Blades will contact them soon. We need someone to join that group.”
Kale’s hand tightens around Lindsay’s. “Maybe. But Lindsay’s not going.”
I look at Lindsay. She’s been quiet. “What do you think?”
She pulls her hand out of Kale’s and hugs her shoulders. “Sorry, X, but I don’t want to go. I’m just learning to control my powers, and they’re not that great, anyway. I’m not the best choice.”
I disagree. Her ability is so unique and powerful. She creates flames of energy that can disintegrate an enemy with one blow.
“Your power is so strong they’ll for sure want you in their group,” I say.
“X,” Kale warns. “No. Not her.”
“I’m really sorry, X.”
I knock the back of my head against the wall. I expected Kale to refuse, but I hoped Lindsay would see the situation through my eyes. How important this is. That we may finally, finally have our revenge and take down the Blades once and for all.
Kale glares at me. “You’ve had some crazy ideas, but this is the worst. Dragging my girlfriend into this? Do you even get what you’re suggesting? She could die!”
I clench my fists. I don’t want to get mad at him, but I am. “She won’t die, Kale. Do you think I’m stupid? We’ll be with her every step of the way. She won’t be alone.”
“No,” he says. “Hell no!”
“Guys,” Lindsay says. “Stop.”
“You only care about yourself,” Kale continues. “You’ve only ever cared about yourself.”
I narrow my eyes. “I’m not doing this for myself. I’m doing this for Stretch, for Glen, for the League, for every single person on this planet. The world will be a safer place with the Blades gone.”
“Lindsay almost died four months ago, but that means nothing to you.”
“That’s not true, and you know it,” I snap. I care about Lindsay. She’s a great friend to me. I honestly think she can do this.
“Why are you guys still arguing?” Lindsay demands. “I said I’m not going. So I’m not going.”
Kale raises his chin. “Exactly.”
I shake my head. “She’d want to. You just won’t let her.”
“Don’t push her like you pushed…” He stops talking and his face fills with regret. “God, sorry. I didn’t mean—”
I stand up and go to the window. Bang my fists on it. Yes, I pushed Stretch. He hesitated, but I convinced him to risk his life. And now he’s dead. I turn around. “It’ll be different this time.”
Kale’s eyes soften. “X, I didn’t mean to—”
I hold up my hand. “Never mind that.” I turn to Lindsay. “I really need you to do this. It’s our only way in. I can’t trust any kid here. It can’t be me or Kale. It needs to be you.”
Kale looks at her. “Don’t let him talk you into this. You’ve made up your mind and you’re sticking with your choice.”
“Man, Kale,” I mutter.
His gaze shoots to me. “You’re not thinking right, because of Glen,” he says. “I love her. I. Love. Her. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“And nothing will,” I say. “I promise you that.”
He scoffs. “You can’t promise that. You—” He stops talking and scans my room. “Hold on. Someone’s in here.” His eyes stop at the corner between my dresser and TV. “Stealth, show yourself.”
Stealth? My throat constricts.
As soon as she appears, it’s hard for me to breathe. Her face doesn’t register guilt. It’s emotionless, except for a bit of humor in her eyes as she stares at me. Has she been in my room all this time? Does she spy on me?
Kale asks her the same question.
She shrugs. “I saw the three of you plotting something. I got curious.”
Kale, Lindsay, and I exchange a glance. Stealth’s gaze on me intensifies. I try to swallow, but can’t. Sweat starts to gather on my palms.
Kale motions for me to do something, but I’m as still as a statue. He clears his throat. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough.” Her eyes are still on me. I don’t break away. I don’t like that she overheard our plans. “And I want to do it.”
“What?” I say, surprised that I managed to talk.
“I want to go undercover.”
I step away from the window and move a bit closer. “Out of the question.”
She snorts. “She won’t do it.” She points to Lindsay. “I want to.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s in this for you?”
She rests her hand on the TV. “It’s too boring here. The simulations suck. I need some fun.”
My heart hammers. Is that why she…why she’s playing games with me? Because she’s bored?
“Out of the question,” I repeat.
“Why?”
“I don’t know you. I don’t trust you. We’re dealing with something serious. Not fun.”
Her gaze flicks to my lips, and my stomach clenches. Damn these emotions. They’re screwing with my ability to think clearly.
I tear my eyes away from her. “Leave and don’t tell anyone what you heard.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I want to do this. I understand how serious this is and I’m not making a joke out of it.”
I give her a hard stare. “As I said, no.”
“What are you so afraid of?” She pulls on her ponytail. “You have no one else. Here I am, willing to do this and—”
“I said, leave my room. We don’t have time for your games.”
She stares at me for a bit, then says, “I’m not kidding around here. I really want to do this.”
“Why?”
She hesitates, her eyes on the floor. After a few seconds, she raises her head to me. “All my life I’ve hurt people. I’ve done terrible things. This is my chance to fix them. To do something right and good. To help people. I don’t mind risking my life. It’s for a good cause.” She smiles a little. “It’s a good idea, actually.”
She’s using whatever happened between us to get her way. I won’t fall for it. Won’t be weak. “I don’t trust you,” I say.
She doesn’t say anything. Her lips are in a firm line.
X, Kale says. I think we can trust her. I’ve scanned her mind. She’s telling the truth.
I’m not sure if Kale’s saying this because he would rather Stealth be part of this than his girlfriend.
No, he says. I’m serious. She’s clear.
I don’t see what she can possibly gain from this.
His eyebrows furrow as he digs through her head. She wants to make things right. To undo all the crap she’s done. She doesn’t want anyone to suffer or have pain. She wants people to be happy and live peacefully. She thinks that with the Blades destroyed, that could happen.
“Hey,” Stealth says. “If you’re discussing me, I should be part of it, don’t you think?” She’s got her eyes on us, curious, a little frustrated.
I turn around and press my head on the window. What are her intentions? First she says she’s bored, and now suddenly she’s noble?
She used the fun and bored excuse because she didn’t want to reveal her true feelings about her past, Kale explains. She’s not good with expressing her emotions.
Like me. But I won’t think about our similarities. I face Kale. What does Lindsay think?
They exchange a short telepathic chat. Stealth watches them, her eyes narrowed. Lindsay’s not sure, Kale says.
We know nothing about her, I say, conscious of Stealth’s glare on me. I know it’s rude to discuss this without her, but we’re dealing with something dangerous. We need to be careful and think things through. How can we trust her with something like this? I ask him.
I’m telling you, man. Her intentions are pure. We can trust her.
“You guys are ridiculous,” Stealth mutters. “Stop talking about me.”
“Sorry,” Kale says.
“Me, too. It was rude of us.”
An awkward silence fills the r
oom.
After a bit, I say, “What special powers do you have that would interest the Nightmares? Invisibility? Mist?”
Without a word, she disappears into a cloud of smoke and storms around my room, knocking things around, scattering the mess on the floor. She tears the doors off my closet and the drawers off my shelf and dresser. The TV quakes. She’s like a tornado ripping through a town. My posters drop to the floor in shreds. My desk and chairs crack. I can imagine how easily this could take down the enemy.
The cloud zooms around more, scattering and crashing. Finally, it stops before me and Stealth materializes. She bends forward and pecks my lips.
I stare at her as she steps over the mess she caused and heads to her spot at the TV.
Lindsay and Kale’s eyes are pasted on me. Then they slowly move to Stealth, then back to me.
“Wow,” Lindsay says.
Kale gapes at Stealth. “I didn’t know you could do that.” And what the hell was that? he asks me, referring to what she did to me at the end.
I have no clue, but I do know one thing: I want her near me again. No. I shouldn’t feel like this. But I do and can’t stop it, no matter how much I try.
“So? Am I in?” She directs that question to me.
I’ll admit, her ability is impressive. I think it may be good enough for the Nightmares. My gaze connects with hers. “You won’t tell a soul about this?”
“Not one.”
“You’ll follow orders? Everything we tell you?”
“Like a sheep following her shepherd.”
“No trying anything on your own. No screwing anything up. No funny business.”
“None whatsoever.”
I look at Kale and Lindsay. They nod.
Although I don’t trust her, I have no other choice. We need to get her into the Nightmares before the Blades contact them.
But I’m going to watch her. Closely. She won’t screw this up for me.
“All right,” I say. “You’re in.”
Chapter Eleven
Stealth remains in her spot near the TV. I’m still at the window. Kale plays with Lindsay’s hair as she runs her fingers along my bedspread. We’ve been like this for a few minutes. No one seems to know what to say or do.
