by Berinn Rae
“Felix is right,” said Sydney. “You can’t go barging in there, Cali. You manipulate sound, you can’t go invisible.”
“But aren’t you the least bit — ” Something clicked in her head. “Are you using your powers?”
Sydney drew back. “No, why?”
Cali waved her hand frantically. “Put them on. Now.” A few seconds passed. “Well?”
“I’m using them, now are you going to tell me why?”
She turned to Felix. “That man, the one I thought I saw in Sydney’s clinic, the one you thought you saw outside your house? I bet you anything it was him. That’s Jente’s power, he can turn invisible.”
“Hold on a second,” Joel interrupted. “There’s someone who can turn invisible? Someone who was inside Syd’s clinic and you didn’t tell anyone?”
Note to self: if you ever endanger Sydney, Joel will kill you.
“She wasn’t there and I thought I was hallucinating.”
“I don’t know about you guys but I’m a little more concerned about some huge conglomerate using our own kind for his entertainment,” said Niella.
“I’m with Ell,” said Felix. “We can’t sit here and do nothing.”
“Wait a minute,” said Sydney. “Since when did we become a vigilante group?”
Felix looked at her as if she’d suffered from some sudden onslaught of amnesia. “Since we’ve operated out of your clinic to help anyone Ell’s ever seen? Come on, Syd, we’re not new to this.”
“Yes, we are,” she countered. “You’re talking about going after a huge conglomerate based on — no offense, Cali — nothing but her word.”
Joel leaned over. “Sydney’s very by-the-book.”
Sydney slugged Joel in the arm. “I’m serious. You guys think this is nothing but some video game you can try and beat.”
“No, we don’t, Syd,” said Felix. “We know how serious this situation is, and we also know that right now we’re probably the only ones who know about it and can do anything.”
“And what are we going to do, huh? Storm the castle? Are you even thinking this through?”
“What’s there to think through?” Felix shot right back. “People like us are being collected like rare sports cards and we have a chance to stop it. I say we go for it.”
Sydney turned to Niella. “Will you please voice some reason for me?”
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited for Niella’s verdict. Cali didn’t know what to expect from the Dreamer. She could understand Sydney’s perspective, but sometimes action needed to be taken against those who believed they were untouchable.
“I felt the pain, Sydney,” Niella started. “I can’t begin to describe it to you, but I know it’s unfair. These people, whoever they are, are helpless.” She stared down at her legs. “I know what it’s like to be helpless,” she said softly. “It’s really all up to you guys. I’m not much help in my wheelchair but if I could help them, I would. No one should have to feel what I’ve felt. Not if it can be helped.”
Sydney fell silent. There was no arguing with that. Cali wondered if Niella realized the weight she carried in their little group. The others, without even meaning to, seemed to look to her in times of disagreement. But she guessed when one was gifted with visions of the future, others were sure to follow her words of wisdom.
“Don’t worry, Syd,” Felix consoled. “We’re not going to run in there blind. We’ll think of something. This way we can help keep Cali safe as well as help those who might be unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire.”
The logic appealed to Sydney and seemed to calm her.
They lapsed into contemplative silence that was interrupted when Joel glanced over the business card Cali had handed over. “Join the Guild of Kratos and help empower the world. The Guild of Kratos? Really?”
Cali took the card back and stared at it. “What does Kratos mean?”
“In essence it means ‘power.’ So their catch phrase is a little redundant if you ask me.”
“No one’s asking you, Joel,” said Niella.
He ignored her. “We should come up with our own name if we’re going to be combating them. Our own guild.”
Felix perked up at the idea like a little boy. “What should our guild represent?”
Joel tapped his finger against the sofa in thought. “They already took power … ”
“Truth,” Cali spoke up.
Joel nodded to himself. “That’s not bad.”
Cali quirked a brow at him, “Not bad? It fits perfectly. How do you think Collette and Vander got everything they were after? They used Collette’s Illusions or Vander’s lies. They deceive people like they deceived me. We should represent truth.”
“Or justice,” Felix added.
Joel shared a boyish grin with him. “Or the American way?”
“We’re not goddamn Superman,” Niella muttered.
Their grins grew and Cali punched Felix in the arm. “I’m serious about truth.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “I’m just as serious as you are about justice.”
Joel opened his mouth but Sydney gave him a dark look. “If you say the American way one more time you’re going to be sleeping on the couch for a month.”
His mouth shut.
“I’m with Cali,” said Niella. “Truth. We wouldn’t bullshit people who came to us for help.”
“Agreed,” Sydney added her input.
Joel pulled out his smart phone. “If we’re going to use truth then we might as well have a cooler translation of it.”
Sydney stifled a yawn. “Why don’t you finish that at home?”
Cali hadn’t realized how late it had gotten. She was exhausted from the day and starving. She could have gone into the kitchen and made herself something to eat but she didn’t want to leave the comfort of Felix’s body. His hand was no longer on her thigh, but that didn’t stop her from leaning into his warmth.
Joel got to his feet and stretched. “I can do this at home. I can also look up some names for that Jente guy.”
“What do you mean look up names for Jente?” Cali asked.
Joel scrolled through something on his phone. “I mean he needs a title. We can’t call him an Invisible, doesn’t sound right.”
Cali didn’t get it. Felix came to her rescue. “He means a title like you have the title of Silencer, I’m an Eraser and Sydney’s a Shielder … get it?”
“You mean to tell me those aren’t … universal terms?”
“Nope,” Niella supplied helpfully. “They just made them up.”
“We all helped make them up,” Sydney defended.
Cali looked between all of them. Unbelievable. “So who made up mine?” Not that she was going to argue. She was becoming accustomed to her title. She liked how it made her sound deadlier than she really was.
There were a few puzzled looks shared between them.
“None of us, actually,” said Felix. “Niella had her Dream, and when she told me to go after you she said you were a Silencer, a manipulator of sound.”
“Niella made it up?” Joel looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. “No way.”
Cali could almost swear that Niella was embarrassed. “I didn’t really make it up. I Dreamed about it. I’m sure one of you made it up and I simply plucked the word from my Dream. So in reality, you made it up but because I already supplied you the name you didn’t have to think it up in the first place.”
Everyone gave her blank stares.
“Never mind.”
“Well, there you have it,” said Felix, “the origin of your name came from the future.” He wiggled his fingers to add effect. Cali knocked his hands down, trying and failing to suppress a smile.
Sydney got to her feet. “We’ll see you tomorrow?”
• • •
Felix saw everyone out. As soon as he got up from the couch, Cali had made a break for the kitchen. There was something off about her. Ever since she came back fro
m her “job interview” she’d been acting differently. When they’d been on the couch she’d slid into him like she belonged at his side. Not that he was complaining, but it drew his attention when not even twelve hours ago she was jumping away from his touch after having sex. He’d tried to catch her eye but she’d acted as if nothing were amiss. As if her body pressed into his wasn’t a huge deal to him that was distracting as hell.
Was she acting different because of what had almost happened at the Kratos building? He ran a hand through his hair, unable to believe he’d almost lost her. Twice in the same day he’d fucked up. He should have been there for her. At her interview and when Collette attacked. He should have pushed when she’d left her apartment, just like Joel had suggested.
Joel’s truck disappeared down the street. He shut the front door to return to the kitchen where Cali was already polishing off the last of her sandwich.
Felix was too antsy to go to sleep. He leaned against the island. “Want to watch a movie?”
They’d done it countless times before over the past week.
Cali put her plate in the sink and said, “I’d like that.”
He rearranged the couches so that they wouldn’t have to ruin their necks to see the TV and put on an action/adventure film he knew Cali enjoyed.
She was making her way over to the couch when Felix decided to conduct a little experiment.
He waited until she’d taken her seat and purposely sat next to her, making sure to keep a few inches between them. Enough room so they weren’t touching. A few previews passed with Cali doing nothing. When the menu popped up, Felix selected the play button and Cali made her move.
She was subtle, he’d give her that. She leaned into him to give herself room to tuck her legs underneath her, slowly inching herself closer to him until their arms were pressed together, her knee touching his thigh.
Blood rushed straight to his groin. He clenched his jaw to keep from reaching out for her. Being away from her had been torture. Doubly so when he realized what kind of danger she’d been in. She was his Mirror Mate — it was his job to protect her. And for the first time, Felix believed she was finally feeling the bond too. Why else would she seek out his touch?
He purposefully scooted out of touching distance again.
Unfortunately he was not nearly as subtle as Cali. Her eyes locked on his. He waited for her to say something but nothing came. He craved her but he wanted her to crave him more. She shifted closer. He shifted back.
She gave a frustrated sigh. “Stop moving.”
“Why?” Come on, Cali, he willed with his mind. Say it. “What do you want from me?”
He wasn’t going to play this game unless he knew without a doubt that he’d get her in the end. He didn’t want another fling. He wanted her. All of her.
Tell me you want me just as badly.
She was clearly struggling with herself. “I want … ” She gave an exasperated gesture and started again. “I just … oh, fuck this.”
She shoved up from the couch.
Felix granted himself a small smile. She might not have admitted her need for him but a curse was just as good. He’d learned that when Cali was pitted in a tough situation her only escape was anger. He’d angered her because she didn’t want to answer his question. She wouldn’t lie to him, either. Cali was better than that. It was a small victory but he’d take it.
“Not so fast.” He wrapped his arms around her, taking a moment to revel in the feel of her soft body against his hard one.
“Let go of me.” She struggled against him but the movements only pushed her body harder against his erection.
Felix stifled his groan and held back from thrusting against her. Barely.
“Stop trying to run away from me,” he gritted in her ear. He pulled her back and dropped them both to the couch where he quickly draped his leg over both of hers to lock her in place. “I’m not going to push you anymore. Relax, Cali. I just want to hold you.”
She tried one last time to move but he held firm. She turned to face him. “I don’t believe you.”
He grinned down at her. “I don’t care what you believe because I got you right where I want you. Now stop being a pain in the ass and watch the movie. You scared the shit out of me today.”
“I did?”
She settled a little more calmly against him, his big body spooning hers.
He pressed his lips to the back of her neck and felt her shudder. “Yes, I swear it’s almost like you go looking for trouble.”
That riled her. “I do not go looking for trouble. I’m not some thrill junkie who needs — ”
“Easy.” He kissed her neck again. “Easy.” He loved the way her body responded to his touch. “That’s not what I meant.”
They got maybe ten minutes into the movie before Cali spoke again. “Felix?”
He tightened his arms around her. “Hm?”
Her body slowly stiffened, her heart racing so hard he could feel it.
He frowned at the back of her head. “What is it?”
“Are you using me just so you can get full control of your powers?”
The question came straight out of left field. Felix blinked before his mind could catch up to the question. Was she serious? Her body was stiff as a piece of wood in his arms so he guessed she was.
Felix ground his teeth. It was all that fucker Tyson’s fault. He swore if he ever met the bastard he’d rip his limbs from his body.
He rose up onto his elbow and turned Cali onto her back so he could stare into those dark brown eyes of hers. “Cali, no. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
He could see the indecision warring inside her. “I already asked Niella — ” That surprised him. “ — and she said I could trust you guys, but I wanted to make sure.”
“You can trust us.”
She nodded. “Good, because for some reason I’m really starting to like you guys.”
He gave a nonchalant shrug, a wicked smile teasing his lips. “It’s not every day you have people willing to take on a huge business to protect you,” he said with false modesty.
She grinned right back at him, the sight like a punch to the gut. She was so beautiful.
“Well, don’t expect anything in return. You guys offered willingly so I’m not holding myself in debt.”
He raised both eyebrows at her. “Do I look like I expect anything in return?”
She pushed at him playfully. “You’re always looking for something in return.”
He pretended to think about that while he adjusted himself more comfortably atop her. “True enough. So what are you going to give me? Last I remember, you were down by two.”
He pressed a soft kiss to her collarbone. Her breathing hitched. That small reaction had his cock throbbing.
Slow, he reminded himself. Take this slow. She’s finally starting to trust you.
He trailed his tongue up her neck, her hands threading into his hair. “I’m only down by two because you’re an unfair ref.”
“Me?” he asked innocently, his hand sliding up to graze her breast.
The air left her lungs in a rush, her breath tickling his neck.
“Yes.” Her voice was rougher, lower. It turned his blood to fire. “Y-you don’t play … fair.”
She turned into his kiss eagerly. His tongue slid between her lips before he pulled back. Her grip tightened in frustration. “Sometimes you have to fight dirty to get what you want.”
Her eyes were ablaze with desire. He could all but smell her arousal, and it made him crazy.
Slow!
He growled low in his throat.
Cali pulled his head back down to hers for a scorching kiss. She spoke against his lips, nearly cracking his resolve right then and there. “I’m okay with dirty.”
He threw his head back on a groan. “God, Cali. I won’t be able to control myself if you talk like that.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his hands cupping her breasts. Her nipples were hard beneath his p
alm. He squeezed gently. Her body arched into his. “I want to learn every little part of your body. I want to know where you’re most sensitive and what makes you go wild.” He pulled the material of her bra down and sucked her nipple through the fabric of her shirt.
She bucked beneath him, rubbing against his erection, hard.
“Felix.” His name was a breathless plea, and her hands went straight for the waistband of his jeans.
Slow, his mind screamed at him.
With a self-control he didn’t think he possessed he pulled her hands back from him. “Wait, wait.” My God, he could hardly speak properly. “Slow. I want to take you slowly. Savor you. Be gentle.”
She strained against his hands and nipped at his bottom lip. His cock tightened painfully. “I don’t want you to be gentle.”
Well, fuck.
He crushed his lips against hers. His hands slid possessively along her legs, hiking her skirt up until it bunched around her waist.
An explosion came from the movie but Felix hardly heard it.
Cali made quick work of his shirt. She took a moment to marvel at him. Every time she looked at him like that he became hers more and more. When she gazed at him like nothing else in the world existed but him, he felt invincible.
She yanked him to her, her mouth connecting with his chest, her tongue laving his skin.
He tore her panties from her legs and maneuvered himself between her legs. She was already wet for him. Felix swallowed thickly as his fingers slid in and around her sex.
She moaned beneath him, her hips rising in unconscious surrender.
Felix clenched his jaw. “I want you naked,” he growled.
Her eyes were glazed with desire, her lips red and swollen. She lifted her arms without complaint, and he threw her shirt to the floor to join his. Her bra followed shortly. The only item of clothing that remained was her skirt. It was fitted around her waist like an oversized, purple belt. He didn’t mind. The sight of her like that was sexy as hell.
“So fucking hot.” He glided his hands up her body to squeeze her breasts then trailed them lower to tease her between her legs.
Her eyes never left his, the connection between them rocketing his arousal higher.
