The White Knight & Black Valentine Series (Book 5): Superhuman Disaster (

by Brand, Kristen

  I felt sick. We shouldn’t have come here. We should’ve waited until we had more intel. I should’ve insisted Val come back with me when we met at the water plant, had her sisters and Elisa help her force Mr. Lucifer out of her head. Then, even if Dr. Sweet and the remaining immortals took over the world, at least I would have her with me.

  I would’ve continued in self-pity like that for hours if the door hadn’t opened quietly. Fortunato slipped in, surprisingly stealthy considering the bulky armor covering his body. For one wild, delirious moment, I thought he might have come to help, but then I saw the sword in his hand.

  It was an elegant blade, long and thin. The guard was a work of art, decorative metal swirling around his shelled hand. It must have been centuries old—probably as old as the man himself. It didn’t suit him. In his spiked, clunking armor, he seemed more of a bruiser than an agile fencer.

  He strode purposefully towards Julio, and I knew what he meant to do.

  “Don’t,” I rasped.

  He didn’t answer, didn’t gloat and explain his plan like Dr. Sweet and Mr. Lucifer. He ignored me and raised his sword.

  “You didn’t think this through, did you?” I pulled against the chains. “That sword won’t work on me. You do this—you kill him, my son, in front of me, and I’ll go mad. Chained or not, I’ll bring this entire house down on your head. If you don’t want us to become threats, you picked one hell of a stupid way to do it.”

  He did pause, then, and I trembled with relief. Then he turned and approached me, pulling a bottle of something from a crevice in his armor. Poison, probably. All I’d managed to do was convince him to kill me first.

  I readied myself. He had to get close to shove that down my throat. My arms were restrained, but maybe I could still fight him off.

  “What are you doing?”

  The soft voice of the ghostly woman sounded next to my ear, startling me.

  “It needs to be done, Yayoi,” Fortunato said. “You know it, and so do I. Claudia and Ignatius have been playing supervillain for too long. They let dramatics override their common sense.”

  “I know,” said Yayoi. “But the vote was cast. We can’t go against it. It’s the only thing keeping our squabbles from descending into murder attempts.”

  “And if their stupidity destroys everything we’ve worked for?”

  She shrugged. “Then we try again in another century.”

  “I think not,” he said, advancing on me.

  The mist composing the woman grew darker, and she swept forward, placing herself in his path. “Think again.”

  Fortunato looked at her steadily, his eyes yellow with slit pupils. Around them, his skin looked scaled and reptilian.

  Someone cleared their throat. We turned to see Tonauac lounging the doorway, arms crossed and head still aflame. “I thought you’d like to know we have another visitor.”

  Gunshots echoed in the distance, proving his claim. My breath caught. Anyone fighting the guards must be on our side. Moreen, maybe? Had Val broken free? It seemed too much to hope.

  Tonauac backed away from the door, standing between Yayoi and Fortunato, who’d put aside their argument for now. They faced the doorway, where the shouts and gunfire grew louder. I stared, torn between dread and anticipation. My head pounded, hammering steadily even when the gunshots trickled off and grew silent. Everyone waited, still except for Yayoi’s flowing, intangible robes.

  I almost didn’t notice the prickling in my head because of my headache. By the time I did, it was gone, and I prayed it wasn’t who I thought it was, that I hadn’t recognized the telepathic presence. I swallowed, my throat tight.

  She came up the stairs on the other side of the door. I saw the purple-dyed hair atop her head first, and when her bandana-covered face came into view, it felt as if I’d been punched in the gut. She paused, taking in the immortals. Her eyes widened fractionally, and she went still.

  Get out of here, I thought frantically. Leave us and go!

  She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and strode forward.

  Tonauac struck first. The corona around his head flared, and suddenly, Elisa’s eyes blazed red-orange like his. She clutched her head and screamed.

  As she dropped to her knees, I pulled violently against the chains. I didn’t realize I was screaming, too, until I felt my throat tear.

  Elisa bent over in agony, grasping fistfuls of her hair. I pulled on the chains with all my strength and more, heedless of the pain in my wrists. I couldn’t stand the sight of her hurting. I had to get to her. God, I had to help her somehow. I—

  She lifted her head. Snarling ferociously, she pushed herself up. She glared at Tonauac, and the light in her eyes faded back to her natural brown. Then Tonauac was the one dropping to his knees and screaming.

  Fortunato raised his sword and lunged.

  “Look out!” I shouted.

  Elisa’s arm shot up in a perfect block, and Fortunato’s sword shattered against her skin. He stumbled, and she socked him in the face. I swelled with pride as the blow sent him staggering, but then Yayoi swept in.

  Her misty body twisted around Elisa, forcing itself up her nose and throat. Elisa coughed and choked, clutching at her neck. Groaning, I yanked even harder at the chains. Something snapped, and I fell forward a few inches. But the chains caught me, and I couldn’t pull them any farther.

  Elisa dropped to one knee, coughing violently. Fortunato stood, rubbing his faceplate, and stepped back to let Yayoi do her work. Elisa gagged and choked, trying to push Yayoi away, but her hand passed through the woman’s intangible form. I tugged desperately against the manacles, my chest tightening. She was going to suffocate.

  Elisa looked up, teary eyes widening as she stared at Jocelyn. Her eyebrows scrunched together in concentration.

  Jocelyn woke with a cry. She immediately twisted, trying to take some of the weight off her chained, broken arm. Then she caught sight of Elisa.

  Wind stirred inside the attic, and a violent gale slammed into Elisa and Yayoi. It knocked Elisa back, and she threw out her hands to catch herself. Yayoi was blown completely clear of her. The woman’s soft scream mingled with the wind as the mist of her body dispersed.

  I wanted to hug Jocelyn. But was Elisa alright? She was still coughing, but she managed to haul herself to her feet—just in time for Fortunato’s spiked, armored fist to strike her in the face.

  “No!” I pulled until it felt like my arms would be wrenched from their sockets. The wind picked up, and Jocelyn’s wings beat as she used the force to pull against her own chains. Then her eyes blazed red-orange, and she dropped like a rock, screaming.

  Tonauac stood, brushing imaginary dirt from his fancy suit. He turned his gaze on Elisa, who blocked another strike from Fortunato. Her eyes caught fire, and the pain was more than enough of a distraction to let Fortunato punch her again.

  She hit the floor hard, and Fortunato kicked her in the ribs. I threw myself at him, the manacles catching my wrists and yanking me back. He was merciless, plunging the spiked toe of his armored foot into her side again and again. I shouted at him, not even sure what I was saying. Elisa curled in on herself, trying to shield her body from his blows. Her eyes were clenched shut, but red-orange light shined through her eyelids. Her face was screwed up in an expression of agony that broke me.

  I braced my feet against the marble floor and heaved with all my strength. Fortunato kept kicking, while Tonauac looked on dispassionately. How dare they. How dare they hurt her. She was so amazing, so precious.

  I remembered the shock, the feeling of the world shifting beneath me when I’d learned I had a daughter. She’d been so shy at first despite Val’s encouragement, hiding behind the brim of her hat when I tried to make eye contact. I’d tried everything I could, told every corny joke I knew, just to make her smile. As time had passed, the awkwardness between us fell away. She grew comfortable enough to joke and tease, to groan and complain, to come to me for advice when she had a problem. I’d been t
here for her when she’d gotten her powers, helped her learn to control them, watched her grow with pride. And now… Now, these two worthless pieces of garbage thought they had the right to hurt my baby girl.

  A harsh, metallic groan filled the air. I clenched my jaw and pulled harder. The room shook, and dimly, I saw Tonauac and Fortunato pause and look up in alarm. Sweat poured down my face, and the marble cracked under my feet. My joints felt stretched to the point of dislocation, and my vision darkened with pain, but I didn’t care. Elisa lay beaten and bruised on the floor, and rage gave me the strength I needed.

  The chains were made of a special titanium alloy I had no hope of breaking.

  The rest of the house was not.

  Fortunato shouted something, but it was drowned out by the sound of the ceiling coming down. Chunks of plaster and metal beams crashed around us, but all I cared for was the sudden feeling of slack from the chains. They fell like the rest of the roof, anchored by a warped chunk of metal on the other end.

  I turned and swung the chain like a flail. Fortunato dropped to the floor, but Tonauac was slower. The chain collided with the side of his head and sent him flying. He hit the floor, and the red-orange glow around his head flickered and vanished.

  Fortunato shot to his feet and charged. Hands still manacled, I grabbed the chain and swung again. He didn’t duck this time.

  He caught it in his armored fist and pulled.

  My arms jerked forward, and I smashed face-first into the floor. For one blissful, dizzying moment, I felt nothing. Then all the pain hit me at once. Grunting, I pushed myself up—just as Fortunato kicked me in the face.

  I landed on my back, knocking the air from my chest. Head pounding, I tried to inhale. I had to breathe before I could try to stand. Fortunato came into my range of vision, looming over me, and I raised my arm feebly to block whatever he was about to do.

  Elisa grabbed his arm from behind and wrenched it around his back. Twisting, he snarled and drove his heel into her shin. She hissed and let him go. He turned and swung.

  Elisa caught his fist in her bare hand. Her bandana had slipped down to her neck, so there was nothing hiding her barred teeth. Her purple hair was a sweat-soaked mess, and puffy bruises were forming along her jaw and right eye. She pulled Fortunato forward, slamming her knee into his face. The crack of impact echoed throughout the damaged room.

  Fortunato stumbled back, dazed, and Elisa showed no mercy.

  “This’ll—” She punched him. “—teach you—” Punch. “—not to—” Punch. “—be such a—” Punch. “—jackass.”

  Her fist plunged into his stomach on the last punch with enough force to lift his feet clear off the ground. He couldn’t catch himself and crumpled in front of her. Elisa stood over him, breathing heavily, her hands still clenched into fists.

  A cry of shock filled the room. Fortunato clutched his stomach, where his shell was cracked from Elisa’s last punch. He looked up at her, reptilian eyes widening in horror. Then he scrambled up and ran.

  Elisa took a step after him then thought better of it. She rushed over to me instead, face growing more distressed the close she got.

  “Are you okay?” She grabbed me and helped me up.

  “That’s—” I coughed. “—what I’m supposed to ask you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  At the look I gave her, she shrugged. “Well, I will be, anyway. I have youth and vitality on my side. You’re super old.”

  “I’m not super old.”

  She smirked and opened her mouth, but Jocelyn cut her off.

  “A little help?”

  Her wrists were still manacled, though the section of ceiling the chains had been attached to had collapsed just like mine. She pulled at Julio’s chains where he was still unconscious and suspended.

  Elisa helped me limp over to them, and I made short work of their regular old metal chains. Then Elisa woke Julio telepathically.

  He sucked in air as he jerked awake, relaxing once he saw all of us. Then he surveyed the room, taking in the half-collapsed ceiling, rubble, and broken chains. His gaze lingered on Tonauac’s body off to the side, and he took in the bruised messes that were me and Elisa.

  “Looks like I missed the party.”

  “You should’ve seen it!” Elisa practically bounced. “I fought a bunch of supervillains and saved all of your asses. It was totally awesome!” She looked around brightly. “Who are we gonna beat up next?”

  Injuries up and down my body throbbed in unison, but I tried to straighten up. The gala. Dr. Sweet and Mr. Lucifer had already left, but we might still have enough time to stop them.

  I looked at Elisa. “I have a few suggestions.”

  Chapter 16

  The van tore down the street, Eddy tossing aside his usual caution in the race to get us to the gala before it was too late. A driver honked as he cut them off, and he turned so sharply that it almost threw me into the wall.

  “I don’t know if it’s the water,” I said into the phone. “They could have drugged the champagne. It could be sprinkled over the food. All I know is the gala is their target.”

  A huff of Moreen’s breath came over the speaker, and I could picture her rubbing her face in frustration. “I’ll give it a shot. They won’t cancel something this big on my word without evidence, and when I reveal you’re my source…”

  “I know,” I said. “Just warn them. We’re almost there.”

  “And just what are you planning to do?”

  I took a deep breath, wincing as it irritated my sides where Fortunato had punched me. “Whatever it takes.”

  Moreen was silent for a moment. “You’re going to end up in prison.”

  “You’re assuming I’ll survive? I never pegged for you for an optimist.”

  “Don’t joke, Dave. I’m not there to watch your back. Just…be careful, okay?”

  “I will.”

  She hung up, and I braced myself as Eddy made another sharp turn. I must have lost more time than I’d thought after Mr. Lucifer had knocked me unconscious, because evening had fallen, and the view out the van’s window was a kaleidoscope of yellow headlights and neon.

  “So I can use mind-control on the security guards,” Elisa was saying. “We can sneak in the back.”

  Julio shook his head. “They’ll have security cameras. We can smash them, but we can’t fool them.”

  “Then I can make some guests give us their invitations—and their fancy clothes—and we walk straight in through the front and mingle until we find Dr. Sweet and Grandpa.”

  “That won’t work on the DSA and Secret Service. They’ll check IDs—”

  Elisa opened her mouth, but Julio held up a hand to stop her.

  “And while you could give a telepathic nudge to the physical person who takes them, you won’t be able to influence the secondary check watching through video from a location outside the known range of telepathy.”

  Elisa’s forehead wrinkled as she tried to think of a way around it.

  “Stealth isn’t going to work,” Julio said. “Maybe if we’d had longer to plan, we could’ve figured something out, but at this point…” He looked around the van, meeting all our gazes. “We’ll have to be the bad guys. We show up and make a disturbance big enough for them to evacuate before anyone drinks whatever’s been drugged. If we’re lucky, the DSA will test the water later, find the drug, and exonerate us. But with most of them under Dr. Sweet’s control…”

  “If we’re caught, we’re screwed,” Jocelyn summed up.

  “Yeah.” Julio grimaced. “We need to strike quickly—something big and loud—and then retreat. Even then, it might not be enough. Security’s going to be crazy.” His eyes grew distant, his face settling into a frown as he thought about what we faced.

  “Don’t plan on failing before we’ve even started,” I warned.

  “I’m not.” He looked up. “But I have to be realistic. The chances of us getting out of there are slim. Even if we accomplish what we need to, we�
�ll have stopped Dr. Sweet and Mr. Lucifer this one time. With the DSA under their control, we can’t expect them to get arrested. They’ll try again, and with all of us in jail, there’ll be no one to stop them.” He inhaled slowly. “That’s why not all of us are going.”

  “You can’t cut me out!” Elisa looked like she would’ve jumped to her feet if we hadn’t been in a moving car.

  Julio just raised his eyebrows. “Who said I’d be choosing you to stay behind?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  He smiled shamelessly. “Well, yeah, but you don’t need to go making assumptions.”

  Elisa made a sound somewhere between a huff and a growl.

  Julio’s smile faded, his face turning serious. “It’ll be me and Jocelyn.”

  He looked at her, and an unspoken communication passed between them. She nodded, evidently satisfied with his decision.

  I didn’t share the feeling.

  “You’re too valuable to sacrifice yourself for this,” I said. “Send me instead.”

  Belated, I realized how that sounded.

  “No offense, Jocelyn,” I quickly added. “I’m not trying to say you’re not valuable. I just—”

  “I get it.” She smirked at my awkwardness.

  Rubbing my neck, I turned back to Julio. “My point stands. I should be the one to go, not you.”

  “I’m not sending two of my team members off on a suicide mission while I sit safely in the van,” he replied.

  “Strategically—”

  “Strategically, you’ve known Dr. Sweet and Mr. Lucifer longer than any of us. You should stay free to coordinate the fight against them.”

  I opened my mouth then snapped it closed again, trying to find an argument based on logic and not the crushing fear I felt at the thought of him going in there without me to watch his back. I didn’t find one before Eddy turned onto the street behind the gala’s venue.

  It was a country club. Like the mansion the immortals had been hiding in, it had a privacy hedge surrounding the property, though this one was much thinner. It didn’t completely hide the dark expanse of the golf course stretched out behind it, nor the grand club building immersed in golden light. Eddy pulled right up onto the sidewalk beside the hedge, and Julio and Jocelyn opened the back door and hopped out. I followed, knowing it was my last chance to convince him, when something caught my eye.