Death Makes Me Stronger 4, page 7
“Thank you,” the mayor said and then motioned for Kyle Isles to come onto the stage. “I have invited Kyle Isles to give the eulogy for Admiral Freedom. You may not know him, but as the hero’s right-hand man for so many years, he probably spent more time with Admiral Freedom than anyone else, and this loss has impacted him deeply. Please, give him the respect that you would give me.”
My mind was in overdrive as I watched the two men whisper to each other in passing. I hadn’t seen any red rings around the mayor’s irises, but there were rumors online that he wore color-tinted contacts to make his eyes seem more blue than they were, and those might be able to hide the tell-tale sign of psychic influence. Of course, they could just be working together, and I still hadn’t confirmed that Kyle Isles was the Mastermind behind everything, though his slimy smile still irritated me so much that I had to fight the urge to get up and punch him before he even said a word.
“Thank you for that introduction,” Kyle said and then turned to his enrapt audience.
Kyle took a deep breath and dropped the smile like a theater kid about to give the best performance of his life, and it took every ounce of self-control in my body not to get up and leave. The last thing that I wanted was to listen to whatever he was about to say about Admiral Freedom, especially if he was the Mastermind behind the superhero’s death. But the speech would at least confirm my theory, and he might even slip up and give us a hint to what he planned next.
“Today is a sad day in New Liberty,” he began and glanced over his shoulder at the giant statue with practiced grief that almost looked real. “I worked together with Admiral Freedom since the beginning of his career as a superhero. He was so full of life and had just come from serving our great country in the military.”
The PR man paused as a few people cheered in support of the troops. Blue Frost even raised up a shout, but a quick look in the ice super’s direction showed that his eyes were directly on the National Guard like he wanted brownie points. Kyle flashed a smile, but it quickly disappeared beneath another sad expression. For just a second, though, there was a more calculating look in his eyes, like his speech had been received exactly how the slimy jerk had planned.
“He was a shining star in a world that needed hope,” Kyle continued. “And he joined the Heroes Society with the intention of making the world a better place. I can personally attest to the goodness in his heart in the beginning of his career, though it pains me to know that his idea of shaping the world changed so drastically. The recent deaths and violence in our great city were needless, and I can’t understand what my friend was thinking when he brought Vis into the city.”
Pressure started to form behind my right eye the longer that the PR man spoke, and Golden Weaver’s psychic-blocking bracelet started to glow. I sighed with relief when the nanobots in her new suit quickly covered the jewelry, and my partner gave me a small thumbs up like she’d had the same thought that I did. The last thing that we needed was for Kyle to realize that we had protection against his attacks, though I still wasn’t sure that he actually was the psychic that had torn New Liberty apart.
So far, he’d just shown that he had some kind of psychic power like the mayor did, and Orion hadn’t specified whether the bracelets would react to any type of mind-controlling powers or just the Mastermind. The bracelet hadn’t reacted to the mayor, but he hadn’t used much power other than to soothe the crowds.
“As the mayor said, today we mourn the loss of the hopes and dreams that we placed in Admiral Freedom,” Kyle said. “And the man that he used to be. This statue will stand as a reminder of all the things that superheroes could be instead of the reality of what can happen when someone’s mind and heart are weak and can be easily influenced by outside forces. We will survive. And we will thrive despite my friend’s deep betrayal. I suggest that all of you do as I do and try to remain hopeful for a better future.”
A sharp pain cut through my mind as Kyle finished his speech, and I glanced around to see a lot of the crowd nodding along like the PR man had dropped the greatest wisdom in the world. Golden Weaver and Vera both tensed as if they were in the fight of their lives, and my own vision blurred for a second as if the attack was strong enough that it might overcome my immunity. There was no longer any doubt in my mind that Kyle Isles was the Mastermind behind all of the recent Vis attacks, and that made me worried when he told everyone to remain hopeful for a better future.
Because the last thing the Mastermind wanted for everyone was a better future.
But there had to be some reason he wanted everyone in New Liberty to move forward and forget about everything that had happened. He certainly didn’t want a happy, hopeful city, so that meant there had to be another attack on the way. If that were true, then the Mastermind had more weapons and Vis stored beneath the city in more underground bunkers.
Kyle turned to hug the mayor as the politician walked out onto the stage, and the two men exchanged more whispered words. Another piercing dagger shot through my temple as if the Mastermind had used his powers again, and I swallowed hard on the bile that crawled up my throat as I fought against the effects. If the PR man had just used his ability on the mayor, then maybe he wasn’t as complicit as it seemed, but I’d have to get closer to him to actually confirm that theory.
“Thank you, Kyle, for that hope-filled speech,” the mayor said as he took his place on the podium. “And in the effort to bring more hope to our city, the National Guard have requested that we continue the lockdown while they investigate the corruption in the Heroes Society.”
Angry shouts lifted into the air as if the whole city was enraged by the announcement. Some shouted that it wasn’t fair that everyone had to remain in their homes even after Admiral Freedom was dead while others talked about the tanks in the streets that made it feel like New Liberty was a warzone.
The mayor waited patiently for a few seconds and then lifted his hands into the air to silence everyone. It didn’t take long for even the angriest protester to go silent, but that probably had more to do with the National Guardsmen that locked and loaded their assault rifles than the charm super’s influence. He flashed another one of those famous smiles and then gripped the edges of his podium like the older man needed the support to continue his speech.
“I understand that we’re all very tired,” he said with a sympathetic look around. “But I guarantee you that I am doing everything in my power to set us free. A better day will shine on those of us who persevere. Now, please head back to your houses and wait for our instructions.”
A heavy silence hung on the cemetery as everyone watched the mayor walk off the stage and join Kyle Isles, but it didn’t take long for the trance to be broken. The cops in riot gear broke out the megaphones so that their voices would be heard over the angry shouts of the crowd, and the National Guard quickly came over to escort us back to the Heroes Society. It sounded like the whole city was ready to face a firing squad if it meant that they could leave their apartments, and all of that hatred was quickly turned to the heroes that they saw marching through New Liberty’s streets.
“This is not good,” my partner whispered as enraged citizens threw everything from tomatoes to shoes at us. “He turned the entire city against us.”
“Yep,” I nodded and followed our armed escorts back to the skyscraper. “But we already knew that the Mastermind was planning to take down the Heroes Society and leave the city unprotected. I’m more worried about why Kyle and the mayor want to keep everyone on lockdown.”
“Do you think that they’re planning another attack?” Golden Weaver asked and then caught an apple tossed right at her head. “Already? Right after the bunker was discovered?”
“You heard Kyle,” I said and sighed with relief as the Heroes Society courtyard came into view. “He wants everyone to have hope. I’m sure that he’s trying to get them to relax so that no one will suspect his next attack.”
“Everyone please gather in the lobby,” Vera said as she led the way into the Heroes Society. “We will have our own memorial before you are allowed to disband and grieve on your own.”
“I’m not going to grieve for that bastard,” Blue Frost snapped. “We’re all on lockdown because of him.”
“And we’re all going to lose our jobs,” another hero said and sniffed back tears. “Everything is so terrible right now. But at least there’s still hope. We will see a brighter day. Just like Kyle said.”
I glanced at my partner as everyone filed in behind us. There was now no doubt that Kyle Isles was the Mastermind behind all of the attacks on the city. And I was immune to his psychic influence, but the rest of the city wasn’t.
And they were all exactly where he wanted them to be.
Chapter 5
“We will see a better day,” Vera said with a clack of her beak like the words had tasted bitter.
“When I’m the number one hero,” Blue Frost said and then glowered at the few heroes who scoffed. “I will be.”
“Not if they shut down the Heroes Society,” the mousy woman said so quietly that it was almost inaudible.
“Even if they shut down the Heroes Society,” the ice super countered.
“No matter what happens to the Heroes Society,” the eagle-woman said as she brought the attention back to her. “All of you will have a place to stay in this skyscraper. Whether we are able to act as superheroes or not. Please feel free to enjoy your evening. I believe Chef has been working hard all day so that you may… eat your feelings, as he likes to say. We will weather this storm together. As we always do.”
The eagle-woman’s gaze softened as she looked around the lobby full of frightened faces. I wasn’t even sure what we would do if the mayor really shut us down, and it definitely looked like that was the direction that we were headed. Vera watched as the other heroes slowly spread out around the armchairs and couches that had been brought into the glass lobby, looked over her shoulder at the blacked-out front windows, and then hurried toward the side door as if Chef had just called her over the comms.
It wouldn’t have surprised me if the strong woman just wanted to be alone to cry, especially since Admiral Freedom had been one of her top heroes for so many years. And the Heroes Society had already suffered so many casualties, first at the prison break and then again at City Hall. There was only so much that a person could take before the pressure and loss weighed them down. But I’d be there to help take as much of the burden from Vera and the other heroes as I could carry, because that’s what heroes were for.
“Shall we go upstairs?” Golden Weaver asked with a nod toward the elevators.
“Yeah,” I said with one last look around the lobby.
I didn’t know a lot of the heroes that were scattered around the giant room, but the one thing that most of us shared in common was the desire to help others. Being a hero wasn’t an easy job, especially when there were so many supervillains out there who didn’t care about who lived or died during an attack, but we all did our best. I had the sudden urge to tell them about the Mastermind and our best guess at his final plan, but Kyle Isles had worked with the Heroes Society for a long time, and there was no way to know who’d been swept up in his scheme.
Not everyone wanted a world where supers and non-supers lived side-by-side, so even in the hallowed halls of the Heroes Society, there were those who’d support the Mastermind without much convincing. There were plenty of supers who wouldn’t care if the streets ran red with the blood of every non-super in the area if it meant they could live in peace.
But my girlfriend was one of those innocents, and I would do everything I could to protect her. Even if that meant keeping the Mastermind’s identity a secret. It was better to leave my colleagues in the dark and handle this with the people that I trusted.
“How was the funeral?” the Watcher asked as Golden Weaver and I walked into the elevator. “I watched from some CCTV cameras, but it was hard to get a good view. It sounded like there was going to be a riot.”
“There almost was,” I sighed and pulled my mask off. “This city is practically a powder keg between the continued lockdown and the giant statue of Admiral Freedom. It won’t take much for the Mastermind to light the fuse. Speaking of which… you do have one of the psychic-blocking bracelets, right?”
“Of course,” the mysterious woman scoffed. “Orion delivered it personally. It’s one of the new ones that he made for your team. Speaking of which, I double-checked the security feed at the morgue, and Raven and Paul received their new bracelets.”
“Thanks,” I sighed with relief. “They’re working on identifying all of the bodies in the bunker, so I thought the extra step might be necessary. I wouldn’t put it past Kyle to try and influence their reports. Just so he can be sure that Admiral Freedom takes all the blame.”
“And don’t forget the mayor,” Golden Weaver said. “My bracelet reacted to part of his speech the same way that it did with Kyle. It seems the rumors of his charm superpower are accurate.”
“Oh, they definitely are,” the Watcher said and then stopped the elevator on the thirteenth floor. “He’s a dangerous man.”
“Aren’t all politicians?” I laughed and then looked up at the camera in the corner of the elevator. “Make sure you get some rest tonight. We’re going to have a rough few days ahead of us.”
“Sure, sure,” the woman said in a dismissive tone like a teen that had been told not to play video games all night.
I shook my head and laughed at the Watcher’s obvious plan to do the opposite of what I’d suggested. The mysterious woman had been at the Heroes Society longer than me, and even Golden Weaver, so there was no doubt in my mind that she knew the drill. I just hoped that she wouldn’t get herself into trouble, or lead Kyle and his goons right to our front door because she got careless while snooping.
“See you later,” she said as my partner and I left the elevator.
“She’ll be fine,” Golden Weaver said and followed me into our temporary apartment. “She’s smart. And Vera says that she has the best firewalls in the world. If she hacks into something, then she won’t leave a trace.”
“I wonder if she and Marty know each other,” I chuckled and started to peel out of my costume.
“Probably,” Anora laughed. “Don’t all hackers know each other?”
“Probably,” I said and then watched my partner start to undress.
The skintight costume hugged every curve like a second skin, and I licked my lips as she pulled it off to reveal a fresh tan from her trip south. Anora’s blonde and black hair fell over one shoulder like a curtain, and my attention immediately traveled to the superhero’s full lips. My fingers itched to run over every inch of her, and the hunger in Golden Weaver’s eyes when she looked up matched my own.
“It’s been a long time since we were completely alone,” she purred and strolled over to me. “With no interruptions.”
“And neither of us are exhausted,” I said and then kissed her.
She tasted like the strawberry cheese Danishes that we’d had for breakfast, and a groan crawled up my throat as the superhero pressed against me to deepen the kiss. I ran my hands down to my partner’s perfectly round ass, hefted her up, and then walked over to the bed to toss her down. Anora groaned as she bounced on the soft mattress and then opened her legs wide in invitation.
“I need to feel you inside of me,” she said breathlessly. “It’s been too long. I need you to fill me with your cum.”
“Your wish is my command,” I said and crawled across the bed.
Anora’s skin flushed as I left a trail of kisses up her thigh and then licked her already slick tunnel. The superhero moaned and drove her hips against my tongue as a desperate whine crawled up her throat. I eagerly obliged and slipped two fingers inside of her as I lapped up her juices.
“You taste so good,” I groaned and sucked on her sensitive nub. “Come for me like a good girl.”
“Yes, yeees, sir,” she gasped and started to spasm with her first orgasm.
“Good girl,” I whispered and then moved up to take one of her taut nipples in between my teeth.
“John,” Anora moaned and arched her back as my fingers continued to massage her. “Pleeease. I… I need you… neeed you inside of meee.”
“Not yet,” I said as I moved up to claim her mouth.
“I can’t wait anymore,” she begged and then let out a scream as she climaxed again. “I need you to fill me up. Please. Pleeease.”
“As you wish,” I said and then thrust my penis deep into her waiting tunnel. “And since you begged so nicely.”
“Yeees,” she panted and wrapped her legs around my waist.
Anora lifted her hips off the bed and slammed herself onto my cock as I thrust into her over and over. She was as tight as a vise around my cock as another orgasm pulsed through the superhero, and I flipped her around so that the gorgeous woman was on her knees in front of me.
“Pleeease,” she groaned as she rocked backwards against me. “Fill me… I neeed you… to fill meee.”
“Soon,” I grunted and flipped her over again to watch her breasts bounce with every thrust.
The superhero’s breathing was shallow, and her pupils dilated as she looked up at me with ravenous hunger. White-hot need coursed through my veins as she arched against me, and I could feel the pull of my balls as my own orgasm neared. Anora’s legs wrapped around my hips to pull me even closer as if the sexy woman could feel my climax coming.
“Y-yes,” she gasped. “Yeees. More. Pleeease.”
“I’m about to cum,” I growled and grabbed the superhero’s curvy hips.
“Fill meee,” she whined and dragged me down for a kiss.
I thrust into her one last time as ecstasy coursed through my veins. Anora pushed herself up onto my balls like she didn’t want to lose even a drop of my cum, and I poured into her waiting tunnel as my partner convulsed with one final orgasm. It felt like I emptied a gallon of cum inside of Golden Weaver, and the sexy woman moaned excitedly as she eagerly accepted my seed.
