Page 107 of Powerless

A snort escapes Andy. “Yeah, I’m surprised every contestant in the Whispers didn’t hear Jax screaming like a little girl.”

At that, Jax simply shrugs, not bothering to deny it. “And then we found Ace. With the both of us, it wasn’t too difficult to take him down and steal his leather.” Jax scratches his head, considering something. “Especially because he was limping so badly.”

I can see the flash of Paedyn’s grin even in the darkness beginning to swallow us. “Andthatis thanks to me.”

Paedyn and I quickly fill the two of them in on what we endured this past week, though she carefully avoids the more intimate details of our time together.

“So, Sadie is dead?” Andy asks, the question sounding more like a statement.

“Yes,” I say simply. “She is.”

We talk for a long while as we continue heading towards the edge of the forest. Inevitably, we eventually fall silent, the only sound coming from the birds above us and the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath us.

I see the opening just as the sky begins to lighten. Freedom yawns hundreds of yards away as the trees start to thin, and the edge of the Whispers draws nearer. Our pace quickens, all of us itching to be rid of this place while the sun races us, heading for the horizon as we head towards freedom.

A mass of bodies comes into view between the trees. Less than a mile past the edge of the forest, hundreds of people are gathered within the wide field, waiting patiently to watch the show.

An audience.

We are all silent as we finally step to the edge of the tree line. The sun has slowed its pace, too lazy to rise. So the Trial isn’t over just yet. I look towards the sea of people, all pointing in our direction. Though their powers are just out of my reach, I do feel the weight of Sights all around us, preparing to document the finale.

Movement flickers in my peripheral. We all swivel towards it, Paedyn’s bow already drawn and aimed at the figure stepping out of the trees and into the open field on the other side.

Tangled, lilac hair blows across Blair’s face as her lips twist into a sneer, taking us in. Her cold gaze is pinned on Paedyn as she says, “Don’t you know that alliances ruin all the fun?”

Paedyn sighs. “I would say I’m happy to see you’re still alive, but apparently I’m a horrible liar, so why try.”

My mouth twitches into a smile at her words when Braxton steps out through the trees. His eyes flick between us, looking determined and desperate to get a band before the Trial ends.

So his solution is to start charging at Blair.

I tear my eyes away from him when I hear a branch crunch behind us. I turn, staring at nothing but the crisp air. And then Jax doubles over from the impact of an unexpected and unseen punch. “Ouch,” he wheezes.

Hera has arrived.

Andy transforms into her wolf form, sniffing the air to find Hera before suddenly charging in what can only be her direction.

I whip my head around, searching.

There’s only one Elite left.

And then I see him. He’s the farthest from us, standing with his arms crossed over his chest, observing the chaos that is unfolding before him with a smug smirk. Ace’s eyes lock with mine. His grin grows.

Found my target.

The scene around me is a blur of blood and bodies. Paedyn and Andy are fighting off Braxton and Blair while Jax and Hera disappear and dance around each other, landing solid blows before vanishing.

That leaves Ace entirely to me.

I barely bat an eye at the violence surrounding me as I take on Hera’s power and disappear into the chaos. I only shed the Veil ability when I’m right before him so he can see my face when I send a fist into his nose with a sickening crunch. He staggers back, clutching the broken bone as his eyes fly to mine.

And then I suddenly see nothing at all. A thick, stone wall encases me, and yet, something pierces my side. The sharp pain only sharpens my senses, reminding me that this is only an illusion, though the pain in my side is anything but. I step through the wall, and it vanishes in a wisp of smoke, revealing Ace clutching a spear in his bloody hand.

The same spear that nearly killed Paedyn.

I Blink behind him, having taken on Jax’s ability, and drive my knee into his back. Then I’m Blinking around him, hitting him hard without hesitation. I’m playing with him. I could easily finish this fight quickly, but I won’t deny that I’m a monster who wants to have a little fun with him first.

After sending a blow to his jaw, he suddenly multiplies before my very eyes. Dozens of Ace’s surround me, all moving and mixing up with one another, leaving me to guess where the real one ran off to.

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