Page 68 of Powerless

I know he’ll do it too. Kai is not one for empty threats. I look over his shoulder at the few masked figures trying to flee and fight their way out. They look unprepared, using weapons rather than powers, doing little damage against the abilities being used against them.

I watch the chaos ensue, confusion clouding my thoughts. Where are the Ignites who caused the explosions? My eyes scan the room, snagging on a round, glass object sloshing with dark liquid, clutched in the hand of a masked figure.

Homemade bombs.

It hits me then.

They aren’t using powers because they have none.

Because they are Ordinaries.

“Let me help,” I breathe, my eyes pleading with Kai. I need to get closer. Need to see who these people are and where they came from.

“No.”

“I can take care of myself.”

His laugh is dry. “Then prove it. Go quietly to the safe room. Now.”

“Make me.” I practically growl the words in his face through gritted teeth.

Wrong thing to say.

He looks away and exhales, shaking his head. “You’re too stubborn for your own good, Gray.”

And then the world flips upside down.

His hand is cupping the back of my knees, and my upper body is slung over his shoulder, hanging down his back. I thrash in his hold, but his grip is firm. I feel like a toddler throwing a tantrum, and I don’t care in the slightest.

“Put. Me.Down.” My tone promises a slow and painful death, but he ignores me, nonetheless.

“If you knew how to follow orders, I wouldn’t have to throw you around like a rag doll,” Kai says coolly.

I grapple for my dagger, dangerously furious. “Kai, I amliterallygoing to stab you in the back if you don’t—”

“If you think a stab wound will stop me then you seriously underestimate my abilities, darling.”

Through the silver curtain of hair falling limply over my head, I stop struggling long enough to watch the remaining masked figures blur past us on the outside of our bubble forcefield. And then my eyes snag on one with floppy, dark curls.

Him.

His mask clings to his face like a second skin, and when his gaze meets mine, I take a slow breath. He halts, watching me as I watch him.

He’s one of them. And he recognizes me.

The note. The meeting place.

The leather.

Sure enough, each of them is engulfed in leather vests and masks.

Armor. He was making armor for them.

Suddenly, we are standing near a circle of Imperials surrounding something, trying to contain it. Kai pushes through the throng, and I catch Kitt out of the corner of my eye, fighting and thrashing against the guards restraining him.

“I thought I told you to get him out of here.” Kai’s voice is deep, deadly.

“Sir, he wouldn’t—” An Imperial starts before Kitt cuts him off, more aggressive than I’ve ever seen him.

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