Page 27 of Soulless Deeds

Micah continued to swipe through her phone, giving us an update of the city. “Amp outbursts are increasing. The government has it firmly under wraps at the moment, but the public are becoming suspicious. Any whispers in Hangman’s Block, Meek?”

Emerson leant back, taking a rest from healing my wound. “Much of the same. Although, some kids have gone missing. Of course, authorities won’t do anything about it. A couple of scrawny street rats disappear from the streets of Hangman’s Block, and it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.” Her voice was strained, despite the effort of keeping it level, that one statement alone telling us more than she wanted us to believe. My hunch was confirmed by Micah’s pursed lips as she processed Emerson’s emotions.

“I can come down to Hangman’s Clinic with you. Help investigate,” I offered. Both sisters chuckled, and I shoved upward. “I can be a great help, I’ll have you know.”

Emerson pushed against my shoulder. “That’s not it. I’m just surprised that you’d offer to come to the lowly neighbourhoods of Junction City. I thought poverty was contagious?”

Have I said that? Definitely sounds like me.I huffed and collapsed back down. “I’ve really hit rock bottom.”

Micah snickered. “I’ll go. I wanted to see Chai anyway. You have to concentrate on healing, Spence. We need you to infiltrate Vice so we can build an alliance with Aster against the Ludus and Khaos.”

“What about your boyfriend?” I snarked. “Isn’t that the whole reason we broke him out of Oakview?”

“After the Ludus’ failed assassination attempt on Aster, they’ve holed themselves away. No one in and no one out. Psycho can’t even get in contact with G.”

“Well, sounds like he’s virtually useless…like most men. Is it too late to return him?” I asked. Fran barked in agreement as I blindly lifted a hand to stroke his back.

“Just concentrate on yourself. You can’t do much without your Variant.”

That did it. She should have known I’d do anything to prove her wrong. “Fucking watch me.” I let the familiar spark of my ability skitter over my flesh, bloodstream thumping with anticipation as my cells began to transform.

Then, blistering pain stabbed into my chest and Emerson called in panic, “Stop, Spence. For fuck’s sake,stop.”

My rib cage was heaving as the ache from my wound gradually subsided. Fresh blood stained my bandages and Emerson cursed.

She had forbidden me from using my Variant as any physical transformation would exacerbate my injury—which was further proven when that weak attempt failed.

Emerson’s clinical hands layered over the affected area as her soothing energy poured into my system, the gentle touch in contradiction to her waspish tirade.

“Why can’t you listen for once in your fucking life? I don’t think you understand how serious this is… When he stabbed you, his knife pierced the apex of your heart. You know, that measly organ that pumps blood through your body, keeping you alive? Yeah, that one. It’s going to take more than afucking weekto heal an injury likethat!”

Micah looked on with sympathy, no doubt reading the raging fucking inferno writhing beneath my skin. My Variant was a part of my psyche, my very being, a sixth sense I couldn’t live without. And that bitch boy had ripped that away from me.

I felt vulnerable, not my damn self, and I fucking hated it.

Swiping Emerson away, I tentatively raised to my feet. I wasn’t born to be bound by a leash. No one and nothing couldtame Spencer King—yet, that fucker found a way to imprison me with a failing body.

“I have to get out of here.”

Micah approached. “Do you feel comfortable leaving without an altered mask?”

The blatant observation made me pause. Tanner was right. I did rely on my Variant too much.When was the last time I’d ventured anywhere without changing my face?

Well, fuck.

Echo had stripped me back to a normal, boring person. A basic human—and basic I was not.

I launched towards the exit, and when Emerson went to follow, Micah pulled on her shoulder. “Let her go.”

I had to escape, knowing that if I stayed, I would lash out and hurt one of them. The few remaining people in the world I actually loved and respected.

The loss of Chase had left a potent mark like no other. The overwhelming grief and hopelessness helped shape an unpredictable, rabid animal who was willing to do anything—beanything—to gain the bitter vengeance we were owed. I didn’t know who I was without it.

As I reached the doorway, Psycho and Ava entered, their advance stalled by the tense environment.

“What now?” he asked.

“NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS!” I screamed before escaping the claustrophobic hold from the sudden clarity of my weaknesses.

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