Page 56 of Citiali: Teach
Cort laughs loud while Falcon is shaking his head behind him. “No BSC casualties, Brother. Hundreds dead with no apparent reason. The news loves us.”
My eyes snap to Justice. “Hundreds?”
He nods. “Nationwide. All BSC areas and no cause of death but they’re doing autopsies. The news had panic eruptingthen someone stuck a mic in my dad’s face. He said, ‘Prophecy, it’s not just a name,’ and the panic died. News has people no one was close to on camera falling. They just died.”
“Asgina.” That’s freaky. “You sure I can’t ask for fire? Maybe speed or something small.”
He laughs and leans into me. “You’re a shield, Brother. It’s not like you’re turning buildings into dust. You shield and keep people safe.”
I nod not believing it’s that simple. Badass is never that simple and the ancestors are crazy.
He laughs again and kisses my head. “That’s from Mucimi. He’s healing with Zeke at Bravo.”
Our people were hurt. I close my eyes and ask for strength for the healers.
“Stop, Citiali. You’re vibrating again. Don’t throw strength, think it and it will happen.”
My eyes open on Justice. “This is the new? Just think it?”
“He dropped a Prospect in a coma when he got new. Trust him, Brother.” Falcon has my eyebrows raised.
“Oh fuck.” I never heard of Justice struggling with anything. He’s a doer. “I’ll think it. What else? Is Atohi here?” I need to remember all this before I fuck someone’s life up or hundreds of lives up.
“Relax, Brother. The abilities don’t come with directions. We figure them out and learn for the next. Yona and Atohi needed to get back. They’ll meet you at the reservation later.”
I relax and nod. My brother was scared when I fell and there wasn’t anyone close to help him heal me. It was energy but it hasn’t happened since I was little. He just doesn’t remember. “Okay, so now what? I’m not getting charged with murder, right?”
Cort shakes his head but he’s smiling and his creepy eyes are hidden behind happy. “No, Brother. I think we need to keepyou with the eyes and paint right here for a while but no one knows why anyone died.”
I smile. “I’m locked to the compound?” I fuckin’ love the Brotherhood.
He laughs. “To BSC West for a while. Learn your abilities here. The paint and eyes are a little much to be showing civilians.”
“Roger, Boss.”
Falcon laughs. “He’d happily stay on the compound like a hermit.”
I nod. “I would. I have a job, food, my girl and no parties.” We just had the union ceremony. Aiyana was cool about it and did it with just Protectors in their circle that is actually square, but it worked. The party at Phoenix lasted long after we left so it was a great day.
Cort laughs at me. “The party is here today. Ben is down in a couple of days to thank you. Hemy will show but doesn’t have a day. They’re covering the east until the Northern Clubs are settled.”
I look at Justice. “The war I saw?”
He nods. “Mass and Princes took some hits to their towns but the others had some major damage.” Fuck.
I stop myself from throwing strength but think it.
“Good job.”
I shake my head at Justice. “Get the hell out of my head, Boss.”
“Brother, you need me there. You’re up but not settled. I’m just a calm voice of reason right now. It beats the crazy advice you’d get from the Badass Brothers.” He’s got a point.
They laugh when I nod. This is getting old. “Can we do something besides stare at me? I need to eat.”
Cort is up. “Let’s go eat.”
***
