Page 95 of Enchanted Hero
He held up a hand. “I understand why Mr. Evans named me. My presence at the scenes was indeed coincidental. Yet I was one of thousands of people at the sightings. Because of my position, I’m more recognizable than most, and that is likely where the confusion originated.”
Whispers of skeptics swirled down below – some believed him, most didn’t.
“I figured you’d deny it, which is why I made a contingency plan.” Timothy spoke into his own microphone. “I have definitive proof right here, right now. Before I do this, please understand I am certain Alexander Stone is a supernatural creature who can soar through the sky, teleport and do other amazing feats. I would never put anyone in actual danger.”
Every muscle tensed. This man risked his own life to prove the supernatural existed. What would he do to prove the culprit’s identity?
The world shattered.
An explosion thundered through the air. Ear-piercing, deafening, like the center of a firework, the entire world shook. Then…
The floor underneath him disappeared.
CHAPTER 17
It was like being on a theme park thrill ride, the one where you ascend to the very top, slowly, slowly, slowly, until suddenly, the floor drops out underneath you. Only this was no ride with redundant safety features and convincing illusions of danger. This was real life, and the floor of the balcony, the ground that stood oh-so-solidly seconds before, lurched down.
Everleigh screamed.
Instinctively, she clutched the only source of strength and safety. But she didn’t need to, because Alexander had already grabbed her in an iron grip with one hand. With the other he gripped the side of the balcony.
The lurching stopped as the balcony caught on something, yet Everleigh still would’ve fallen if Alexander wasn’t holding her so tightly. The balcony perched at a perilous 45-degree angle, like a playground slide leading to a twenty-story fall. With supernatural strength, he stood.
He stepped back toward the building, but the balcony immediately swayed. He edged a different way, yet it dipped again, revealing danger’s irony. If he tried to walk to safety, the balcony would plunge to the streets below. If he stood still, the ledge would likely plummet before help arrived.
Her heart beat wildly in her chest, as oxygen came in short pants. The ledge that kept them attached to the building was all but destroyed, and the balcony hung by a few twisted pieces of metal that shook like a swaying drawbridge at a carnival. She sucked in a breath as the mangled and melted pieces dipped in the wind. “Is he trying to kill us?”
“No.”
Everleigh started at the voice from the other end of the balcony. “Dr. Garrison!” she called to the man gripping the metal remnants of the balustrade. His face was pale, but despite a few scratches, he was unharmed. Her heart stuttered. “Where is Agent Andrews?”
“He made it inside,” Alexander replied, bringing stark relief. Of course, he was all right. Alexander would have saved him otherwise, even if it meant revealing his powers.
“Mr. Evans isn’t trying to kill us.” Alexander tightened his grip. “He’s trying to prove something.”
“Prove wh–” She stopped, lowered her voice. “He’s trying to force you to use your powers.”
The balcony lurched downward. She gasped and clutched Alexander, yet it stopped short of tragedy. Cries sounded from down below, tangling with emergency vehicle sirens. Agent Andrews waved his hands frantically. “Fly them to safety, Stone! You don’t have to hide anymore. We know the truth.”
Alexander didn’t respond, instead leaning down. “Don’t be afraid, Everleigh. I won’t let anything happen to you or Dr. Garrison. If we can’t get out the human way, I’ll fly you out. You’re in no danger.”
“But you are!” she cried. “If they see you fly, there’s no taking it back. Your entire life will be spent under a microscope. I won’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
Even in the midst of catastrophe, he smiled softly. “Thank you for trying to protect me, but nothing will ever take you away from me. Even if I have to show the entire world who Alexander Stone really is.”
“Stone!” The balcony jerked again, and Agent Andrews shouted, “I know you won’t let them fall!”
He was right. Her hero wouldn’t let them fall, not even if it cost him his freedom. But if there was any chance they could make it through non-magical means, they had to take it.
With a yell of frustration, Andrews disappeared from sight. Undoubtedly, he’d soon return, with more people to witness Alexander’s heroics. The sirens grew louder as Everleigh squeezed Alexander. “Emergency crews should be here in a couple of minutes. We just have to hold on until then.”
Scraping and screeching screamed around them, sharp metal against sharp metal. As the twisted metal lengthened, the balcony pitched down, down, down. Just as it seemed poised to plunge, it stopped.
“We don’t have minutes.” Alexander gripped her closer. “Maybe not even a minute. I have no choice.”
“No!” she cried.
“I need to get you out of here.”
