Page 51 of Breathless Recruiter

“Make a fist and?—”

The branch slammed into my back. “Goooooood idea.”

From a crater in the ground, I spit out dirt. For a giant piece of firewood, it sure packed a punch. I’d compare bruises tomorrow, but the oak might hit harder than Titan.

Another blast of sound had the tree staggering backward. I was about to slide behind its roots and trip it when something tugged at my boot. The bush had bitten at my ankle and tried pulling me away.

“Go away,” I tried shaking it free. “Shoo.”

It refused to let go. I’d need to talk to the landscapers about the persistent shrub. Discord ducked beneath a swing from the oak. His screech hit the shrub with enough force that it spiraled through the air. Good, I hope it learned its lesson.

“Stop playing with the greenery,” he said.

“Plants will ruuuuuule once more.”

“Shut up,” Discord flew out of reach of another wide swing. “Are we going to finish this?”

“You’re not having fun?”

“I can think of better ways to spend my time with you.”

“Huuuuuuumans talk too much.”

Knowing secret identities meant we had to be careful. We couldn’t let anybody, even a sentient tree, know that we knew one another. It’d jeopardize those around us. It didn’t mean the thought of peeling off that suit and touching him hadn’t crossed my mind.

“We end with a big finale.” Rules. Titan had been a pretty run-of-the-mill fight. It lacked the showmanship expected of heroes. Even though there weren’t people waving cameras about, we had to act as if they recorded our every move.

I jumped into the air and sped off, turning about, facing the rear of the oak. Discord ducked and weaved, slamming his fists into the trunk of the tree. Evenly matched, he didn’t back down, not once retreating for safety. I envied his confidence. For him, I’d muster the courage to see this to the end.

I pushed as hard as I could, determined to save the day. Arm reached out, and I drove into the bottom of the tree, lifting its roots off the ground. The branches smacked against my back, but unable to lean into it, I barely noticed.

Turning about, I threw the oak downward, its canopy driving into the park. For good measure, I came down, and with one, two, three hammer strikes of the fist, I had half-buried the bad guy.

I touched down, watching as its roots kicked in the air, trying to turn itself upright. My uniform was covered in dirt and grass stains. It’d need a serious washing. Half the reason I worked at Secret Identities was to pay for my dry cleaning bill.

“You did it.” Discord gave me a high five.

“There’s no I in team.”

He leaned in close. “After our conversation the other day… how’d it feel?”

Had I been scared? A little. It never entirely vanished. Part of me still worried that my weakness might be trees, pollen, or even grass. With Dustin—Discord—at my side, the worry had turned small, almost non-existent. He didn’t make me braver. He made mewantto be braver.

“Like I can conquer the world.”

“Whoa, big guy. Careful saying that out loud. You might get recruited by the Crooks & Criminals union.”

Not only did he do it without an ounce of fear, he kept that perpetual grin. I wanted to pull his mask off and straddle the man, but the sirens were already approaching. Stripping him naked would have to wait until later.

Did I have time to ask him if he wanted to spend the night? Glancing over his shoulder, I chanced it.

“Want to come over later?”

He gave me a pat on the cheek. “Yes, I do. But I have to be up early to train the rookie.”

I gave a slight nod. Not the outcome I wanted. Dustin must have seen my shoulders slump in defeat. “Can I make it up to you?”

I’d take a rain check. “You’ll have to.”

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