Page 2 of Greed
“Yeah, well, Lust’s got a point.” Evan sniffed and looked away, as if that dismissed the conversation.
Griffin kicked the bottom of his staff out and thrust it at Evan’s face. Milliseconds before he struck, air crackled with electricity, and Evan dodged to the side. The staff whacked the brick wall, echoing through the dark alley.Damn Evan, using his ability to predict and dodge the blow.
Evan scowled. “Don’t start something you can’t win, bro.”
Griffin struck again, flipping the staff, striking with the opposite end.
Evan caught it an inch from his face, eyes narrowing. His tone slid to ice. “Last warning.”
Griffin yanked on the rod, but Evan wouldn’t release.
“I dare you,” Griffin shoved.
“You have a death wish.”
Death would be too kind for someone like Griffin.
“What the hell is going on?”Parker’s voice broke through.
“Greed’s having a dummy spit because I told him to loosen up,” Evan said.
“You don’t want to see me unravel, brother,” Griffin growled.
Electricity visibly crackled over Evan’s hand as it hovered near the staff threateningly. “Maybe I do.”
Evan and Griffin stared off in a battle of wills.
Griffin could almost hear the question behind his brother’s eyes. It was the same question the family asked in hushed tones when they didn’t think Griffin was listening.
What happened over there?
What happened during Griffin’s combat training to make him the vicious, uptight fighter he was today? Or perhaps they already knew, and that’s why they tip-toed around him. They were all created in the same lab to sense evil. All born as the enhanced beings they were today. All forced into a life of combat training and educated in the deadly arts. Except where they all came out of it unscathed, Griffin had been pushed to the limits. Captured during training and tortured. He’d lost control.
Never again.
“Greed?”Parker prompted.
“That way.” Griffin pointed to the alley exit.
“No shit, Sherlock. It’s the only way out,” Evan grumbled.
Griffin wanted to thrust the staff back in his face but a sharp twinge of gut pain had him suddenly doubled over. The metal staff dropped. He clutched his middle.
Evan’s hand shot out to steady him. “You okay, bro?”
“Yea—” a pained breath burst out. “Greed.”
Bad. The sense was so powerful, he could only deduce a deadly crime was about to happen.
“Got it.” Evan powered up, fists sparking. He sent a furtive glance down the alley.
The sound of glass breaking and hushed voices cut through the silent night, reminding Griffin that they hadn’t exactly been quiet themselves. Anyone could be watching, or listening.
Evan caught Griffin’s gaze. “You good?”
He pushed the ugly sensation of sin down and then reset the timer on his wristwatch. Fighting Evan had contaminated his experiment. Wristwatch set. Tattoo status checked. “I’m good. Let’s go.”
“Hostiles at the east alley exit,” Evan murmured, directing his words at Parker on the comms. He crept forward.
