Page 18 of Winter Reckoning
His voice came out weak. "You can't win this."
“I know.”
I had taken down villains twice his size. This wasn’t about power or sheer strength. I had never seen somebody bat away my powers as if they meant nothing. It didn’t mean I didn’t prepare another volley. I braced my boot as I reached the icy center where my powers lived. This wasn’t about the mission anymore, I’d go down swinging if it bought Nick another moment.
My legs froze, turning into blocks of ice rooted to the floor. I let every ounce of energy flow through me. The air turned white with frost. The walls iced over completely. My vision blurred at the edges from the drain. Blood trickled from my nose and froze on my upper lip.
He slid backward as he raised his cane. Energy gathered at the tip, black and crackling. “I grow tired of you.”
I tried to dodge, but the ice held firm. The blast caught me square in the chest and threw me into the wall. Concrete cracked under the impact. Ribs broke as he knocked the wind from my lungs. I couldn't move.
He stood over me, cane raised for the killing blow. My last day on the job, and I was about to die from a villain in ratty robes. They better put my picture on the wall.
I flinched as the staff fell. Nick came from behind, standing between us.
Light exploded outward as he caught the head of the cane. Gold and white, bright enough I had to cover my eyes.
The shockwave tore through the safe house. Equipment exploded. Walls buckled. Most of all, the horned man staggered backward, hissing. His form flickered, like Nick’s had. He jerkedthe cane free and tried for another blow, but Nick slammed a fist against his face, sending him spiraling.
"Not. Him." Nick growled the words, huffing and puffing.
Orbs filled my eyes, making it hard to see. Rubbing the back of my hand against them, I could make out the ash along the floor. The magic had faded, and with it, the horned man. I was about to ask if we had won when the growl came from down the hall. Gone… for now.
I caught Nick as he collapsed. His rosy cheeks were dark with grime.
"Nick. Stay with me."
He opened his eyes halfway. "Had to. Couldn't let?—"
"Don't talk. Just breathe."
"Danny." His voice was so quiet I almost missed it. "Why?"
"Why, what?"
"Why save me?"
I didn't have words for what had gone through my head when the horned man raised his cane. I should have said, “Because that’s the mission,” but I couldn’t lie, to him or to myself. So, I said the only true thing I could.
"Because I'm not done yet."
His hand covered mine and gave my fingers a squeeze. "Neither am I."
I looked up from Nick to see crumbling concrete and a security door shattered like glass. For the second time tonight, the man had destroyed what I considered a secure location. When supers fought, the collateral damage always skyrocketed. It seemed it was just as bad when fighting a myth. I had to take him somewhere safe, and right now I could only think of one location. From there, I’d call for reinforcements. The Centurions. The mages. Somebody had to have the answer.
“Believe,” I whispered. I don’t know why that stuck in my head. Somehow… thatwasthe answer. I just hadn’t figured it out yet.
8
I unlockedthe door to my apartment. It had only been a few days since I had fallen asleep on the couch, and yet, it smelled stale. After the cabin and its perpetual roaring fire, my apartment had a cold quality. I’d never describe it as home. It’s where I ate my meals and laid my head.
Nick barely registered the change in location. His weight sagged heavier with each step. I got him to the couch and lowered him down as carefully as my broken ribs would allow. He didn't make a sound. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.
I knelt beside him and checked his pulse. It took a second try to find the steady thumping of his veins. I wasn’t sure the vitals of a myth mattered. Did he need to breathe to stay alive? His hand flickered again, edges blurring and solidifying in erratic cycles.
I went to the bedroom and pulled the blanket off the bed. Nick had stepped between me and the horned man, saving me. For the briefest of moments, I witnessed the power he once possessed. If he sacrificed more of himself to save me, I’d be pissed. Laying the comforter across his body, I tucked in theedges. For all the good it would do, I wanted to ensure he remained comfortable.
My powers had an effect. I’d knocked the villain back. It wasn’t much, but it gave me hope I might be able to… He had swatted away my powers like they were harmless. It made me angry, but beneath that anger, I was ready to admit I was scared. I could count on one hand how many times an opponent left me feeling hopeless.
