Page 53 of Infamous Heart

“Why?”

That was a complicated question, and if I gave away too much information, it might lead back to Rebecca. Once Revelations was under suspicion, it’d put Sebastian in jeopardy. I had made that mistake once. If he could be a hero, I could be a sidekick.

“A magazine that publishes information about heroes? She probably thinks you know their identities or something.” It wouldn’t be the first time the Beacon had been attacked. The DataMiner constantly hacked the computers searching for information on the heroes they interviewed.

“What do we do?”

“Can’t go out that way. We could stumble over her and wouldn’t know it until she strangled us.”

“Sir Unemployed,” I recognized Janet’s voice before she jumped down the last few stairs. Under other circumstances, I’d have gladly returned the insult. “Half the building is covered.”

“Rear exit.” I gave Sofia a slight shove to push her past the stairwell. I paused, making a grand gesture for Janet to follow. “After you, Lady Pain in the Ass.”

“Griffin? What the hell are you doing here?”

My back straightened and fists clenched at the sound of Vincent’s barking. He quickly worked his way down the stairs and I as he reached the last step, I debated driving my knuckles into his face.

“She’s—“

“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled, “Wraith is here again. You’re late for the party as usual. Is there anybody else upstairs?”

“Upstairs? No, everybody else got out.” Vincent had a tell, his eyes cast downward when he was up to no good. He had been a horrible boss, and even now, he’d sacrifice anybody to protect his own life. Vincent wore his cowardice like a badge of honor.

“Follow Janet.” I gave him a shove. There was nothing friendly about it, but unlike him, I’d rise above my dislike.

We crossed the lobby to a fire door that led down a hall to the rear entrance where the employees smoked. The darkness had expanded, starting to push further into the building. If she was capable of extending her influence, did that mean she had defeated Sebastian?

“Worry, later,” I whispered.

We worked down the corridor until it turned left, a straight shot to the rear parking lot. I ran into a stopped Vincent. I was about to shove him forward when I noticed Sofia and Janet inching their way back.

“The hallway is blocked,” Sofia said.

The darkness had worked its way through the walls, separating us from safety. Did Wraith have the ability to move through the darkness or did she still have to use a door like everybody else? The stupid app didn’t have the necessary details to determine if my next actions were dumb.

“Grab my hands,” I stepped around them, putting both hands behind me. “We’re going through.”

“No way in hell,” Vincent argued. “She tried to kill me once already.”

“You’re not the only one, you idiot,” Janet shot back. When this was over, I’d owe her a drink.

The man was a wretched boss, a horrible human. He didn’t deserve my good graces or Janet’s tempered reply. For hundreds of staff meetings, he gloated about how amazing he was. He prided himself on his managerial skills, but we all knew that was code for being a corporate thief. Because of him, I had lost my job. The anger radiated through my veins, reaching my hands as I balled my fists.

“You think you know what you’re doing? You don’t even—“

I grabbed him by the shirt with one hand and pressed my forearm against his throat with the other. I pinned him to the wall. This man had continued to demean me, chipping away at my confidence one remark at a time. I applied pressure, making it difficult for him to breathe.

His eyes remained wide as he slapped at my shoulder, trying to push me away. His lips sputtered, and I found myself wanting to see him collapse from the lack of oxygen. The bully couldn’t defend himself, and I relished in the change of power between us. I recalled Sebastian’s willingness to let him die, and it finally dawned on me; not all walk a righteous path, but it doesn’t make them any less of a hero.

“You’re not worth the trouble,” I hissed.

I stepped back, letting go of the jerk. He doubled over, sucking in air as if he deserved it. At that moment, I empathized with Sebastian and the regret came rushing in. I’d have plenty of apologizes to make once I got them to safety.

“I don’t even have an insult,” Janet said. It was the best compliment I could receive from the woman. Her eyes darted from Vincent to me, and the edge of her lip turned upward.

“Screw that,” Sofia said, “you’re my hero.”

I held out my hands. The moment they grabbed on, I dragged them forward, storming into the darkness. The same soupy sensation coated my skin. I had to remember to breathe, that the darkness wouldn’t drown me.

---