Exposed (41 page)

Authors: Lily Cahill

Tags: #Romance, #New Adult & College, #Paranormal, #Science Fiction, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Fantasy, #Superheroes

BOOK: Exposed

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She sprinted ahead, swerving around upended tables and scattering townspeople. Ivan had to duck fast when one of the arms cracked and fell off Mamie Watkins’ statue. Butch was running toward the town hall, was nearly level with the side of the building.

“Coward!” Ivan shouted. He was trying to hide. The bastard was trying to hide from what he’d done. Not if Ivan could help it. Ivan coiled his strength, ducked his head, and charged.

Butch had looked behind him, apparently felt safe that he’d go unscathed, because he paused in the pitch black shadow of the building. Ivan could just make out his silhouette doubled over to catch his breath. Overhead, the twilight had faded to total darkness as they brawled through the town. But at the northern edge of town, where the Breakneck River spilled from a tall dam that hemmed in Lake Perseverance, the first of the annual fireworks exploded overhead. Light cascaded all around them, making the whole town glow.

Butch looked up at the display, the light of fireworks reflecting off his upturned face.

And that’s when June sprang. She was smaller than him, much smaller, but she caught him off guard. June pushed him hard square in the chest. He stumbled backward, his feet slipping on the lawn, and June used the momentum of his fall and pushed him the rest of the way. In the exploding light overhead, Ivan saw Butch’s mouth open in surprise, then momentum hauled him off his feet.

Ivan understood then, what June meant to do. He sprinted after her, crouched at the grass so he’d be ready.

Butch fell back against the building, June tangled up with him. Butch slammed against the red stones of the town hall, grunting as the wind was knocked out of him, but June kept falling. She disappeared through the rock and left Butch alone and exposed. And Ivan was waiting. He snaked tough vines through the ground that burst up at Butch’s feet and pinned him to the building. The vines twisted and twined, until Butch could barely move.

Ivan faced Butch, breathing hard through his nose. This was the asshole who’d hurt June, who’d caused them both so much pain. He stalked closer, his muscles bunching under his skin, wanting to hit him, pummel him, make him feel a fraction of the pain he’d caused June.

But then she was beside him, her hand in his, calming him.

“He’s not worth it,” she said, knowing his mind.

Ivan looked at her, at the bursts of red, blue, and gold showering her face in glittering light.

“No,” Ivan agreed. He tugged free of June and took a step closer to Butch. He reveled in the way fear twisted the coward’s mean features. “No, he’s not worth it.”

Ivan glanced back at June, then wrenched his arm back and punched Butch right in the eye. Then he calmly walked back to June and reached for her hand once more. “But he kind of deserves it.”

Clayton and Cora came to stand close by, Teddy, Will, and Blanche spread out behind them.

Ivan raised his eyebrows as he noticed Matt Harris standing nearby too, watching the fight with interest in his eyes. The people who’d followed Butch had scattered, no one there to stand up for him, not even Ralph.

“Is this what you wanted, Butch?” Clayton asked loudly. “Because it really doesn’t seem to have gone in your favor.”

“All I need is to control one of you,” Butch hissed.

“Except there are seven of us,” Ivan said.

Butch struggled against the vines. They creaked and groaned but held strong. He spit at Clayton instead. Clayton glared at Butch, then reached out toward one of the fruit trees lining the lawn and drew the power to create a crackling blue ball of energy. That made Butch squirm.

“S-sorry,” he stammered. “Come on, guys. It’s not like I hurt anyone. Not really. It was just a bit of fun, right?”

Clayton stayed silent, but bounced the energy ball above his palm.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Butch said, his voice going shrill. “I won’t use my powers like that again. Promise.”

Energy snapped through the air, lightning begging to be released. Then Clayton heaved his arms upward and released the blue orb into the night sky. It exploded overhead in a shower of blue sparks. A small firework to join the others cascading overhead.

“Come on, I promise,” Butch whined.

Clayton stalked closer. “You’re right,” he said. “You won’t use your powers again.” He motioned for Matt Harris standing nearby, and he stepped forward with handcuffs.

Now Butch was really squirming, his eyes jumping from person to person pleading silently for sympathy. But he wouldn’t find any. Not here. With a look from Officer Harris, Ivan loosened the vines that had held Butch tight, and the coward fell forward. The handcuffs snapped around his wrists with a satisfying click and held strong even when Butch struggled.

“This is bullshit,” Butch snapped, losing any hint of compliance. “What can you possibly arrest me for?”

Matt spoke up. “Being a public nuisance, for starters,” he said, then hauled Butch away.

Ivan watched him disappear into the police station, then turned to look at the others.

Silence. Thick, heavy silence greeted them. And the feeling of hundreds of eyes boring into the back of his head. Around the group, they shared glances, then turned as one.

Nearly the entire town stood before them. Silent and staring, mouths agape and eyes wide. Overhead, only the sound of exploding fireworks boomed through the silence.

June slipped her hand into Ivan’s, her eyes on the crowd. Ivan faced them too—his classmates, his teachers, the shop owners who sold him supplies, and the townspeople who’d never accepted him.

Now they seemed keen to distrust the others surrounding Ivan. The people he now considered friends. Ivan hoped in that moment they were ready for it.

“Well,” June said, her voice echoing in the stillness. “I guess everyone has a bit more to gossip about now.”

If you liked this book, check out the full Independence Falls Superhero Romance Series