But what could they do? They were just kids, caught up in something much greater than themselves.
Not for the first time, James sorely missed Derek. His brother would know what to do. He would get James out of this mess, and he’d do it with a smile on his face. James almost couldn’t believe there had been a time, not that long ago, when he would throw himself out a window ten stories up just because he knew his brother would catch him. Derek always caught him.
But now, as the engine roared to life and the cabin lights dimmed, James was standing on a precipice. And if he fell, nobody would save him.
If he fell, it would all be over.
Chapter 13
Four Years Ago
“James, straighten your tie!” his mother snapped.
James had never seen her so on edge. Clearly, the stress of the situation was getting to her. He pulled at the long, strangling piece of cloth, wondering why he had to wear the stupid thing. He was only twelve, not an adult going off to work.
“It’s alright, Molly.” His dad’s voice came from the kitchen, cool and calm like always. He strode into the living room, towering over James. His green eyes wrinkled as he smiled down at James’s attempt at a knot. He crouched down and began fixing it.
“You think she’s stressed?” he said quietly as he worked.
James grinned. “Just a little.”
“There,” his dad said, standing. “You look dapper.”
“I feel stupid.” James’s hands itched to tug the tight knot loose again. “It’s so uncomfortable!”
“That’s the secret, bud.” His dad winked at him. “We all feel uncomfortable, but we act like we don’t, to keep up appearances.”
“That’s stupid.”
“You’re not wrong,” his dad said as his mom came striding back into the room. She was wearing a casual dress, her hair in an elaborate bun and her cheeks flushed.
“Dinner’s almost ready,” she said. “Do you think they’ll be here soon?”
His dad checked his watch. “Should be just a few minutes.”
“I can’t believe we’re about to have two Supers over for dinner,” she said, her voice slightly shrill. “What if they don’t like it?”
“I’m sure they will, honey.” His dad smiled at his wife. “They’re people, too. Just a little... more.”
At that moment, the doorbell rang. James’s mom jumped slightly, and his dad smoothed his jacket, put a hand on James’s shoulder as he walked past, and opened the front door. James sat on the couch, feeling uncomfortably warm in his dress clothes. After enthusiastic greetings and an invitation to come inside from his father, two men walked into the house.
Lychnus and Calico looked even larger in real life, towering over even his dad. Lychnus came first, wearing a black suit and blue tie that matched his bright, vibrant blue eyes. His hair was short, brown peppered with small bits of gray. He smiled down at James as he walked in, his face kind, almost fatherly.
“You must be James,” he said, holding out a hand. James shook it, breathless. The Lychnus stood above him. The first Super, the man who had saved countless lives, who was on a poster in James’s room, who was probably the most famous person on the planet.
Lychnus let go of his hand, turning to greet his red-faced mother. Next came Calico. He was slightly shorter than his brother but broader in the shoulders. And clearly younger. His hair was darker, jet black, and nearly reached his shoulders. A black tie made his brown eyes appear darker than they were, like black holes. His appearance made him seem colder, more distant than his brother, but he greeted James with the same warmth, the same smile.
Derek came last, looking just as starstruck as James felt. Though James always thought of his sixteen-year-old brother as an adult, next to the two Supers, he seemed to be nothing but a child.
After some small talk, his mother directed them into the kitchen and served dinner. James couldn’t stop staring at the two Supers sitting at their dinner table. He had grown up seeing them on TV. He even used to play with action figures of them when he was younger, and now they were here. It made no sense. What made even less sense, what constantly blew James’s mind, was that apparently his brother was one of them. His brother was a Super.
“This is fantastic, Molly.” Calico took a bite of casserole.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” his mother said, though she blushed again.
“So,” Lychnus said, putting his fork aside and clearing his throat. “I’m sure you all know why we’re here today. Your son, he has demonstrated... extraordinary powers. He has abilities above any other human.”
“He’s a Super,” James said, the words tumbling out without thought. Every head turned to him, and he flushed.
“Well, almost,” Calico said with a smile. His voice was deeper than his brother’s. “Having powers doesn’t automatically make you a Super. Joining the Supers takes years of rigorous training.”
“You also must take an oath to never use your powers to harm others,” Lychnus said. He looked at James’s parents. “But we’re here, really, to ask your permission. Derek is your son, and he’s still underage. We cannot take him under our wing, train him, shape him into a Super, without you allowing it, of course.”
“Our permission?” James’s dad said with a laugh. He looked at his wife. “Lychnus and Calico are here, asking for our permission!”
James’s mom glanced at Derek, then back at Lychnus. “What... powers does he have?” She seemed less enthusiastic about the whole situation than their father, more cautious.
“Well, that’s not quite how it works,” Lychnus said, leaning forward.
“We aren’t just given random powers,” Calico explained. It amazed James how well the two brothers spoke together, as though they
