Super Powereds: Year 3 (19 page)

“Damn it!” Mary yelled, hopping up from the pillow she’d been sitting on at the realization that her mind had wandered yet again. A few seconds later, there was a knock on her door.

“Everything okay in there?” Alice asked through the wood barrier.

“Not really,” Mary grumbled. She opened the door telekinetically, allowing her fellow dormmate entry. Alice walked in with a Physics book under her arm, which struck Mary as curious. To her knowledge, Alice had finished out her science credits last year. Before she could ask about the choice of recreational reading, Alice said something first.

“Your room smells nice. Is that sandalwood?”

“Depends on who you ask,” Mary said, sitting down on her bed in exasperation. “Sorry, I’m frustrated. Professor Stone has me trying meditation, and it turns out I’m awful at it.”

“Why do you need to meditate? Oh, let me guess, telepath thing?” Alice helped herself to a seat in Mary’s computer chair, dropping her book on the desk and turning her full attention to the smaller girl.

“In a way, I guess,” Mary replied. “I’ve been working on my ability to go into people’s minds when they’re in a trance state, like I did with Vince. Since I needed to be put under too for it to work, Professor Stone thought learning to get myself to a similar mental state would let me go in under my own power.”

“Makes sense,” Alice concurred. “I never really gave much thought to your ability to do that. I guess I just assumed all telepaths could do it.”

Mary shook her head. “Very few of us, actually. Turns out I got a rare talent. From what Professor Stone said, it’s even rarer than her memory ability.”

“What memory ability?”

Mary faltered for a moment. Though everyone knew Nick’s memories had been wiped, only she was aware that it was one of their professors who had done the deed. In theory, knowing who had done it shouldn’t make a difference, however, that emotional wound was still quite raw for many of them, and she saw no benefit in giving them a place to direct their pain. It seemed safer to stick with the story Professor Stone didn’t mind letting people know.

“She has this skill where she can pull up a willing person’s memories and see them. I think the other person re-experiences them too, so it’s got to be useful for helping people recall important details and that sort of thing. Even if I’m wrong, I guess she can just relay the information they need.”

Alice’s eyes widened noticeably. “She can show people their own memories? Even things they struggle recalling?”

“Pretty sure that’s how it works,” Mary confirmed. “I’ve never really gone in depth with her on it, though maybe doing so would shed some more light on my ability.”

“You should do that,” Alice said, eyes still larger than normal.

Mary was certain something was going on in her blonde friend’s head. She was tempted to peek inside and see what it was, but she decided against it. Alice was her friend, and she trusted Mary. Overhearing things when generally listening was unavoidable, but digging through her mind just to satisfy curiosity was a step further than Mary was willing to go. Whatever Alice was thinking, she would share it with Mary in her own time.

“Have you tried moving into someone’s dream yet?” Alice asked, interrupting Mary’s thoughts.

“Not yet. I haven’t gotten my own mental state under control, so there wouldn’t be much point in bringing in someone else.”

“It sort of seems like you’re overlooking another option,” Alice pointed out.

“Do tell, because I am desperate for ideas.”

“Well, Rich put us into what could be considered very intense, pre-determined dreams. You know what else induces a dream-like state? Sleep.”

“I see. So you think I should try to enter a person’s mind while we’re both sleeping normally? I’m not sure how I’d make my sleeping-self do that.”

“You didn’t do it intentionally the first time, did you? Why not give it a shot and see if your natural impulses take over? I’m sure Hershel wouldn’t object to sharing his bed with you. For training, of course.” Alice flashed Mary a savage grin punctuated by a theatrical wink.

Mary suddenly felt a large sense of empathy for Camille, as the blush brightening her face reached all the way to her ears.

“We haven’t . . . I’m not . . . that would—”

“Relax, I’m just teasing you,” Alice said. “How about me instead? I can sleep in your room this weekend, and we’ll tie our hands together or something so we’re in constant contact.”

“That would actually be a big help,” Mary said. “Are you sure you want to do that, though? I don’t know how much I will or won’t see of your subconscious once I’m in there.”

Alice gave a shrug and picked up her book. “You’re already bouncing around my head freely anyway. Besides, if it helps you, then it’s worth it. Given what we know Globe pulled during Vince’s dream, having someone else who can enter heads might just end up making a big difference somewhere down the line.”

“Friday it is, then,” Mary said.

“I’ll pack my makeup kit and sleeping bag,” Alice replied.

32.

“Do you have a moment to talk?”

Shane stopped walking and turned to his friend, who was standing off to the side, out of the way of the students exiting class. This was unusual. Normally, Chad went right to the gym after Close Combat was concluded, getting in some extra training time before his afternoon class. Today, however, he remained unmoving as the other gray-uniformed students made their way out the door.

“Sure,” Shane said, walking over to his friend. “What’s going on?”

The upside to the diminishing size of their class meant it didn’t take long for the room to empty out, but Chad did wait until the last person had crossed the door’s threshold and could be heard walking down the hall before speaking again.

“I must confess, I am somewhat unsure about how to proceed with this conversation.”

“Knowing you, I’d say just blurt it out. That’s what you’ll probably do anyway,” Shane advised.

Chad had to admit, that made good sense. “I was recently made to realize that I have romantic feelings for your sister, Angela.”

Shane resisted the urge to point out that he only had one sister, and therefore didn’t need the extra bit of clarification. But getting annoyed with Chad for being overly precise was akin to getting mad at a dog for chasing a ball. Some things were just bred into one’s nature. Instead, Shane motioned for him to continue.

“I would like to ask her on a date, pending the results of our upcoming match, of course. Though I do realize this is not a socially ideal situation, I also realize that I’m unlikely to meet many other women who compare to her, and this seems like a worthwhile effort,” Chad said.

“So, what do you want from me? Advice on what flowers to get her? Because the answer is none, that’s not her thing,” Shane replied.

Chad did not shuffle or look away, but he managed to convey a look of discomfort all the same. Maybe it was the eyes. Shane suspected that, after two years of friendship with a person whose facial expressions were totally controlled, he’d become an expert at reading the minor emotions discernible from Chad’s eyes.

“I’m sorry; I think I failed to make my point clear. I did say I wasn’t sure how to do this,” Chad reminded him. “What I’m asking for is your permission to ask her out.”

“Angela’s a grown woman, Chad, you don’t need my permission to date her,” Shane said.

“Maybe I’m still asking it wrong.” Chad sighed, a bare flutter of frustration flickering over his face. “Years of ignoring all this stuff have left me woefully underprepared for it. I want your assurance, I think, that this doesn’t bother you, and that it won’t damage our friendship.”

“What if I said it would?”

“Then I wouldn’t ask her out, obviously,” Chad replied. “I like Angela very much, but you’re my friend. Honestly, you’re the first real friend I’ve ever had. I know I’m not easy to deal with sometimes, and I get that my relentless dedication to training leaves other parts of my personality lacking. But for two years, we’ve managed to maintain a good friendship in an environment constantly pitting us against one another. I will not be the one who decides to end that.”

Shane, unlike Chad, was still a slave to his unconscious reactions, so the surprise he felt was evident on his face. That had been quite a statement, especially from someone like Chad. He’d been clumsy about getting to the point of all this, but now that they’d arrived, Shane found it hard to find much reason for objection. Hell, if anything, Shane should probably take this as inspiration to put some effort into his own social life. It would be somewhat embarrassing to be the guy dating less than Chad Taylor.

“I’m fine with it,” Shane said, after a moment’s consideration. “I’d say don’t hurt her, but truthfully, I think it’s way more likely that she’ll be the one to damage you. Be careful, at least. And don’t give me any damn details. That would be creepy.”

“Those are things I can do.”

“Good.” A rogue, unbidden thought popped into Shane’s head, one that he seized on immediately. “You said you have a match coming up, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I planned to fight her before asking her out.”

“I figured as much, which weirds me out because it means I actually understand your way of thinking,” Shane said, resisting the urge to laugh at this somewhat serious moment. “Have you requested the room yet?”

“Not yet. Speaking with you was my first concern.”

“Sentiment appreciated,” Shane said. “This is my last condition: I want you to request a cell that allows for outsiders to watch the fight.”

“Ah, I understand, you wish to observe our match out of concern,” Chad surmised. “Perfectly reasonable, and I have no objection.”

“Good, but you’re wrong on the reason. I’m telling you to do that because I want the rest of our class to watch the fight,” Shane corrected.

Chad’s head tilted slightly to the side. “I must confess, I don’t understand the reasoning for that.”

“Didn’t expect you would. I know you don’t pay attention to rumor and gossip, but ever since last year’s final match, there’s been a bit of an undercurrent of curiosity in our class. They watched Vince send you flying across the arena, not knowing that you landed perfectly intact. Some folks are wondering if it’s possible that his growing powers mean he could now be stronger than you. I don’t begrudge him a little glory from that punch; however, I feel it’s gotten a bit out of hand.”

“I admit, I was tempted to test Vince’s new limits myself. Unfortunately, I felt it would look bad if the son of Intra tried to fight the son of Globe,” Chad said. “But I’m confident I would win, if we did. Still, that doesn’t explain how people watching me fight Angela will tell them how I would do against Vince.”

“Because my sister is currently the strongest Super in Lander’s HCP,” Shane pointed out. “You and I both know you’ll have to go all-out against her. You’ve never done that against someone in our class, and I think it’s time the rest of the junior year got to see what their number one rank can do.”

“I see. If that is your condition, then I’ll honor it,” Chad replied. “Shouldn’t I make sure Angela is all right with it, as well?”

“Angela is always up for putting on a show,” Shane assured him. “Besides, it wouldn’t hurt for them to see what someone from the DeSoto family can do as well. We’ve got a reputation to uphold, after all.”

33.

Angela was expecting the knock on her door, so she pulled it open without bothering to ask who was there. Shane strode in wordlessly, marching to the center of the room just as their father did when he was about to scold them, then turning around and glaring as he crossed his arms.

“I don’t know how you did it, and I’m not sure if I should be angry or impressed. You managed to make Chad, Chad fucking Taylor, get his mind off training and onto goofing off with you.”

“Guess he really asked you for permission, huh?” She dropped gracefully onto her bed in a sitting position, her back to the wall. Carefree as she might seem, some bits of training were harder to shake than others. “What a sweetheart. Did you consent?”

“Of course I consented,” Shane snapped. “He’s my friend, and heaven knows when he’ll meet another girl willing to throw herself at him like you have.”

“It’s called playing the long game, little brother. You should learn it. And I’m sure a man who looks like Chad and has the career of a Hero will have ample women trying to break through that defense of his.”

“It isn’t just a game, long or otherwise,” Shane said. “I think he really likes you. God knows why, but it seems like he does. Don’t treat this like you do everything else and just play with him until you get bored.”

“You always think so little of me,” Angela said, widening her eyes to create a mock-hurt expression.

“I think so little of what you are, compared to what you could be. You’re so damned strong, it boggles the mind to think how powerful you’d be if you ever took things seriously.”

“Did it ever occur to you that maybe the reason I’m so strong is 
because
 I don’t take things too seriously?” Angela asked.