Super Powereds: Year 3 (46 page)

“I said we had to be able to hide our faces,” Nicholas clarified. “If things don’t go well, and Mary gives us the boot, at least you two will still be unknowns to the group.”

“So, why are you hiding your face? They’ll know you regardless.”

“Because it seems more prudent to tell them of my return in a controlled situation, where they are appropriately braced, rather than letting them dissolve into chaotic emotion by spotting me walking through the door. Now, this is a high-end club, so people there will have taken their outfits seriously. You need to blend in, and that means showing up in something more elaborate than a cat mask, jeans, and a t-shirt!” Somewhere in the deep recesses of Nicholas’s mind—in a place he couldn’t quite touch anymore—he realized this argument felt exhaustingly familiar.

“Nicholas is right,” Jerome chipped in from the couch. “We need to blend.”

“Fine, what if I change to black jeans and a slinky black top? Then I’m a sexy black cat. I don’t think anyone will say boo to that outfit.” Eliza smirked at her own Halloween humor, a gesture that left Nicholas all the more annoyed.

“That will have to do.” Nicholas checked his watch, making sure they were still on schedule. “But hurry. I detest arriving after the optimum hour.”

“Yeah yeah. You and your showmanship.” Eliza opened the front door and headed out into the cool night. She would change quickly, just not as quickly as Nicholas wanted. It was important to manage expectations, after all.

85.

Within an hour of the Melbrook group’s arrival, most of their friends had shown up and been led to the seating area. Jill, Sasha, and Selena hadn’t hung around for long, staying only long enough to drop off purses, say some hellos, and then head out into the thick of the party. Mary noticed that Selena and Alex managed to chat cordially for a bit before the other two dragged her into action—a sight that put her somewhat more at ease. After the roughness of Alex and Selena’s breakup, it had seemed like they’d never be capable of coexisting around one another. Time had, thankfully, begun healing their wounds.

Camille had come with Thomas and Violet, who were dressed as a fighter pilot and a sexy ladybug, respectively. Neither would admit it, but with Stella gone, they hadn’t quite been able to muster up the same gumption for Halloween costume-shopping as before. She hadn’t been huge on the holiday either, but their three-way grumbling had been something of a tradition. Now, without her, faux disinterest in the holiday had transformed into the genuine article.

Camille had actually put a bit more thought into her costume than in years previous. Whether it was the influence of Alice’s tutorials, or merely the breaking out of her shell, she had decided to put on a get-up that would actually invite a little attention. With her now shorter hair gelled and spiked, she wore a grungy outfit that was illuminated at various points by neon tubes sewn into the fabric. Accessories included a pair of goggles resting on her forehead and thick boots that added a few inches to her height, not to mention an endless variety of wrist bangles. She’d gotten Will’s help for the effects, but the construction had been all her. It all worked to make the small healer into a tough cyber-punk, a costume Alex gave her endless compliments on.

As the rest filtered in, they followed a similar pattern. There would be greetings, Alice would give them the low-down, they’d thank her for setting things up, and then most of them would ogle Chad in a mixture of shock and interest once they caught sight of his costume. Some were told that the earlier version was far worse, which spurred terror in some and curiosity in others. Once that was out of the way, they would disseminate to their respective locations. Some went to mingle at the bar, others were set on dancing, but the majority took the time to appreciate the relatively tranquil space they’d been provided.

It was while sitting peacefully that Camille noticed Alex, still wearing the large brown coat that had to be too warm in the heated club atmosphere, jerk up from his seat like he’d sat on a needle. His eyes darted about furiously, an expression of confusion, then concern, flashing across his face. Before anyone noticed, Mary was there, at his side. The two said nothing, which confused Camille only until she realized a pair of telepaths didn’t need words to have a conversation. Lack of speech didn’t keep the expressions off their faces, though, at least not entirely. Alex still looked confused, but his face was moving more and more in the direction of anger. Mary almost kept her usual calm facade, but every now and then, she’d show a twitch of nervousness. Finally, after several moments of standing in seeming silence, Alex gave a small, begrudging nod, and then walked away to sit with Vince and Will. Mary surprised Camille. Instead of returning to her seat, she walked over to the couch where her fellow short woman was watching and plopped down next to her.

“I know you’re wondering what that was all about.”

“A little bit, yeah,” Camille admitted. “Why was Alex in such a tizzy?”

“Because I’m an idiot.” Mary leaned her head back, resting it against the black leather seat. The red hood pulled away slightly, revealing the tight braid she’d worn for her costume. It conjured up a momentary, unexpected pang of loss in Camille’s heart. That hairstyle would forever be something she associated with her former steel-shifting friend.

“I forgot about Alex,” Mary continued. “He’s just so . . . not like me and the professor that I honestly forgot how good he was at recognizing people. I’m trying to do something a little risky tonight, something I wanted to control every aspect of. Alex has graciously agreed to go along with it, for now. Hopefully it all works out.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about,” Camille said. She patted her friend on the leg anyway, if for no other reason than Mary seemed like she needed a bit of reassurance.

“So I’m aware. Just needed to vent a bit to someone, and you already noticed our talk, so I had to give you an explanation anyway.”

“It must be hard, not having Hershel around when you really need someone.”

“Even if he were, I couldn’t talk to him yet either. But yes, it is hard.” Mary took a long breath and pulled her head up, readjusting her cloak so it was almost, but not quite, covering her face. “And there is still a lot of night ahead, so I’m just crossing my fingers that Alex is the worst fire I have to put out.”

“It seems a bit daring to try . . . whatever you’re doing . . . on Halloween. Given your group’s track record and all.”

“You think so? The way I see it, we’re long overdue for a bit of good luck on Halloween. This is just me trying to cash in on it.” Mary stood up from the couch and adjusted her outfit slightly. “Maybe you should do the same. You’re looking very eye-catching tonight, and I’m keenly aware that a few people have noticed.”

“Trust me, I know. Alex wouldn’t stop fawning.”

Mary let out a small, devious chuckle. “I wasn’t talking about Alex, but you’re close. In fact, I’d say you’re at the right table, if you catch my meaning.” As she walked away, she passed by Alex, and the two exchanged a furtive glance. Sitting next to him still were Will and Vince. Camille noticed something when Mary walked by—as her eyes naturally followed her friend’s path, they caught sight of another stare, this one observing her. Vince’s bright blue irises darted away the moment he realized he’d been caught, an action which made Camille blush.

Vince had been looking at her, and he was at the same table as Alex. Mary’s words still hung in Camille’s mind, lingering like tendrils of daring fog amidst the first rays of morning. They
were
overdue for some good Halloween fortune.

Maybe she’d try and grab a piece of that too.

86.

Nicholas had barely made it five minutes past the door when a short figure in a bright-red hood sidled up to him. The amber eyes peering out from under the crimson hood studied him carefully, then turned their scrutinizing gaze on his two companions. Only after the silent test was concluded did the young woman speak.

                “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Mary, an old friend of Nicholas’s. And you are?”

                Jerome acted first; formality was one of the many lessons that had been drilled into him for his role in the Family. He might not understand why this telepath was pretending not to know who they were, but it didn’t matter. His job was not to question why, it was only to follow orders. Nicholas had told them to play nice, that was all that mattered.

                “Jerome,” he said, raising his voice to be heard over the ever-present din of bass coming from the dance floor. The area was still under-filled enough to where they could stand without being jostled, but the growing line outside the doors suggested that wouldn’t be the case for much longer.

                “I’m Eliza,” Eliza announced, taking a step forward. If she’d hoped to assert some subliminal form of dominance with her height, she had chosen the wrong opponent.

                “So glad you all could make it. I’d love to chat and get to know you better later, but I think I’d like to speak with Nicholas first. Why don’t you grab some drinks?” Mary’s voice couldn’t have been sweeter or more polite.

                It also couldn’t have been clearer that she wasn’t making a request.

                With a small nod from Nicholas, the others took their cue and headed to the bar, leaving him alone with his former dormmate. The duo shuffled slightly out of the way, leaning against a wall between a pair of unattended tables. This kept them out of line of sight for the reserved seating area, the dance floor, and a large portion of the bar.

                “Well, any chance you were followed?” Mary asked.

                “Not that I can tell. Nathaniel is good, but with my full attention, he shouldn’t be able to sneak up on me again. That said, my ego has recently been humbled, so I would appreciate it if you kept a mental ear open for him.”

                “Already intended to,” she said. “But if he tries anything here, he’ll be in for one hell of a surprise. Half of our junior class is in attendance, and plenty of them can do serious damage, even without using abilities.”

                “I highly doubt Nathaniel will make a move tonight. His last loss is too recent; Nathaniel is the sort to lie in wait and lick his wounds. Besides, a place this size presents too many uncontrollable factors. It makes for a poor environment to plan an ambush in.”

                “Let’s hope he sees it that way too. I’d like to have one Halloween that doesn’t end in violence.” Mary shifted her position slightly, running her hands along the edge of her cloak. “So, are you ready to meet some old friends?”

                “Don’t you mean go to my audition? Have no fear; I will make them all feel quite at ease with my presence here. How are we going to do this?”

                “I’m going up to our section,” Mary said. “Once there, I’m going to tell them about you being here, and that your memories are still fogged. At that point, anyone who wants to leave the section and meet you will come with me. Those who don’t feel like reconnecting with an ex-program member will stay put, and you’ll respect that. If everyone comes, then you and your people can join us in our section. If not, you and yours hang out in the main part of the club. I’ll listen to everyone’s thoughts as the night goes on. If I think you can exist among us without causing serious problems or emotional turmoil, then the next steps will be yours.”

                “A shockingly unfair arrangement, but given the amount of leverage you possess, I have no choice but to agree. What of Jerome and Eliza?”

                “They stay with you,” Mary replied. “If they’re part of your world, then the people reconnecting with you need to know that. All cards on the table.”

                “Funny, as I recall, you were never much of a card player.”

                “Nicholas, you don’t recall anything. You just read that in a file.” With that, Mary walked away, red cloak bobbing amidst the sea of bodies as she made her way back to her friends.

                “Well, I wouldn’t say I don’t recall 
anything
,” Nicholas muttered under his breath as he watched her go. The memory of their fight in his mind, when she’d discovered his deepest secret in that subliminal church funeral, was crisp as the pain of a fresh wound. He knew Mary was more resourceful, surprising, and determined than her amiable facade might indicate. That, above all else, was why he was playing along with her game.

                Thanks to the recovered memory, Nicholas understood just how unstoppable Mary could be when motivated.

*              *              *

                “Hey Vince, do you want to go dance?”

                Vince glanced up from his discussion to find Camille standing beside him, hands purposely stuck to her hips as she awaited an answer. It was bluster, pure and obvious, but it was still quite striking. She was beautiful, in her own way. And the longer Vince knew her, the more enthralling she seemed to become.

                “Are you sure you want me? I’m not exactly the picture of grace.”

                “And I’m hell in heels? I just feel like moving around a bit and checking out all the other costumes. Plus, I’m trying to work on getting outside my comfort zone, which dancing definitely is. Come help a friend out.”