The Distort Arc: Cape High Books 1-4 (Cape High Series Omnibus) (35 page)

"It won't hurt," he says.  "I just want to see if it works."

I look at him, knowing what he's not saying.  "Papa told me that you might try and experiment on me," I tell him.  "But you have your own children to experiment on, so--"

"Wouldn't work," he admits.  "Zoe would take it over and Sunny would fall asleep.

"I see, then perhaps--"

"Emily's a telepath, so it's sort of pointless considering she'll learn to do things on her own, and Trent and Max need all the sparring training they can get.  You're the only one in the group that fits the bill.  Now sit here," he says, pulling out a chair.  I head for it reluctantly, sitting down and watching him closely.  He slips the helmet over my head.  I can't see anything, it's completely dark.  "Now I want you to picture a tree."

I close my eyes, picturing the tree from behind the building, since I just came from there.  I instantly picture myself up on the branch again, staring down at the ground.

"Are your eyes open?" he asks.

"No."

"Open them."

I open my eyes, jerking as I realize I'm staring down at the ground from the tree limb.  "Good," I hear Nico say.  "So it does work.  This will help me with the kid when I get it finished."  He takes the helmet off of me and I blink at him.  "Possibly."

"Is that to read people's minds?" I ask.

"There's a boy not much older than you that's stuck in a coma," he says.  "If I can read his mind I'll be able to find out where they did what they did to him."

"But isn't Mastermental--"

"The metal interferes with his powers," Nico says.  "This is reading electrical waves, so hopefully I can adjust for the metal that's lacing his brain.  It's worth a try, at least.  Now," he says, dropping down in the chair next to me.  "I've been watching your training."

"I... see," I say, looking down.  So he's been watching all my awkward falls and pathetic attempts?  I--

"I think Emily had a good idea," he says.

"What?" I yelp.

"Cat toys look like a perfect way to go," he says.  "I've been thinking about it for a while, actually.  You need to enjoy your training at this stage, Cub.  Playing is how cats learn to hunt, right?  But I don't think you like anyone enough to let them see you play, do you?" he says, almost to himself.

"It--it isn't that I dislike them," I say a bit awkwardly.  "All," I have to add when he just looks at me.

"So what if we build you something you can use?" he asks.  "Like those towers that housecats have.  Towers to climb, holes to climb into, feathers everywhere--what do you think?" he asks.

"I'm not a cat!" I protest.  "I'm a super villain!"

"But you're a super villain that turns into a cat," he says.  "I think the problem is that you're so focused on being a villain that you don't feel able to relax here.  Yes, we're surrounded by super heroes.  I know it can be intimidating, but if they were going to hurt you, do you really think I'd let them anywhere near you?" he asks, looking me straight in the eye.  "Your dad is one of my oldest friends, Cub.  That makes you extremely important to me.  Sort of like a niece, I guess."

I feel a hint of a flush cross my face and look down.  I have met some of my Papa's friends before, but I've never met one that so blatantly says something like that.  "I will... try," I say.  "It might take me a while, I don't know why it's so hard to move in that form, but I won't give up."

"Good girl," he says, patting me on the head again.  "And I know Sunny annoys you, but you can't really blame the kid--"

"I absolutely can!" I protest.  "He's constantly showing up to bother me--you need to change his morning study, he does not sleep long enough!"  He's laughing now, I notice.

"Because there's this cute little kitty just around the building," he says.  "And if he times it right he'll get to see her cat form."

I scowl, crossing my arms over my chest.  "I realize that the cat form is ridiculous," I say, "but that gives him no right to come and laugh at me!"

"You're right, you're right," he says all too easily.  "He has absolutely no right to laugh at your cub form."

"Tell him that!"

"I don't think that's what he's laughing at, actually," he says.  "But fine, I'll tell him to quit because you're so self conscious about it.  Now, I think we've wasted enough time that you won't have to transform again.  So you can go."

"I--thank you," I say, feeling pathetic at being seen through so easily.

"I'll have a playground built by tomorrow," he says.  "But you might try being nicer to Emily, you know.  She came up with the idea that might get you moving easier."

I nod as I leave the room.

When you have a superhero as a teacher you can't get away with anything.  Not that it's usually me that's trying to whisper in class.  No, the only other super villain in the school is Max, and he's right in the middle of that little gang that makes up the rest of the students.  I know he and Trent are supposed to be enemies, but somehow it doesn't look like that during the normal classes.  If anything, the only one who isn't a part of their gang is me.  Yeah, I'm the odd man out in the entire school.

I would sit on the opposite side of the classroom if I could, but there's only six desks in the room, so I wind up stuck in the very front, with Sunny on one side, Emily on the other, and Zoe, Max and Trent behind me.  I'm surrounded by the group I don't belong in.  Do you have any clue how awkward that is?

Especially when Emily very discreetly (or at least I think she's trying to be discreet) places a cat toy on my desk.  I turn, giving her a sharp look.  "Are you trying to make fun of me?" I whisper as quietly as I can.

She shakes her head.  "No!  I just... it's cute," she whispers back.  "It's an apology present."

"Ahem," Blackjack says pointedly.  "Math time is now, play time is later, understand?"  The wiry looking illusionist points at the toy.  "Put it away, Cub."

"But--" I groan inwardly, mostly because he clearly believes I want to play with the cat toy, and put the toy in my pocket, knowing I'm blushing.  "Fine," I say.  "Apology accepted," I add in a whisper.  The brilliant grin I get in return makes me want to hit my forehead on the desk.  How can she be so annoying and so cute all at the same time?  And why is Sunny digging through his pockets all of a sudden?

He grunts and pulls out a brownie wrapped in cellophane and puts it on my desk.  I look at him.  "An apology gift," he whispers.

"Does anyone else want to give Cub a present?" Blackjack asks, impatiently.

"I do!" Zoe says, digging in her bag and reaching forward so she's waving a mechanical pencil with a black toy cat hanging from a chain at the top.  "It makes me think of you," she says.

"Wh--I'm not exactly sure if any of you are thinking at all," I say.

"Well, he asked," Zoe says, dropping the pencil.  I grab it instinctively, looking at it with a little smile.  The toy cat is cute.

"Um... thank you," I say, not sure what else to say.  I'm REALLY not sure what to say when Trent reaches forward, putting a pack of gum on my desk, or when Max puts a hostess cupcake next to it.

"Now can we get back to the class?" Blackjack asks.  I'm just staring at the things on my desk, wondering if this is some sort of trick--I mean, I'm a super villain--they're heroes-- "I think a game of blackjack is a great way to test your math skills!" he goes on.  "So move your chairs into a circle--"

"Blackjack," Banshee says from the door.  "Teach them properly or Double M will get irritated."

"But Cub's already got her bet--fine, let's get back to algebra," he says with a sigh.  I slip the rest of the things in my bag, knowing I'm red in the face.  I have no idea what to do now.  I feel a bit thrown off, honestly.  Isn't it only proper to offer a gift when given one?  But I don't have anything that would work as a gift right now.

Maybe I could make cookies for tomorrow?  That would be a proper reaction to getting gifts for no reason, right?  I'll ask Mama to help.  I don't know what Papa would say about super heroes giving me gifts... I don't think I should tell him.

I hope no one is allergic to chocolate.

***

Papa comes to pick me up in the car.  I slip into the passenger seat, looking at the yellow "Do not enter" tape that surrounds Death Canyon.  Our school is in the bottom part of the canyon, built on Nico's land. 

"How was your day?" Papa asks.

"It... it was okay," I say, looking down at my backpack.

"And how is your training going?  Has Taurus helped any?" he asks.

"He showed me a video of an African Leopard," I say, glancing at him.  "And Nico has... decided to build me an obstacle course."  Well, it's sort of an obstacle course, right?  I can't rightly tell my papa that he's building me a cat's play tower.  I doubt any of the parents would believe us if we told them how we're being trained.

"Observation, I see," Papa says.  "He might be more useful than I assumed."

"He's a good shifter," I say.

"He is," he agrees.  "I look forward to seeing how Nico uses him.  And the students?"

I look forward, chewing on my bottom lip as I try to figure out what to tell him.  He's waiting, I realize as he glances at me.  "I..." I start out slowly.  "I feel that... I am getting more accustomed to being part of a class.  But I don't see why Blackjack is a hero," I go on.  "He's constantly trying to get us to gamble during class."

"He is?" Papa asks, amusement lacing his voice.

"Yes, he's intent on teaching us to count cards.  And Banshee is trying to turn us into a rock band, but Zoe is tone deaf and I don't like really loud noises," I say.  "So the music class is mostly Sunny beating on his drums and the other two breaking guitar strings.  Especially Trent."

"And what about Emily?" he asks, glancing at me with a knowing look that I'm trying to ignore.

"She sings," I say.  "She's okay, I guess?  But she likes the mic too much so it's really loud."

"Is there a reason you smell like catnip, Adanna?" he asks, and I realize he's been leading up to this.

"Emily decided that I would like cat toys," I admit in a tiny voice.  "So she gave me one."

It's really, really embarrassing when your own father bursts out laughing as you're driving down the street.  He's still laughing as we pull through the large gate that surrounds our home and into the driveway.  He reaches over, patting me on the head fondly.  "I am sorry, Cu--Adanna," he says.  "I just think you are far more popular than you seem to believe."

"But they are superheroes--"

"I know.  But it is not completely terrible to be thought of, I think."  He gets out of the car and comes around, opening the door for me.  Ever since my little brother was born he's been doing this--treating me like he does Mama.  I get out, not taking the offered arm, and tug my baseball hat lower on my head.  I want to protest that I shouldn't be treated like a girl, I should be treated like an heir!  But I'm not an heir.  I really am just a girl now that my title's been revoked.  The useless daughter.

I tug my backpack over my shoulder, thinking of the presents I was given today.  Why did they do it?  To look good?

"Kitty!" Mama calls as I step through the door.  "How was your day?"  She comes towards me wearing a khaki uniform and carrying one of the lynx on her shoulder.  "Melber here's been feeling a little lonely, so I thought I'd let him out for a bit," she explains, reaching up and petting the cat.  "You know, while Cubby's taking a nap."  Even if Cubby will be able to talk to them later, he's still young enough to look edible to them when there's not a fence between them.

"I see," I say, reaching up and scratching Mel behind the ear.  "Hello, beautiful, is Mama making you happy?"  The cat purrs his reply, rubbing into my hand.  "Mama, can I ask a favor?"

"Of course, kitty," she says.  "Let me take Mel back to his room while you're asking."  I nod, following her out to the rather large cages built for each of our rescued cats.  They have the best of the best--Mama and Papa insist on it, and even have an on-hand pair of specialized vets.  "Now, perhaps you can tell me why you're so red," she says as Mel goes into his cage.

"Papa was laughing at me," I admit a bit shamefully.

"Oh?  And what did you say to make him laugh?"

I reach into my pocket, pulling out the little cat toy that Emily gave me.  "Emily decided that I like cat toys," I say.

"Oh it's so cute!" Mama says.  "I hope you thanked her properly!"

"Mama, I'm not a cat!" I say.

"Oh, kitty, you're part cat, you can't deny that.  And honestly, from everything you've told me about Emily, are you really surprised that she's fond of your other side?  You're an absolutely adorable cub, my love," she says, kissing me on the cheek.  I reach up with my forearm and wipe the lipstick off with a sigh.

"But it goes on," I say.  "She gave me the cat toy so Sunny gave me a brownie, and then Zoe gave me a pencil and Trent gave me gum and Max gave me a cupcake because Mr. Blackjack asked if anyone else has any gifts to give me--and now I need to give them something back.  So can you help me make some sort of treats to take tomorrow?" I ask.

"Of course I will," she says.  "We'll make them before we make dinner.  Just let me go wash up while you look through the dessert book for an idea of what you want to make."

"Okay, Mama," I say, heading into the house again to dig out the dessert book.  Mama likes cooking, she took several classes after she stopped being a model.  You wouldn't believe how many burnt meals we had to eat when she started, though.  I mean, for the first ten years of my life we had a cook.  Now Mama insists on cooking for us, and having me help. 

I find a simple recipe for cookies and start digging out the stuff to make them with.  "You're baking?" Papa asks, coming into the kitchen, carrying Cubby.  He puts my little brother down and pulls one of the cookies out of the cookie jar, giving it to the toddler.

"I need to make cookies for school tomorrow," I say.

"Need to?" he repeats.

"As--as thanks," I say.

"Chinaza," Mama says.  "Leave the poor girl alone.  She's making cookies for her new friends!"

"I see," he says.  "Well, if you don't mind me watching, I would like to talk to you two about something."

"Of course," Mama says, looking at the recipe and getting out the measuring cups.  "You don't mind, do you, kitty?"

"Of course not," I say, still flushing.  We start getting everything together as Papa sits down on the kitchen stool and Cubby grabs onto his leg.

"There's been a note sent to me from up north," he says, picking Cubby up and sitting him on his lap.  "Another foolish norm that thought a cougar would make for a good pet.  I would like to go and collect it--before the norm cops are involved.  Since it was raised from a cub, how well it would take to living in the wild is questionable, though."

"We can try, of course," Mama says.

"Absolutely," Papa agrees.  "I would like you and Cubby to come with me, Amara, but I don't want to leave you here alone, Adanna.  There's too much going on right now."

"I could go with you, too?" I offer hesitantly.

"No, your training is important," Papa says firmly.  "The only option I can think of is you staying with Nico while we're gone."

"And what about the cats?" I ask.

"We'll bring in a few extra helpers," Mama says.  "They'll be fine for a week or so.  And we'll be home before you know it," she says as we start mixing the cookie dough.  "If you feel safe staying with Nico?" she asks me.

"I don't mind," I say, focusing on my work.  "It's important that you save the cougar."

"Thank you, Adanna," Papa says with clear relief.  "I'll call Nico now.  Tomorrow we'll set out for the cat."

"Yes," I say as he and Cubby head for the office, but I'm inwardly dreading it.  Staying in the same home as Sunny?  I really do NOT want.

"After dinner we should pack," Mama says.

I nod and we start cutting out the cookies and laying them on the cookie sheets.  I think she's picking up on my hesitation, because she looks at me with a slight frown.  "Kitty cat, you're going to be fine, you know.  I think you should get to know the girls that live in the apartment building better.  I want you to have more friends than the cats, me, Cubby and your Papa," she says.  "And, possibly, you could try making friends with the boys, too, although your Papa might not agree."

"But they're super heroes, Mama," I say.  "Giving them cookies as thanks is one thing, but Emily is going to become the partner of Kid Liberty--and Trent IS Kid Liberty!"

"And all of this might matter when you're full grown and donning a cape, kitty.  At the moment you're in no form to be focusing on super politics.  Right now, what I really want you to do," she says, placing her hands on my shoulders, "is be a teenage girl.  Make friends, have fun, learn things, maybe have a crush!  Oh, kitty, you've got no idea how hard I worked to get you into this school and out of learning from tutors.  I was so excited when your father agreed, and elated when Nico turned out to be the principal.  You are among your peers, my love.  It's something I and your father never got until we were fully grown."

"But I--" I start out.  I can't go on, though, because she's looking at me with so much hope.  "I'll try," I say with a sigh.  "But I don't like Sunny!" I add, because I have to.  "He is constantly sleeping or goofing off and he always shows up during my self study and teases me when I'm in my other form!"

"Oh, does he," she says.

"Yes!  And he grew a tree and I keep getting stuck up it when people startle me," I complain.

"He grew a tree," she repeats.  "Kitty, Sunny is Nico's elementalist son, right?"

"Yes, but he doesn't take it seriously at all.  Even his self study is ridiculous!  He's supposed to take a nap in the sun!"