“Can I help you fire starter?” Rogue asked opening his eyes. Situated in the center of his room he looked at Yumi, poised mid knock at his open door. It was early in the morning, crack of dawn.
She scowled. “How’d you know?”
“You’re loud. I can hear you coming.”
She rolled her eyes, leaning against the door and stared at him. He was sitting cross-legged on the ground his hands resting on his knees. The window was open making the room chilly so it was odd that he was wearing shorts and a hoodie.
“Whatever you say.” She looked at the ground for a moment and then shook her head. “Listen. I want your help.”
That got his attention as he looked up at her. “Well then. You’re asking for my help?” Stretching his arms above his head he got up and spread his arms. “What do you want?”
She bit her lip and then looked at the floor again. She wasn’t used to being up this early but she hadn’t been able to sleep that night. It was a mixture of Phase being gone nagging at her, her blaming herself for getting into trouble and her having a nervous energy. Her foot was tapping against the ground and finally she grabbed the edge of the wall.
Rogue stared at her for a moment and then stood up. “I get that Phase not being here is bothering you. You guys have a history with him. I don’t. Not really. Not yet.” Running his hands down his face slowly he sighed again. “Out with it.”
She took another breath and then nodded slowly. “You fought in that arena for a long time right?”
“A good chunk of my life yeah.”
“And you learned to fight from fighting?”
“Picked up a thing or two. Where are you going with this?”
She held out both her hands and took a breath. She grunted and the orange glow appeared on her hands. She looked at him again. “I want you to help me fight using these.”
He stared at her hands and then back at her. “What, the regular way you fight isn’t enough?”
“I punch things. Kick them too. I don’t hit things with my hands.”
“Palms.”
“What?”
“You need to fight with your palms. There’s a few moves that utilize this.”
She folded her arms. “Like what.”
He shook his head. “Not in my room. I like this place. I don’t need you burning it down.” He walked past her and down the hallway. She watched him for a moment before going after him. They kept walking and ended up on the roof.
The breeze was stinging and she held herself. “What the fuck? Why’re we up here?”
“Harder to set things on fire, Fire Starter.” Walking to the center of the roof and then going to the edge he turned around. “Alright. Now get your hands glowing and then come at me.”
She raised her eyebrow. “You’re serious?”
“Come at me and let me see what you can do.”
“Uhm. No offense but last time we were in the fight I beat you and I didn’t have the fire hands.”
“And I didn’t have an idea as to your fighting style now did I?”
She snorted. “And you think that’ll make a difference?”
“It’ll make a world of difference.” He raised his arms up and flicked his hands back. “Come on then. Show me if that was all talk or if you can back it up.”
She smirked and her hands started to glow. She glared as they turned into a healthy red orange. Dashing forward she leaped at him thrusting her palm forward. He lowered his hand and then grabbed hers thrusting it upward. Going low he tossed her over his head quickly.
Landing flat on her back she groaned. “Dick.”
“Really? You expected me to just get hit by that?”
“Didn’t think you’d flip me like that.”
Rolling over onto her side and then her knees she got up. “Trying again?”
“Yeah.” She then darted forward and threw a hard punch. The blow missed but as he went to retaliate she thrust with her palm. She grabbed empty air as he elbowed her in the stomach. Punching her in the stomach he backed off and stared down at her.
“You’re straightforward but leaving yourself open a lot.”
She groaned and leaned forward. “Fuck you.”
“You should use your defense to catch people off guard.” He reached out to her and she stared at his hand. He also stared at her hand and watched it cool down. She grabbed his arm and he helped her stand. “Watch what I’m doing alright?”
Grunting she watched as he raised his arms. One arm dipped low as if to catch a hit. “Right there. If you catch an attack they’re in your grip and they’re fucked.”
She watched and tried to mimic his movements. They moved together a few times before he nodded. “Now try it on me. And please don’t use the hands. I like being unburned fire starter.”
She glared at him again and then stood across from him. He held up his arms and then lunged at her. She dodged, initially going for the grab and getting punched in the jaw. “Ow. The fuck?!”
“Really? You think I’m going to go right for it? I’m teaching you how to fight but this isn’t gonna be like some karate dojo. It’s up to you to figure out when and how things can work.”
She glared at him but nodded. “I’m really starting to hate you.”
“Good. Means you’ll hit harder fire starter.”
With that he attacked her again and this time she just dodged it. He stepped in closer, continuing his attacks and she watched him. Finally he threw a punch and she caught out of the air. Shocked she managed to do it she didn’t see the kick coming next.
She was sent onto her back and she groaned again. She was smelling a pattern going on here. “God I hate you and hate this.”
“You wanted to train fire starter. This is how we train.” Reaching out to her he pulled her up and nodded. “Alright then. Meet me back here tomorrow morning. We try again.”
Feint stood on the edge of a building her arms folded. Mask in place she glared down. Echo fixed the bag on her shoulders before she placed a hand on Feint’s shoulder, which got her attention instantly. “You’re not okay.” Echo said simply.
“I told you to stop doing that.”
“You’re hurting. I understand that. You’re doing the best you can. We will find him.”
She didn’t reply and turned away staring down at the factory. A small one. She switched her mask to infrared and saw bodies working and a few standing around. Some of the standing ones had guns. “Darren what are we looking for?”
“Supplies. Microchips, casings, the usual. Just routine stuff.”
“Right.”
She walked forward and then jumped onto the roof of the facility. She heard Echo join her and the pair of them moved across it to the glass window on the roof. They both poked their heads over the edge. They were in the middle of working and packing up more boxes.
She held out her hand to Echo. She took it and the pair of them slipped through the ceiling and landed on a crate. Feint went a step further and they slipped through the crate using it as a cover.
“What are we dealing with here?”
Echo turned toward her after doing her mental sweep and then nodded. “ Nothing special. No guards or security near us either.”
Feint closed her eyes and then turned around to face the crate. Instead of the crate she was looking at the factory’s floor plan. Of course there were blank spots but at least she wasn’t going around blind.
“I’m going to cause a distraction on the far side of this place. I’ll grab the chips, you crab the casing and wirings. Meet at the edge and we escape. Simple and easy.”
Echo thought it over in her head and then nodded. “I think we can do that. We’ll have to be fast. I got a bad feeling about two of the guys here.”
“What kind of bad feeling?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never read something like this. It reminds me of the time we ran into one of the Knights. And I think someone is coming this way. They’re on their way.”
“Then let’s hurry.”
Feint took her hand and together they stepped through the crate. Echo moved instantly going around the crates and staying in the shadows. Feint on the other hand was running toward the front of the factory and reached into her pouch. Throwing out three balls she watched them hit the wall and then explode.
Loud nose, bright lights, and smoke. She watched it for a moment then whirled around and ran toward the conveyor belt. The workers had ducked down covering their heads while the suited guys were drawing their weapons. Feint had managed to swipe an entire line of things and pulled them into the pockets of her jacket.
She walked through the machinery and jumped to the sidelines. As she looked around she saw Echo on her way. She slowed to a stop then jumped backwards as a large arm reached for her. With narrowed eyes she jumped backwards again and watched as a man lunged at her again. Echo looked at him and then smiled behind her mask.
The man swung his arm and suits rushed to his location raising their guns. Echo looked at them keeping calm and raised her hand to focus. She closed her eyes for a long moment and when she opened them the guns were lowered. In fact they all looked confused as to what they were doing.
Echo took this time to step between them slowly and then make a break for it. Feint watched the entire thing bewildered and when Echo passed her she took off. Taking her hand the pair of them walked through the wall and out into the cold of the winter.
They got to a rooftop before Echo fell onto her back letting out a breath she hadn’t known that she was holding in. Feint was staring at her trying to get her thoughts in order.
“God that was sloppy.”
“It’s something I can do. Though I don’t do it a lot.”
Feint looked at her and then glared. “You’re doing that thing aren’t you?”
“No. I just figured you’d be a little weirded out.” Taking a deep chilling breath she sat up. “I went into their heads, all of them and made them forget what they were doing. In the moment it was all I could think of. And it worked. Like going to a section of their head and deleting part of the memories.”
“You can do that?”
“I can do a lot.”
“That’s really spooky.”
Panting on the rooftop Echo forced herself upward and then nodded. “ I did manage to pick up something though. Something I think we’re going to want to look at.”
“What?”
“Well I know the big guy was a Rook. He did some sort of rallying thing with those Pawns. But I got a thought from the Rook. There’s a Bishop out there. Nearby. I think I can find the location.”
Feint nodded slowly and then shrugged. “What does knowing about a Bishop do?”
“Bishops have information. They know things. Usually money but they know other things. Like maybe where Phase is. Or something in that area.”
Feint stared at her and Echo shook her head slowly. “It doesn’t mean that. Don’t get your hopes up. It’s just-”
“An opportunity.” Feint finished and looked away but nodded.
Echo bit her lip and then pulled her mask off. She looked at Feint who looked back. “I can read it Feint.”
“I know Echo. I know. I’m fine. I’m alright. I,” She took another deep breath and then hugged Echo. “Thank you.”
“N-no problem Feint.” She hugged her back and took a deep breath. When they finally separated from one another and Feint took off her mask she pulled everything from out of her hood. Echo pulled hers out of her pockets and then put them into Echo’s bag. Once everything was situated she looked at her.
“What do you want to do?”
“We take this back. Get someone to come with us. Then we find the Bishop. And we make him talk.”
“Alright.” Echo put her mask back on her face and took a slow breath. “Then let’s get back home.”
The pair of them stumbled onto the roof of the house and then inside. Echo jumped over the railing and put her bag on the table. “Who’s home?” Feint asked. Roxie barked at her and ran toward them. Echo gave her a happy greeting.
“Shade and Darren. Rogue and Yumi are missing.”
“They’re doing some training. Or whatever it it’s called. Honestly it’s really just Yu getting her ass kicked.” Shade walked into the living room scratching his stomach and then yawning. “It’s been like a week and she complains to me about it before bed. But she’s getting better.”
Shade looked at the two of them and then arched his eyebrow. “Something happening ladies?”
“Potentially. But we’ll need your help.” Feint said walking over to him.
Shade glanced between them and then looked at her and nodded. “Alright. You know I’m in when you need me. But what do you need me for just so I’m not walking into a firing squad or something like that.”
Feint laughed, a small one, and then glanced at Echo who was busy filling Roxie’s bowl with food. Apparently, it was dinnertime for their pet. “There’s a Bishop that we know the location of. We’re going to see if they know where Phase is.”
Shade clapped. “That’s great. Best news I’ve heard all week.”
“Very good news.” Darren said as they passed them by. “Just keep in mind. They’re not hardened criminals. They don’t know how to take pain. They’re like me. Clever and resourceful. Run from a fight instead of getting into one.”
“Get to the point Wiz Kid.” Heads turned as Yumi and Rogue both dropped down.
“The point as you’ve strongly requested is simple. Grab em. Rough em up. Make a threat. Get him thinking about it. Make him talk or have Echo get inside his head.”
“Sounds easy enough.” Feint said already going for her mask.
“Feint whens the last time you slept. Or ate something?”
She looked at Yumi and then shook her head. “I think this morning. Why?”
“After this I’m making you eat. Alright?”
Feint looked at him and then frowned. “Alright. Let’s go.”
They restocked on gadgets, put on their mask and then were out. Running across the rooftops like shadows. Echo was in the lead with Feint close on her heels. They each had the location on their mask but they were coming up with a plan.
The location was several miles out from where they lived. The guy was visiting the entertainment district but staying in a hotel bordering on the edge of the financial. Ironically he was staying at a Romulus Hotel. The five of them stopped on the edge of the building and then Feint tapped her mask.
“Mask. Call the Romulus. And read them off the numbers of the card.”
The mask dialed as she tilted her head to the side and waited. After someone answered and then the numbers filed through there was a pause. A voice answered and they sounded flustered. “R-romulus hotel. How m-may we help you?”
“I’m looking for a man. I believe he’s staying at your hotel. His name is Lester Richards.”
“L-Lester?” There was more silence but she could hear the typing that was going on their end as they searched for that name. Feint waited but as she waited she started whispering quickly. One image popped up on her mask and code streamed through.
The image on Feint’s mask reappeared and showed the screen of the hotel workers monitor. She watched him go through their registry and finally settle onto the name. “Yes. We uh there is a man by that name on the list.”
“What floor is he on?”
“P-Pardon?”
“What floor. Is he on?”
“I’m sorry but that info-“
“Tell me the floor in which he resides or we will have a problem.”
“502! 5-502 is the room.”
“Thank you.” She ended the call instantly and turned toward the others. “Alright. Room 502. So top floor. Made easy for us. And I’ve got a camera feed as well as the load out of the entire building. It’s being sent to you now. Echo, read anyone moving around?”
“The rooms are empty around him. The few people on the floor with him are watching TV.”
“There a reason all five of us are here?” Shade asked as he walked toward the edge of the hotel.
“Would you be a little freaked out if five masked people showed up at your hotel room?”
Yumi scoffed. “If five masked people showed up that weren’t you guys I’m fighting or running.”
“Sounds about right.” Feint leaned forward then jumped to the edge of the hotel. She walked across it and then stared below her. Empty room. Empty room. “502.”
“He there?” Yumi asked looking down.
“Not yet. But he’s coming now.” Echo was a few feet away watching the hallway. She then continued to walk following him as walked toward the door. “How’re we going to do this?”
“Straight forward.” Feint said.“He goes in. We drop down, I incapacitate him. You look menacing. I’ll grill him for information. He gives us what we want then we knock him out and ghost.”
“I like this plan.” Yumi laughed. “Makes my life easy.”
“Then let’s go.” Feint said and crouched against the ground. She watched him open the door and toss his briefcase against the bed. She held her hands out and they each took one. He was loosening his tie when they dropped down. Once they were all through Feint grabbed him by the head and thrust him down.
Jerking him back to his feet she then tossed him into the chair. He barely got off a shout before she was in his face. “Lester. It’s a pleasure. I hear you have information for me.”
He looked panicked as he stared at the mask. His eyes flitted to the others and she hit him across the face. “Focus on me Lester. Now I’m going to ask you a question. You’re going to answer. If you lie you get hurt. Understand?” He nodded and she nodded. “Good. First question, are you a member of the Royals?”
“No. What are you talking about?”
She punched him in the stomach. “No lying. Are you a member of the Royals?”
He was groaning, holding himself and leaned to the side. “Y-yes.”
“What is your position?”
“Bishop,” He took a deep breath and then coughed and she cracked her knuckles slowly.
“Now here comes the important questions. Do you know about the other half of the organization?”
He didn’t speak, silent as his frantic eyes looked at her and then the others then back to her. She watched him for a long moment before leaning forward. “Don’t delay too much,” She took his hand and snapped one of his fingers. She covered his mouth and his scream didn’t leave her palm. “Now. Answer the question. Faster. I’m going to move my hand. And you’re going to speak.”
She watched him closely and slowly moved her hand away. “Yes I know about R&D. And t-the things they make.”
“What about the actions they take?” He took a sharp breath looking down before looking at her.She could see the sweat forming on his brow and the shakes of his body. She realized her question wasn’t direct enough and now he was terrified of answering. Realizing this she reworded. “I know that the R&D guys recently got a new… project. I want you to confirm this. So did they?”
He shook his head quickly trying to shirk his hands away. However she still had a firm grip on his wrist. “I-I don’t know. I don’t.” She covered his mouth and snapped another finger. No hesitation. Once his screaming was done he looked at her pleading. “I d-don’t. I don’t know. I’ve never known!”
She placed a hand over his chest and he was silent. “Then what do you know? And it better be good information?”
“W-what do you mean? W-what do you want to know?”
Instead of replying she pressed her hand against his chest. It started to fade and then began to dip into his chest. His eyes widened and he tried to say something. He was gasping for breath as he watched her hand slip further and further into his chest. He didn’t feel anything but the threat was there.
“You feel that? That’s me caressing your heart.” She said softly. There was nothing to feel but the way she was speaking he believed it. He gasped and tried to say something but nothing came out. “Now. Tell me what you know!”
“A-Ace. T-Tr-Trace. Tracey! Tracey! He used to be the Queen. A Knight. He’s one of them! Please don’t do this. P-Please….” His head lolled backwards and she stared at him with confusion. And then she saw it. His eyes rolled back into his head.
“Wow Feint. You made him pass out.” Feint looked at Yumi, flexing her wrist and fingers. The others faces were hidden behind mask but she could imagine them.
“Darren did you hear that?”
“Yeah. Ace. Wow. I haven’t heard that name in awhile.”
“Ring a few bells?”
“Just a few. I’ll look into it and let you know what I find. And if this is how I think it is. There’ll be plenty.”
“Good.” Feint took a step back and then jumped getting to the rooftop. Once she was there she all but collapsed onto the ground. Her head sank forward and she shook taking heaving breaths. Yumi went down beside her and wrapped her arms around her tightly. Shade took her hand and Echo put her head on top of hers. Rogue even came close to put his hand against her back.
She closed her eyes tightly and just held onto them and calmed down. She held onto them and slowly she relaxed. “Thanks guys.”
The Harlequin Library 