Chapter 18 #2
The decorative lamps illuminating the pavilion flared, and for a moment, I expected them to explode in a flurry of sparks and glass.
Beams of brilliant light shot from their bulbs, striking Neon, causing her skin to shine a near blinding white.
If I had known her powers, I might have avoided the embarrassing follow-up.
Clenching my eyes did little to block out the supernova. Neon burst out of my grasp, batting my arms away as if they were a minor inconvenience. I was about to ask how light transformed into strength, but then I remembered I was wearing a sentient suit that helped make wardrobe decisions.
“I warned you.”
She did. She absolutely did. The punch to the sternum pressed my ribcage in, causing my bones to rattle.
For a petite woman, she hit harder than Dozer.
It proved that a little package could pack a wallop.
As I soared through the air, I had plenty of time to consider how I would do things differently.
It wasn’t until the descent I remembered that this confrontation was as much about winning the hearts of Vanguard as it was putting away the bad guy.
Shit. The vigilantes were counting on me.
I burst into fire just in time to ease the impact.
It wasn’t graceful, but it prevented a face plant on the pavement.
I rolled until I smashed into a small newsstand.
The gentleman holding a stack of magazines didn’t retreat as he blinked, processing the superpowered man that destroyed his livelihood.
“I’ll make sure we get a team here to help rebuild.” He nodded after most of that came out as a groan. I clamored to my feet, eyeing the rack of newspapers. I let out a growl when I found Blaze claimed more space above the fold than reasonable.
“You’re him.”
“Unfortunately,” I replied.
“Is what they say true?”
He gestured to a magazine. “The Rise of a Heroic Villain?” I nearly spat. “Am I a good guy?” I would have loved to assure the man, but Neon was walking—no, make that hovering—in my direction. I’m glad to see I got her attention.
The man nodded.
“I’m trying.” I didn’t want to make promises I couldn’t deliver.
He eyed Neon before smiling at me. “Kick her ass.”
The clerk held out his fist, completely unfazed by the possibility I might be a villain. Was this the confidence Hellcat had spoken of? Could I win back the hearts of Vanguard?
I bumped his fist. “My pleasure.”
It only took two strides and a jump into the air before the flames engulfed my body.
Neon attempted another blast of light, but that trick wouldn’t work twice.
The flames ballooned outward, creating a bubble of red and orange light.
Shot after shot struck the shield, absorbed as if they were nothing more than a nightlight.
If I couldn’t duke it out with the woman, I’d have to rely on the fire to do the heavy lifting.
Sure, I could shoot a few fireballs or bring the might of a firestorm down on the villainess.
But this wasn’t about stopping Neon. It was about proving I was more than a powerful wrecking ball.
Pulverizing her in a pillar of fire would be a spectacle and also reinforce how dangerous I could be.
“Dammit,” I muttered. “You’re going to owe me, Hellcat.”
I dropped the shield and dialed back the fire. I landed on my feet and for a moment, Neon paused her assault, confused. It only lasted a split second before she launched another barrage. The fire rippled down my arms, letting me absorb her lasers with little more than a pinprick to my palms.
“Fight me,” she screamed.
“No,” I said. “That’s not how this is going to end.”
Clutching both hands together, she shot a beam of light in my direction. My heels pushed into the cement as I braced, accepting the hit. It hurt. I didn’t have many more hits like that before I’d have to inspect for internal damage. But hopefully, I wouldn’t have to.
“This is going to help him.” Her light dimmed with every tantrum she hurled. I wasn’t a shrink. I didn’t know how to confront her anger and talk her off a ledge. But I understood it came from a place of pain. I’d have to psychoanalyze myself before bed.
“Don’t be the reason Jordan never sees daylight.”
The mention of his name caused her to freeze. He might be the reason she was going on a tirade, but it was something more than the kid she met in the foster system.
“You’re not alone.” I held my breath, waiting for her reaction. I extended my hand in her direction, trying to offer her solace. This wasn’t my normal routine, but perhaps—
“Who said anything about being alone?” She screamed the words, raising her fists in the air. One by one, the street lamps exploded. The light traveled toward her like before.
“Screw this,” I growled.
The ball of fire ignited over her head. I imagined my hands reaching in, pushing the fire down my arms and into the glowing orb. If rational thought wasn’t going to help, then it was time to rely on what I do well. Teach me to reason with a sociopath.
I only had seconds before she turned into an untouchable titan. The air above her head burned, liquid fire growing until it was the size of a large truck. With a thrust downward, it slammed into her with a boom, causing a shock wave of fire to roll along the ground.
Not my most graceful moment. I’m sure there’d be an article in the paper tomorrow about me beating the snot out of a villain. No, they’d probably make her the victim. Villain beats brokenhearted girl. Yeah, that would be my luck.
My muscles tensed. “Another villain?” I turned to a handful of people hiding behind a bench and bushes slowly standing. The four of them were clapping. One let out a whoop, thrusting his arm in the air. Okay, apparently, I hadn’t screwed up too bad.
“I told you Blaze is a hero.” The woman punched the man to her right. I’d regret admitting it, but Hellcat was right.
“Stay safe,” I shouted. In a burst of flames, I sped past a collapsed Neon, grabbing her by the scruff of her jacket. One victory tonight deserved another.
It was time for Xander to crash a party.