Chapter Ten
Echo
Stupid, charming jerk.
My powers were betraying me. Purring while he talked. I hadn’t even noticed I was doing it!
“Ugh.” My groan echoed in the car as I drove to Hero Society’s headquarters. Phillip had told me our history, and more about Emanuel, but he wanted me to come back and meet the other members of their crew. I still wasn’t sold on joining them, and I think he thought this would persuade me.
But my mind felt like it was already at capacity. A killer from long ago, Asher and his kiss-me look, the heroes, and a potential evil that is brewing to take over mankind. Then we had Seahill dividing as the cherry on top of the shitstorm sundae.
Too much was happening all at once.
I reached over and turned the music up on the radio, needing a distraction to take my mind off the whole overflowing plate I had going on.
At least I had accomplished one thing off my to-do list: I found those two men that had taken Janie and brought them in. They confessed that they took her for an anonymous person who paid them good money. I may have threatened them with another encounter with a bear before we entered the station if they didn’t cooperate, some one-on-one time together. They sang like canaries, and never once mentioned I turned into a bear.
Two criminals down, hundreds more to go.
I parked in the back of the restaurant where Phillip suggested. He was waiting there for me, with a little to-go box in his hand.
My stomach rumbled at seeing it. It had been an a while since that breakfast sandwich, so whatever he was about to offer would be welcomed.
“Figured you’d be hungry.” He smiled as I approached with my arms extended to take the little box off his hands.
“Always hungry.”
He opened the door and then led us toward the janitor’s closet that housed the hidden elevator inside. I’d discovered their headquarters were quite large and included the apartments above the restaurant for those who needed a safe place to stay.
He’d given me a quick tour yesterday; it looked like they could run a smooth operation from here.
“Everyone is in our chill room; they had a busy night last night.” Phillip walked us down a hallway and stood in front of a door where laughter and voices could be heard from the other side.
“I can’t tell if you will become a part of our family. But that’s exactly what we are. This isn’t just an after-school club saving the day. We are a family. I must have your word that if you choose not to become a part of our tight-knit group, then you will keep the secrets you have seen and heard. Their safety is one of my top priorities.” Gone was the cute boy next door, now a protector stood in his place. He may not be a fighter on the outside, but I believed he would do anything for the people on the other side of that door. Anything.
“You have my word. I’m just as vulnerable as you are with my powers. I would most likely be hunted like an animal if people found out about me.” It was the truth.
He nodded and then opened the door.
All the playful, joyous sounds stopped.
“Everyone, this is Echo. She’s a detective for the Seahill P.D. and has a very special gift. Don’t scare her off.” Phillip walked over to sit in an empty spot on the sectional.
“We’re going to need more couches in here; the sectional you just got is getting crowded,” a petite girl that was covered in black eyeliner and wearing a unicorn onesie whined as Phillip sat next to where her feet were.
He grinned at her annoyance and then looked at me. I guess I was being awkward, still standing by the door.
“Oh, come sit with me. I love people! And I love boots. You have cute boots.” A black-haired woman who was dressed like a model stood up and grabbed hold of my hand, pulling me toward the spot next to where she was sitting.
“I’m Lilith. No superpowers, but I have some cool skills that come in handy in tight situations.” She smiled wide while introducing herself.
“I’ll go next—name’s Mina. Queen of Seahill. I’m the eyes and ears of all. My brother, AJ, and I make sure things run smoothly around here.” The onesie girl pointed at a boy who was sitting in a chair fiddling with a tablet. Phillip’s quiet chuckle made Mina shoot him a look that dared him to deny her claims.
AJ looked up and gave me a nod.
“ ’Sup.”
“ ’Sup,” I replied to the teenager.
Phillip pointed to the couple in the big, round chair that were cuddled close. “You’ve met my sister, Rose, and the guy next to her is Draco, our leader of sorts. He’s the original.” Draco gave me a subtle nod hello, and Rose waved.
“Good to see you again, and not all furry.” She giggled and then Lilith took over the introductions.
“This hunk of burning love next to me is my husband, Leon; he’s got super-strength and speed. Good for running to the store for tampons.” She was teasing him, and he just rolled his eyes. Obvious love between them, but I bet she kept him on his toes.
“And this is our tech guy. All the cool gadgets we need, Charles can make us.” The man she pointed to was handsome and had a positive vibe, as if he’d never lose his cool, no matter what came his way. I looked around at everyone, taking them in. Everyone was dressed casually, just hanging out. It looked very laid-back.
I felt a restlessness underneath my skin start to spread.
Crap.
There wasn’t time to warn them before an animal decided they were needed right now.
“Holy shit!” AJ shrieked and jumped from his chair about three feet away from me. Draco was up and so was Leon in an instant, ready to fight off the animal that stood before them. I looked down and saw my wolf paws.
“Aw, she’s so beautiful!” Lilith complimented me and looked at Phillip once before reaching her hand out for me to sniff.
“Darling. Seriously?” Leon growled, and she shushed him.
“It’s still her in there, from one animal to another. I bet this creature felt it was needed to sniff us out and get the lowdown. Wolves are pack animals. They sense shit like that.” Lilith peered into my eyes, and I saw her spirit behind those brown depths. She was right—it was why the wolf wanted to come out, to feel out the group and approve of them or warn me of danger.
One by one I looked into the eyes of each person. All besides Lilith and Phillip were holding their breath, waiting to see what I would do.
My wolf instincts seemed satisfied, and I looked around for somewhere to go so I wouldn’t just transform into my human form and be naked in front of everyone. Phillip nodded toward the door.
“There’s some clothes for you next to the open room to the outside the door.” I looked to the door and hopped off the couch. I dressed quickly in the computer room and made my way back to the couch to see if I was still welcomed in this place.
“Sorry, sometimes an animal instinct takes over. I’m still in control, but they always do it for a reason,” I said, seeing everyone’s posture relax. Draco sat back down but looked at me as if he was trying to figure me out.
“Your powers are from Diana, goddess of the hunt and the moon. She could control and talk to animals. All gods could change into them, but with her, it was different. They were like one. I’ve only seen this power once in my lifetime—a woman from Seahill’s original native tribe. She died in battle while fighting off the first set of explorers that tried to take over the area. Tiponi was her name, means—”
“Child of importance,” I interrupted, familiar with the story that he was telling. We were told the legend of Tiponi growing up on the reservation. She saved our tribe. They said she had the spirit of the wild within her, and that’s how she was able to overcome the intruders.
Draco nodded, and I felt like a vital piece of my history just clicked into place.
“For you to have those powers, you are most likely related to her.”