Void(102)

“So all of that I understand you crap was just bullshit, huh?” I shook my head, furious with myself. I looked back at the council members. “This is wrong. What you’re asking for...it’s not natural. My Void is supposed to be about balance. But what you want me to do...this goes against nature,” I said, my voice getting louder with every word. Everyone gave me an incredulous stare, like they couldn’t understand my outrage. “I can’t just make powers magically appear. They have to come from somewhere,” I explained. “Who do you plan on stealing from?”

“From the supes that don’t deserve it. And some who will add extra incentive for you, of course,” Braxton explained, like it was the most obvious solution in the world. I gasped at his insinuation. “Come, dinner is over. Let’s move on to the main event.”

Chairs scraped against polished marble flooring as everyone stood and started walking, following Braxton out of the room. I looked around wildly, my heart thumping in my chest. My chair was pulled out, and I was hauled to my feet by Banner, his grip firm on my arm.

My mother didn’t wait for me, she’d already gone ahead with the judge, talking excitedly. Since we were out of earshot from the others, I rounded on Banner, nearly tripping in the process, my hands clinging to him. “Please, Banner. Don’t do this.”

“It’s already done, Miss Cainson.”

I shook my head in denial. “No. It doesn’t have to happen. Stop neutralizing me. Help me get away.”

“I can’t,” he said through gritted teeth. “And you should know better. We will never be anything but dogs to them. They tell us to heel, we rush to their feet with our tails tucked between our legs. They are our masters. Get used to it.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How had he played me so effectively? “You’re a coward,” I bit out before dropping my hands and looking away from him.

He didn’t reply, but I saw the tic in his jaw as he started hauling me forward again. As soon as we passed through the doorway, we found ourselves in Judge Braxton’s massive living room. I knew it was his, because there was a huge family portrait hanging on the wall above the fireplace. The decor was made up of harsh angled furniture, monochromatic hues, and about a dozen unconscious supers tied to chairs that lined the far wall.

“Oh my gods.”

My hand flew to my mouth as I took them all in. They ranged in age, some males, some females. But my eyes widened in horror at the four figures slumped at the very end.

The paragons. My paragons.

I would’ve run to them if it weren’t for Banner holding me back. Gritt’s lip was bloodied, Render had a black eye, Quade looked like he was about to pass out, and Hyde was smiling. Smiling. Crazy necro. He was the only one awake, and I was so glad to see those silver eyes of his. But my relief at seeing Hyde okay was short lived because it was immediately replaced with dread for what was to come. The sight of them hurt and held against their will made fury rise up from my gut. I needed to go to them.

“Let me go!” I hissed at Banner.

“If you don’t want to see them die tonight, then just do what you’re told,” he said flatly, his eyes steady with resignation.

Well, he might have given up, but I sure as shit hadn’t.

The council members were milling around, running their hands over the tied up and unconscious supers like they were looking over merchandise.

“Alright,” Judge Braxton announced with a clap of his hands as he commanded the room in his suit and superiority complex. “Let’s get started.” He turned to look over at me expectantly. “Bring the Void over.”

Like the dutiful dog he was, Banner tugged me forward until I was standing beside Braxton and his drooling disciples.

“You will take the powers from these supers and transfer it to us,” Braxton explained, motioning from the unconscious supers to the council members.

“Fuck you. I won’t do it,” I spat.

He didn’t look the least bit surprised at my refusal, and instead, nodded toward one of the council members at the end of the room. A door was opened, and then two vampires came in dragging a person between them. My heart stumbled. Reed.

He was bleeding at the neck and being dragged like a sack of dirt. Fury like I’ve never felt before raged inside of me. Smoke started to seep out of my mouth, despite Banner’s hold.

“Let. Him. Go.”

Judge Braxton was a fool. He had no idea the danger he was putting himself in. I would ruin them all. I’d kill them all. He couldn’t take my paragons or kidnap my best friend. I wouldn’t let him get away with this.

“I’ll let your human friend go after you do as you’re told,” Braxton told me. “And don’t forget. I have the paragons here, too. From what Banner tells me, you’ve made quite an impression on the four of them. Shame that they won’t be able to lead their people one day like they thought. But then again, they’re too powerful to pass up. Besides, paragons can be easily replaced.”

More smoke coated my tongue. It dripped out of the corner of my eyes. Ran down from my ears. It was leaking out of me, and Banner faltered, his hands shaking where they touched me. We came to the realization at the same exact moment. For whatever reason, Banner’s neutralization power wasn’t stronger than mine. Not anymore.

“Something’s wrong,” he muttered, but the judge didn’t pay him any mind.