He walks over and helps me stand. “On the other hand, you’ve also made me very happy. Bringing me the young woman I’ve been hoping to meet for so long.” Once I’m standing, he grips my chin and pulls my head up until my eyes meet his. Unlike Trent’s chocolate brown eyes, Senator Hightower’s eyes are lighter in color. Cold and calculating, he stares down at me. “Willa, is it?”
The sound of my real name coming from his lips pisses me off, and I jerk my chin from his fingers. “Actually, it’s Greer.” He doesn’t deserve to say my name.
“Take them back,” he orders the soldiers, motioning to the two wheelchairs.
Lily and Susan look at each other.
Susan forces herself to stand. “I’m not going back.” Her chin lifts in defiance.
River drags himself up and lunges for her. “Don’t, Mom.” He tears his gaze from her and looks at Hightower. “Please. I’ll do anything you want. Don’t hurt her.”
Hightower laughs. “For years, you and your sister have been defying me, and I’ve graciously overlooked these small, hardly noticeable rebellions, but not anymore. Maybe you both need a valuable lesson.”
He looks from River to Lily. “Lily. Lily. Lily. I leave your collar off, and this is how you repay me?” A split second later, he dips his chin, and the soldier behind Susan steps up and places a gun to her head.
Lily’s hands begun to glow blue, but she quickly stifles them. “Please. I’ll wear the collar.” Tears fall rapidly as she begs Hightower. “She won’t last much longer. Let us spend her last days together. Please.”
River strains against the two guards holding him, blood dripping into the dirt. “I’ll do anything. Anything at all. I know a jumper.” He spits out, desperate to save his mother. “He’s remarkable. The perfect addition to your collection.”
My attention shifts to River in horror, and I realize this is what he’s always done. With very little leverage, he plays the cards in his hands. Except for me. For some reason, I was the line he wouldn’t cross.
Susan calmly looks at both of her children. “From the moment you were born, I’ve loved you more than anything in this world. We had the best of times together. On the road. In the parks. Quiet spaces meant for us. I can’t hang on any longer. It’s my time.” She looks down at herself. “My strength is gone, but my love for you will never end. I love you.”
Hightower nods and the gun goes off. Susan slumps down in the chair, a surprisingly neat hole in her head, the ground to her right splattered with blood and gore.
CHAPTER41
WILLA / GREER
Lily screams and screams. Her hands begin to glow with a blue light, and with a single flick, she sends the soldiers behind her to the other end of the long field. Pushing to her feet, she raises her arms and whirls them around. Men and dirt go flying, caught up in the tornado of her power.
Weeds erupt from the ground, latching onto ankles and dragging soldiers down, smothering them with the dirt.
Hightower laughs and signals to a man on his right. Wrists in chains, but no collar, he stares at Lily. Her power cuts off. Then he does the same to River.
“River, I don’t think you’ve met Henry,” Hightower says with a smirk. When River doesn’t answer, he shrugs. “Henry has absolutely no offense abilities, which is why he doesn’t have to wear a collar. He’s fantastic as a defensive weapon, though. Nulls everyone’s powers very effectively.”
Lily howls with anger, but River goes silent.
Hightower turns to me. “Tell me, Greer. What are your abilities?”
For some reason, I laugh. “Water. That’s it. Nothing special.”
“Ah, but that’s not true, is it?” He says with a pensive look. “You’re marked, which means you have a second power, correct?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” I reply with a chuckle. This man is going to kill me for my ability to make a stream of water rise or burst out of a pipe. Big whoop. “I’m kind of a dud. Didn’t River tell you?”
River turns sad eyes in my direction. “She hasn’t found a second power. However, she’s beautiful and kind with a big heart. A great kisser, too. I fell for her the moment I looked between the leaves of that bush at the university and haven’t been the same since. That’s her greatest power.”
He looks at his sister. “Lily. I’m sorry I didn’t save you and Mom. All these years. I should have been a better brother. Gotten you two out of here.”
Lily’s bright blue eyes spark with anger. “You’re the best brother. Nobody would have sacrificed so much to save us. I love you, River. Are you ready?”
He smiles at Hightower. “I’m ready, are you?”
Henry’s head explodes, and he drops to the ground. Puzzled, I look from him to the hills beyond the facility and see men and women with guns heading toward us. Quaid’s storming across the field, bullets blazing, while fire flicks out like a whip, burning everything before him. Beside him strides Oliver with his perfect posture, wearing fatigues instead of his usual suit, also firing a gun, but his real power lies with his mind. One look and soldier after soldier surrenders to his will.
I exhale in relief.
