Shades of Gray

Maggi

Maggi had been planning it for days, and it was all panning out just as she had wanted it to. She watched as recognition flashed in his eyes when Kadence had made herself seen. It was quite satisfying. Especially as cold resignation schooled all of his features. 
"What is she doing here?" She could hear the waver in his voice. It only brought a smile to her face. She was very proud at how her costume had come out, especially the voice changer. 
"Oh, her? She works for me. We have a nice little arrangement. You don't need to worry about the details, though." It still surprised her how masculine she sounded. "You should, however, be worried about what will become of the two of you. As you must know by now, I was only keeping Exodus alive to get to you, Dan. But I'm sure you haven't figured out why. Dan you have more influence over him than you think. See if I just...." She trailed off and lunged at him. She grabbed his wrist and Henry jolted and cried out. She burst into laughter, she couldn't help herself. It was pathetic to watch him flail around while Dan writhed in her grip. She dropped him and moved back to the door. "See? He can't help himself if you're in danger. Always the hero, aren't you?" She smiled in a very condescending way. She knew they couldn't do anything against her. The only one with powers was bound and the chair was bolted to the floor, the bolts were strong enough that no matter how strong he tried to take off, he wouldn't be able to. She glanced at the corner she knew Norma was watching from, with Sabrina. They had executed the plan that morning. Norma and Maggi shadow-stepped into her prison cell and whisked her away. They filled her in on what was to come and she was ecstatic. She couldn't believe that Maggi had done what she had failed to : Take down Exodus. She was surprised at how easy it was. Sabrina must not have been as good as Maggi had once believed. "Now, I can let him go." Dan's face contorted into confusion. 
"Let him go? Wait, why? You have your nemesis, why would you let him go?" Maggi smiled again, a larger, toothier smile. 
"He can go free, but you. Will. Stay. I can't let you go now that I know just how far he would go for you. If you were in actual danger, he would be so controllable." She watched as Henry's face drained of color while Dan's remained resigned. She had counted on the fact that he would be expecting problems when he showed up, so she leaned into that. She waited for a minute, waiting for him to say something. 
"What makes you think I'd stay here willingly?" She laughed again. 
"I don't. But one of you will be staying here, it's either him or you." She narrowed her eyes, even though she knew he couldn't see it. She caught his subtle glance at Henry and knew what the outcome would be. "But, maybe you need more encouragement." She nodded her head and saw the shadows begin to materialize. Sabrina stepped out, alongside a now masked and well disguised Norma. The small room they were in was more cramped now, but it was worth it to see the stoicism leeched from Dan's face. Sabrina had cleaned herself up and gotten back into her supersuit. She looked menacing. Perfect. She looked like a villain. Henry thrashed in his chair as Sabrina moved towards Dan. "I will say it one. More. Time. You stay, or he does." Her tone dripped with ice. She dropped the smile and stood up straighter. Dan never took his eyes off of Sabrina, but he could tell he wanted to stare her down. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut through it. She knew because Kadence shifted uncomfortablely. She watched with satisfaction as Dan slowly nodded. Maggi snapped her fingers and Kadence untied Henry and removed the gag from his mouth. His hands were still bound behind his back, but he could move somewhat freely. He ran to Dan and kissed him urgently. The sight made her sick. He whispered something and she grinned at it. 
"I'll come back for you, I promise." Maggi knew for certain that it wasn't true. After Henry left, she would use Dan for a little while, then she would kill him and send his body back to Henry. It would shatter him. It would leave the city defenseless. Sabrina never would have been able to come up with a plan this good. The thought startled Maggi. She didn't know when she had gotten tired of Sabrina, but seven weeks can change a person. She didn't even know how long she would keep Sabrina around. She would be nothing but dead weight. Sure her she was powerful, but that doesn't mean anything when bloodlust outweighs self preservation. Maggi focused on the present once more. She watched as Henry approached her. It seemed like he thought he was going out the front. She smiled and gestured imperceptibly to Norma. She grabbed his arm and they were gone. She smiled as she was left with Dan, Sabrina, and Kadence. She turned to the latter. 
"You are free to go whenever you like, we have some unfinished business." Kadence hesitated before nodding and walking out. She walked towards Sabrina and rested an elbow on her shoulder, casually. Dan squinted. He was clearly confused. Sabrina took off her helmet and rolled her eyes. 
"You still don't know you this is, do you?" He didn't nod or shake his head. But they all knew the answer. 
"Do you want to show him?" Maggi shook her head. 
"No, he'll have to wait and earn that. We can't risk him somehow telling Exodus my identity." She nodded, but she could tell that the answer had displeased her. Dan shifted and Maggi stalked towards him. He took a half step back. "How will we get you back to the lair? We can't have you knowing where it is." As if summoned, Norma reappeared. 
"I could help." Her voice calmed something in Maggi. Something that stirred every time Sabrina looked at her. She nodded. 
"That would be ideal." Maggi grabbed her hand and then seized Dan's. Sabrina put a hand on Maggi's shoulder before they were surrounded by darkness and suddenly in the lair. Maggi inhaled deeply and pushed Dan into the chair they had used for Henry not even two hours ago. She tied him up, which he didn't fight. She was concerned by that, but she did it anyway. She knew him well enough that he was the stoic one out of him and Henry. It made him harder to predict, but still easy enough to handle. She faced him again when she was done with a smile on her face. "I hope you're ready for the worst week of your life."

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!