The People with Useless Power

Chapter Three

"Well, would you look at that, someone is actually relaxed here," Vincent's voice rang through her terror, and Emily popped up after a few moments of hesitation to see Vincent, Grayson, and another girl with purple hair, tan skin, and glowing purple eyes.

"I was relaxed," she growled. "What is it?"

"Housewarming party!" another voice squealed, sounding childlike and innocent, and a little girl pushed through the adults, only looking about six. She ran up and hugged Emily's waist tightly. "I'm Alana! Nice to meet you!"

Emily choked out a hello and patted her black, wavy hair.

"I think it's time to let go, Alana," the purple-haired woman said gently, stepping up and detaching the girl from Emily. She looked up, her glowing eyes almost blinding Emily when they sparkled, and she held out her hand.

"I'm Lavender," she gestured to her chest with her other hand.

"Obviously," she muttered, and Lavender chuckled quietly. "I'm Emily."

"Emily," Lavender repeated, "you don't look like an Emily at all. You look like a... like an Angelina."

"Nah, she looks like an idiot," Vincent commented with a wave of his hand. Grayson rolled his eyes and sat on Emily's bed, and Vincent followed him, laying his head on his shoulder and closing his eyes.

"Annnnnnnnywaay," Grayson said, dragging out the words, "we have to go to dinner in an hour, so we came by to get to know you."

"Actually, Mara- I mean, Unknown, said that I'd have to go to her office," Emily explained. She then glanced around at their widening eyes. "What?"

She felt a small hand latching onto her wrist. "Don't go!" Alana cried out. "Leave while you still can! So many rules... so many regulations... so much training and work and..."

"It's okay, Alana," Lavender whispered, detaching her and picking her up. Vincent opened his eyes and stood up, dragging Emily backwards as Alana tried to lunge out of Lavender's arms.

"I'll bring her to the office," Vincent said in the most serious tone manageable. Grayson stood and reached for Vincent's wrist, but he snatched it away.

"You can't go, you'll get a panic attack," he growled.

"I'm going," Grayson hissed back.

"Remember what she did to your brother?" Gray looked away, and Vincent continued. "And besides, you're good with children. I'm not, I'll never be."

Vincent walked up to Grayson and whispered something into his ear. He nodded, rubbed his eyes, and joined Lav.

He turned and walked out of the door. Emily followed, pulling up statistics as she went.

Chance of death: ???

Nothing like that had ever come up.

...

Vincent knocked on the ebony door, the only door in the hallway with no light. The way there had been completely silent.

"When you go in," Vincent suddenly said, "don't be surprised when... just don't lose your mind." He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, slowly becoming transparent from head to toe. Emily stared. Was his power invisibility? That didn't seem... right.

Mara opened the door slightly, only showing one empty gray-black eye. She pulled the door open all the way and leaned on the doorframe, draped in a black, sheer cloak. Mara obviously forgot she was going to have visitors; her hair was down, she was wearing slippers, and the cloak looked like pajamas.