Embers & Ice

Chapter Forty-Seven

The fire was stronger this time. Maybe it was the probability of never being trapped again that fuelled the flame. Maybe being free of her restraint in a place where she was not confined and forced to fight another mutant made it easier to believe there was hope. That escaping was actually possible.

Regardless, the fire had never felt more alive as it swarmed within her. It was hungry for flesh to burn and it gave Hunter a sense of power.

The others were deactivating their restraints in secret, except Fearne who had to turn away from Steel and disarm her head brace privately. The moment their powers were returned to them, it was as if a heavenly light had broken through the oppressive storm clouds. Suddenly, her friends were glowing, pumped and ready rather than gray and sunken and full of defeat. Only Will looked the same.

It’s time to raise hell, she thought with a grin and led the group to the door.

Almost immediately, Steel stepped in front of their exit. He crossed his arms under his pecks and grinned down at them all.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Back to our cells,” Hunter said innocently.

“There’s a problem downstairs. Everyone needs to remain in this hall. Doctor’s orders.”

Hunter opened her mouth to answer back, but Chantal had moved through the crowd and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Let me handle this,” she said sweetly.

Steel’s cocky smile dropped away the moment his eyes fell upon her neck collar. It no longer poisoned her veins and hung there like a chunky necklace. His eyes moved from hers to Fearne gathering the other children and deactivating their restraints. His hand went to his taser.

“Not so fast,” said Chantal in the softest tone, but it was commanding enough to make Steel freeze and stare down at her as though she were a giant bowl of strawberries and ice cream and everything good that ever was. “Drop the taser.”

The weapon slipped out of his hands and clattered to the floor. Marcus scooped it up fast and pointed it at his head.

“Should we give him a taste of his own medicine?” he asked, his finger hovering over the trigger.

“Please make him sing,” Zac begged her.

“We don’t have time.” Hunter shoved Steel away from the door and nodded for everyone to pass. “Hurry!”

But Chantal hadn’t finished. As everyone ran by Hunter, she saw the beautiful blond girl slide closer to Steel. Her eyes were murderously happy. Hunter could just hear her whisper, “I’ve waited a long time for this Steel. You’re gonna regret ever taking advantage of me-” Her gaze met Hunter’s and a glimmer of understanding passed between them, “-you all are. So I want you to grab hold of your little friend down there… and pull as hard as you can until he comes off. Can you do that for me?”

Hunter’s stomach churned as Steel – whose stoic face went whiter than his uniform – reached with an enormous struggle slowly to the zipper of his pants. The spark of justice in Chantal’s eyes was almost poisonous as she gave him a pat on the back and met Hunter in the doorway. They both watched Steel as he turned to them, his pleading eyes filling with tears, every muscle straining and his whole body shaking as he fought to disobey her. But Chantal’s power was too strong for him to refuse.

“You were right,” Chantal said as they turned to the corridor and walked away from the breakfast hall. “Revenge is sweet.”

Steel’s screams followed them even after they ran to catch up with the others.