Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,1
I’m heading out.”
The burly bodyguard was shoved to the side and a tall blond man entered his office, commanding Xavier’s attention immediately. Apprehension took hold of Xavier, and at once, he projected his powers to the max. He was only a level six Fringe, but thanks to his ability as a Morph, he could pretend to be a level ten Idol. And Xavier needed to appear stronger than he was, for standing before him was not only a level fifteen Idol, but also one of the leaders of the Knights, a clandestine organization committed to protecting Fringes and Norms from the oppressive hand of the Idol race.
Leonardo made to remove Gunther Silverstone by force, but Xavier lifted his hand to halt him. “It’s fine, Leo. You can go now.”
Silently, he nodded before shutting the door. Silverstone remained where he stood, watching Xavier with dispassionate curiosity.
Xavier sat down, getting comfortable in his chair. It was all a show. Every nerve in his body was crackling with electricity, and all his muscles were stiff. “How can I help you?”
“Xavier Rodale. You’re a hard man to find.”
Xavier narrowed his gaze and clenched his jaw. Very few people knew his last name. “What do you want?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“I’ve seen your picture in the social pages of the newspapers.”
The man smiled tightly. “Let me rephrase. Do you know who I work for?”
Xavier leaned forward, keeping the glower in place while his brain scrambled to find a situation where he might have slipped up, where the likes of Silverstone would suspect the nature of his gift. When he couldn’t think of any, he replied, “You’re part of the Knights.”
The man finally walked forward and then pulled up a chair. When sat down, he seemed relaxed, which only made Xavier tenser.
“That’s right.”
“Why were you looking for me?”
“I have an offer for you.”
“I’m not interested. I have no desire to get embroiled in your illicit activities.” Xavier began to stand up, ready to escort the arrogant Idol out of his office.
“Really? I thought you would be more sympathetic to our cause after we prevented the Neo Gods from murdering your nieces in cold blood.”
At once, Xavier froze. He thought he had been careful, but apparently not, since Silverstone knew about Daisy and Rosie. He sat back down, feeling leery and on edge. He had to be careful about his next words.
“What do you know about them?”
“We know their current location. As a matter of fact, we have been keeping tabs on their movements for a while.”
Son of a bitch, Xavier thought.
“Why?”
“Let’s just say I have a vested interest in keeping them safe.”
Fury erupted from the pit of Xavier’s belly. He had left his nieces alone in order to protect them, but it seemed his sacrifice had been in vain. Leaning forward, he slammed his open palms on his desk. “You stay the hell away from them.”
Silverstone narrowed his cunning eyes. “You should be thanking me. If it weren’t for my agents, they’d be dead by now. You do know what happens to pretty girls who wander far from home.”
Xavier’s stomach twisted savagely. He was young when he left the south, but he remembered the atrocities and violence against young girls and women who didn’t have anyone to protect them. His head felt heavy all of a sudden, so he dipped his chin, closing his eyes for a moment.
“I’m not trying to rub salt in your wound. I’m offering my help. I can take the girls from the streets and place them in a safe house until you’re ready to claim them.”
Xavier lifted his head to stare Silverstone in the eye. He was usually a good judge of character, but he was having a hard time figuring out the Idol in front of him.
“What do you want in return?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“I want you to come work with me.”
Xavier’s eyebrows shot up while his blood ran cold. “Why?”
“Because I could use someone with your special skills.”
Fear gripped Xavier’s insides, twisting them in a merciless vise. His heart pounded against his rib cage as he stared at the Idol. “My special skills?” he asked finally.
“I know what you are, Xavier.”
Xavier’s stomach bottomed out, and the instinct to flee took over. He would do it if his nieces’ lives weren’t on the line.
“And you still want me to work with you?”
“Yes. I’m not like the majority of Idols. I don’t destroy people out of fear. And I know your kind has been hunted to near extinction.”