Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,19
engine.
“Guys, you need to add more juice. There’s a massive wave coming our way,” Rufio warns.
I glance over my shoulder and curse when I see the monstrous wall of water that will for sure crush us.
“We’re not going to make it!” Morpheus yells.
I want to tell him he’s wrong, but there’s no time. The wave catches up with us, sending our boat to the depths of the ocean when it folds on top of our heads. All I feel at first is an intense pressure that keeps me from moving. My body is like a rag doll being yanked around by a rabid dog. Then comes the burning in my lungs. I’m drowning in a sea of bubbles and foam.
I can’t see shit, but I have to pick a direction and go for it before the lack of oxygen makes me pass out. I kick my legs with everything I have, and after what feels like an eternity, I break through the surface with a loud gasp. The storm is still raging, and the sea is even more violent than before.
“Rufio! Phoenix! Morpheus!” I yell as loud as I can.
The first bobbing head I see is Phoenix’s. I swim in his direction, fucking glad he listened to me and wore his life vest. I reach for the strap and turn him around. “Are you okay?”
His eyes are wide and frightened. The arrogance from earlier is gone. Now he just looks like the kid that he is.
“Yeah. Where are the others?”
“I don’t know.”
I search our perimeter, seeing nothing but dark waves and small pieces of wood—the remains of our boat.
“Bryce!” Rufio calls in the distance.
I reply, and we play a wicked game of Marco Polo until finally I spot my brother’s dark head swimming in our direction. He’s dragging Morpheus with him. Thank goodness.
“Is he alive?” Phoenix asks when Rufio reaches us.
“I’m fi-fine,” Morpheus replies. “S-so very co-cold.”
“Can you still tell us where that island of yours is?” I ask.
In that moment, a cascade of lightning slashes the sky, hitting the beach of a tropical island several times. In the last hit, the face of an angry man seems to appear in the dark clouds. It’s gone in the blink of an eye.
“Did you see that?” Phoenix asks.
“Yeah,” Rufio replies. “I thought I imagined it.”
“Come on. We have to reach the island before it disappears from view.”
“This is a mistake,” Morpheus whines.
“Shut up, mummy boy. You were the one who told us to get to the island,” Rufio retorts angrily.
Morpheus doesn’t complain about the nickname like he did before. He keeps repeating, “This is a mistake,” all the way to the shore.
8
Morpheus
The cab drops Andromeda and me off in front of a huge mansion in one of the best neighborhoods in Hawk City—and also one with the highest prices for square footage in the country. Disgust spreads through my chest like a disease. It’s not surprising that this Nathaniel guy, being a demigod, is swimming in riches. Until Daisy came into my life, I never stopped to think about the inequality in the distribution of wealth. My parents weren’t rich, but we lived comfortably. I’m ashamed to admit I let my Idol status go to my head and adopted the majority’s way of thinking that the only people who mattered were Idols.
Three large security guards—all high-level Fringes—block our path when we approach the gates. I’m quick to assess their levels, confirming what I suspected. They’re on the cusp of Idol status. All three are level nine. But you won’t see an Idol working security detail. That’s not how our world works. I wonder if they’re Neo Gods agents.
“This is a private party. Please leave at once,” one of them says.
“I’m a guest. Andromeda Belfor,” she replies with an air of boredom.
The second security guard glances at the tablet in his hand, and after a moment, he looks at Andromeda, then at me. I don’t miss the scrutiny he gives my ensemble.
“I need to see some form of ID,” he tells her.
Her aura flares up as her power surges within her small frame. She takes a step forward, revealing her golden chains, which are now pointing at the guy. “Is this identification enough for you?”
The corners of my lips twitch up. It’s hard to contain my amusement when three grown-ass men look terrified in front of the force of nature that’s Andromeda. I’m fucking glad she’s on our side.
“No, that’s plenty. Welcome to the party, miss.” They part, allowing us to pass.