Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,95
shrugs and jump off the toilet seat. “Okay.”
“What are you doing?” I ask when he reaches for his pants.
He glances down and then back at me, sporting the cutest frown. “Getting dressed.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I can’t let you walk around with poop all over your butt.”
He gasps, widening his eyes. “You said a bad word.”
“Ah, hell. I did. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I won’t tell your mommy.”
“Thanks, buddy. Now come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Five minutes later, half of which I spent washing shit off my hands, we’re finally on our way back to find everyone. We meet with my mother first, but her attention goes straight to the kid.
“Theo, where were you? I’ve been searching for you everywhere.”
“I was with Phoenix. I had to go poo. He wiped my butt.”
I throw my head back and groan. “Go ahead, say it a little louder so everyone can hear it.”
“You helped him in the bathroom?” Mom watches me with eyes that are filled with amusement and surprise.
“Yup. Didn’t have much choice in the matter. Have you seen Daisy?”
“I believe she went out with Xavier.”
“What do you mean, she went out? Where?” I raise my voice. “I thought we were supposed to stay put because it was too risky to go anywhere.”
“Calm down, honey. I’m sure Daisy is safe. Toby and Rufio also went with them.”
“What the fuc—I mean, what the fudge? Why didn’t they wake me?”
Bryce walks out of the room to my right, eating a doughnut. Naturally, if there’s anything with sugar in the area, Mr. Sweet-tooth is the first to find it.
“Relax, bro. They’ll be fine. Have a little faith,” he says.
“I can’t believe you’re okay with this.”
His carefree expression changes swiftly. “I’m not okay. I would have gone with them if I could. But you and I have a target on our backs. Chaos is tracking us through our tattoos, remember?”
Almost as if the son of a bitch can hear us, the tattoo between my shoulder blades begins to burn. I’m so fucking angry, I could destroy things. I settle for stealing Bryce’s breakfast. Using a bit of telekinesis, I pry the treat from his fingers as he was about to take another bite, then stuff the whole thing in my mouth.
“What the hell, Phoenix!”
“Bryce! Language.” Mom looks meaningfully in Theo’s direction.
His remorseful expression makes me laugh, but since my mouth is full of doughnut, I end up choking on it.
“Serves you right,” he pipes up.
Theo pulls on my sleeve. “I’m hungry.”
“Come on, honey. Let’s get you something to eat.” Mom takes his hand and steers him into the room Bryce walked out of earlier.
I swallow the huge lump of food and ask, “Do they have coffee in there? I could use a pick-me-up. I’m so fucking tired.”
“Yeah, there’s some.” Bryce’s line of vision follows my mother and Theo. “It seems the little kid has stolen your mom’s heart.”
“Yeah,” I reply, trying not to let the resentment take hold. I wish I’d had that kind of relationship with her when I was little. All my memories are tainted with pain. “We haven’t heard anything about his father yet?”
“No. But I don’t dare hope he’s alive. There have been many losses among Norms.”
My dark mood plummets completely, and it would have continued its spiraling descent into a pit of despair if I didn’t sense Daisy’s approach just then. Bryce’s spine becomes taut too as he whirls around, facing the front of the warehouse. A minute later, the larger gate opens, and the van we stole drives in. Another car follows. A quick scan reveals there are Idols inside, including a familiar signature.
Bryce and I head toward the vehicles using our Idol speed. Xavier and Toby are the first to exit, but when Daisy finally follows them, my stomach bottoms out. She’s covered in blood.
“Daisy!”
We’re by her side in a flash but refrain from touching her.
“Are you hurt?” Bryce asks.
She shakes her head, not meeting his eyes.
“She killed Delta with her bare hands,” Rufio answers for her.
Rosie comes running and then collides into Toby. A bunch of mushy nonsense leaves her mouth, but I block her out.
Soren and four other guys join our circle, looking grim as fuck.
“Is anyone going to tell us what happened? Did you manage to get the Neo Gods’ headquarters location?’ I ask.
“Yes,” Daisy replies, lifting her face. “I got that from Delta.”
“We came back to acquire weapons and strategize,” Xavier adds.
I crack my knuckles. “Awesome. I can’t wait to inflict some pain.”