Free Overpowered (Powered Trilogy #2) by Cheyanne Young Page A

tip,” Max says. “Keep to yourself. Don’t talk to these bastards so you don’t get locked up again. President Might will return soon and put an end to this nonsense. For now, please accept my apology on behalf of the entire Hero Brigade.”
    I decide to take it one step further. “Let me see your MODs,” I tell the released prisoners as they shuffle toward the door. “Go to Central’s cafeteria and eat as much food as you want. It’s all on us.” I click my BEEPR to theirs, transferring a one time unlimited food pass onto their wrist devices. That’s just one of the cool benefits of being a Hero that I haven’t yet taken advantage of. My chest swells with pride when I see how happy this small gesture makes them. This is what Heroism is all about. Helping people.
    You know, with a little ass kicking when necessary.
    All three of my Hero colleagues don’t shut up once we reach the tunnels again. They’re all just as fuming mad as I am about the Dungeon and how those Supers were treated. I agree, of course, but I don’t say much. My mind is on Evan and how much I miss him, Nova and how conflicted I am about the safety of her future, and also on my dad and when he’s going to get back and fix all of this mess. Being a Hero is my number one duty, but finding these missing Supers will be like finding a pebble in a canyon full of gravel.
    My BEEPR rings. The name on my screen makes me stop. “It’s Dad!”
    Max jumps to my side, peering over my shoulder to get a good view of the call. Only when I press the answer button, Dad’s face doesn’t appear on the screen. He’s doing a voice-only call. My stomach hurts when I realize the reason why he doesn’t want us to see him. “Dad?” I answer.
    “Maci,” he says. And it isn’t at all the way he normally says my name. It isn’t happy or relieved to finally be speaking to me. It’s not even sad or mournful. It’s…I glance up and find everyone watching me with curious expressions. Max’s big head is squashed against my ear as he tries to eavesdrop. He doesn’t need to be this close though because Dad’s voice is so loud it echoes throughout the tunnels. “Would you like to tell me why we suddenly have a pet dog? Oh yeah, and why my supposedly dead daughter is sitting in my office, wearing your pajamas?”

 
    Crimson and Nyx want blood. Max makes a series of arguments for why they shouldn’t immediately turn in Nova for depowering. They’re such compelling reasons, they had to have been rehearsed ahead of time. Probably the same excuses Max tells himself all day long. The thing is, Heroes are brave and pure and just. They see things as black and white. They’re loyal to the Hero cause. I’ve taken all the same training as they have but I don’t think the same way they do. I now know that’s because I have the evil DNA. I am the evil twin.
    Born evil but not raised evil. I can see beyond black and white and into the grey area that encompasses my sister’s life. Yes, I am a Hero and I am loyal to protecting innocent lives from harm. But I will not condemn my sister to death when I don’t believe that she is guilty.
    We arrive at my house a few seconds later, all of us having ran the entire way here. My breathing is labored but that isn’t from the run. I am terrified of what my friends will do to Nova.
    Crimson touches my shoulder when we walk inside the living room. The sad smile on her face is neither comforting nor helpful. Is she smiling because everything will be okay? Or because she feels bad for making me watch when she captures my refugee?
    Nyx radiates power as he trails on Max’s heels through our house, down the hallway and into Dad’s office. It’s because of Max’s severe shoulder width that he’s able to prevent Nyx from slipping around him and getting there first.
    The scene is so weird it’s almost comical.
    Dad’s office, with giant mahogany desk and walls of bookshelves, plaques and photos. Nova standing in the corner,