Free Vanguard: The Complete Second Season: A Superhero Serial (Vanguard: The Collected Seasons Book 2) by Percival Constantine

each of their faces. “I’m guessing you’re talking about those werewolves we dealt with?”
    “Fenris and his little lapdogs,” said the Ferryman. “They’ve been a pretty consistent pain in our ass.”
    “So why put up with them?” asked Koji, folding his arms and leaning against the wall.  
    “Arcadia is open to all specials as long as they play by the rules,” said the Exemplar. “Fenris is headstrong, but he hasn’t broken any laws yet. More of a nuisance than anything.”
    Tuwa stepped closer to Koji and Erin. “You must both be tired after your trip. I can show you to a place you can stay.”
    Erin was about to speak, but Koji put a hand on her shoulder and interrupted before she could say a word. “Actually, we’re just looking around right now.”
    “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. And if Arcadia’s not for you, the Ferryman will take you back whenever you’re ready to go,” said the Exemplar. “Tuwa, can you show them where they can rest?”
    She nodded. “Of course.” Tuwa led Erin and Koji from the building and back down the hill and into town. She glanced behind at them every now and then as she spoke. “You’re part of Vanguard?”
    “Were,” said Erin. “We were sh—separated.” She was about to say, “shut down,” but then decided it was better not to reveal their connection with the government. Even if Vanguard was truly over, she didn’t want to take any chances.
    “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “Kinda got the impression that we don’t have a lot of fans out here,” said Koji.
    Tuwa snickered. “Because of the Pack? They don’t speak for everyone here.”
    “We did smack around your founder.”
    “Yes, but then you also helped him escape from the Red Fist,” said Tuwa. “Callum’s a good man. He admits he made some mistakes when he first discovered his powers and now he’s trying to make amends. That’s what Arcadia’s all about—a second chance.”
    After they reached the foot of the hill, Tuwa took them to a small structure near the edge of the town. There was a bathroom, two bedrooms, and a small kitchen attached to a sitting room. Some furniture but not much. The bedrooms weren’t as big as the ones Koji and Erin had grown accustomed to in Atlas, but they would do for now.
    “You can stay here. Sorry we’ve got to double you up for now, but we’re running short on space,” said Tuwa.  
    “It’s fine,” said Erin.
    “I’ll let you get settled. It’s good to meet you both.” Tuwa nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
    Erin sat down on the couch in the sitting room, looking up at Koji. “So what do you think? Pretty nice, huh?”
    Koji sighed and sat beside her. “Yeah, except for Fenris and his crew.”
    “You heard what the Ferryman said. The Pack has always been a pain.”
    “I dunno, Erin.” Koji scratched his head and sat back. “Something about this just doesn’t feel right to me. Maybe I’m just suspicious of the Exemplar.”
    “He did help us stop the Khagan. Plus you heard what Tuwa said—he’s trying to make up for his mistakes,” said Erin. “If he wants to change, shouldn’t we give him a second chance?”
    “You’re probably right. I just don’t like it.”  
    Erin scoffed and stood, crossing her arms. “Just what else do we have? Not just us but the rest of these people. You saw what some of them looked like. Where are they supposed to go?”
    “I’m not saying it’s a bad place,” said Koji. “I’m just suspicious of the Exemplar, that’s all. I know they said this is some kind of democracy, but did you see that place up on the hill? And the way everyone looked at him when he broke up the fight with the Pack? Feels like despite talk of a democracy, these people look at the Exemplar like he’s their savior.”
    Erin sighed and sat beside Koji, patting his hand. “Please, just give it a chance? Just a few days. If you still don’t like it, then we’ll leave.”
    Koji hesitated