Fall of Heroes Read Online Free PDF Page B

piece of wood was replaced by two sturdier branches, like some sort of Hydra. At Kyle’s command, the tree slammed Titan back and forth from the ground to the nearby brick wall.
    Mallory ran and began firing off icy blasts at Volt. Kirbie leaped from stone to stone, taking swipes at Photon. It was a tricky situation—they needed to fight the man, to keep him busy, but they didn’t really want to injure him. He was a Ranger, and his actions were not his own. Using his control over magnetic and electromagnetic waves, Photon darted through the air. With a wave of his hand, a metal bench flew toward Mallory, wrapping itself around her and trapping her near Stonehenge. She grunted, pouring subzero temperatures into the restraints, then rammed herself into one of the stones that made up the exhibit. The metal fell to the ground.
    The extent of Alex and his new teammates’ training in the prior weeks was unmistakable. Alex wondered if his mother noticed this, and if so, if she was proud despite the situation.
    His target was his mother. After all, he was the only one who knew how to fight off her attacks. He kept his mind wrapped in telekinetic energy. There were flashes of silver behind Shade’s sunglasses as her thoughts pushed against his shield. She looked at him with a mixture of disappointment and curiosity, as if she couldn’t quite figure out how to approach him.
    Without warning, Shade pulled a pistol from her belt holster and fired. The bolt of energy that shot out came within a few inches of Alex’s chest before his thoughts batted it away. It landed on the ground, scorching a small bit of grass. With a single sharp thought the gun flew from her hands, slamming against one of the sandstone slabs.
    â€œJust checking,” his mother said casually. “I’m happy to see you’ve been honing all the skills I taught you.”
    Technically things were going well: if his mother was focused on him and keeping Photon on the field, she would learn none of their secrets. He was suddenly thankful for her powers. Telepathy was an incredibly useful and dangerous skill to have, but Alex had perfected his defense against it. Shade could fire all the weapons she wanted at him, but she had trained him too well against such attacks. If she wanted to fight him, she’d have to use someone else or get in close. As long as he could keep her at a distance, he would be fine. He could use his own powers to keep her at bay.
    He wouldn’t have to worry about actually attacking his mother.
    â€œI’ve thought of this moment many times, Alexander.” She walked slowly, circling him. “Have dreamed of it, even. Though I have to admit that in my dreams you’re usually on your knees, begging me to allow you back into our ranks.”
    â€œThat’s never going to happen,” Alex said. He thought about when he’d met Novo in the alleyway. She had taken his mother’s form, offering him a place back with Cloak that he had rejected. In a strange way, it had prepared him for this moment. He wondered if his mother knew about that incident. If she had been changed by knowing what his response had been that day.
    â€œSo, why are you here, then?” Shade asked. She stopped circling. Alex’s back was to the museum building. He could see the others fighting, doing an admirable job of keeping Photon and Titan and Volt in check. Titan shouted in the tree. Kirbie leaped from one of the taller stones and dragged Volt to the ground, catching him by surprise.
    Shade continued. “Do you want to bargain for the city? Or is it just a fight you want? To see if you’re really ready to take on dear old Mom and Dad?”
    â€œThe way I see it, I’ve already won.” He had to keep her talking, to keep her focused on him.
    â€œOh? Please explain that to me.”
    â€œI beat you,” Alex said. “I was supposed to be your biggest victory, and look at me now. I got