Star Gods, стр. 57
Ally and Maliki move to be right in front of us, smile, and go down on one knee.
I shake my head.
“I’m with you, no matter what,” Sage says.
I peer over the crowd. “This isn’t what I want.” Heads lift, eyes fasten on me, and I feel the sudden worry of those before me. “I won’t allow the taking of a life. I won’t allow there to be Assassins.”
“That’s cool,” one says.
“What makes you think we want to take a life?” another adds, and more murmur in response.
“I didn’t ask to be an Assassin, neither did several others,” adds one more. “Does this mean we can go home now?”
“Soon,” I reply. “After Sage and I decide what we stand for.”
“You can’t lead us, you’re a punk-ass half-breed!” someone on my right shouts.
Ally stands from her spot in front of me and Maliki moves closer to Sage.
“Just say the word and I’ll jab my staff where it counts,” Ally says.
Sage chuckles. “I’d actually like to see that.”
I zero in on the group of five men; it’s not that difficult with all the abilities inside of me. I strengthen my link with Sage, she turns, smiles, and I feel as my eyes glow just like hers. I use my mind to latch onto the abilities of the five men, and pull them to be in front of Sage and me. I grasp onto their abilities and take the time to look each in the eye, relishing in their increasing fear. Just because I can, I shove them to their knees and move to look down upon them.
“I’m not Levi,” I say, and one of them spits at my feet. “You’re right—I’m a punk-ass half-breed. I’m a teenager. I attend this school where you, and others like you, tried to hurt innocent humans all because your leader wanted me and my sister dead. Where is your leader now? My sister and I were chosen by a higher power before we were born to stop the likes of you.” I pull on their abilities and panic sets into their eyes.
“Now you’re paying attention. For your information, I’m not a killer. I am omnipotent. I can take the abilities the Star Gods gave you, and my sister and I can use them however we choose.” I crouch before the five and look to each, one by one. “This punk-ass kid is rendering you five powerless.”
I give a second for that information to sink in, then pull their abilities from them. I breathe through the absorption of so many at once, the expressions before me filled with hate. “Star Gods, Assassin or not, harm no one,” I say as I stand.
Luminesce places a hand onto my shoulder, his bright violet eyes almost blinding me, his power raking against mine. He shifts, bending a knee.
I grab his arm and stop him, shaking my head.
His lips form a stiff smile. “You did what I was afraid to do. You removed a threat long ago needing to be stopped. I’m not worthy to lead.”
“We can’t do it all,” Sage says from beside me. “Can we, Zeke?”
“No. We have school to finish, teenage mistakes to make, and when I get grounded someone has to keep a tight hold on all of them.” I tip my head in the direction of the crowd.
Luminesce furrows his brow.
“I can feel everything,” I explain. “The power you hold, your honesty, your fairness, and the feelings from those who follow you. We need you, all of us, to remain in your current position.”
Sage places her hand onto his shoulder. “You will remain the Luminesce, until the day you cannot lead anymore. Then, and only then, will Zeke, or I take your place—or place someone else into your role with the same attributes you possess.”
He nods once. “Thank you, for allowing me another chance.”
I smile. “Sage and I will turn to you for guidance, and we’ll lead together.”
“With your permission, Luminaries and I will take those who refuse to follow, even though they make it look as if they will, unless you need us for something more.”
“You don’t need my permission,” I answer. “Go ahead, but I’ll deal with the one who hides.”
Bright lights blink all around as Luminaries spread out and remove the ones who no longer belong.
“To your feet,” I say to the crowd, as I step around them. “Feel free to converse with one another while I take care of something. Maliki, with me, Ally with Sage—and Sage, will you do the honors, please?”
She smiles. “Of course.” She waves a hand to change the attire of Ally and Maliki to match ours.
“Sweet,” Maliki expresses as he moves into step alongside me while checking out the colored stripes on his shoulder. “What exactly do we stand for?”
“Everything,” I respond.
I link with the one I feel, knowing who it is and wondering why I didn’t know of what he was earlier. All the signs had been there from the first we met. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to see it until now. I can feel eyes on my back as we make our way to the corner of the room where a closet holds extra supplies. The door opens, and Maliki and I stop a few feet away.
“Remain calm, Maliki. All will be fine.”
I feel his confusion turn to concern as Kevin Nelson comes out with Maliki’s dad and brother in front of him; a black rope-like mist encircling their throats, their eyes filled with fear.
“Kevin.” I let the staff I hold absorb into me.
“Back up,” Kevin demands. “You will not lead me.”
I loosely let my arms dangle, and feel the ability Maliki’s brother holds and try not to