16. Deal

*Rebel POV*

The doors weren’t locked. I made my way inside what appeared to be a cottage abandoned by its owner over half a century ago, or so I guessed. All the windows were secured with wooden planks and nails, ensuring not a single beam of sunlight could sneak through.

The interior had become a perfect sanctuary for bats clinging to the ceiling, glaring at me and making angry noises, probably protesting my intrusion.

I scanned the area, half-expecting some imposing figure to step out of the shadows and reveal themselves, especially considering the challenging words they had used in their message. But nothing happened. I was left disappointed.

"You still have time to get on your knees and beg for mercy. I might let you off with a slap on the wrist—if I feel generous," I said mockingly.

Still nothing.

I began to wonder if someone had given me the wrong address just to mess with me.

Suddenly, a blinding light flashed in my face. I flinched at the harsh brightness and blinked rapidly to adjust to the new setting.

A projection flickered to life on a white sheet hanging on the wall, like some sort of makeshift screen.

My fists clenched, electricity tingling along the soft skin of my palms, sparks threatening to break free, as I registered the image on the screen. It was footage of Ryan tied to a pole. His hair and clothes were a complete mess, his cheeks smeared with tears. The pain etched across his face tugged at my heart.

This was all my fault. I should have been more careful with him.

Blame consumed me. Ryan never wanted to be part of Evan’s world, and Angelina had vowed to protect him from it. I had stepped into Evan’s place to ensure Ryan could live the life he wanted.

But we failed. We failed to keep him away from the shadow of our shady lives.

Ryan was my only hope after I had lost everything in an accident. My past was a dark mystery that haunted me every night. He had held my hand when I was utterly alone. He became my family, my first friend in what felt like forever.

He was the light I clung to, my tether to a better life.

Seeing him suffer did something to me.

I lost control.

A surge of energy shot through my palms, a beam of light ripping through the air and striking the projector. It shattered into pieces in an instant.

But the destruction did nothing to calm me.

The tension only heightened when a certain someone made a sudden entrance—the person behind all of this.

I launched an attack without hesitation, discarding any thoughts of restraint or civilian safety I had planned to maintain.

One way or another, this bastard was going to lead me to my brother. Dead or alive—that was entirely up to him.

I didn’t hold back, letting my lightning powers wreak havoc as I made an example of him. No one would ever dare to harm my family again, let alone target them.

Blinding light filled the room, and the crack of bones—or what I thought were bones—echoed in the space.

“What a grand welcome! I expected nothing less from the great queen,” he exclaimed, standing tall with a pleased grin on his face.

What infuriated me the most was how blindsided I had been. How could I have missed this?

He wasn’t just some ordinary college kid. He had stopped my attack effortlessly, without so much as flinching.

How? No one could do that.

Did he have powers like mine?

No, it wasn’t the same. I could never do what he had just done.

So, we were alike, yet different.

I had always wondered if there were others like me. I had even tried to find them, but all my efforts had been in vain—until now.

This was the first time I had encountered someone like me.

But that didn’t change the fact that he wasn’t a friend.

He looked different today. His aura was no longer a scaredy cat who was afraid of college bullies or cowering under the blanket at the mention of monsters.

His brown eyes were oozing with confidence, like he knew what he was doing and calculated every step carefully.

He tilted his head, the amused grin never leaving his face. “You’re not the only one with tricks up your sleeve, Queen. Didn’t Evans tell you there’s a bigger world out there? Or did he keep you in the dark, afraid you’d outshine him?”

The mention of Evans was like a match to dry tinder. The sparks in my palms flared, crackling angrily as my fingers twitched. What does Evan have to do with it? Why did he mention him?

This bastard was toying with me, and I was in no mood for games.

“I didn’t come here to listen to your bullshit,” I snarled, taking a step forward. “Where is Ryan? If you so much as touched a hair on his head, I swear I’ll—”

“You’ll what? Fry me? Burn me to a crisp?” He laughed, a deep sound that grated on my nerves. “Go ahead, give it a shot. But I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re willing to lose your only leverage.”

His words stopped me cold. My electricity fizzled out as doubt crept in. Leverage? What leverage? I had the power to obliterate him, yet he stood there, so confident, so untouchable.

I don't know what his powers are other than to shield against lightning. But also he has no idea I could use other elements as well.

He must have seen the hesitation in my eyes because his grin widened. “That’s right. You’re not stupid. You know Ryan’s still alive, but whether he stays that way depends entirely on how you behave.”

My fists clenched, the muscles in my jaw tightening as I forced myself to keep my temper in check. “What do you want?” I demanded, my voice low and cold.

Why would he go to the extent of being friends with Ryan, gaining access to the mansion before kidnapping my brother, just to mess with me? I don't think so.

“What I want is simple,” he said, pacing in a slow circle around me. “Your cooperation.”

I scoffed. “You think I’d have a nice chat over coffee with you? You kidnapped my brother!”

“Correction,” he said, stopping in front of me, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “I am the only chance you got to save your brother.”

I didn’t believe him. I couldn’t believe him. “You expect me to believe you?” I asked bitterly.

“No,” he said, his tone turning serious. “I expect you to listen. Because if you don’t, Ryan won’t be the only one who pays the price.”

I took a slow, measured breath, my instincts screaming at me to strike him down, to tear the truth from him by force. But I couldn’t risk Ryan’s life. Not until I knew more.

And there was something else underneath the layers. I don't feel any threat coming from him. I must be crazy not to.

I have no idea who this guy is and what he is capable of doing.

“Fine,” I said finally. “I’m listening. But if I don’t like what I hear, you’re not leaving this room in one piece.”

His grin returned, as if he’d already won. “Fair enough. Here’s the deal: I will give you Ryan's location and in return you promise to meet me tomorrow.”

I stared at him, trying to read any sign of a lie but found none.

I'm skeptical about trusting him but what other option do I have?

In the end I agreed.