Fall of Heroes Read Free

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    There were Deputies everywhere. Alex and his companions crossed to opposite sidewalks as casually as possible whenever they popped up. The Deputies were always stopping someone, frisking them, asking them questions about who they were and where they were going. Alex tried to make some sort of sense out of who they chose to interrogate, but it seemed completely random. Around them, the rest of the crowd seemed blissfully ignorant of what was going on. Alex even heard some passersby thanking the Deputies. They welcomed the added sense of security.
    â€œThe Deputies think they’re doing the right thing,” Mallory said. “They think they’re Rangers.”
    â€œThey’re acting like thugs,” Kyle said.
    â€œCome on.” Kirbie nodded her werewolf head forward. “We’re almost there.”
    The buildings were getting shorter the farther they walked from the center of the city, until they were only a few stories tall. Still, the streets were scattered with handfuls of people in costumes. After a few more blocks, they finally reached their destination: the Sterling City Museum of Art and History. The museum was open to the public for the festival, but they had no time to stop and admire the ancient stone columns or suits of armor as they hurried through the inside—though Alex made a mental note of all the daggers and swords they passed, just in case they might come in handy. Soon they were on a back lawn surrounded by a tall stone fence. In the center of the space was a sandstone replica of Stonehenge, one of the museum’s most well-known exhibits.
    â€œWell,” Alex said, turning to the others. “This is it.”
    They nodded to him.
    â€œLet’s make a scene,” Kirbie said.
    Alex wrapped his thoughts around Mallory and lifted her up onto one of the tallest stones in the exhibit. She slipped off her mask and flung her jacket to the grass, revealing her old Beta uniform top. The silver skull of Cloak gleamed in the sun. Alex, Kirbie, and Kyle stood on the ground below her.
    â€œCitizens of Sterling City,” Mallory shouted in her most authoritative voice. “My teammates and I demand to speak to the New Rangers. Call for them. Send them here. And then leave this place before you find yourself in harm’s way.”
    There was a restless movement through the crowd. One man spoke up.
    â€œWhat, are we supposed to be afraid of a bunch of kids?”
    â€œIs this some kind of prank?” someone else asked.
    â€œDon’t make us ask you again,” Alex said.
    With that Kirbie transformed. The vinyl werewolf mask split and fell apart, revealing a very real blond she-wolf. She leaned back, her toothy snout pointing into the air, and let out a monstrous howl. The bystanders screamed, panicked, and rushed back into the museum.
    The site had been Kyle’s idea. Public enough that they could get the New Rangers’ attention, but small enough that any bystanders could evacuate safely and efficiently. The lawn was surrounded by huge, solid walls. The only way in or out was through the doors at the back of the museum—doors that Mallory was already melting together, rendering them practically impenetrable.
    Kyle took a few seed pouches from his pocket, but replaced them when he noticed an old shade tree planted near a few benches and tables. He hurried over to it and rubbed a hand on its trunk, coaxing its branches to grow and thicken, feeling out its root systems.
    â€œI’ve got a good tree here,” Kyle said. “This’ll definitely come in handy.”
    â€œGood,” Alex said. “Let’s see if we can lure a few of the New Rangers over there. Yeah?”
    Kyle murmured something, and the still-expanding tree slammed a branch down onto the ground.
    â€œYeah,” Kyle said as the tree straightened itself once more. “Do that.”
    Alex and Kirbie stood back to back, their eyes darting all around,