Footsoldiers: A Super Human Clash Special From Philomel Books Read Free

all the more reason to behave like mortals. Because we are
not
Gods. We are people with gifts. That’s all.”
    Apex said, “The girl is right.” He often called her “the girl” even though she hated it. He went on, “I am sure that Thunder would agree with me, so I will cast his vote for him. That makes three against one, with one abstaining. The Footsoldiers will remain in the shadows for now. Making a press announcement seems so . . . crass. It will make us look like we are seeking fame. That is not what we are about. If the public are to become aware of us, it is better that they do so through our deeds, not our words.”
    Now, that annoyed me. Apex knew that wasn’t what I wanted. I would have voted for taking us public, letting the world know who we were and what we could do.
    I could have thrown my voice then, allowed them to hear my point of view. But Apex’s words had really bugged me. I didn’t like him speaking on my behalf.
    So I shut him up. I was still a couple of miles away at this point, but I didn’t want him to say anything else in my name. I blocked the sound of his voice from reaching the others’ ears. It was a simple trick, one I used mostly at the movies so I could concentrate on the film without being distracted by people crunching popcorn, crinkling bags, coughing.
    At first it was kind of fun listening to the others speculating about what was happening to Apex. Octavian said, “I don’t get it. What’s wrong, Apex?”
    â€œHis voice . . .” Hesperus began. “Apex, nod if you can hear me . . . OK, that’s something at least. The speaker in his helmet must be malfunctioning.”
    I heard the rustle of paper, and Thalamus said, “Just write it down.”
    Then there was the sound of Apex shoving the paper aside. I could hear his boots scraping on the floor, pictured him shuffling about.
    â€œWhat is this? Are we under some sort of attack?” Octavian asked. There was the spark of panic in his voice.
    I was close enough now for the sounds to form an echo-picture of the room. Apex was backing away from the others, gesturing wildly, trying to keep them away.
    Hesperus said, “Octavian, hold him. I’m going to get his helmet off.”
    The warehouse was directly ahead of me, the skylight open as usual. I arced toward it, dropped through.
    Just in time to see Apex whip his massive right arm in Hesperus’ direction. The back of his hand slammed into the side of her head with enough force to knock her across the room.
    I immediately created a cushion of semisolid sound in Hesperus’ path and slowed her down before she hit the wall, then I released Apex’s voice.
    â€œWhat do you think you’re
doing
?” I yelled at him. “She was only trying to help!”
    â€œI did not mean . . . That was an accident.”
    â€œThat was no accident, Apex! You think I can’t tell the difference? I heard your muscles tense as she approached. That was a calculated move.”
    He whirled around, glared at me. “
You
did this! You silenced my voice!”
    I walked over to Hesperus, helped her to her feet. “Yeah. I did. And you deserved it. But you overreacted, you moron.”
    Apex was standing still now, the dark visor of his helmet fixed in my direction. I remember wishing that I could see his expression. You never really knew what he was thinking.
    Hesperus pulled away from me. “I’m all right.” She glared at Apex, then quickly turned away. “I don’t need this. We’re supposed to be a team.” She picked up her ax and sword, then looked back to me, Thalamus, and Octavian. “We have a job to do tonight. When it’s over, you have another decision to make. I will not work with Apex again. So it’s either him or me.”
    She turned away, leaped up to the skylight, and swung herself through.
    Octavian followed