Steampunk Time: Cape High Book Seven (Cape High Series 7) Read Free Page B

nod, hoping that she's right, but with Superior in Russia--or whatever they call it these days, and Grandpa Nico still at the drooling stage and called Nicolas, I'm not sure how.  Kenny holds out a Lego to me, distracting me from my thoughts.  "I don't--" I start out.  But I don't what?  Play with babies?  I mean, they're a lot younger than I am now, but when I'm in my time, they're both legends!  Who else would be able to say that they've hung out with America's Son and Technico before the world even knew their names?
    Well, you know, other than everyone that works here?
    "I've got sandwiches!"  I almost jump out of my skin as the door behind me opens and a woman says that.  I twist where I'm sitting, looking up at the woman that's holding a tray of food--
    "Great-aunt Liz?" I ask, stunned.  She has long silver white hair that's piled on top of her head, and a pair of bellbottom jeans on, with a pink camisole, but that's great-aunt Liz's face.
    "Who?" she asks.
    "I--um--sorry, you reminded me of someone," I stutter.  This must be Sparky.  She looks like--but Liz is--I look from Nicolas to Sparky, then back again, my mind whirling.  Grandpa Nico and Great-aunt Liz always just claim to be brother and sister. They don't make a big deal of the half--to the point where I forget about it more often than not--
    But if Tatia is here, how does this lady become Liz's mom?  What happens to Tatia?  I... am thinking too much, because Sparky is looking at me with a frown.  "Who are you?  How did you get in here?" she asks.
    "Um... I came with Tatia," I say.
    "Another of those USSR spies, I bet," Sparky says darkly, putting the platter of food down and bringing up her hands.  "What's your name, where do you come from?" she demands.  "Tell me now or I'll take you down, child or not.  You look old enough to have come into your powers!"
    "I haven't!" I say, getting to my feet, only to blink as tiny arms wrap around my calves, pick me up, and put me down again behind Nicolas.
    "Nico las doesn't like you yelling," Kenny says, getting up and moving beside Nicolas.  That two year old--he just picked me up like I weighed nothing.  He DOES have his powers!  Or at least some of them!  Wow, he must be a complete PAIN to babysit.  "Stop yelling at Kitten," Kenny goes on.
    "She's a stranger," Sparky says.  "You don't even know her real name!  This isn't a daycare, kids, this is a secret base for super heroes--"
    "No!" Nicolas says.  Shouldn't he be hiding or confused right now?  He seems pretty aware of what's going on for being so young!  Not that I know anything about two year olds, really... maybe his intelligence is part of his powers?  I don't know, and honestly considering what's going on, it doesn't matter.
    "My name is Noelle," I say, stepping forward so I'm in front of the two little boys.  I can't let them protect me, they could be hurt, right?  And like I mentioned earlier, if Nico las dies I'm not ever going to be born.  "I'm from the future.  I'm not here to do anything bad."
    She blinks.  "Oh!  Well that makes more sense," she says, picking up the platter again.  "Come on, kids, time for a snack," she says as she heads for the small table in the corner.  Nico las relaxes and reaches up, grabbing my skirt to tug me over to the table.  Kenny gives me a grin.
    "The future?" he asks.  "What's it like?"
    "Um... well this place is a lot bigger?" I offer.  It's not like that sort of information is dangerous, I hope.  I can't give him the same spiel that I gave Morgan about messing up the future.  He's five. 
    "I'm a superhero," he says, sticking his chest out.
    "Uh huh," I agree.  Well, I mean, he IS.  He's a great super.  Besides, I'm not sure what he'd say if I disagreed.
    "And Nico las's a superhero," he decides for me.  "And Missy!  Missy's a superhero, too!  And we wear capes and masks and save people!”
    "Um..."
    "We SAVE PEOPLE," he repeats, looking me in the eye and daring me to