Galilee Rising(6)

"I don't know why she's making this so difficult," Liberty says behind me.

I scoff and spin around again. "You barge into my home, insult me, and pretty much demand to use my computer. Excuse me if I'm a little bitchy."

Tempest glances back at Liberty, who folds her arms across her chest. "You're right," Tempest says. "We're sorry."

"Thank you. Bye, now."

"Jesus! She's being ridiculous!" Liberty snaps. "We're here to help you! You should be thanking us for uprooting our lives to save this crappy city, not giving us shit!"

"This crappy city doesn't need you to save it, thank you very much. We're fine."

"Not even you can be that thick," Liberty sneers.

My eyes narrow at her. "Just leave."

"Not until you say yes," Liberty says. "You know you will eventually."

"And why the hell would I?"

"Because," Nightingale says, speaking for the first time. The other two stare at him in surprise. "You're a good person. Because you care about this city and the people within it. Because you know we can help. And because…it's what Justin would want. That's why."

Shit. Double shit. A huge part of me wants to kick them the hell out of this house and seal the doors. I want nothing to do with any of this. Of them. I don't want them anywhere near me. The last time I was dragged into the super world I was shot at, beaten, burned, kidnapped, bombed, spent a day in a coma, and watched as my soul mate killed himself to save me. Not looking for a repeat. I've given enough for this city.

But he's right. Hell, they're all right. This city needs them. No one else is offering. I can't really see a downside, at least for Galilee. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Goddamn, being a good person sucks so much.

So in spite of all the reasons why not, the word, "Fine," escapes my lips. And I know I've sealed my fate.

Tempest smiles. "Thank you."

"Whatever," I say. "You'll need the manual and emergency phone. It alerts you to all major crimes." I collect them from the drawer and hand them to Tempest.

Nightingale steps forward and takes them instead. "Thank you," he mutters with a nod before moving away.

"Welcome."

"You've done a good thing," Tempest says.

For who? "Bully for me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to finish up what I was doing so I can go to bed. Use the ramp in the corner to get out. It leads down to the beach. I don't want the neighbors to see you."

"Of course," Tempest says. "Team?" He turns to leave and starts walking. Liberty gives me a shiteating grin before following, and Nightingale lowers his head as if embarrassed before trailing behind as well.

I watch as the first two disappear, but Nightingale stops at the exit. He turns around, head still hung and unable to look at me. "Um…have-have a pleasant evening," he says before literally flying away.

"Okay," I mutter. With a sigh, I fall back into my chair and just sit for a minute. "Shit." Just when I think I'm out, they suck me right back in.

At least this time I have nothing left to lose.





CHAPTER TWO




New Acquaintances



I hate this hospital. I hate this fucking hospital so much I seriously considered buying it outright, leveling it to the ground and dancing around the ashes. I was kidnapped here. My soul mate died here. Now, at least twice a month, I'm subjected to hours of torture here as a bunch of rich assholes blather on about cutting beds for indigent people and upping costs to make the hospital more profitable. Sadly, along with the billions I inherited, also came several board positions including those for both museums, the zoo, Restoration Society, hospital, and others I can't remember. I prefer my old method of giving back: slapping cuffs on criminals. Feels like I'm working with them now.

As Danforth Mills drones on about a new drug trial, my mind wanders to my new best friends. I was up late last night pulling every clipping, news report, and even police file on the Triumvirate. The computer database was no help. It seems Justin deleted all the files on superheroes. This pissed me off all over again. Even in death he didn't trust me. As if I'd walk up to someone and shout, "Hey, aren't you Olympia?" My manners aren't that bad. So I had to do it the hard way. I yawn from the memories.

They formed about five years ago when King Tempest was just Tempest, Lord Nightingale was The Nightingale. Liberty, always a Lady, was first on the superhero scene a year before, working solo until Nightingale, and then Tempest arrived to steal her glory. They all did okay alone with Liberty defeating Bully, Nightingale recovering priceless paintings from a ring of thieves, and Tempest rescuing an ambassador from a kidnapper. Best I can tell, their paths crossed while they were all tracking down a meth manufacturer whose stuff was poisoning idiotic college students. They stopped the bad men with guns together and decided to team up. So the men crowned themselves nobility and went out to kick ass with the Lady.