Page 43 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

“Actually, with my transportation options, I’m never really surrounded.” He gestured to a painting of the Sydney Opera House. “In two seconds, we could be halfway around the world.”

“But what if they shoot you in one?”

He stiffened. “I don’t think they’ll shoot me. I’m still a pretty popular guy.”

“You’ve only helped people,” she agreed. “And maybe they won’t shoot you with bullets. But they might decide to shoot a hundred tranquilizers into you and ask questions later. What would happen then?”

Catastrophe. If he lost consciousness, they may not allow him to regain it until they were certain he couldn’t escape.

“All will be well. We’re here alone and–” A shrill ringing cut off his words.

He answered the call, tightening with every word his security head uttered.

He rubbed his wrists, tried not to imagine them with restraints.

“Apparently, we have guests. Agent Andrews and Dr. Garrison threatened to arrest anyone who didn’t let them pass. ”

Everleigh paled.

“We’re still okay.” He didn’t mention they’d brought dozens of armed officers, who stayed downstairs only after his team threatened legal action. If needed, they could be up within seconds. “It would look worse if we fought them.”

The door to his office opened without a knock. He did not even attempt a smile.

“Mr. Stone, Miss Lacey.” Agent Andrews gave a curt nod.

“How are you doing?” Dr. Garrison offered a slight smile.

“Gentlemen.” Alexander looked between the two, hesitating briefly on the agent. His jacket seemed bulkier than normal. He used his powers to look under the top layer and sucked in a breath.

The hidden arsenal included two tranquilizer guns.

“Did you hear?” Dr. Garrison smiled wider. “The hostage who was shot at the bank has improved significantly and is now expected to survive.”

Muscles loosened ever-so-slightly. He’d been following the man’s progress, yet today’s events had usurped all attention. It was welcome news.

“You seem relieved.”

The agent’s comment tempered the relief. “Of course. Everyone was hoping for his recovery.”

The two men exchanged a glance. “I’m surprised you’re not down in the action,” Everleigh broke in, gesturing to the window. “The excitement is down there.”

“Actually, I believe we’re exactly where the action is going to be.”

Everleigh didn’t quite hide her gasp. Both men noticed. “Are you sure you don’t want to admit anything now?” Agent Andrews smoothed his jacket, tracing the tranquilizers underneath. “It would be easier if we got everything out in the open, talked about things.”

“He doesn’t have anything to say,” Everleigh interjected.

Agent Andrews stared at her, his lips curving into a humorless smile. “If today doesn’t work out, we may need to talk more, Miss Lacey.”

“I have nothing to say,” she retorted.

“That may not be your choice.”

Alexander opened his mouth to respond, stopped when a booming voice sounded from below. The four looked down in silence as Timothy Evans stepped to the podium, flanked by his science-fiction fan legions.

“Thank you for coming.” His voice reverberated across the crowd, echoing through numerous loudspeakers. “You’re in for the surprise of a lifetime. The hero isn’t some nameless figure, but someone you already know. Someone who is powerful and famous, a leader in this community and beyond.”

Danger ignited as Evans effectively cut the list of possible culprits to an elite few, including, of course, him. Everleigh sent him a sideways glance, while Agent Andrews and Dr. Garrison afforded longer, poignant glares. He remained focused on the speaker.

“Before I reveal the hero, I’ll explain how I reached my conclusion.

First, I only considered people who resembled the hero – large, muscular, powerful men.

Then I investigated whether anyone appeared at the different scenes, in police reports, photographs or by word of mouth.

Imagine my shock when I found a man who fit the description perfectly. ”

Alexander clenched his fists, as Evans continued, “This man was in far more than his share of police reports, typically as a bystander. Many of these contained unexplained and almost miraculous saves. Our hero has been operating far longer we realized.”

Stay calm. Focus. He couldn’t deal with the situation if he couldn’t control his emotions.

“Before I reveal him, I want to explain my intentions. I have no desire to hurt him. There will be questions, and some people may be fearful, but remember he has done nothing but rescue people. He should be treated as a hero, yet the world also deserves to understand the special person – or people – who inhabit it. What powers does he have? Where did he come from? We want to share in his life. And now we can.” He smiled widely.

The man might mean no harm, yet he had no idea of the consequences of his actions.

Likely, he’d be seized by the government immediately, and if not, his every move would be watched – by officials, scientists and nearly everyone on the planet.

He didn’t need recognition or accolades, he just wanted to live his life without a cage.

“I hope our hero will say a few words.” The man pumped his fists. “Are you ready to know who he is?” The crowd roared a deafening yes. “Then here it is. The man who wields extraordinary powers, who saved so many, is none other than…”

“Alexander Stone.”

Everleigh gasped. Dr. Garrison choked. Alexander tightened everything.

And Agent Andrews studied him. “Is there anything you’d like to say?” he asked quietly.

When Alexander didn’t immediately respond, he stepped closer. “We’d like you to come to the Scientific Institute of Research and Investigation. We can go nice and calmly and have a little chat.”

“Everything will be okay.” Dr. Garrison’s voice was warm, soothing. “You’re not in trouble. Some people want to talk to you.”

Talk? Once he was in the Institute, the chances of him ever getting out were slim. “I’d like to address the people.”

Dr. Garrison looked out. “From up here? They’ll never hear you.” His eyes widened. “Unless you have some sort of special power to project your voice.”

“Actually, it’s a P.A. system.” Alexander forced his lips into a grimace, pointing to the extensive system already set up.

The scientist chuckled, yet Agent Andrews’ suspicion only deepened as he eyed the equipment. “How convenient. It’s almost as if you planned to speak.”

“It’s not an admission. I always plan for contingencies.

” Alexander strode to the balcony’s edge, in sight of the crowds below.

Everleigh and Dr. Garrison followed, while Agent Andrews lingered behind, as he lifted his cell phone from his pocket.

Was he already summoning men to take him into custody?

He gripped the cool, metal railing. His enhanced hearing picked up gasps and cries as people spotted him, as thousands of fingers pointed all at once.

They smiled, waved and some even cried. He tampered down the intense desire to grab Everleigh and teleport far from their unnerving scrutiny.

“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention?”

Their gazes sharpened. In his position, he was accustomed to people looking at him, but this…

this was different. Their expressions ranged from awe to fear to adoration.

The discomfort increased a thousandfold.

“Mr. Evans asserted I’m a supernatural being, the man who’s been saving people all over the city.

I’m here to tell you…” He paused as ten thousand breaths held at once. “It’s not true.”

Thousands of voices responded, a tangle of conflicting reactions and responses. By far, one sentiment rose above them all: disbelief.

He held up a hand. “I understand why Mr. Evans named me. My presence at the scenes was indeed coincidental. Yet I was one of thousands of people at the sightings. Because of my position, I’m more recognizable than most, and that is likely where the confusion originated.”

Whispers of skeptics swirled down below – some believed him, most didn’t.

“I figured you’d deny it, which is why I made a contingency plan.

” Timothy spoke into his own microphone.

“I have definitive proof right here, right now. Before I do this, please understand I am certain Alexander Stone is a supernatural creature who can soar through the sky, teleport and do other amazing feats. I would never put anyone in actual danger.”

Every muscle tensed. This man risked his own life to prove the supernatural existed. What would he do to prove the culprit’s identity?

The world shattered.

An explosion thundered through the air. Ear-piercing, deafening, like the center of a firework, the entire world shook. Then…

The floor underneath him disappeared.