Page 100 of No Capes

Flare shrieks again, but I can no longer see what’s happening below, as I focus on trying to get the window closed.

Oh, no.

The window won’t budge as I try to force it closed, and with a hard swing, Phil sends me sprawling on the tiles.

Thirty Two

Phil must think he’s winning, for him to reveal his powers like this.

Pain tears through my shoulder as I hit the stone wall. At the same time thunder crashes outside. Dark Static must have returned from fighting Materio and seen Phil fly.

Phil slams the window shut and flicks off our light. D.S. told me he can only portal through shadows to places that he can visualize—if he’s never been in this tower and can’t see inside, he won’t be able to portal in. Dark Static shoots lasers at the windowpanes, but the glass holds. Laser-proof windows? Phil is seriously paranoid.

The mayor stands a few feet away from me, hands in his pockets and a smile playing on his lips. He notes the trunk full of folders.

“My, my. Look what you found.”

Dark Static’s tremendous lightning continues to flash outside, which highlights Phil’s sneer.

“Haven’t you heard what comes from being curious?” Phil asks. The mayor looks me up and down, and I try to anticipate what he’ll do. If I try to run, he’ll block me with his force-fields. Same as if I try to fight. To take him down, I’ll have to be sneaky.

I’ll only have one shot.

He steps closer and I lower my center of gravity, crouching. Waiting.

“But what’s more dangerous than curiosity?” Phil continues. “Distraction. Distraction is how I won.”

“Won?” I cough. “Won what?”

He gestures toward the lightning that flashes through the dark. “Your boyfriend has been distracting the public for weeks now. Seems to think he can expose me and avenge his parents’ deaths. What a pity. He’s distracted by his illusions about poor Jonathan and Elaine, and Capital City is distracted by him.”

You’re everything I hoped you would be,Phil said to D.S. Now I see what he’d meant: we’ve been playing into Phil’s hand the whole time.

“This is why Supersshouldbe in government,” says Phil. “Only a Super can govern other Supers. Do you want someone ordinary writing laws for you, Madeline? Someone who’s less powerful than you dictating what you can do?”

“Anyone but you.” I broach the depths of my energy and flex my muscles, folding every cell into translucency. In the dark tower, the shadows keep me hidden as I dash to the side. Phil lunges toward where I’d stood the moment before, but I’m ready. My boot collides with the back of his knees and his chest thuds against the tile floor. Dry dust covers my lips, but I’m able to gather just enough saliva to spit it hard on his face, ready to make it boil on his skin.

With my single spare second, I run to the window and try to force it open for D.S., but Bridges grabs me, yanking my shoulder and pulling me down. I land on the tile, something sharp sticking into my back.

I wince in pain, trying to hide my relief. I still have my mirror. While Phil stands, I pull it out from my secret pocket. Phil must hate his reflection vehemently for this to be his weakness.

No more force-fields for Mayor Bridges. He watches me carefully, taking a defensive stance. It’s a good thing I practicedphysical fighting with Dark Static, because Phil is ready for combat. He swings at me, swiping for the mirror. I bounce into the wall, dodging him and keeping the glass aimed.

One slip and he’ll get his powers back.

Phil lunges at me again, and I meet him with a sharp spray of water. It’s strong enough to drive him backward, and will pin him to the wall if I can keep it strong enough.

Come on,I urge my powers, summoning all of my strength.

You can do this.

“Why mirrors, anyway?” I ask. “You can’t face your real self?”

“None of us can,” Phil sneers. He takes a step toward me, and I lift my hand to show that he can’t come any closer.

“I suppose I should thank you.” I blast more water at him. “I wouldn’t have these if it weren’t for you.”

“I’d say you’re welcome,” he leers, “but I had nothing to do with the car accident.”