Page 11 of Villainous Rise

“Mr. Valor,” Martha said, notebook in hand. “Your power set seems remarkably similar to Helios’. How do you differentiate your heroic approach given the overlap in abilities?”

It was a legitimate question but Valor’s perfect smile dimmed by exactly two molars.

“I don’t really think we’re in the same league,” he said, voice dripping with condescension. “Helios is serviceable. But my powers operate on a completely different level of sophistication. Perhaps your readers wouldn’t understand the nuances.”

Oh no.

Oh god.

Time slowed to a crawl. I suddenly developed the ability to determine exactly how many Alliance funding dollars were evaporating with each syllable that left Valor’s perfect mouth. If I could leap over the sea of reporters between us, I would have. Instead, I resorted to aggressive shoulder-checking that would make contact sports recruiters take notice.

“And frankly,” Valor continued, glancing at Martha’s outfit, “if you’re looking for a serious analysis, you might want to consider upgrading your presentation. First impressions matter in our line of work.”

I swallowed the strangled scream clawing its way up my throat, forcing it down with the restraint that I had drilled into myself since I was ten.

Martha’s expression shifted from professional curiosity to arctic frost.

I lunged forward, finally breaking through the last wall of reporters.

“Ms. Sands!” My voice came out an octave too high. “So wonderful to see you again. Valor is needed for an emergency consultation.”

Martha’s eyes flicked to me. “Keeper Bishop. Alliance PR has you on cleanup duty, I see.”

“I wasn’t finished—“ Valor began.

“Actually, you were,” I cut in, my smile stretched so wide I thought my face might crack. I turned to Martha. “The Alliance is preparing a comprehensive analysis of all our top-tier Heroes’ unique contributions. I’d be happy to schedule an exclusive with both Helios and Valor for you. Next week in a proper sit-down environment.”

Martha’s eyebrow arched. “How generous. I’ll be in touch.” She tucked her notebook away. “Though perhaps Mr. Valor could recommend a suitable outfit for the occasion? I’d hate to offend his delicate sensibilities with my practical footwear.”

Valor opened his mouth and I stepped on his foot.

“We look forward to it,” I chirped, grabbing Valor’s arm. “Now if you’ll excuse us, urgent Alliance business awaits.”

I steered him toward the exit and marched him down the hallway, trying to figure out the damage control needed. Martha Sands had the institutional memory of an elephant and the forgiveness capacity of a vengeful deity. She’d remember this slight until the heat death of the universe rolled around.

Once we were alone in an empty conference room, I turned to face Valor, prepared for the tantrum I’d sensed brewing since the press room.

But something shifted in his expression. The perfect, camera-ready smile vanished and the golden-boy persona melted away.

He advanced toward me slowly, using every inch of his six-foot-three frame to loom over me, backing me against the conference room table. A thin ring of gold burned bright around his irises, and the air in the room went thick, pressing against my skin.

It slid under my collar. Warm. Insistent. A pull behind my sternum, gentle at first, coaxing, then digging deeper, searching for a crack to slip through.

I crossed my arms and kept my face blank. I’d handled plenty of angry Supers. Valor would be no different.

“Careful,” I warned. “Using powers on a Keeper during official Alliance business is a violation.”

He didn’t answer. He just watched me, waiting, the gold in his eyes burning brighter.

My stomach dropped. He was waiting for something happen and it wasn’t happening. I had no idea what it was supposed to look like or how long I had before he noticed.

All I could do was hold still and give him nothing.

His brow creased. He leaned in, close enough that I caught the mint on his breath, and the pressure in the room pushed harder.

I dug my nails into my arm and kept breathing.

“You’re not reacting,” he said finally.