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CHAPTERFIVE
LANDON
“Where are we going? Is it somewhere nefarious?” I ask.
“No, it’s a surprise that’s really not a surprise because you know but clearly forgot,” August says as he drives.
“Are we going to rob a bank? I remember asking you if you’d rob a bank with me once. I thought that could be fun.”
August arches his eyebrow. “No, that wouldn’t be fun.”
I shrug because the idea of seeing August try to be bad delights me far too much.
Valerie wants us out of the media’s view for a while, which means that I’ve had far too much fun these last few days.
“I should fling people across stages more often,” I realize.
August looks away from the road because it’s clear that my declaration is crashworthy for some bizarre reason. “No, that is not the life lesson you should learn from this.”
“Says who?” I’m rather curious about this as my phone beeps. It’s a group message between Valerie, August, and me.
“What is it?” August asks.
“Looks like a picture of a news article,” I say as I open it up and glance at it. “Oh, and it’s about me again.”
“What’s it say?”
“Let’s see… ‘Villain or hero? That is the question on everyone’s minds, but what people seem to be overlooking is that the crime rates in this city are at the lowest of all time. We saw a dip as Chronobender rose to fame, but nothing like the drop we’ve seen since Chrono and Leviathan have joined forces. Is it because Leviathan has a foot in both worlds? Or is it the fear of such overwhelming power that has caused this shift? Many seek to have the supers removed from the city, but what will happen when you remove the thing others fear? It might be best for this city to tread carefully before they regret the choice they make.’” I put my phone down. “I sound like a proper badass.”
August glances over at me. “You are well aware that you’re insanely strong and don’t need anyone to tell you that you’re a badass… right?”
I shrug. “I love you and all the cute words you spew out.”
“Thank you. I love you too,” he says as he turns off the road onto a dirt one.
“Are we burying a dead body?”
“No!”
“Hmm…” I’m highly confused until he parks next to a giant body of water that stretches out before us, and right at the shore sits one of those gaudy swan boats.
I can’t stop staring at the stupid-looking swan. “We’re going on a swan boat?” I ask, delighted. Why am I so delighted? I rarely get delighted by things other than August, Zacia, and books. Is it because I get to go with my two favorite beings?
August smiles when he gets a good look at my face. “I promised, didn’t I? Valerie thought it’d be risky and annoying going to a public place, so we arranged to rent one and bring it out here. We’ll be all alone, and no one will pester us.”
“You… are magical,” I realize as I grab his face and kiss him hastily, then hop out of the car before it’s even shut off. Zacia gallops after me as I rush over to the swan. It’s a thing of gaudy beauty and I can’t wait to get in it with August.
August is grinning as he catches up to me. “I brought sandwiches and thought we could have a fun lunch out on the water.”
“Why are you insanely romantic?” I ask as I grab his hand and tug him over to the boat.
“Yeah? You think that’s romantic? What do you think about this?” He whips out something and it takes me a moment to realize what it is.
“Is that… is that a kitty life jacket?”
“It sure is,” he says.
“Be still my beating heart. You are… fucking magical,” I say as I take it from him and hurry over to Zacia who is busy beating the shit out of a worm that made the mistake of emerging from the earth. I put the life jacket on her and buckle it all up while she wonders what atrocity this is. Then I hurry over to where August is replacing his shoes with sandals so he can push the boat out of the sand and into the water without getting wet. He’d brought my sandals as well, which I put on before rushing over to help him. With Zacia in the boat, I jump in it as it hits the water. August gives it another shove and climbs in next to me as the swan bobs a bit.
