The Forbidden Trilogy (The Forbidden Trilogy #1-3)

He sat in front of the camera, and Beleth hit the record button.

After citing his name and date, Steele explained the experiment. "This is an attempt to enhance the capabilities of the mind through genetic alteration. Based on early animal trials, we feel that it is ready for human testing." He tapped his foot and smiled, then pulled a vial of green liquid from his pocket. "Known as TDI3, this drug should alter the very fabric of my DNA and create enhanced abilities hitherto only known in rare cases of humans."

He uncapped the needle and plunged it into a vein in his arm, then dropped the vial and leaned forward in his chair, groaning in pain.

Simmons rushed forward and put her arm around him. "Honey, are you okay? What happened?"

Steele gasped and tried to speak. "I'm fine. I'm—" He roared in pain again, shaking in his chair.

Simmons tried to help him sit up, but Steele pushed her away and fell out of his chair.

Beleth had left his place behind the camera, and crouched by Steele without touching him. He looked at Simmons. "Get the antidote."

She nodded, grabbed a blue vile from the table next to her, and offered it to her husband.

"No!" he yelled, still on the floor, groaning. "This will work."

Simmons pushed the vial at him. "It's not worth it. I can't lose you."

"It will work." He turned away from the antidote. "It has to."

He yelled once again, a loud screeching howl, and everything faded away for Lucy.

***

Lucy entered another vision, this time in a hospital.

Simmons lay in a bed holding a baby while Steele beamed over her. Flowers and balloons filled the small room.

Steele reached for the child. "He's so beautiful."

Joy filled the room, and Lucy realized this had to be the Seeker. It was hard to reconcile the man who had caused so much pain with this innocent child before her, but in the end, the Seeker had redeemed himself, helping to save Sam and all of them. This child had his whole life ahead of him. It broke her heart to know how much he would suffer at the hands of his sociopathic father. How did they get from this happy family moment to that?

"Now that I've had the baby," said Simmons, "I can start testing again. I'm sure the new serum you made will work."

Steele frowned, then wiped it from his face with a fake smile. "Yeah, it just might."

She slapped his hand lightly, forcing optimism into a moment where Lucy could tell she felt none. "Come on—twenty successes, all attaining useful powers. It'll work. Hmm... I wonder what my powers will be?"

Steele handed the baby back and looked away, an unmistakable look of regret on his face.

***

Lucy blinked and found herself in the foyer of a very nice house. From another room came the sound of breaking dishes and furniture thrown against walls. Steele walked through the front door, then ran to the kitchen, and Lucy floated after him.

The room looked as if a tornado hit, but it was only Simmons, tear-streaked, filled with anger, her body a battering ram intent on destroying everything in her path.

Steele grabbed her, gently pulling her into a hug. "Baby, what's wrong?"

She sobbed into his chest, slamming her small fists against it. "None of it worked. None of the stupid bullshit serums worked."

"It's okay." Steele crushed her to him and ran his hand down her hair, trying to soothe her. "The next formula will be better. You can try again."

She pushed him away. "I've been trying for years. I can't have powers. Admit it, I can't. I know you think so. I've seen it in your eyes."

He looked down, real sadness on his face. "I'm trying my best, Honey. Beleth and I will get it right, eventually."

"No you won't." She stormed out of the room and ran crying through the house.

A small boy crept from behind the corner, a frown on his face.

***

Simmons flapped a folder in Steele's face. "What's this?"

They were at the lab again. It looked the same, but Simmons and Steele looked older, more world-weary, with wrinkles spreading from their eyes

"It's just something I've been working on." He grabbed for the folder.

She pulled it back, holding it out of his reach. Her face reddened in rage. "Just something? You're trying to make a baby. A freaking baby! What, the one I gave you wasn't good enough?"

"No. I love our son." His voice stayed cold, collected, lacking the emotion he'd had in the earlier visions. "I'm experimenting to see if powers can be altered through genetics."

"Do you have to experiment on yourself?" She practically spit the words at him.

He looked past her, as if not seeing her. "You know I always test something before I use it on other people."

"Don't do this." She threw down the folder. "If you love me, you won't do this."

He picked up the folder and kept his voice soft. "I'm doing this because I love you. I'm doing this because it will help me give you powers of your own."

***