The rock wall is fissuring into what might be a hundred pieces, creaking and groaning as it falls apart. I watch, horrified, as one huge, jagged chunk trembles just before unhinging from the wall.
Warner is standing underneath.
I’m about to scream before I see him look up, both hands outstretched toward the chaos. Immediately, the wall stops shaking. The pieces hover, trembling only slightly, caught between falling and fitting back into place.
My mouth is still open.
Warner looks to his right. Nods.
I follow his line of sight and see Castle on the other side, using his power to hold up the other end. Together they control the pieces as they fall to the floor, allowing them to float down, settling each broken slab and each jagged bit gently against what remains of the wall.
Everyone begins to pop their heads up, realizing something has changed. We slowly get to our feet, and watch, dumbstruck, as Castle and Warner contain the disaster and confine it to one space. Nothing else is damaged. No one is hurt. I’m still looking on, eyes wide with awe.
When the work is finally done, Warner and Castle share a brief moment of acknowledgment before they head in opposite directions.
Warner comes to find me. Castle to everyone else.
“Are you okay?” Warner asks. His tone is businesslike, but his eyes give him away. “You’re not injured?”
I shake my head. “That was incredible.”
“I can’t take any credit for it,” he says. “It was Castle’s power I borrowed.”
“But you’re so good at it,” I tell him, forgetting for a moment that we’re supposed to be mad at each other. “You just learned you have this ability, and you can already control it. So naturally. But then when I try to do something, I nearly kill everyone in the process.” I drop my head. “I’m the worst at everything,” I mutter. “The worst.”
“Don’t feel bad,” he says quietly. “You’ll figure it out.”
“Was it ever hard for you?” I look up, hopeful. “Figuring out how to control the energy?”
“Oh,” he says, surprised. “No. Though I’ve always been very good at everything I do.”
I drop my head again. Sigh.
Warner laughs and I peek up.
He’s smiling.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he whispers.
I hear a sharp whistle. Spin around.
“Hey—jazz hands!” Kenji barks. “Get your ass back over here.” He makes it a point to look as irritated as possible. “Back to work. And this time, focus. You’re not an ape. Don’t just throw your shit everywhere.”
Warner actually laughs.
Out loud.
I look back at him, and he’s looking toward the wall, trying to suppress a wide smile as he runs a hand through his hair, down the back of his neck.
“At least someone appreciates my sense of humor,” Kenji says before tugging at my arm. “Come on, princess. Let’s try that again. And please, try not to kill everyone in this room.”