Chapter 1: Vanilla
The city is plunged into darkness as Ashfall rises again. Lumen rapped rapidly on my window.
“It’s time to go.” He mouthed. I nodded back at him, slipping on my necklace from my pocket. I know I should be more careful with such a powerful object, but I can’t risk everybody finding out I’m Eclipse. The necklace is quite simple; it’s a thin, silver chain with a small emerald stone, and it sits in the dip of my collarbone. I whispered the magic words, and I turned invisible. I crept out the window and followed Lumen silently. He transformed behind a bush, his brooch pinned for all to see on his blue suit. I eyed his brooch nervously. It was one of the most powerful objects in the world. I’m pretty sure mine is the weakest of the four, but it is still very powerful. He beckoned for us to go deeper into the city. Aside from being this town’s saviour, outside of the superhero thing, his name is Miro, and he was also my boyfriend. Which is basically the only reason he trusted me with the necklace. He gave it to me on our seventh date after one of the kids at the ice cream shop had become overtaken by Ashfall. The only reason he isn’t defeated is that we never get close enough to take his staff, but we’re close. Once we get his staff, we just have to find the Cursed Ring. If all four magical objects are under the care of heroes, no one can get hurt, and the world would be a safe place with heroes ensuring the welfare of everybody.
Tonight’s trouble was yet another public threat to make us hand over our power. Jimmy, the new intern at my office, was held hostage at one of the city’s tallest skyscrapers. My job was to rescue Jimmy while Lumen tried yet again to grab Ashfall’s staff. With my invisibility, I quickly freed Jimmy from his ropes. I extended my invisibility over him as well, and we made it into the elevator before Ashfall had even noticed. I sent Jimmy down the elevator first so I could join Lumen this time. It would be easier to have an invisible person take his staff; it’ll be inconspicuous.
“Give me back my sister.”
“Give me your staff.”
“Never. Then you aren’t getting your sister back.”
I gasped. Two pairs of eyes slid to my rough whereabouts. Lumen spoke up first.
“I thought you were taking Jimmy to safety.”
“I was. Jimmy is safe now, and I thought now would be a good time to execute the final plan you’ve been raving about for months.” I answered. Lumen found my exact location quickly from months of practice; Ashfall, however, still struggled to find me. Lumen shrugged.
“Let’s go.” He said, grabbing my arm. “Maybe we can grab dinner before it all closes and stay at your place.” Ashfall looks between us in confusion.
“He’s my boyfriend,” I whispered. He agreed to boyfriend to put a label on it. It was never publicly announced. He says it for safety purposes. I understand, Miro is a CEO. Anyone under his spotlight is under the radar for danger. While I can protect myself, I’d much rather not have to.
“Hold up.” I said, digging in my heels. “What do you mean you have Ashfall’s sister?”
“I really don’t have time for this. Can we leave? We’re not getting the staff today.” He urged. “Please, love, let’s call it a night. I’m tired, you’re tired, Jimmy’s saved. Our work is done. Let’s tuck in, have dinner, enjoy the night.”
Miro never called me love. We’ve been dating for two years now, and he has never once called me “love” before. I’ve heard babe a million times. He calls me “Van” sometimes, but never “love”. I don’t like the way he said it, though. Like it’s a final call before he drags me away. I scowl back and repeat the question. I’m a superhero too. I deserve to know the truth.
“What do you mean?”
Ashfall jumps in. “Haven’t you told your fellow associate, colleague, hero and now more recently, your girlfriend, what you’ve done? I can assume why. It’s dirty, it’s cowardly, and it’s against every moral code that exists. I mean, you heroes are meant to be the goody two-shoes. Look at your hero acting like a scum bag, kidnapping an eighteen year old girl.” He explained with a wicked grin. His footsteps seemed to have carried him closer to us in his dramatic speech.
I gasped. “Eighteen? Seriously? Eighteen? She’s not even old enough to drink.” I spit out at Miro. He turned the colour of the strawberry mousse we had last week.
“It was supposed to be extra motivation to hand over his staff.” He mumbled.
I turned on my heel to face Lumen. “That’s your excuse?”
I wrenched myself away from him and stormed into the elevator. A pair of footsteps followed me in.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Miro.” I whispered, angry tears streaking down my cheeks. A thumb wiped them away.
“Who said it’s your precious hero?” A familiar voice asked. I stuttered and turned around slowly to confirm my worst fears. Ashfall.
