Chapter 4

The darkness had returned.

Staring out the windows of my penthouse, I followed a hero speeding across the sky. The light from the living room flickered, dimming as I summoned my powers. The smoke billowed outward from the gem, engulfing my body like a long-time lover. I held up my hands, watching my fingers drown in ebony. The strength was nice, but this was what I missed since that fateful day at Centurion Tower. Muscles tensed as the transformation finished.

"Intoxicating," I whispered.

I had all but given up, ready to admit defeat. Traveling the globe, it seemed as if there was no way to jumpstart the jewel. I laughed. A vial of goop created by a mad scientist had been the answer all along. I'd have to thank Clint for botching his mission. Even Diesel had played a role in bringing me to this moment. The next round of drinks at therapy would be on me, not that I needed to attend anymore.

I'd be there, and this time, it'd be to detail the death of Sentinel.

I reached into my pocket, pulling out my phone. The HeroApp? had been designed to keep the citizens of Vanguard safe. It did its job well, too well, in fact. With a couple of swipes, I could look for sightings of heroes in real-time. Despite retiring from the Centurions, Sentinel continued his nightly romps to keep the city safe from crooks. His do-gooding made him an easy target.

"Got you."

The light continued to flicker, and I eyed the shadows in the far corner of the room. With the return of my abilities, it was time to get my revenge. I charged toward the wall. Instead of smashing into exposed concrete, the darkness welcomed me. The shadows pulled me inside a world without light. A glance over my shoulder showed a shrinking exit. As it closed, I was left in a void. There were no senses here. No visual, no sound, even motion seemed vacant.

It felt like home.

I walked forward, and the portal opened. Traversing through this shadow realm distorted distance. As I walked through the exit, the dim light of the moon was almost blinding. The moisture from the harbor beaded against my skin, and I listened to the grunts of Sentinel's newest victims.

The docks were notorious for their crime and illegal wares coming in and out of Vanguard. I should know; my company used them for just that reason. I stood between a warehouse and a freight ship. Here, it was mostly shipping containers being moved back and forth, preparing them for transport into the city. It was where the lowliest of the low did their business. Or at least they would have if the heroes hadn't treated this like their personal training grounds.

Sentinel had all but stopped a gang of bandits. The pile of bodies would be waiting for law enforcement. But when I finished with this hero, they'd need to call the coroner.

"Sentinel."

He spun about, ready to pounce. He had traded in his signature suit for one covered in black with red highlights that led to a red diamond on his chest. Sentinel had undergone a rebranding since his days on the Centurions. Opting for leather over spandex, I had to commend him on his choices, though I'd have preferred to break the classic version. I wanted Vanguard to see their chosen savior lying in a crumpled heap.

"Miss me?"

I let the smoke pull back, revealing my face and the jewel in my chest. There was no point in secrecy. He could have come after me since my release from Cold Iron. At first, I thought he didn't know, but the Beacon had spoiled the reveal.

"How did you?—"

"Does it matter?"

"No." His hands balled into fists. "I suppose it doesn't. How did you get out, Damien?"

He didn't know. Vanguard's mightiest hero didn't know the woman he worked beside for years, which made this capable. I let the smoke wrap around my body as I let out a laugh. "Carmen LaToya." The surprise on his face made selling her out worth it.

"No, she wouldn't."

"And yet, she did."

The disbelief was almost as satisfying as wrapping my hands around his throat—almost. I thought he'd posture until I made a move, but he flew forward, fists leading the way, hoping for a single-blow victory. Sinking into the shadows, I reappeared behind him. He stopped with a growl. Changing directions, he hovered closer. The poor sap thought brute force would make for an easy victory.

"Are we going to fight, or are you going to?—"

I thrust the smoke forward. The tendrils flew outward, trying to snatch at the man. He moved backward, slapping them away as if a child's hand. As they threatened to take hold, he summoned the lightning. With each electrified swat, the smoke dissolved. The last time we met, it hadn't been that easy. Either Sentinel had grown stronger or… shit. Had I been too eager?

His body lit up, and with a blinding flash, the tendrils of smoke evaporated. He flew forward to wrestle me into a bear hug. Forcing the smoke to gather about my fist, I waited until the last moment and bent low, jumping up, slamming my knuckles under his jaw. The blow cracked light thunder, and Sentinel flailed as he launched into the sky.

I pushed off to follow. I hopped. No flying, not even a gliding motion. I fucking hopped. I assumed the return of my powers meant they were all accessible. It had been foolish to challenge Sentinel without exploring their limitations. My obsession with revenge had trampled my better judgment.

Sentinel sped toward me, rebounding from the sucker punch. I summoned the shadows, ready to step out of the way and let him crash into the pavement. The bolt of lightning from the sky came rushing down. I barely had time to throw up my arms, using the shadows to absorb the strike. The air sizzled, and even with the shield, it sent me rolling.

"Sentinel!" I roared. The shadows shot forward like spears. Sentinel dodged them as if they were nothing more than an inconvenience. I was so focused on the man in front of me that I didn't see the streak of lightning rush in from behind. Hammering into my back, the shadows dissolved, leaving me exposed. Flexing my muscles, I threw up a barrier of darkness to stop the hero.

His fist shattered the shadows before clocking me in the side of the face. I flew ass over heel, rolling along the dock until I smashed into a shipping container. This wasn't going anything like I planned, but then again, I hadn't come here with anything more than a desire to kill the man. Doc had been right; my obsession would get me killed.

"This is hardly a fair fight," he mocked.

He stood there, arms crossed, as if I were a common criminal. He forgot I had nearly defeated him before. Without his compatriots, I could destroy him. Underestimating me would be his downfall.

Holding up a hand, the tendrils shot forward. He knocked them aside. I staggered as I got to my feet. I wouldn't stop until one of us drew our last breath. The gem flared a vibrant green as the shadows crept along my skin. Before it was complete, a bolt of lightning surged from Sentinel's chest, knocking me against the container.

"It's over, Damien."

"Never," I hissed.

The shadows solidified, forming three-foot-long blades in each hand. I'd skewer him, driving one through his chest and the other an eye. Springing forward, the shadows launched me across the twenty feet between us. I screamed, ready to impale?—

Sentinel caught me by the throat. Like a rag doll, he chucked me, the force sending me through the metal walls of a container and denting a second. Even with the gem's strength, it hurt. My entire body vibrated from the impact. Falling forward, I landed with a thud. It was over. I had lost. Again.

I rolled onto my back to see Sentinel hovering overhead. If he were smart, he'd summon another bolt of lightning and be done with me. I was prepared for the hanging head shaking back and forth. That asshole pitied me.

"I'm going to destroy everything you hold dear," I said. Speaking hurt. At least one of my ribs had broken.

"It's over, Damien. Whatever issues you have with me, get over it."

There was no killing blow, no hammering of fists against my jaw. He could have finished the fight and left my body unidentifiable. Instead, he rose into the sky and vanished. It was worse than the beating I received. Instead of killing me, hell, instead of throwing me into Cold Iron, he turned his back and flew away.

That asshole dismissed me.

"I'm going to…" The pain pushed through the gem's defenses. My need for vengeance had blinded me. I didn't resist as the agony spread throughout my body. I deserved nothing less. "…kill you."

Until then, I was going to lie here in agony.

* * *

I shot upright. There should be police officers with guns drawn, placing me in handcuffs. I expected to see Sentinel's hero buddies pointing and laughing. I wasn't expecting the sensation of Egyptian Cotton against my body. The room spun… my room. I couldn't focus on the how. My mind raced between Sentinel's face and the echo of pain still clinging to my back and chest.

"He could have killed you."

I didn't recognize the voice. I closed my eyes, placing both hands on the bed, hoping it'd help slow the spinning. It did not. Instead, I fought to keep myself from spewing vomit across imported linens.

"You need to rest."

The voice had grown closer. I flinched as a hand pushed against my chest. There was strength behind the gesture, pushing me back regardless of my protests. I was about to ask if he was there to finish the job when the covers ruffled. The man with a husky voice pulled the covers over my torso.

"Who?"

"A concerned citizen," he said.

How long had I been out that he had carried me across the city and up to my penthouse? Did Mikey and Gianni let him in, thinking him a companion and me a passed-out drunk? I didn't like not knowing the identity of the concerned citizen.

"You're going to get yourself killed."

"You saw?" It was one thing to return to the spotlight as Damien Vex. Carmen needed me enough that she turned a blind eye. But if she found out I was off gallivanting, hoping to kill Sentinel, that might prompt a more hands-on reaction.

"No. But I can only assume it involved Sentinel?"

Who knew my secret? It was a short list to go through. I eased my eyes open. He was thicker than Diesel and didn't have the childish nature of Clint. It wasn't Doc. I'd have recognized a vengeance demon. Either the room was near pitch dark, or I had walked away with a concussion.

"He deserves to be put down."

"Perhaps," he said. "He lives rent-free in your head, Damien. He's already won."

"Who the hell do you?—"

As he moved away from the bed, he hovered above the floor. Whoever my savior was, he had abilities of his own. Were his words a threat? Had Sentinel sent him to spare himself a rematch?

"I would think Damien Vex would be above petty squabbles."

Petty? I held up my hand, trying to summon the smoke. He might have saved me from dealing with the police, but I wouldn't have some insolent hero speaking to me like he was my therapist. One of those in my life was enough.

The smoke didn't appear. Whatever power fueled the gem didn't rise to the surface. I feared I had spent its energy. Panic set in as I inspected my chest. Thankfully, it glowed a faint green, dim, but still intact. I found it infuriating that I had some of my abilities, but they now came with conditions.

"Who are you?" If the room stood still long enough, I'd reach over for the lamp above my nightstand. I didn't want to hurl in front of company.

"Nobody of importance."

His words robbed me of anger. It wasn't a coy attempt at avoiding the question. The emotion in the three words spoke volumes. Was he a fallen hero? A disgraced criminal? I wanted to be angry, but that was reserved for Sentinel and not the man who ensured I made it home.

"Thank you."

"Take care, Damien Vex."

He moved backward until he pushed through the open balcony doors. He zipped upward, and with that, I was left alone. I had a thousand questions and no answers. Who was my savior, and how did he find me on the docks? Was I being followed by a guardian angel? Had he seen the fight between Sentinel— I growled.

The humiliation at the hands of Sentinel wouldn't stand. Until my powers fully returned, I wouldn't be able to compete with his strength. I had to remind myself that my powers weren't limited to the gem. Damien Vex existed long before I received supernatural abilities. I'd destroy Bernard Castle, but perhaps it was time to look at this problem from a different angle.

"Bernard, I'm coming for you."