Prologue

Two years earlier...

Ryan looked up from his Warrior Angel comic book. He thought he distinctly heard his name being called from downstairs. Flipping the pages shut, he walked to the top of the stairs and paused.

That little bastard better get his ass down here now!

Ryan frowned and shook his head as if to brush off a fly. He put his fingers in his ears as he tripped down the stairs, even though he knew it wouldn't help.

Why did I ever get involved with that kid? At least he's good for something. But man, once I make it big, I'm out of here. No looking back. Just smooth sailing.

Ryan stepped into the kitchen, wincing at the volume of the voice he could hear.

"There you are," his stepfather, James, said, roughly grabbing Ryan by the shoulder in a vise-like grip. He shook Ryan like a dog, cursing at him. "You're going to make me late! Hop in the car."

"I don't want to," Ryan muttered as he covered his face and ears with his hands. His voice was surprisingly deep for his age, but it always cracked, making it harder for his stepfather to take him seriously.

The little freak doesn't want to? Well that's just fine. He's going to whether he likes it or not.

James yanked Ryan around and dragged him out the door.

"You're going to come, and you're going to help me," James said, his mouth an inch from Ryan's ear.

"Okay, okay," Ryan tried, trying to get his feet under him. His voice cracked.

Let's see if he behaves now!

Ryan screwed up his face, trying to brace himself against the barrage of sound that attacked him continually. His stepfather threw him into the back of the truck, and Ryan landed hard on his face. Scrambling to sit up, he caught a glimpse of his mother's pale face. She seemed glued to the front seat, her eyes inscrutable. Ryan flinched as a tense voice washed over him.

This isn't right. Why does James have to do this? Everything is wrong. All wrong. Ryan shouldn't have to do this. He's so young. He's only a little boy.

Ryan frowned. He wasn't a little boy. Hadn't he proved that every time he took his stepfather's abuse without complaining? Hadn't he demonstrated maturity beyond his years when he never used his powers for his own evil purposes? Wasn't he told, time and time again, that he was old enough to see the big picture and why he needed to use his powers to help his stepfather? Wasn't his silence enough?