Hermes's POV

I'm so glad Lydia has found her family. I'm also glad that Terry has someone to love now.

However, I can't relax fully. All three of them mentioned a being called the Overlord. Seems like whoever he is, he has been sending Bionics to attack us.

"Whoever this Overlord is, he has no right to send people to attack us," says Adrian, fuming.

Anke, Adrian, and I are sitting outside on the grass while Terry and Dad go to talk to Commander Carl.

"Who even is the Overlord?" Anke asks thoughtfully.

"Apparently he has the power to bestow abilities on people," I say aloud. "Though did you notice that he didn't give them abilities that they would not have received anyway?"

"What?" Anke asks, confused.

"Let me give you an example: I was only able to lift objects when everyone else disappeared. Now I can throw, crush, and manipulate them. Rose could make herself invisible when she left. Now she can make things as large as skyscrapers invisible. Do you see?"

"I think so," says Anke.

"I get it," Adrian says. "With training, Rose's and Anton's abilities would develop naturally, like ours did."

"I see what you're saying," Anke says, nodding. "It's not as if they wouldn't have been able to do the things they can do without the Overlord."

"Exactly," I say. "And I think that's significant. But for now, we have to be prepared for more attacks. Presumably, the Overlord wants something here."

"Or he wants someone here dead," Anke says grimly. "If you think about it, you were present at both of the attacks."

"Coincidence," I dismiss. "So were you. So was my whole family, pretty much. That doesn't really narrow it down."

"You got a better idea?" Anke asks irritably.

"Not really," I admit. "But I guess we should keep a lookout. I'll ask Commander Carl to make sure everyone goes around in groups for protection."

"That will just make them bigger targets and more people could get hurt," argues Anke.

"You got a better idea?" I shoot back.

She glares at me. "Anything but that is a better idea."

"Why?" I demand. "Why is that such a bad idea?"

"Because going round in big groups will make them a bigger target."

"No, people going round in smaller groups will make them bigger targets. You know why? An attacker will see them as a smaller threat. An attacker will attack a smaller group because they're not likely to be able to fight back. If you were an attacker, would you go for the group of two trained agents or the group of eight trained agents?"

"...two," admitted Anke. "I guess that does make sense."

"Thank you. Adrian, can you go tell Commander Carl what we decided?"

"Sure."

Adrian gets up and heads into the OWCA building.

...

Hazel's POV

"Are you sure it doesn't hurt?" I ask my mate anxiously.

"Hazel, for the last time, Adrian healed me." Parker only sounds half irritated. "There's no sign of the wound anywhere."

"How did you even get that stab wound?" Teddy asks from the other side of the room. "I know you went on that mission with Hazel but the wound was healed before we even saw it."

"I made a stupid mistake," Parker says. "I was watching the man we had caught and when I heard Hazel say my name, I turned towards her. She wasn't even addressing me. It was all my own fault. Not only had I let my guard down, but I had failed to spot the knife he was holding."

Teddy grimaces and sucks air through his teeth.

"Exactly," Parker says. "He got my lung."

Teddy repeats the noise he just made.

"Yep. I would have died if Adrian hadn't healed me."

"It's good that the Bionics are beginning to be accepted more," I say. "Especially Hermes." I suddenly remember something. "Teddy, did you know that someone was bullying Hermes just before his first attack?"

"I did, yeah," my brother replies. "But he wouldn't tell me who. Why, do you know?"

"I certainly do. Apollo told me." I fold my arms. "It was your ex-love interest, Madeline."

"What?" snaps Teddy. "Maddy bullied Hermes?"

"Until Hermes was in tears," I say.

Teddy growls. "I knew she was more bitter than she let on when I chose Piper, but bullying my little brother is taking it way too far."

Teddy's POV

At that moment, my little brother enters the room with his girlfriend. He opens his bill to say something but I storm across the room and place my hands on his shoulders. He almost recoils, looking both scared and surprised.

"Was Maddy being cruel to you? I demand.

Realisation lights up his eyes and he slowly nods. "Yes," he replies slowly.

"That's it." I let go of Hermes and head towards the door. "I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."

"No, don't!"

Hermes reaches out and clutches my wrist. "Please, don't," he pleads.

"Hermes, she made you cry!" My voice grows shrill. "I can't let that go!"

"Yes you can. You'll just show Madeline that she got to me, and that's what I've been trying to avoid. Please, let it go."

I narrow my eyes and relax. "Fine. But if she does it again, you better come and tell me." I point at Anke. "If it happens again, you make sure either he or you tell me."

"Gladly," says Anke ominously.

I get the feeling that Anke hates what Maddy did even more than me, which is saying something.

"Okay." I pause. "Sorry, were you going to say something?"

Hermes stares blankly at me for a moment before he suddenly realises. "Oh, yes. There's someone you guys need to meet."

...

btw this is NOT the end of the story, this is just a break