“Before the two of you leave,” said Savior. “I’d like you both to check in with the other champions in the area.”
“Greenthumb and Morph?” asked Tapestry. “They’ve been lying low, just like we have. Morph was considering coming out to greet you along with us, but she’s been worried about the monsters finding Greenthumb in the hospital.”
“Let them both know that if they’re feeling up to it, I could use their help,” said Savior. “And send them my best wishes.”
“That seems like the kind of thing that would best be done in person,” said Malcolm.
Savior frowned at him.
“I’m not going to be around for longer than necessary,” he said. “I want the two of you, and Wax, as well, to get used to operating on your own. Build ties with your fellow champions, and you’ll stand strong. Like a Jenga tower!”
Like a… Jenga tower?
“We will,” said Tapestry. “It’s no problem.”
“What will you be doing in the mean time?” asked Malcolm.
Savior smiled.
“Arranging for you to have a new base built,” he said. “It will be in the exact same place as the old one! Sends a strong message to those who would think to attack and destroy the property of the Champion Authority.”
“It also means that our enemies will never have trouble finding us,” muttered Malcolm.
Tapestry elbowed him in the ribs.
“We appreciate everything you’ve done for us, Savior,” she said. “Thank you. We’ll check in with Morph and Greenthumb, and then meet up with Wax.”
“How long do you think you’ll be gone for?” asked Melanie. “The whole weekend, or just the first half? I’m only asking because, uh, I’ll miss you so much. But definitely for Friday night and Saturday morning at the least, right? That’s a definite?”
“Melanie,” said Tapestry, in a quiet voice. “If I come home and find evidence of there having been a party thrown in my house…”
Melanie paused the game and shot a look at her great-grandmother that was actually rather convincing.
“I’ll just be… playing video games all weekend,” she said. “Relax.”
Malcolm grinned at her. He almost wished he could be around for it.
They drove Tapestry’s BMW, unable to avoid the risk of exposing themselves with it any longer, now that they had places to go outside of the bus’s routes. There was an odd tension in the car, and Malcolm could only take a minute of it or so before the silence grew to be unbearable.
“What do you think of all this?” he asked. “The plan, Savior, the fact that we’re heading to a casino to, uh, possibly kidnap a magician?”
Tapestry shrugged.
“I’m not a fan of this plan,” she said. “But Savior knows what he’s doing, even if he is a bit daft sometimes.”
“He’s smarter than he seems,” said Malcolm. “He has an… interesting approach to conflict.”
Tapestry glanced at him. Malcolm thought back to the previous night, suddenly remembering something important. He briefly debated if it was something he should share.
Tapestry appreciates it when I’m honest with her.
“I absorbed his power,” said Malcolm. “Using my power mimicry.”
Tapestry stiffened. She looked over at him, her mouth forming a tiny o.
“You… what?”
“It was an accident,” said Malcolm. “He was sloshing drunk, and we were both flying. He slammed into me and I grabbed his wrist, and it just happened.”
“Malcolm.” Tapestry shook her head and tightened her hands on the wheel. “No… That’s not okay. Here, take mine instead.”
Malcolm frowned.
“What? Why?”
“You can’t have Savior’s powers, Malcolm!” she said. “Think about how many different ways this could end horribly. What happens if you accidently use them and… blow up a building with an energy blast, or something?
“Tapestry, I can’t even make his powers work,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like it normally does. Like, there’s nothing new, nothing beyond what I could do before.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said, voice firm. “Here, go ahead.”
She reached her hand over to him. Malcolm shook his head.
“You’re worrying over nothing,” he said. “It will be fine.”
Tapestry slowed the car, putting on her blinker and pulling into a spot on the street. She put it in park and turned her full attention onto him.
“Malcolm,” she said. “This isn’t me giving you advice. Take my power instead of Savior’s, right now, or I’m telling him everything.”
“Tapestry, you’re being ridiculous!”
“Maybe so…” she said. “But it’s an issue of trust. The reason I let your power mimicry slide in the first place was because I thought you were going to be a responsible adult with it.”
Malcolm scowled and shook his head.
“Maybe me keeping Savior’s powers is the responsible thing to do,” he suggested.
Tapestry reached her hand out again.
She’s serious. And she isn’t going to change her mind.
“Fine.” Malcolm took her hand into his, and was a bit surprised by how soft it felt. He looked into Tapestry’s eyes, feeling the familiar tingle of absorbing a power after a couple of seconds. He kept staring at her afterward, feeling the tension between them build. Tapestry’s cheeks reddened slightly.
“Well?” she asked. “Did you do it yet?”
“Like thirty seconds ago,” said Malcolm. “You just had a really cute expression on your face.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Let’s keep moving, then,” she said. “Greenthumb and Morph will be glad to see us.”
CHAPTER 11
Vanderbrook General Hospital was a better equipped facility than the town really deserved. Malcolm and Tapestry walked through a clean, white hallway, past nurses and doctors pushing patients and carrying clipboards.
They spotted Anna before they’d made it all the way to Greenthumb’s room. She was sitting in a chair in the hallway outside of it, reading a book with a bare-chested man on the front cover. She didn’t notice them approaching, and Malcolm poked her in the shoulder to say hello.
“Wind Runner,” said Anna. “And Tapestry. About time.”
“Savior’s arrived safe and sound,” said Tapestry.
“I know, I saw on the news,” said Anna. “What’s the plan?”
“He just wants you to report in,” said Tapestry. “I’m not sure if he has anything specific.”
“I bet he does,” said Malcolm. “Even if it’s just to have Anna provide entertainment in bird form.”
“Hey!” snapped Anna.
“The joke is on him, not you,” said Malcolm. “He’s a little eccentric.”
To put it mildly.
“Anyway, how is Greenthumb holding up?” asked Tapestry.
Anna furrowed her brow. She looked worried, but not overly so.
“He’s recovering,” she said. “He suffered a pretty severe concussion, along with a punctured lung and some internal bleeding. And he had a seizure after they checked him into the hospital.”
“Ouch,” said Malcolm. “Not fun. Hey, why are you out here, and not waiting with him in his room?”
Anna cleared her throat, looking a little uncomfortable.
“Ben’s girlfriend isn’t overly fond of me,” she said, in a careful tone. “I usually give them privacy whenever she stops by.”
“You’ve been guarding him nonstop?” asked Tapestry.
“Only during the day,” said Anna. “It’s boring, but necessary. I dip out to fly around the area every hour or so, not that I’d be able to spot monsters approaching unless they were obvious about it.”
“You’re pretty dedicated,” said Malcolm.