Unknown Reality: Book One

By Madison Capps

When twenty-one-year-old college student Maya Rivers and her older sister, Malia, are kidnapped, their lives are turned upside down. Maya discovers a secret about herself and Malia—a secret that changes everything. The Rivers sisters are Nexus Killian, a rare superhuman species, each with their unique abilities. When they are rescued by the Department of Special Operations, the agency recruits them to team up with two other Nexus Killian special agents. Maya and Malia quickly discover how important their unique reality is. But with their newfound powers comes an envious reaction from one of the DSO’s highest-priority enemies. After Maya suffers a traumatic experience at the hands of this particular enemy, a dormant gene awakens in her, making her more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Will Maya be able to control her new powers, or will they be the reason for her downfall?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664198654

Madison Capps

Madison Capps is an author of fiction for young adults who are looking for a little bit of everything in what they read. She was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia where she resides with her parents and older brother. As a working college student at Old Dominion University, she is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice as well as a life-long career as an author. Having dealt with multiple medical issues, she understands the harsh realities of life and seeks to empathize with others who have experienced similar hard times, through her writing. You can follow Madison on Instagram and TikTok at @madisondcapps_ for updates and information about upcoming releases!

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Staring intently at the ceiling, Maya lay, picking apart her brain as she watched the fan spin round and round above her head.

I wonder what it’s like to be a fan, to have only one purpose to spin around and keep people cool when it’s warm. Wouldn’t that be cool? Ah! Hey, I didn’t even mean to make that pun!

Maya laughed at herself, throwing her hand over her face in the realization of how lame she must sound.

After many more minutes like this, rummaging through her thoughts, she eventually climbed out of bed to get ready for her first class of the day. As she got dressed, she laughed again when she looked in the mirror and realized she put her shirt on backward—one of the many ways she tends to start her days.

Uh, Maya, I think your head’s on backward, said Malia as she stepped into Maya’s room and pointed at her disheveled self.

Malia is Maya’s older sister—by one year at least. These two have been inseparable since they were both born; nothing pulled them away from each other. Malia has been with Maya through thick and thin, with a bond that most sisters struggle to have even after an entire lifetime. She’s seen her on her worst days and walked beside her through each of them, waiting out the storm right by her side.

Yeah, I’m actually worried it might be, Maya responded with a laugh as she rolled her lips together.

Malia laughed. Dude, you put your head through the armhole.

Maya looked down at the overly stretched-out armhole she now had fit her head through and looked back up at Malia with a true look of concern for herself.

Yep . . . my head’s definitely on backward. She rolled her lips and nodded.

Sounds about right. Malia fiddled with the doorknob and nodded. Anyway, Adeline wants to video chat with us before she goes to school.

Okay, I’ll be down in a minute . . . you know, once I figure out how clothes work again.

Malia laughed as she left Maya’s room and returned to the kitchen.

Adeline is Maya and Malia’s younger sister, the last sibling of four, although the fourth sibling lives far away. The three sisters are surprisingly close for their age differences. Adeline is only an eight-year-old in third grade, and Maya and Malia are about to graduate from the University of Maine. Adeline usually calls them early in the morning, every other day, before she leaves for school to talk to them about her school the days before and ask about their days as well. The conversation is usually filled with deep laughter and the occasional tear from sentimental talks every now and then.

In this morning’s conversation, Adeline told them all about the history project she has to present and the topic she chose because it is similar to her dream fantasy of becoming a superhero who would save an entire community someday.

All right, peanut, have a good day at school. You’re gonna kill that presentation, Maya said with a smile and a wink.

See ya later, nugget, said Malia also as she blew a kiss to the camera.

Hope you guys have a good day too! Adeline shouted. I love you both so much!

We love you too, girly. Maya kissed the phone’s lens and handed it back to Malia, who ran back upstairs to grab her things.

Living away from home was particularly difficult for Maya since she is the one sibling who still remains overly attached to her childhood home. The others didn’t take long to adjust to their adult life away from home, but Maya could never do it quite as easily as them after all these years.

Bringing herself back to the space she was in, Maya took in her surroundings—the quaint little kitchen of her little home with a few bright-green plants perched on the sill of the bay window across from the mahogany dining table. The sun shone through the window, painting a light-golden streak across the plant leaves. The benefit to college life for Maya has been living off-campus in this cozy home with her sister and not some stranger who won’t respect her privacy.

The two of them grabbed their bags and opened the front door, letting in a rush of cold air that blew right into both their faces. Maya felt the needle pricks of the crisp air as it hit her face and made a sharp 180-degree turn back into the house. Malia caught her arms as she turned around and nudged her out the door against her will. Maya just took off to the car as fast as she could.

October in Maine was quite freezing on campus; it was almost like living inside an igloo in the North Pole. Usually, Maya is overly tense with intense feelings of the cold pricking at her fingertips and toes. Still, lately, her focus has been on the even stranger sensations she’s been feeling throughout her entire body, which is completely unrelated to the cold sensations she is used to by now. It began a couple of months ago and has only increased with time, but Maya has kept any mention of it from Malia for her own reasons.

As usual, Maya struggled to keep herself composed and awake during her last class of the day. This particular professor spoke with such a monotone voice that listening to him teach was like trying to sit still and watch paint dry for an hour and a half.

As soon as Maya stepped back through the front door of her house, she felt a sharp, piercing pain in the center of her head, like someone was trying to push a massive dagger through her brain and out the other side. Malia was still in her class, so Maya was at home alone. She grasped the sides of her head and squeezed her eyes shut, bending over as her voice cracked in a soft groan of pain. Suddenly, she felt an electric current run through every inch of her face and every layer of her skin from her head to her toes, but the shock was not like being electrocuted. It was more like she was charged. She immediately ran into the bathroom, slamming the door shut and scrambling to lock it behind her. She rushed over to lean against the sink and looked into the mirror with beads of sweat running down her face and her chest rising and falling rapidly with every heavy breath. The sensation increased and began to pulsate through her hands, making her grimace again. She looked down to her palms and saw flickers of lightning streaks bouncing between her fingers and resting over her skin. Her eyes widened with fear as her heart slammed against her chest wall, practically bursting through the skin in a panic.

When she looked up into the mirror again, she jumped back, startled by what she saw, colliding with the shelf behind her. The mirror reflected her face with some kind of electric overlay of a skeleton’s face. She turned her head from side to side, getting a good look at every inch of the figure depicted before her. Streaks of lightning rippled along the face, striking from the bottom up and fading about halfway. Maya slid down to the floor and cradled her knees to her chest, praying for the pain to subside and the nightmare to end. Ten minutes later, the sensations finally ceased, and she picked herself up off the floor and walked to her bedroom with shaky knees.

The next day, Maya went to her sociology class, but all she could think about was the incident from the day before. The lecture was just a hum in the background of her bouncing brain, putting together a detective’s board of clues to piece together every strange sensation she felt. She couldn’t wrap her brain around the idea of lightning streaks flashing in her hands or a skull being displayed across the features of her face. She nervously bounced her leg up and down, furrowing her brow and straining her grip on the pen in her hand until she developed sores on her palm.

Afterward, Maya and Malia decided to go for a walk in the park to clear their heads and spend some time in the fresh air. They slowly walked along the cold concrete sidewalk, talking about their day and enjoying each other’s company. Along the way, Maya drew in a deep breath and exhaled as she closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of the leaves crunching under both their feet. But Maya soon realized there were more than two pairs of footsteps being heard around them.

Then, a hand suddenly covered Maya’s mouth from behind. The attacker wrapped his other arm around her waist, dragging her toward a dark-red SUV parked on the curb. Maya jerked underneath his grip, trying to break free from the tight grasp he had on her, attempting every self-defense move her father had taught her. The attacker held a potent-smelling cloth to her mouth that began to burn the skin on her face. She tried to scream against underneath, but only a cracked, buffered one came out. She kicked her leg backward, connecting with the man’s knee in the wrong direction, causing him to release her as he reached down for his leg.

Maya ran straight for Malia to break her free when another man jumped out of the SUV, blocking her path. She slid to a stop before he quickly forced a Taser into her side, making her knees buckle and her body go limp. The Taser to her side was like being struck by lightning ten times over. Both men picked her up and tossed her into the back of the SUV, along with Malia. With hazy vision, Maya looked over to Malia lying next to her with tape over her mouth and ties that restrained her hands. She didn’t look like a Taser had hit her, but she had a large gash across her cheek. Maya’s body continued to twitch on and off from the electricity still coursing through her body, and her muscles refused to move when she attempted to sit up against the back of the seats.

A short drive later, Maya jolted awake when she felt the car come to a slow stop on a gravel road. The two men pulled them both out of the SUV and dragged them inside an old warehouse where they tossed them into two dark concrete-floored cells with dark green-colored bars—something neither of them had ever seen before. Maya propped herself up against the bars and gripped her side tightly in the process, wincing from the pain. Malia scooted herself to the side of her cell, closer to Maya’s.

Maya, hey, I’m right here, she said as she looked at Maya with worry.

W-Where exactly is here? asked Maya. Did you see the people who grabbed us?

No, I couldn’t see their faces. I’m pretty sure they brought us to that old fairground Mom and Dad used to take us to when we were kids. It looks like we’re in the old barn.

Maya glanced around the room.

"You know, I’ve had my eyes on . . . creatures like you for a while now. A deep scary voice suddenly echoed off the walls of the warehouse. More to experiment with now that I have you two. The other two grew seemingly impossible to catch."

His voice was clearly manipulated and altered to sound scrambled and unfamiliar in any way. It was a voice fitting for the man they suddenly saw coming down the flight of stairs on the far side of the room. He was a muscular big dude, which made him even more terrifying. Dressed in all-black clothes with a few red streaks, he paraded himself down the stairs as if he were a celebrity. A sinister mask covered his face, so the girls couldn’t see a single feature of who this man was.

Who are you? Malia asked.

My name is Obsidian, he answered, walking toward their cells.

Why are we here? What do you want from us?

You sure do ask a lot of questions. Obsidian walked back and forth in front of them, looking at Maya and Malia like they were caged animals. "You two are precious weapons to me. I would kill for the abilities and powers that you have . . . especially you, Malia."

Malia and Maya looked at each other with the same amount of confusion.

What-what are you even talking about? Maya asked, scrunching her face and flailing her right arm through the air. Powers? We don’t have any powers! Are you crazy!

Oh, quite the contrary, you are the most powerful creatures in the world. Now, enjoy the downtime while you still can. The fun will start tomorrow. Obsidian then walked out of the room without another word, leaving them alone to ponder what he just said to them.

An hour of nervous talking passed as they went over all the ways they could try to get out of the situation while at the same time realizing they had literally no way out.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash at the warehouse entrance, and a group of soldiers in black tactical uniforms came rushing in. Neither Obsidian nor his men came out to attack them, which gave reason to the idea that they knew who these soldiers were. Two of them unlocked Maya and Malia’s cells, setting them free. Malia ran to Maya, pulling her into a tight embrace. Maya winced when Malia hugged her, still sore from the after-effects of the Taser. The soldiers and Malia helped support Maya as they walked out of the warehouse. Maya was scared and reasonably so but in too much pain to question who these soldiers were at the time. They had just saved hers and her sister’s life, and that was enough for her for the time being. The soldiers helped Malia and Maya into an all-gray pickup truck, with two other trucks leading in front and two more following behind, with all-white police lights beaming in the dark. Maya ran her hand through her hair and closed her eyes, going through everything that just happened, trying to make sense of it all. Maya felt Malia take her hand and turned to look at her with stress and worry profoundly written all over her face. The look on Malia’s face somehow told Maya that everything would be all right, and they were going to face whatever came their way together.

CHAPTER 2

On a special operations base deep in the mountains of Maine, Maya and Malia were sat down in a military-decorated conference room.

The base’s surrounding area had beautiful scenery primarily consisting of elegant but modern fine cobblestone buildings. The driveway was lined with boulders and small rock-shaped lights leading up to the headquarters building—made almost entirely of glass windows. In the distance, there was a modern mansion as big as the Titanic, lined with medium dark-wood-paneled walls and white sections to accent the shape.

A little while later, a man wearing a black military uniform entered.

Hello, Malia and Maya, he said with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face. Welcome to the DSO, otherwise known as the Department of Special Operations. I am Commander Will Taylor.

Thank you so much for rescuing me and my sister, Commander Taylor, said a gracious Malia. We seriously cannot thank you enough.

I’m just glad we were able to reach you in time. Our medics will examine you both and take care of your wounds. In the meantime, you two can stay the night in a medical room here in the hospital bay. You two should focus on getting some rest, and we can discuss more details tomorrow morning of why you’re here, as I’m sure you have many questions. We thought it best not to throw everything on you tonight. The medics then led the two of them into the medical room they would be staying.

The medic slowly raised Maya’s shirt in the exam room, revealing marks oddly similar to those on lightning-strike victims. As the medic cleaned and patched her up, she discussed with Maya how she had never seen marks like that from just a simple Taser. After she finished, Maya got herself ready for bed and slowly drifted off to sleep. She got her typical six hours of sleep when she really needs twelve.

Maya woke up sore the following day like she’d been hit by a truck, managing to pull herself out of bed with minimal strain. She slowly lifted her shirt to look at the lightning mark in the mirror. She traced her fingers along the outline, wincing beneath the minor contact of the touch. It was more purple than red now, with a few darkish-pink spots along the lines. A sudden knock on the door made Maya jump in her skin.

Yes? she asked, sliding her shirt back down.

Ms. Rivers, I have a change of clothes here for you, a respectful male voice said from the other side of the door. Maya opened the door to see him standing there with a folded pile of black clothing in his hands. She gladly took them from him and thanked him before she shut the door and got herself dressed.

She was given a pair of black cloth leggings, a white long-sleeved shirt, and a black hoodie with what she assumed was the DSO emblem. It was shaped like an X with two arrows pointing out the top notches of the X and a dark circle in the middle where the arrows intersected with a cross connecting to each pointed indent. When she walked out, the soldier led her and Malia to where the commander was waiting for them.

With gray-colored walls and a dark rubber floor, the room gave off an intense military vibe. Weapons, exercise equipment, and training mats lined the room to the brim with a few places open in front of some large mirrors. Maya was fascinated by the room—given that it looked like something out of a movie, who wouldn’t be?—that she felt as though she were about to meet the Avengers.

Good morning, ladies, Commander Taylor said.

Good morning, said Maya in response. What is this room? It’s so . . . high tech and military-like.

This is our training room, which is where we will be spending our time today after I finish briefing you both on your new lives.

Malia and Maya shared a look of surprise and confusion at how fast they had to process everything.

There’s a species of people who have special abilities that no average human can possess. There are only a selected few in existence that we know of. This species is called Nexus Killian.

While that’s cool and kinda weird, why are you telling us about this? asked Malia.

Both of you are Nexus Killian.

Maya’s gaze went as still as frozen water, her brain operating like a tape recorder, replaying the words until they made the slightest bit of sense.

So you’re saying we’re like . . . aliens? she asked.

Commander Taylor chuckled. In a sense, yes, but you are more like biologically enhanced human beings. You have both Nexus Killian blood and human blood running through your veins, he explained. And when I say enhanced, I mean naturally enhanced, not a result of a science experiment. These abilities are naturally a part of your biology, but the genes remain dormant until you reach twenty-two. This is why you both have been feeling strange sensations throughout your bodies.

This is insane. Maya held her hands up like she was pushing away this absurd conversation before she stopped in the realization of something. Wait, hold up. I’m only twenty-one. Why am I already having these sensations?

We don’t quite know why yours activated so early, but we have our researchers looking into it.

"Okay. So how many of . . . us are there?" Malia asked with her arms folded.

So far, there are only four of you we know in existence: the two of you and Ashton and Luca. Commander Taylor pointed to two men walking toward them from behind.

Maya’s eyes were instantly drawn to the man on the right. His dirty-blond hair faded up into a faux hawk, a feature that made Maya weak in the knees, and his defined jawline was sharp enough to cut paper. The light created a subtle highlight over his perfectly sculpted cheekbones, and a little dimple formed with his smile. He was dressed in a white T-shirt, covered by a black leather jacket, and his black jeans had a slight rip at the knees. The man walking beside him was dressed almost the same, except he was wearing an athletic jacket and unripped jeans, and his hair was a medium brown color.

They walked around the girls to stand by Commander Taylor’s side.

It’s nice to come face-to-face with you both finally. I’m Luca Maine, and this is Ashton Wolf, said Luca with a welcoming smile.

I-I’m sorry . . . to finally come face-to-face with us? What does that mean? Maya shifted her stance, nervous her legs might buckle underneath her if Ashton kept looking at her like he was.

When the DSO discovered the two of you were Nexus Killian, Commander Taylor assigned Ashton and me as your watchers.

Ashton looked between the two of them, holding Maya’s gaze a little longer, leading her to clear her throat and scratch at her ear.

Watchers?

When we became your watchers, we were given the duty to look out for you while your powers were developing. We were keeping an eye on you in case you needed to be protected from anyone finding out what you are.

So you were watching over us when we were kidnapped?

He dropped his head. Yes . . . only I wish we could have seen them coming earlier and stopped them from ever taking you in the first place, but it happened too quickly.

So are you still our watchers?

Maya looked back and forth between the two of them.

No, not anymore. You two are a part of our squad now. Welcome to Spectre, the elite DSO team of Nexus Killian tasked with protecting people from extraterrestrial threats.

Malia cocked her head to the side. Wait, do we even have the choice not to join?

Of course, you absolutely have a choice, Commander Taylor stepped in to say. I’m also obligated to mention the pay you receive with this job and other benefits, including an already-paid living situation in the house behind the headquarters. He proceeded to tell them their new salaries, which made their jaws drop to the floor.

Maya then smiled with excitement as she glanced over and read a similar expression on Malia’s face.

We’re definitely in, sir, Maya said for the both of them.

Excellent. Commander Taylor waved a soldier over, who was carrying a scanner in his hands. The soldier held the scanner to the back of Malia’s neck and then to the back of Maya’s. Maya slightly jumped at the cold touch of the scanner.

The scanner beeped, and the soldier read the words displayed on the miniature screen, Maya: Exoskeleton Ripper. Malia: Chameleon Frostbite.

Maya, as an Exoskeleton Ripper, you have the power of electricity, Commander Taylor went on to explain. Your special weapon is a Ripper, which extends from the top of your forearm, created from the electricity that runs through your body. You use the energy and electricity inside of you to operate all your abilities and weapons.

Maya looked down at her hands and arms, flipping them over and back, studying them for subtle differences.

Ashton is a Jasper Bayle. His main ability deals with fire, and Luca is an Ocean Windigo with a main ability of water.

I just have one question, Maya said with a finger pointed up in the air. Why did the Taser they struck me with feel like being struck by lightning? I mean I’ve never been Tased before, but I’m almost positive it is not supposed to feel like that.

Ashton chuckled at the way Maya phrased her sentence.

The Taser’s electricity mixed with the electricity that runs through your body as a Ripper. The added amount heightened the voltage, making you feel it at a stronger level than someone like Malia would.

Okay, well, remind me to stay away from those. She raised her eyebrows and rolled her lips sarcastically.

Everyone laughed before Commander Taylor continued, Malia, as a Chameleon Frostbite, your special ability is ice. You have the ability to create your own ice and control it in any way you like. You too have a blade, but yours extends from your hand into a full sword. We call it an ice bolt. There are some abilities that all of you possess jointly, like cloaking and splinters.

Sweet. Maya folded her arms, feeling like a full-on superhero about to charge into battle.

Now that we have introductions out of the way, what do you say we begin some light training?

Malia and Maya nodded, growing more and more excited to begin their new lives as special agents, a dream both of them had shared since they were young. Maya had always aspired to be an FBI agent someday, while Malia wanted to move in the direction of the CIA. They are both majoring in criminal justice at the University of Alaska, although now, they wouldn’t need to stress about finding a job after they graduate.

Maya, Luca, Ashton, and Malia set up on the mats in the middle of the training room; and Commander Taylor stood off to the side to observe. A DSO soldier began to teach them how to activate their suits. Ashton and Luca activated theirs first to show Maya and Malia what they look like.

The suits were fitted to the body with a tight but stretchy black fabric. Orange lights decorated Ashton’s black bodysuit’s various creases, while Luca’s displayed a natural green color. The suits looked almost identical to the ones in the movie Tron Legacy. The facial screen on the helmets depicted a visualization of the kind of Nexus Killian the boys were. Ashton’s screen depicted a fiery skeleton, while Luca’s depicted an acid-based one—both stunning and magnificent. Maya’s would depict an electric skeleton, and Malia’s would depict one with frost.

The soldier, codenamed Kilo, told Malia and Maya how to activate the suits of their own. Maya walked out to the center of the mat, next to Malia, as they both set up to activate their suits. Malia attempted to activate hers first, which she seemed to do with ease, leading Maya to feel less anxious to try herself. Maya stood next, concentrating on the activation process; and in a matter of seconds, the suit formed around her body. Both of them pretended like they were about to battle each other for the crown as Ashton and Luca laughed at their excitement.

The boys then went on to teach the girls how to activate their special abilities before calling it a day and heading back to the house.

On their way up the walkway of the house, Maya took in the sight of it.

The house was massive—about three stories high—with an outdoor sitting area on the roof level that was covered by a partial wall overhang. The black marble steps leading up to the tall white wooden front door were some of the fanciest steps Maya had ever seen. Every window stretched from the top of the wall to the bottom, covering almost every inch of the house. Stepping into the house, you could see a living room first, in a little cutout of the floor with steps on each side. Spiral stone and wooden stairs sat just on the other side of the cutout, leading up to the second floor with a balcony overlooking the living area.

The boys took the two of them around the house for an in-depth tour before taking them to their rooms.

As Maya settled in her new room, Malia walked in.

Hey, Maya said, plopping down onto the bed. Wow . . . oh my gosh, this is the most comfortable bed I have ever been on. It’s like lying on a cloud! Literally!

Malia laughed, jumping onto the bed beside her.

Oh wow, you’re right! she said with an excited look. Ugh, as if it isn’t hard enough to get out of bed already.

They both laughed as they lay next to each other, Maya slowly coming down from her excitement to rest in a place of worry.

Maya scratched the top of her head. Do you think those people who took us will ever stop coming after us? Do you think they really want our powers that badly?

I don’t know, probably, Malia replied. I’m sure Commander Taylor will tell us more about Obsidian or whoever that guy was soon. We’ll be okay, Maya. Everyone seems to be supernice here, and Ashton and Luca seem to really wanna help. Plus, I’ll be right here with you through it all. I’m not going anywhere, I promise. Malia turned to smile at Maya as Maya turned to face her.

Speaking of Ashton and Luca, what do you think about them? Maya rolled over onto her side, propping her head up with her elbow.

Malia held her finger up in the air and raised her eyebrows. First of all, I feel like I should note that they’re both extremely attractive.

Maya just laughed and rolled her eyes.

But I also think they’re the kind of guys who are just genuinely good, you know, like they’re just down-to-earth, perfect gentlemen in every way possible.

Malia, you think too highly of everyone you meet.

Maybe, but it’s better to see them as good than as automatically bad. Give them a chance to show that they’re not like everyone else.

Until they show you they are. Maya bleakly sighed.

You should get some sleep. Malia jumped off the bed and headed for the door. I love you.

I love you too.

Maya lay staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that’s happened recently—how her life’s been completely turned upside down and uprooted from how she imagined it would ever be. Her heart couldn’t decide whether it was happy or terrified with this new future ahead of her. It remained the rope in its own game of tug-of-war with no knowledge of what side will let go first. She could only hope that happiness would finally become stronger than her fear for once in her life—for once, let her win the game.

CHAPTER 3

Good morning, everyone, Commander Taylor greeted as the newly improved Spectre team walked through the door. Today, you will begin your official training as Spectre members, meaning today will be more physical combat-related. Malia and Maya, I also need to assign you your code names. He took a clipboard from one of his soldiers. Malia, your code name is Crossbow, and Maya, your code name is Evergreen. Ashton’s code name is Rothko, and Luca’s is Echo. Ashton, partner with Maya, and, Luca, partner with Malia. Let’s get to work, Spectre. Day one of training begins! Commander Taylor clapped his hands together as he walked back into the control room to operate the running of simulations and observe with his notebook. Ashton and Maya walked over to the mat on the left with their simulations, and Luca and Malia stood on the other mat to the right.

The first simulation will help you learn how to use your small lethal weapons, like splinters and flakes, Ashton began to explain to Maya.

Maya had trouble focusing on what he was saying because all she could think about was his icy-blue eyes looking into hers; they were as blue as the crystal waters of the Maldives. He had the kind of eyes that could swallow a girl whole and the very smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts. And Maya’s heart was threatening to punch through a hole in her chest.

Why does he make me feel like this? I don’t catch feelings for people. What’s happening to me? It’s so easy to talk to him—like I’ve known him my entire life when I’ve only known him for a couple of days. As much as my heart wants me to believe I need him, my head convinces the opposite.

And splinters are little spikes that shoot from the chamber under your wrists, embedded in your suit. Just point and shoot. Flakes are basically like ninja stars with three spikes that are held in the thin layer on the back of your suits. When you hold your hand over your back, your suit senses your palm and provides you with a flake to throw.

Maya just caught the tail end of his entire speech.

Ashton ran through a simulation once on his own, allowing Maya the chance to watch and learn. She watched intently, studying the way he moved his body around the holograms and obstacles with such ease. Afterward, he set her up to run through one on her own. The holographic enemies were programmed to stand in place; this way, Maya could practice without the pressure of seeing them running at her in full force. She ran through it well for it being her first time. Having a military background pays off in a job like this.

Good work today. You two are quite the fast learners, Commander Taylor said to both Maya and Malia. You will be provided with new vehicles, and you are allowed to return home to inform your families of your situation today. You are permitted only to tell them the DSO has recruited you and you will be living on the base in a house provided for you. You have the freedom to leave base whenever you choose and visit whomever you like, but keep in mind, you will always be on call, even when off base.

Maya anxiously scratched the back of her neck, worried about how her parents would react to all this. She assumed they would be okay with it once it settled in their minds that this is who they are now, but would they really be okay with the fact that they are living with two boys? And what about the idea that they are technically supernaturals with supernatural powers that could seriously injure another human being?

Malia and Maya went straight back to the house to shower and prepare themselves for an interesting visit to their family. Once they were ready, Maya grabbed the keys to her brand-new truck painted matte black, with black rims and tinted windows. Maya always dreamed of having a Tahoe SUV of her own one day, and now, that long-awaited day has finally come. Maya contained her excitement on the outside, while internally, she ecstatically celebrated like she had just won the lottery. Malia received a vehicle as well; only hers was a Camaro, and Luca had a Sierra pickup truck, and Ashton had a Ram. Each of their vehicles was customized and painted the same color, while other DSO vehicles were all matte gray. Every vehicle was configured with white police lights hidden in the dark paint of the cars so they wouldn’t be exposed.

After a fairly short drive, everyone arrived at the Rivers household.

Maya! Malia! yelled Adeline, running down the stairs and enveloping Malia and Maya in a squeezing the life out of you hug. Mr. and Mrs. Rivers pulled them into a hug before stepping back inside and inviting the four of them in. Maya introduced Ashton and Luca to her parents as everyone gathered into the cozy living room. Ashton and Luca sat back against the rim of the bay window behind the graphite couch Maya and Malia were sitting on.

I’m sorry we kinda disappeared for a while, Malia began to say, but there’s something important we need to tell you, guys.

Realizing Adeline didn’t need to hear all the details—because, let’s face it, kids are terrible at keeping secrets—Maya stood up and reached for Adeline’s hand. She started toward the playroom on the other side of the living room wall when Ashton decided to follow her for company. Maya closed the white barn doors behind them and took a seat on the floor with Adeline and Ashton in the middle of all her toys and coloring books.

The attention turned again to Malia and Luca once they were gone.

What’s wrong, sweetie? Are you guys in some sort of trouble? asked Mrs. Rivers, reaching her hand to Malia’s knee.

Malia could hear the worry in her mother’s voice as she took another second to phrase her sentence carefully.

No, no, we’re fine, we’re not in any trouble, um . . . Malia scratched her forehead and looked down at the ground. There’s this organization called the DSO, and they recently recruited us to join their elite forces because of our special . . . abilities.

"What do you mean special abilities?" Mrs. Rivers’s forehead crinkled in confusion.

Well, Maya and I are actually part of another species called Nexus Killian. I’m what’s known as a Chameleon Frostbite, and Maya is an Exoskeleton Ripper. We-we’re still human, but . . . we also carry Nexus Killian blood, making us both human and . . . supernatural, I guess.

Mr. and Mrs. Rivers stared at Malia like she had just slaughtered a baby bird and used the feathers to make a bunch of pens—a look that said she had lost her mind.

The DSO rescued us a few days ago from an enemy of theirs and—

Wait, rescued you? From what? Mr. Rivers waved his hand, cutting Malia off.

We were kidnapped by an enemy who wanted us for our powers. Malia fiddled with the hem of her sweater as she watched her mom’s eyes bounce back and forth from her and Luca.

This is insane, Mrs. Rivers said as she rested her head in her hands with a wide-eyed expression as Mr. Rivers stood up to pace behind the couch.

Malia went on before Luca jumped in to help explain what she couldn’t seem to form in words.

In the playroom, Maya sat in a tense position on the couch, watching Adeline draw in one of her books. Ashton quietly sat down on the other end of the couch and took the time to study her.

She was leaning her head on her hand, propped up against the back of the couch. Her hair held a slight wave to it like she forgot to brush it but still looked effortlessly put together. The sweater she