THIN ICE: Forces of Nature #2

By Kelly Edwards

After quite literally burning their bridges with the villainous organization Iris and the super hero alliance known as the Solaris Circle, Marty and Aidan are living on the run.

Their relationship will be tested as they continue their mission together to destroy Iris, despite being pursued by villains and heroes alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phoenix Sisters Productions
• Release date: Aug 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781088042885

Book preview

Prologue

Ice skating until the very last spring thaw was always a favorite pastime in New Haven. As was ice fishing and tempting fate in every other way they could think of until the ice broke through and gave way to warmer weather activities. As with all children, the kids in his hometown felt a sense of invincibility that only came with youth. The little hint of danger that came with playing on thin ice only heightened their elation as they filled their days doing so.

Marty didn’t think anything of it himself. Not until the day when he’d gone out on the ice with his brother Randy and two kids from his school-Sue and James. They had all gotten so caught up in a fast and furious snowball fight that they didn’t even pay attention to the moment when it spilled out onto the frozen lake. They were happily oblivious of their surroundings until a crack tore through the air and shattered the innocent joy of the moment. The air temporarily went out of Marty’s lungs as he looked down at the crack rapidly forming in the ice below their feet.

Everyone get to the shore, Randy said tensely. He was within arms’ reach of Marty and tugged him backwards. James dove to safety easily, but Sue was too far out. All three boys watched in horror as the ice broke apart and she went under.

Without thinking, Marty wrested himself from Randy’s grasp and barreled towards the hole where Sue had disappeared. The ice splintered under his weight as he ran, but something odd began to happen even as he did so. His hands dropped in temperature and a silvery mist flowed from them and stitched the ice back together, keeping him steady.

He took a deep breath and dove into the water once he reached the spot where Sue had broke through. He’d come this far and he wasn’t going to return without her. It just didn’t seem fair to survive if they couldn’t all do so. He was surprised to find that the chill of the lake water wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. Bolstered by that realization, he opened his eyes and spotted the dark figure bobbing underneath the water. He swam towards her and wrapped his arms around the prone girl, pulling her back towards the halo of light that showed the break in the ice.

The pair surfaced and Marty drew in a gasping breath. Sue was unconscious but he felt her cough, which he took as a good sign. He reached for any ice that looked solid enough and eventually found some that was enough to haul both of them up on. Remarkably, the path that he’d forged on his way to dive in was shining with newly frozen ice. He only had a second to register that before Randy met them at the edge of the rift and tugged both back onto the ice.

Marty? he asked, staring in shock. What was that?

Marty shook his head, still panting. Let’s get her to shore.

Randy nodded solemnly, and scooped Sue into his arms, giving Marty one more worried look before he carried the little girl back to the edge of the lake, and to James, who was staring in complete shock.

James, go call for help, Randy said firmly. We need to see if we can get Sue to wake up. He put a hand on James’ shoulder. And whatever you saw just now… trick of the light, right?

James gaped at Marty, eyes wide, and then looked back to Randy, who glared. He nodded slowly.

Marty’s stomach sank at that exchange, watching as James ran off. Randy, I don’t know what happened… he started.

Randy shook his head and took Sue’s wrist to check her pulse.

You dove in and saved her life. Don’t tell anyone anything but that, okay?

Marty looked at his brother, fear replacing the relief that he’d felt minutes before. Randy?

Randy waved him off. We’ll talk about this at home, okay? You did good, Marty. You always do.

***

A few months passed since that incident. Marty and Randy told no one but their parents, though they suspected that James hadn’t quite managed to keep the secret. Whispers tended to spread throughout town, but for the most part, nobody made any outright accusations. Sue had thanked Marty for saving her life and she’d firmly denied any rumors that were swirling around.

Marty did his best to keep his head down, even as he wrestled with fear over what he was exactly, and what it could mean. He stopped talking to most people. He could tell that his parents were concerned too, given that they’d taken to hushed conversations behind closed doors and his mom looked like she might cry every time she looked him over.

On this particular night, he’d escaped to an overlook with his Gameboy. There was an uncluttered view of the stars from out there, and more important, nobody would be whispering about him. He could just curl up at the base of a tree and lose himself in a game for a few hours before anyone expected him at home.

The first sign that something was different was the breeze that rushed across his face and rustled at his hair. Marty brushed that off and figured the wind had merely picked up until he heard the distinct sound of someone clearing their throat. He jumped as he hadn’t heard any footsteps approaching or any other signs of someone approaching and looked up from his game. Then he merely gaped as he took in the maroon and white costume of the figure hovering in the air just a few feet in front of him, cape flapping in the wind behind him. He let the Gameboy slip through his fingers and scrambled to his feet as he looked over the superhero before him. He’d only seen pictures and news clips of The Champion, but he knew the man all the same. He continued to gape until the hero gave him a friendly smile and offered a hand.

Hello, Marty Knox. I’m The Champion, he said, as though that were the most normal introduction to offer in the world. Perhaps it was normal to him, Marty mused.

Uh, Marty struggled for words. Hi, sir? he tried out.

The Champion laughed softly. You can call me C for now. He drifted to the ground and nodded to the spot of grass next to where Marty had been seated. Do you mind if I have a seat?

Of-of course not, Marty stammered.

Good, The Champion said decisively, folding himself onto the grass with movement that could only be described as regal. Once he was settled, he patted the grass next to himself. Have a seat, Marty. Your parents gave me permission to talk to you. Though if you’d feel more comfortable with them present, perhaps we should head back to your home?

Marty considered that offer and then sat next to the Champion, feeling bolstered by the idea that the hero had talked to his parents first, even if he still didn’t know what this was about.

Am I in trouble?

Quite the opposite, The Champion said, his expression soft and kind. As I understand it, you recently discovered the ability to control ice, and you used that ability to save a young girl’s life.

Marty shrugged. It was nothing- he said quickly.

To Susan Warren, I can assure you that it was everything, The Champion said firmly. and by your brother’s recounting, it was the actions of a hero.

Marty flushed and looked down at his hands, at a loss for words.

The Solaris Circle has a training program for young superpowered individuals. I’ve come to offer you a place in the program. Your parents have made it clear that while they give their consent, the choice is yours to make.

Marty looked up from his hands and his mouth fell open again. I-what? he asked, mentally kicking himself for not somehow being suave and cool in the face of the world’s greatest superhero.

The Champion smiled again, a very human expression on his larger-than-life face.

My team would like to train you to better control your powers and to continue to use them to help those in need. If you agree, we’ll have to discuss the rules and codes of conduct before you are officially enrolled in the program, but those are details that can be discussed once you decide whether you’re interested.

Marty finally found his words and nodded enthusiastically. I’m interested, he exclaimed.

After all, who would say no to being a superhero?

1

Be Mine

February in Chicago was a blustery, cold affair. Aidan had never done well with cold weather. At least this time, she was able to snuggle against Marty for warmth as the two made their way down the brightly lit streets past store window displays that were adorned with pink and red hearts, cupids, and every other romantic cliché that Aidan could think of.

I still think we should keep a low profile, she protested as Marty led her along.

Marty shook his head and leaned over to kiss her forehead, brushing the bangs off her face as he did so.

We are keeping a low profile, he said, studying her for a minute before reaching up to brush some hair off her face. I miss the red, but blonde’s not a bad look on you.

Aidan’s hair was currently short and dyed platinum blonde while Marty had gone for a longer style in a dark brown. Generally, they tried to stay out of sight unless going after a suspected Iris operative so this was a change of pace that made her uneasy. While they had also taken precautions to lay a false trail before heading to Chicago for a few days off, Aidan still felt exposed under the glare of the city lights. With both sides after them, whatever measure they took didn’t seem like enough. As if sensing her reservations, Marty pulled her closer.

Aidan, it’s our first Valentine’s day. I know that it’s a risk, but I want it to be special. Besides, I’m getting sick of eating take-out and fast food in hotel rooms.

He gave her an easy grin, and her concern melted just a bit. Aidan had never been a fan of Valentine’s Day before. Then again, she’d never had someone to share it with. Marty had this way of drawing her into holidays and making her feel as though she had just as much reason to celebrate as everyone else.  He made her feel as if she was part of the world again.

Since they were already out, it was hard to say no to an evening on the town with her boyfriend.  She’d missed dating since they’d been out on the road and she knew that he missed a lot of things about his old life.  He’d given up everything for her-his home, contact with his family, his job, his team. The least she could do was enjoy the date that he’d taken so much time to plan.  Aidan stopped and pulled Marty into a kiss.

Sorry, she said by way of apology. Taking the night off now.

They both needed a night off from the tireless hunt for Iris’s operatives and especially for those higher up in the chain-the handlers and preferably, the ever-elusive Leaders. So far, they hadn’t gotten more than whispered suspicions about the Leaders. It was likely an impossible task to get to the top of the pyramid like that, but since she’d turned her back on Iris, Aidan no longer had many options beyond going after the organization as a whole.

Since Marty had refused to arrest her or to let her do this alone he’d become a criminal to his former team, the Solaris Circle, and had gotten dragged into her potential suicide mission. She still couldn’t quite understand what he’d seen in her that was worth risking everything for, but she loved him for it all the same.

They reached the restaurant and a blast of inviting warm air greeted her as Marty took his arm from her shoulders to open the door. Once inside, Aidan caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. She smiled up at him.

Thank you.  She didn’t specify what she was thanking him for. All of it she supposed-from the night out to the way he’d remained at her side through everything.

A grin broke out on Marty’s face.  It had been awhile since she’d seen that, so it was a treat to watch his face light up as he leaned over to give her a light kiss.

Happy Valentine’s Day, he whispered.

Dinner had been filled with food that melted in Aidan’s mouth.  After a month of eating whatever they could get on the run, it tasted better than just about any meal she could remember, with the exception of Marty’s mom’s Christmas feast.

The time on the road fell away as the two ate side by side in the cozy booth, talking about everything but Iris and the Solaris Circle.

In hindsight, Aidan would think that she should have noticed the man who was eating by himself in the corner of the room. She would feel that maybe there was something she could have picked up on before the date went very badly wrong.

Unfortunately, she stayed wrapped up in her time with Marty until the first scream broke through the quiet hum of conversations going on in the restaurant. That first scream was followed by two more. Without the need for discussion, Aidan and Marty both got to their feet, gazes searching for any sign of trouble.

Aidan resisted the urge to unleash a burst of flame when she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. She looked more closely and saw a cockroach skittering across the table. She opened her mouth to say something to Marty when suddenly a wave of tiny black bodies rushed across the floor toward them. The other diners stood on chairs and tables in a futile attempt to avoid the swarm of bugs. More shrieks filled the air.

Marty, Aidan said, her voice terse.

His hand covered hers in a brief squeeze as if to affirm that he realized this was more than an infestation. The insects acted as one single-minded beast moving to reach Aidan and Marty. Before the swarm could advance further, Marty sent out a sheet of ice that blanketed the nearest insects.

Everybody out! Aidan shouted, moving over the sheet of ice and singeing small groups of the bugs as a second wave rushed over their frozen comrades. She was careful to avoid the panicked diners as she fought to keep the insects at bay, occasionally slapping a creepy crawler from her leg or arm. She was definitely going to need a shower after this.

Once the dining room was cleared out Marty caught up to Aidan and grabbed her arm.

Something has to be controlling them. We need to get out of here, he said.

Aidan nodded her agreement and turned to help him look for a way out that wouldn’t lead the army of insects straight back to the innocent bystanders.

They made it through the kitchen and were at the back door when Marty was lifted in the air and slammed into a row of refrigerators.

Marty! Aidan shouted before she could stop herself.

Two people stepped into view from a door that must have led to a storage rom. A man with violently purple spiked hair held his hand out to Marty, who was lifted yet again and thrown into a wall lined with shelves. There was a loud clatter as dishes rained down on him. Aidan already had a fireball in her hands, ready to hurl at the telekinetic when the other man stepped forward and made eye contact. His eyes were deep ebony and Aidan felt as if she’d tripped and fallen headfirst into the pools of black.

A series of crashes and bangs happened somewhere nearby but Aidan had a difficult time caring about that. Nothing seemed to matter very much at the moment.

Something cold trickled down the back of her neck and she heard a familiar voice calling her name. The voice shouted again and suddenly everything came back into focus. As if out of nowhere, Marty was at her side with his hand on her arm.

Don’t look at his eyes, he said in a low voice.

Aidan shook her head to clear it and her palms heated up as her brain started to register what had happened. She lobbed a fireball in the direction of the hypnotist, careful to just singe his arm. Enough damage to distract, but not enough to kill.

The telekinetic was trickier. Aidan had no way to fight back when she was yanked upward and then shoved into the row of ovens. Spasms of pain ran up her back as she fought to regain control of her body.

More than anything else, that seemed to spur Marty on. A steady stream of ice hit the man with purple hair, shoving him into the wall.

Dogs barked from somewhere outside, getting closer. The hypnotist grinned in Aidan’s direction as he opened the door to let in a pack of snarling dogs.

Humans are the only creatures that require eye contact. Lesser brains are so much more malleable.

As one, the dogs made a beeline toward Aidan. A wall of ice slid out to stop them but Marty was again hurtled through the air and into a pile of dishes on the counter. Shards of ceramic and glass flew everywhere after the impact. Aidan saw a few cuts spring up on Marty’s skin from the debris, but she couldn’t stop to tend to him. Not yet.

This time, Aidan directed her flames at the telekinetic. She had to do something to break his concentration and pain was the best distraction she had at her disposal. Anguished screams and the smell of burning flesh filled the air as something exploded through the wall. There was a loud crash and dust and debris flew everywhere.

Come on, Marty’s voice was urgent in her ear as he appeared at her side and tugged her toward the hole.

"You want to go toward the person that can blow up buildings?" Aidan asked.

It’s our best chance to get out of here and to more friendly terrain, Marty answered.

He had a point. In