Episode Three - Super Power (Part 2)

"Based on what I know, amongst the kill hunters injected with Cell II, only five percent of them manifested some kind of powers. I found a secret file in Skocia but, I couldn't read it all." When she heard the rumours about the special soldiers, she couldn't help but do a little digging and some of what she had discovered, shocked her. "The government lied about Cell II's purpose. It has nothing to do with weapon compatibility. They were harvesting a bigger potential – a superhuman or supernatural power if you will." Eira's voice hushed into a whisper. "I suspect the special kill force is a camouflage hiding an insidious project. And our mystery attacker knows the truth."

The conspiracy rumour wasn't news to Lars. Hell, he was certain it was a fact. The way he and Eira became kill hunters was proof enough. As a result of the government's inhumane treatment, after being captured and forced to serve…there wasn't enough brainwashing to make him disregard vengeance. And Lars knew Lieutenant General Novak Levente was at the heart of it — the man responsible for his parent's death. He wondered how much Eira truly knew about Ataxia's corruption. "What kind of powers are you referring to?"

"Powers beyond human understanding and mortal capabilities." Emerald green clashed with fiery gold. "What if I told you that I have the power to communicate with predators?"

A brief silence existed.

It dawned on Lars that this was the true subject of their conversation. Eira was testing him and the next words out his mouth would set the tone of their relationship forever. Though subtle, he grasped the fearful hesitance in her eyes, as if she was waiting for him to betray her in some way. He didn't know why that irked him. "Given all the unimaginable events I've experienced, I'm not close-minded to dismiss the possibility." Palms bracing the counter, he leaned close enough to notice the hazel rims of her irises. "If you're telling the truth, then why hide the fact in your official documents?"

Eira stared at him like he had grown two heads. "Have you not been listening? If the government discovers my ability, who knows what they'll do to me."

He knew. He only wanted to see if she was lying. "Prove your power."

She mentally paused at his nonchalance. "Leesi? Now?"

"You're not leaving this room until you do." He wasn't fooling around.

Glancing around his apartment, she asked tentatively. "If you insist…,do you have a small plant or maybe a hidden pet?" Somehow, she doubted there was another living creature in the vicinity. Captains were usually so busy; their social lives were non-existent.

Lars padded into the living room and returned with a potted corpse eater plant, resembling a phallus stalk wrapped in a flower. Eira's brows rose considerably at its suggestive appearance. It looked like a man's dick. Period.

Setting the plant before her, he remarked tonelessly. "This is Betsy, Koga's idea of a birthday present."

Eira swallowed a laugh, merriment twinkling in her eyes. She understood Koga's intent to ruffle the rigid Captain's feathers. Lifting a finger, she stroked a velvety petal, creating a connection with the plant.

{Food! So hungry!}

Its hunger was so intent, it hit her like a ton of bricks. Mindlessly biting her lip, Eira asked, unaware that Lars was watching her. "What does Betsy eat?"

Betsy's owner wore a perplexed expression. "I don't know. Don't plants just rely on photosynthesis?"

{Meat! Want meat!}

"Oh, you poor thing," Eira crooned, throwing Lars a castigating look. "Betsy needs meat. Do you have any snacks in here?"

Lars rummaged through his minibar, finding a pack dehydrated meat. "Will this do?"

"Let's try it out." She tore a small piece and held it up to the plant. "Here you go, Betsy."

To their wonderment, tiny tendrils emerged from within the stalk, reaching out towards Eira. In a split second, it snatched the meat from her fingers and devoured the entire piece. Astonished laughter spilled from Eira's lips, and she stood excitedly. "Did you see that?"

He sure did, and he was amazed that he had been starving the plant for a year now. Was he thoroughly convinced of Eira's ability? No. He didn't want to doubt her but, old habits die hard. He didn't survive this long in Ataxia by believing everyone he met. There was a possibility she knew what Betsy was and simply fed it. It wasn't rocket science.

{Yummy! Want more!}

Eira heeded Betsy's request and broke off several pieces, scattering it around the pot. They observed as the tendrils greedily collected the meat and hoarded them within its stalk. "If there's one thing to be grateful for in predation," Eira reflected. "It's little miracles like Betsy."

Rubbing his jaw, Lars wasn't so sure about that. For too long, he only knew the viciousness of predators and the despair they caused. "I should probably find out more about corpse eaters." Returning to their original topic, he asked. "How certain are you that Jade will develop powers like you did?"

"Intuition," she answered fairly. "I know it doesn't sound plausible but…from one nature to another…it's like we can feel each other — a special connection."

"If that's true, then there could be more like you out there."

"Do you believe me now?"

Her childlike eagerness made his lips twitched. "Why entrust me with this information?" He smoothly evaded her question, forcing a stern look. Despite their history, they were still strangers, and he had every reason to be wary.

"Why did you try to save me when we first met?" she countered shrewdly, rounding the minibar. Lars was vividly aware that she was breaching his personal space. A head shorter than him, he had to drop his gaze to look into her entrancing eyes. "There's no one else I trust more than you, Lars. I meant every word about wanting to be with you." Her fingers whispered over his. "I want us to get to know each other again."

"That was fifteen years ago, Eira." Reluctance rumbled from his chest. "We're not children anymore. The boy you knew is gone and you've changed too." His brows slanted impatiently. "If you transferred to Ataxia because of me, then it's best you return to Skocia. I don't want you here because of some misguided feelings."

His quick dismissal only proved her stubbornness. "Nothing will ever make me leave you again. I had my choice stolen from me but not this time. This time, I choose to stay with you." Her lips curved slowly, alerting him of her impending mischief. "And it's not true. Yes, we grew up but, the foundation of who we are remains the same." She placed a hand on his hard, warm chest, feeling the strong beating of his heart. "I find it much more interesting to peel back the new layers you've developed. But I know you're still reliable, still as strong."

Her frame leaned into his — softness against hardness. "Those butterflies I used to get when I see you, I know what they mean now. I'm very attracted to you, Lars. Back then and now." Her breath ghosted his lips. "Your racing heart tells me that you feel the same. Am I wrong?"

Lars couldn't pin this seductress as the wild savage girl. He was only a man. And Eira was womanly in every way. With a low growl, he grabbed onto her bare curves. The woman needed to put on more clothes. "You're playing with fire, Eira. I don't want a relationship. It's troublesome and I don't want to relive the pain of losing a loved one again."

She expected as much resistance from him, knowing he wasn't easy prey. The hunter in her thrilled at that strength, even if it vexed her. A swift, frantic throbbing awakened in her, a feeling she never experienced before. Her fingers trailed the prominent scar bisecting his left eye — a memento he received from saving her life. "That's fine with me. I'm willing to have you" — her lips brushed his— "any—way—I—can." For now, she mentally added.

Their lips met and a breathy sigh escaped from her lungs into his. It was a searching kiss, tenderly persuasive and erotic. This was the kiss she had dreamt of — been waiting for. Eira's arms wrapped around his shoulders as he sucked harder, a light flick of his tongue begging for entrance. Opening her mouth, Lars tasted her hot femininity — sweet and wild. A moan hummed in the back of her throat as their tongues tangled, the mild friction adding a delicious rush through her veins.

Too soon, it ended with a soft nudge of his lips. Both breathing hard, their gazes continued to devour each other until the pleasurable haze was disrupted by a loud beep of the apartment door.

"Lars, baby! Did you miss me?" An accented feminine voice called out. Heels clicked from the foyer to the minibar.

Eira pulled out of Lars's arms like she had been scalded, in time to clasp eyes on a familiar face. She made a little gasp of indrawn air, emotions rushing through her. "Douh! It's you!"