Chapter 60

In the dim light of the early morn, Vic padded naked to the bathroom. There he clicked on the overhead light, flinched at the sudden brightness and noisy fan, and promptly clicked it off again. Unable to see after that blinding flash, he kept his eyes shut and listened for the splash of water to ensure he didn’t miss the toilet. He was careful with the sink’s faucet—the first time his powers had ever manifested, he’d almost twisted off the knob with his sudden strength. Since then, he’d forced himself to slow down, take notice of the world around him, and try not to break anything if he could help it.

Cupping his hands to catch the water from the tap, Vic lowered his face and gasped as the icy coolness chilled his skin. He rubbed water into his closed eyes, along his cheeks, over his scalp; he gulped it in and rinsed the morning murk from his mouth. Then he stretched, letting out a leonine roar that invigorated every inch of his body.