Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

of years, then life took another turn, as it always seems to do. Harlan met another woman, a reg named Elaine.

“I was happy that he found someone else to be happy with, but I was as naive as ever. If I ever thought Shannon was horrible to me, then Elaine was on another level. She hated me instantly. I didn’t even recognize her, but she was among the group of girls that had picked on me mercilessly. She was a cheerleader but wasn’t that cute, in my opinion. Some people don’t age well. She obviously didn’t let that affect her over-inflated sense of her own importance though.

“The hell that woman has put me through the last six years has been almost intolerable. I think if Harlan was left to his own devices, he would share custody of Maddy, and I would be much more a part of her life. I know she hates hybrids, and she is always threatening to take away custody of Maddy for some trumped-up reason or another. I try to stay out of her life but she keeps finding ways to drag me into her drama.”

Prime’s knuckles cracked her fists clenched as the feelings became more intense. She then spread out her fingers, forcing herself to continue with calm.

“She should be happy. Elaine’s family is rich, and owns numerous businesses. Harlan managed to get an easy job with one of them, and they make a lot of money and live in a nice house. Still, she has the gall to press me for child support. When I was accepted into Purple Faction, she pressed me to revise my contributions so they could get more out of me.

“I think she suspects that she can reveal that I’m a hybrid and she uses that to threaten me with all types of things she will reveal to the Faction. Nothing direct, but her tactless insinuations leave no doubt. The problem is I’m not entirely sure she’s not right. If it wasn’t for her greed, I doubt she would have kept it under wraps for so long.

“As it is now, I only get to see my daughter sporadically throughout the year. The itinerant nature of missions for the Faction is another factor that she uses to manipulate me and to try to limit any claim for custody. So I’m torn. But now that may not be an issue. Perhaps my reveal was long overdue. I just don’t know where I fit in anymore, though. The Faction is the only true home I’ve ever felt at least partially accepted. It still is cold comfort that Elaine can’t lord that over me anymore.

“I just don’t get why she is so spiteful and vindictive. I have never done anything to her, but there must be something inside of her that makes her that way. If Maddy wasn’t involved, this would be so much easier, but the thought of that woman poisoning her with her vitriol and all the things she must say about me, it makes me almost physically ill. Maddy is young and I don’t think it is as damaging now, but it kills me that one day my own daughter will despise me because of her influence.”

“Doesn’t Harlan step in?”

“That gutless wonder? No. He kowtows to anything that shrew says to him. She has a way of flying into a screaming rage and is used to getting what she wants. I secretly think that she’s a lot like Shannon and Harlan responds to that. Subconsciously or not, I think he responds to it like she’s his surrogate mother, running his life for him.”

“I think I would have found it very hard not to arrange some convenient accidents to make her life miserable for a change!” Gus said shaking his head. “Doesn’t she know who she’s messing with? That’s kind of ballsy to get on a super’s bad side.”

“Oh, believe me. The dark things I’ve imagined. Sometimes I even worry about how far I’ll go. I think secretly she wants me to try something. That way she can point to that act of retribution and show Maddy I’m really as horrible as Elaine says that I am. That little girl is going to have a hard time growing up with that woman, and sometimes being a beacon to her is all that gets me through the tough days.”

“Wow,” Gus said, not knowing how to respond.

“I did warn you,” Prime said, laughing. “That actually feels good getting that all out. Probably not what you were expecting. Did you get some of your mother’s empath skills and draw that out of me?”

“Hmm? No. I don’t think I got any powers that my family has. At least not yet. I don’t know how it all works genetics-wise.”

“You mean you aren’t a legacy?” Sanura arched an eyebrow.

“You mean getting powers from my parents? Not that I know of, but I got sick in my tweens and there’s been a lot of memory loss. Some of it has come back, but still there are some blank stretches. So I guess it’s a possibility, but I haven’t seen anything specific in my abilities.”

“I never talk about my past. Too much darkness and pain there. Thanks for listening, that was actually very cathartic. I probably should have done that a long time ago. Sorry for making you my emotional dumping ground.”

“No, no. Actually, that’s kind of reassuring in a weird way. I feel more comfortable just knowing that I’m not the only one struggling. I have felt incapable for so long. I know things haven’t been ideal here for you in Hinansho. But if you aren’t going back to the Faction, you can spend some more time with Maddy. I think you’ll like that,” Gus encouraged.

“You’re right. I imagine after this mission I’ll have a lot of time on my hands. I’ll make plans to pay Maddy a visit. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her in person. Even longer that I’ve seen her without the helmet, I