278. Devin shut his eyes. This fool was getting him distracted. "I don't care about what you're saying. Where is Petra?" Amanda was already moving past the Mayor to go further inside. Her eyes fell on a containment chamber that was placed right behind the large vault. She gasped when she saw who was in it. "Devin! I found her!" Devin moved swiftly, past the stunned Mayor, right to where Amanda stood. His heart broke when he saw Petra in the container. Her arms were chained to a metallic table, and her belly was exposed. Wires and tubes ran from her skin into the machines surrounding her, all glowing with that same cursed, golden light. "Petra!" Devin yelled, looking for a lock. "There is no way for you to let her out." The Mayor said. "Doesn't she look like a dream in there?" That was when Petra opened her eyes. Her eyes softened at the sight of him, and a smile made its way to her face. "Devin!" She said weakly. "I knew you'd come." Devin froze up, his heart shatt

280. For a few seconds, there was nothing but smoke. Thick, choking smoke that reeked of chemicals burning minerals, and dirt. No human could survive such a thing. Devin could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears. [System: Adapt] Devin pulled himself up, looking at what collapsed on him. The spirit was finding a way to leave when Devin muttered. "I understand it now." Controlling multiple things at once was something had hadn't mastered, until now. Now, Devin had electricity flowing through his veins and the power of heat flames as well. He thought the entire place would come down, but it seemed like the spirit was truly a master of deception. Pointing towards the middle pillar, Devin struck it. And now, the ceiling truly began to collapse. Steel beams crashed down, flames spreading across the chemical pools causing sweet and horrid smells to fill the air, all most likely toxic. The spirit was moving desperately now, but Devin raised his hand again, this time glowing so

282. The first thing Petra felt was cold. And it wasn't even cold air or anything. Just that she felt a strange chill in her bones, and her body was aching. Her head felt like it was going to split in two. What was wrong with her? She wondered as she opened her eyes. Looking around, she took in the environment slowly, her heart beating too fast. She hasn't been here before, and was that antiseptic she could smell? Suddenly, it all hit her at once. The sound of chains, blinding lights, machines, and then the irritating sound of the Mayor's voice. She held her breath, not understanding what was happening. She remembered being strapped down, and having them cut into her skin, and that horrible thing that made her body shake as it sucked the life right out of her. Her hands started to tremble uncontrollably, and unknown to her, she had set off one of the machines monitoring her. "Stop it... stop it..." She whispered to herself as she looked around. She had to escape. She could

284. The night was sparkling. The entire place smelled of wealth, there was champagne, large beautiful roses decorating the place, and complete with the arrogance of the the people in attendance. Every high-profile guest in the city had either come or sent someone to make sure they were seen. Camera flashes went off every few seconds. Gloria stood near the grand staircase proudly, wearing a white sequined gown that hugged her. She looked like light. She smiled for the cameras, waved at the right people, and pretended she hadn't spent the past week plotting Devin's public destruction. It was her moment to shine. Her assistant whispered to her. "Ma'am, the reporters from The Moment are here." "Good." Gloria said softly. "Make sure they get the front-row seats. Tonight is going to be historic." There were gorgeous woman dripping gold and rubies and fat men in tuxedos, all pretending to care about charity while talking politics over champagne. The irony made her want to laugh.

286. The safe house was far too quiet for Devin's liking. Usually, he liked the calm, but with everything that was going on, it felt so mundane. Like how he imagined death would feel like. Amanda came out to meet him, holding two mugs. "Coffee?" She asked softly. "Would do your soul some good." He laughed, taking it gratefully. "You heard the news?" Amanda sighed, rubbing her temple. "They're playing the footage every hour. Everyone thinks you're the devil now." "Good for them." Devin sighed. She looked at him. "You sound like you're planning something right now." "I am." He nodded. "Let's go down, we'll all talk about it." Downstairs, Dmitri was sitting with a laptop and his cigarette was burning itself out on an empty ashtray. He looked up as Devin walked in. "Well you look like hell." Dmitri said flatly. "Thanks." Devin said. "That's a very nice thing to say to someone." Dmitri smirked. "Did you hear from the tribunal again?" "They can all g