PHENOMENAL GIRL 5

  A. J. MENDEN

  PHENOMENAL

  GIRL 5

  LOVE SPELL NEW YORK CITY

  To Mara and Cordelia, who are already “super” girls.

  SUPER LOUSY TIMING

  In all those years of living, Robert had definitely mastered the kiss. His was slow and soft, but with enough passion behind it to make me light-headed. I found myself drifting backward to rest against the closed door for support, pulling him along with me, kissing him back. Our tongues danced together, and he tasted faintly of coffee and brandy.

  “We should not be doing this,” he said against my mouth between kisses.

  “And yet we’re not stopping.”

  He reclaimed my mouth, and I felt a little sigh of pleasure escape. I had been crazy about him for weeks, never dreaming he was into me. Not really. But he thought I was sexy? I wasn’t going to analyze how it happened; I was just going to enjoy it.

  Of course, that’s when alarms started going off. All the villains in Megolopolis were teaming up.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Cover

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Super Lousy Timing

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Acknowledgments

  Praise

  Copyright

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Phenomenal Girl Five? Doctor Rath will see you now.”

  I glanced up at the trim, petite secretary complete with stereo typical bun and nerdy glasses. I studied her for a moment, trying to figure out who she really was, before her tapping foot and impatient look prompted me into action. I quickly put down the magazine I was pretending to read and stood, smoothing out my white linen skirt, checking to be sure my suit jacket hadn’t slipped and wasn’t showing any unnecessary cleavage. Doctor Rath was supposedly old-school when it came to heroines: a little T&A went a long way, but too much and you were considered a woman of loose morals, and heroines had to have impeccable morals. At least, they did if they wanted to join the Elite Hands of Justice.

  Anyone who was anyone was a member of the Elite Hands of Justice. Based in Megolopolis, the EHJ were the superhero team of the country, maybe even the world. They were the team to which everyone turned when aliens threatened invasion, villains tried their world-domination schemes, and apocalypse was nigh. Other teams might deal with garden-variety villains and stop a terrorist or two, but it was the EHJ whose pictures were in every newspaper and tabloid. Heroes worked their tails off to even be considered for an interview whenever a position came up. I had applied at every chance, endured several pre-interviews, and received numerous “We’ll keep you in mind in the future” letters to finally make it this far: an interview with the big man himself. Rath had been the driving force behind the EHJ for twenty years. Possessing super-intelligence, he was the perfect man to plan strategies to keep one step ahead of what ever villain wanted to blow up or rule the world that day.

  The secretary led me into a large, lush office decorated in the finest style, antiques amidst computers, holo-screens, and other gray bits of hardware I couldn’t identify offhand but that I was pretty sure were so high-tech not even the military had access to the designs.

  Doctor Rath sat behind an indecently large desk. At sixty-five, he had matured into a distinguished gentleman. He was six feet tall with wide shoulders and a muscular, trim frame evident through the fine charcoal gray Armani suit he wore. His dark gray hair was pulled back in a slick ponytail, and his eyes were the same dark color.

  He consulted the folder in front of him. “Phenomenal Girl Five, correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He motioned to the chair opposite the huge desk. “Please sit.”

  I did, making sure to sit up straight and ladylike, legs crossed demurely at the ankles instead of half underneath me, like I did at home.

  “As you know, the Elite Hands of Justice are looking to expand the team,” Rath said, shuffling through papers on his desk and coming up with a file folder. “There has been a shift in the last couple of years, and more and more young teens are showing up with powers. Where it used to be one in every hundred thousand people had powers, it has accelerated to one in every ten thousand. That may not sound like a lot, but when you factor in that there are more than three hundred million people in this country alone…” He trailed off. “We have a lot of policing to do. Not that every one of them is going to turn to a life of crime—or a life of heroics, for that matter—but we need to keep an eye out.”

  He flipped open the folder and studied my PR photo. “This is your costume?” He stabbed a finger down on it, resting on my bustline. I stared, unsure if he was doing it on purpose or if his finger had just happened to land on the amplest part of my body.

  He kept staring at me and I remembered I was supposed to speak. “Yes, sir.”

  “A little different than the previous Phenomenal Girls.”

  “I am my own person, sir. And the previous costume was a bit impractical.”

  “How so?”

  “A miniskirt, halter top, and go-go boots aren’t exactly good for flying, sir.” You couldn’t concentrate on fighting crime when you were constantly worried your breasts were going to pop out of your impractical top, or that someone was looking up your skirt as you flew by.

  He gave a slight nod and gestured back down at my photo. “And this black leather getup is?”

  “Well, it’s slightly more aerodynamic.”

  “It doesn’t look much like a costume.”

  I stifled an eye roll. Of course he would say that. My male teammates had almost said the same thing. S&M vibe aside, the body-hugging black leather pants and vest covered more skin than all the costumes of the rest of my female teammates combined, and that wasn’t even counting the matching fingerless gloves that stretched up to my biceps. The women of our set tended to strut around in outfits that either looked like lingerie or something rejected by a cage dancer. The male contingent liked their women looking like eye candy. Personally, I never bought into the strategy of surprising criminals by distracting them with cleavage. I wished my costume could be less tight. While still in perfect shape, I had the kind of body that had a little extra padding and without careful monitoring could easily go to fat.

  “Well, the black sets off your blonde hair nicely, and gives you a certain look. We want someone memorable to the public.” He eyed the photo and then gave me the same critical stare. “You always wear that much makeup?”

  I sighed. Yes, I knew my chosen field was a man’s world, but give me a break. “With all due respect, sir, I don’t see how my love of dark eye makeup and red lipstick has any bearing on whether or n
ot I’d be a good addition to the team.”

  Rath seemed a bit taken aback. He stared, mouth hanging open for a moment, then snapped his teeth together with a click and cleared his throat. “Well, er…” He shuffled some papers in the folder and pulled one out. “Your work with the Red Knights and the Power Squad is impressive. Your apprehension stats are beyond average and your power levels are above a seven, which is excellent. Strength and flight, correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He nodded, more to himself than me. “Yes, excellent.” He took out a blue piece of paper and read it, then spoke in a brisk tone. “Based on your pre-interviews, the Magnificent, White Heat, and Aphrodite have already given their approval for your membership, which only leaves my decision.” He leaned back in his chair and eyed me critically.

  I should have kept my big mouth shut about the makeup. Contradicting the boss was not the way to win a job. My heart was pounding so fast I swore he could hear it. Still, the EHJ’s three major players had given their approval, and that had to count for something. I sat up straighter in the chair, hands folded neatly in my lap, and tried to look interested but not over eager.

  When I didn’t wilt under his gaze, he gave me a slight smile. “I think I can okay you for preliminary membership.”

  “Thank you, sir!” The words burst out excitedly as I forgot about maintaining my calm, cool expression. “You’ll be pleased with your decision, I guarantee it.”

  “Don’t thank me just yet.” He chuckled. “You did read in the standard contract we sent over that you must perform two years of training before you are considered a full member of our roster, correct?”

  Okay, so I hadn’t read the contract that thoroughly. My usually pinpoint-accurate lawyer mind had instantly started gibbering with excitement and I had barely given it more than a once-over.

  “I think I remember something like that in between the liability clause and the alias patent agreement,” I said, hoping I sounded confident.

  Rath nodded absently, as if the details were no matter, and continued with his orientation speech. “It’s a standard clause, as two years seems to be what works best, but we do promote early on a case-by-case basis. We require all new members to work with the Reincarnist. ‘Tour of duty,’ they like to call it, but we’ve all done it. I suppose you’ve heard the rumors about him?”

  Who hadn’t? “The papers say he’s quite eccentric.”

  “You’re being kind. ‘Mad’ is what the papers say, and there are those both on and off our team who would agree. But he’s the smartest man on Earth and no wonder, possessing the intelligence of the ages. Unfortunately, the business of being reborn does have its drawbacks, as he forgets a bit with each new life. However, you’re getting him at a good time. He’s been Robert Elliot for twenty years now, so you won’t have to face working with him at the start of a new life. It’s always hard on those that get him at that age.”

  “I thought he was reborn as a young man of twenty, sir, not a baby,” I said, confused.

  “Oh, he is, but he’s usually a little confused at first, and forgets how the magic works.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Ah, but you won’t have to worry about that. He’s forty, in the best shape of his life, and smart as a whip. I am confident you’ll get along just fine. Getting training from the Reincarnist really hones your detective skills—always helpful to a hero—as well as your powers. He’s officially on the inactive list, but he does special assignments for the team as well as some patrolling of his own sector. You’ll live with him in his house in Covo City—not a hardship, let me tell you. The man is always a billionaire playboy, no matter what life he’s in. And this way you can work with him on his assignments.”

  I nodded, a growing worry forming in the pit of my stomach as I recalled all of the newspaper articles I had read about the Reincarnist. Pushstar had washed out of the program because of him, and this after years of working with Fantasmo, who was about as nuts as they came.

  I reminded myself how long and hard I had been working for this opportunity. Forcing away my doubts, I stretched my lips into a smile that I hoped didn’t look as sick as it felt. “Sounds great, sir.”

  “I’ll have Gladys work up your papers and clearance level. Have you notified the Power Squad yet?”

  I blushed, thinking about how fun that conversation would be. “I didn’t want to count my chickens before they were hatched, sir.” Forget about the fact that I had been hired and the team now needed a replacement; Turbyne, our leader, was going to be super pissed I had even gotten a callback when his multiple applications to the EHJ hadn’t even garnered so much as a preliminary interview.

  Rath seemed to understand. It probably wasn’t the first time a new hire’s old team had sore feelings over their promotion. “I’ll have Aphrodite notify them that you are working with us from now on. Your address is correct on your application form?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. I’ll send someone over to your apartment to pick up your things. We can make arrangements to sublet if necessary.”

  “Sir?”

  “Your training starts today.” He stood. “We’re off to the Reincarnist’s.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The Reincarnist’s mansion was the perfect hero/billionaire playboy bachelor pad. The elaborate home was on the edge of Covo City, surrounded by a private forest and placed, fortress-like, at the top of a hill. After going through a series of security systems that would put the government’s to shame, our car made its way through the expansive grounds to come to a stop in what looked like a parking lot for the rich and famous. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in cars lined the driveway in front of the house. A servant was detailing a black Escalade.

  Rath and I got out, pausing to admire the vehicles. “Are there people visiting?” I asked.

  “No, he just likes cars,” Rath said. “This is just part of his collection. Today must be wash day.”

  We climbed the staircase leading up to the front door. A butler in black tie answered the door before we reached it.

  “Good day, Doctor Rath. Phenomenal Girl Five.” He gave us a slight nod of greeting. “I was told to expect you.”

  “Good morning,” Rath said, stepping past the butler into the entranceway. “Miss Livingston, this is Mayhew, the Reincarnist’s butler and personal assistant. Should you need anything, he can take care of it. He’s been in the business of helping oversee our preliminary members since he was your age.”

  “Welcome, Miss Livingston,” Mayhew said solemnly.

  “Your things arrived moments ago, and we are preparing your room.”

  “Thank you.”

  “He downstairs?” Rath asked Mayhew, and at the butler’s nod motioned for me to follow him. “Let’s introduce you to the man himself.”

  I followed Rath down the hallway and into the library. My heart hammered in my chest. I was finally going to meet the legendary Reincarnist.

  Rath walked over to the large bookcase lining one wall. Hundreds of leather-bound books filled the shelves. Moving along the wall, he pulled out volumes seemingly at random.

  “He’ll teach you the code,” Rath said as he pulled the last one, and a hidden panel next to the shelves slid open, revealing a gel pad. Rath placed his palm on the scanner and the screen lit up, confirming his identity in blocky type: RATH, DOCTOR BENJAMIN. A loud click sounded, and he moved to guide me away just as the bookshelf slid open. Beyond it, a wide staircase sloped down into blackness.

  “This way,” he said, starting down the steps without hesitation.

  I followed, eyes trying to adjust to the surrounding inky darkness. The stairs flattened out into a long hallway lit by small lights in the ceiling. At the end of the hall, I came to a stop, and my jaw dropped.

  I had expected some sort of creepy cave, not the opulent room that met me. The walls were calm beige, with intriguing and priceless paintings lining them. Antiques and ultramod furniture were spaced throughout. Muted classical music played out
of invisible speakers. More bookshelves lined the walls, but the tomes filling them were worn with age and use. Some were spread out on a nearby table, splayed open as if the reader had just stepped away. Unlike those in the library above, these books were not for show.

  At the other end of the room, technology ruled. Off to one side was a fully equipped lab. A large flat-panel monitor flanked by smaller models covered one wall. And sitting in front of the monitors was a man. He glanced up at one of the smaller monitors, looked down and scribbled something in a notebook lying on the table in front of him, and then turned his attention back to the monitor. He was mumbling to himself.

  “Robert,” Rath called.

  The man continued mumbling, checking the monitor again. “Coffee in the earth,” he said distinctly, then jotted something in his notebook.

  I took a step back. Maybe the rumors of the Reincarnist’s madness were true.

  “Robert!” Rath said, sharper this time.

  That seemed to catch his attention. He turned, still looking not all there. Recognition crossed his face and he lost his distracted air. “Ben, old friend!” He got up and came over to embrace Rath in a friendly bear hug. “It is good to see you.”

  Nervously I watched the man that was to be my mentor. I had seen pictures of him in newspapers, but he was so different in person. At least a foot taller than my 5’5”, he was powerfully built, with wide shoulders on a solid frame that was barely contained by the dark, expensive suit he wore. His black hair was laced with gray. He had a very commanding presence, as if you could sense his true age.

  He turned his attention on me, and a warm quiver shot to the pit of my stomach. He wasn’t pretty-boy handsome, but there was something about him that caught my feminine attention. He had the softest, kindest brown eyes I had ever seen. He gave me a slight smile, very boyish, causing that tingle to intensify.

  “And who is this?” His voice was deep and warm, the kind of voice you could imagine whispering sexy things to you in the dark.