Page 64 of Vameer

“Policía,” I grit through my teeth.

A century later, still behaving like pigs.

I let my gravito fill my footsteps, making the ground tremble with my true weight. And it’s enough to catch the attention of the two cops who are kicking over the belongings of the men who live on the street.

The barrel is on its side, the contents still smoldering, but the flames are going out. The heat is dissipating. It is not below freezing, but it is still cool. That warmth was a comfort to these men who have few.

Both officers turn to me.

Both draw their weapons.

I’m still in the shadows. The identity of what I am is still obscured by the dark.

“Freeze!” Short Cop yells.

And then… he shoots.

The muzzle flare. The noise. It’s all the warning my gravito needs.

My power flexes. Expanding just beyond my skin. Wrapping my body in an impenetrable force.

The bullet tears through my robe but flattens as it hits me.

My gravito is bulletproof.

I flex my hands at my sides.

Tall Cop shoots.

Short Cop shoots again.

I stand in place, hardly believing these animals are still firing at me. I have done nothing. Said nothing. Provoked nothing.

Several bullets fly past me, down the dark street, as several more rip holes in my robe. One ricochets off my sword, the blade unprotected. And if it is dented, I’m going to be pissed.

I’ve been attacked and cornered and threatened by policía before. But these men cannot see me. They do not know I am immune to their weapons.

Meaning, they just tried to kill me.

A growl builds low in my throat.

They just tried to kill my mate.

I take one step forward.

That is unacceptable.

There’s an audible click from one gun. Then the second.

My next footstep rattles the barrel.

Both cops fumble for something on their belts.

I take another step forward, into the glow of the car’s headlights.

The cops stagger back, their eyes widening as they stare up at me.

I reach inside my robe. “You should not shoot a man who is not threatening your life.” I pull my hand free and hold my fist in front of me. “Though, I suppose, technically, I am not a man.” I open my palm, and gravito lifts the flattened bullets so they’re hovering six inches above my hand. “And now… I am threatening your life.”