Page 39 of Victorious

“Weren’t you afraid of his power?”

Gabriel noted the way she used that word—power. The utter lack of hesitation told him she’d seen others with abilities.

“Of course I was,” said Gabriel. “But not as afraid as he was. And I worried that in the face of such world-altering truth, he would become an even greater danger to himself and others.”

“You could have reported him.”

“I could have.”

“But you didn’t.”

Gabriel leaned back. “Have you ever seen something you couldn’t explain, Director Roy? When confronted with things that challenge our concept of reality, we tend to follow one of two paths. Most of us deny our perception and turn back, toward the safety of the known. A rare few are driven forward, spurred by the urge to comprehend. I saw things I couldn’t understand, and so I set out to understand them.”

Helena nodded, as if deciding something for herself. She took up the notebook again and turned to another page. “You called Paul’s ability extraordinary.”

“It seemed appropriate.”

“Indeed. Do you know what led to his condition?”

“A sleepwalking accident,” said Gabriel. “According to the file, he fell from a fourth-floor window. By all accounts, he should have died.”

“He did. Technically. For three minutes on the way to the hospital.” Gabriel frowned, unsure why that was relevant. “Did Paul ever mention EOs?”

He shook his head.

“It’s short for ExtraOrdinary,” she explained. “It’s a term that caught on, several years ago, in certain corners of the internet. A word for those rare people who, following a near-death experience, found themselves alive, but permanently altered.”

Gabriel’s fingers twitched on his pant leg, the memory of Iris and Ian waking beneath his hands. Of their ashes in the yard.

“There are others, then?” he asked, attempting to play his interest as surprise.

Helena’s mouth tugged back into that almost-smile. “A few.”

She rose to her feet, and Gabriel stood with her. “If you’re still interested in understanding, I might be able to help. I have a position for someone with your skills. And your composure.”

Gabriel fought and failed to hide his surprise. “A job?” he asked, incredulous.

“You asked me, when I first arrived, what I was the director of.” Helena produced a small card, black on black, and handed it to him. When he took it, he found a number ghosted on one side, and three letters on the other.

EON

“As you said, some of us turn back toward safer roads. And some of us are driven forward. EOs pose a threat to society, and to themselves. My organization is dedicated to containing that threat.”

Helena turned, retracing her path toward the front door. The man, who had said nothing and spent the last half hour stock still against the wall, now fell in step behind her.

But at the door, she paused, glancing back at Gabriel.

“You had your own close call that night.” Her voice was light, as if the question was nothing but an afterthought. But her gaze was sharp, searching. “I suppose I should ask, have you experienced anything abnormal in the aftermath of your accident?”

Gabriel stared back flatly. “I just buried my wife and son,” he said. “Nothing will ever be normal again.”

Her expression softened. “Of course.” She turned to go. “Consider the offer, Dr. Gray.”

His fingers closed around the card. “I will.”

XVINOW. THEN.EON

HELENA Roy ran a hand through her dark bob and leaned back in her chair.