Turbulence by Elaina John

that
many Jhetans called home.
    At first, O’Day’s identity was kept a secret from everyone
within Department X except those in positions of authority. When he finally
revealed himself, there was initial rebellion. Swift deaths to the
troublemakers and promises to do worse to anyone else that had a problem with
him silenced all further resistance. Now none questioned him. All respected
him.
    O’Day dismissed his escort and walked into the training
room. This was his source of pride. No, not the training room. The people
within it. When the help of the exceptionally intelligent and lethal Larsen, he
was finally able to create his soldiers. They were faster, stronger, better
equipped than anything ever seen on this planet. Humans were able to break the
genetic strongholds the human body placed upon it. Jhetans became enhanced
versions of themselves. Every soldier was trained by military personnel and top
notch martial artists that he personally scouted out to work within the unit.
He accepted nothing but the best.
    A smile coasted across O’Day’s lips. He watched in amusement
as two of his hulking soldiers attacked each other and went for blood. They
wouldn’t kill one another, but death wasn’t always the worse that could happen
to a person.
    When the skirmish came to an end and the losing man was left
with one of his arms dangling uselessly at his side, O’Day nodded in approval
at the winner. The male’s eyes flashed black. The other man would heal. They
all healed at a rapid rate.
    With dedicated soldiers trained to kill, to heed O’Day’s
every word, there was no way his plans would not come to fruition. No one could
stop the ball that was rolling. Before long, he would have all the power he so
desired. He would be this world’s rightful ruler.
     
    ----
     
    Greyson looked around the small room that resembled a prison
cell more than a guest room. The thin bed, table, and television the only
furnishings. He knew he was being watched. A camera in the smoke detector on
the ceiling. Another in the vent on the wall. The walk-bys every thirty minutes
by a Homeland Security agent. You would have thought Greyson was the threat,
not Department X. Those bastards.
    Greyson was ready to unleash every ounce of whoop ass he had
within him. Department X was ruining lives, taking lives and it was going to
stop once and for all. He swore that to himself.
    He made himself more comfortable on the bed and grabbed the
phone attached to the bedside table. His cell phone had yet to be returned to
him, but he didn’t need it since he remembered the number he was dialing. It
used to be his before he gave it away.
    “Hello?” The soft, sweet voice on the other end once again made
him grin so wide his jaws ached. Good thing no one was there to see him. He
would lose all of his cool points.
    Greyson cleared his throat. “Avalon. It’s me.”
    “Greyson? I didn’t recognize the phone number.”
    “You wouldn’t. I’m calling on a different phone.”
    “Should I save this number in my cell, sir?” she asked.
    “No.”
    “Oh.”
    When there was nothing but awkward silence on the line he
said, “Were you asleep?”
    “No. I was reading.”
    “One of your romance novels?” He had yet to give her the one
he bought. Honestly, he was nervous. Greyson didn’t usually get nervous. Giving
a woman a gift was a big step for him. No matter how small and inexpensive the
gift was.
     “Yes.” He heard the smile in her voice. “It’s really good.”
    “Oh yeah? Tell me about it.”
    She did. Greyson didn’t think it sounded that good, but the
joy he heard while she gave him a synopsis made him want to hear about every
book she’d ever read. He would listen for hours, days if it made her happy.
    “Sounds interesting,” he lied when she finished.
     “You’re just saying that, aren’t you?” Avalon was more
perceptive than he gave her credit for. He’d have to remember that.
    “Yeah.”
    She laughed. It sounded like the