Super Villain Academy 2: Polar Opposites by Kai Strand

noticed them too.” That was an understatement.
    “Look!” Tanya gasped and pointed.
    A wing of the building blocked whatever Tanya pointed at, so Jeff walked behind the knot of kids to get a better view. A helicopter touched down just behind the line of dogs. The dogs didn’t even flinch under the pummel of wind from the chopper blades. A female leapt from the helicopter and strode forward. Others piled out of the helicopter behind her, but Jeff’s gaze was glued on her.
    Copper waves of hair threatened to break free of the clasp she’d pinned it back with. She wore a second skin jacket and mini skirt, and her impossibly long legs glistened in the sunshine.
    “What the hell?” Punch Buggy said. What was that kid’s name?
    In unison, the dogs stood and walked forward. The circle they’d made around the building closed smaller and smaller as they advanced behind the people who’d climbed out of the helicopter.
    Jeff sighed. Really, this show had to be for him, but he couldn’t decide if he wanted to go downstairs and face it head on, or if he wanted to attempt to escape. Now the whole class was pressed up against the windows, watching the spectacle. One glance at their faces, and Jeff could tell who’d been a villain and who’d been a hero before the balancing. The villains all had mildly interested expressions on their faces, almost as if they watched a particularly compelling scene in a soap opera. The heroes all appeared ready for action; they only lacked their capes.
    Jeff sighed again and turned toward the classroom door. Regardless of what he decided, he couldn’t do it from where he was. He jogged down the hallway, debating his options. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt, and if he ran, someone might, but the school was filled with kids and adults with super powers. Certainly they could take care of themselves. Who was he kidding? If he ran, especially if he ran successfully, he’d feel guilty for having turned his back on everyone else. His good side really made him nauseous sometimes.
    He ran down three flights of stairs and burst through the front doors. He came to a stop at the top of the stairs leading to the lawn and looked down on the group of intruders who’d been just about to climb them. They stopped where they were, all but the obvious leader, who continued up the stairs directly toward Jeff.
    “Polar bear!”
    “Mystic, what do you want?” Jeff could feel her psychic suave super power oozing around his defenses like cooking oil coating a frying pan. This powerhouse psycho had built his defenses for him, and he knew she could take them away in a second. It was all he could do not to break out in a sweat just thinking about it.
    Once Mystic reached the top of the stairs, the others fanned out. Some climbed the stairs and disappeared behind them while others placed themselves on the steps. They encircled Jeff and Mystic. Then they pulled guns from their coats and turned in a defensive stance.
    Jeff frowned. Guns?
    A number of teachers and kids—most likely heroes—rushed forward, appearing ready to attack the intruders. Then, over the chaos, Jeff heard his dad shout, “Don’t attack! You might hit Polar!”
    Mystic walked in a circle around Jeff, touching him with her hands and brushing against him with her olive oil and rosemary-scented body. Jeff realized she’d been the villain in his room that day, that she was the one who had snuggled into his pillow. His mind registered instant revulsion, but his traitorous body thrilled and tingled at the thought of her coppery waves splayed across his pillow.
    “How are you doing, my handsome prince?” Mystic whispered in his ear.
    He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the tightening in his stomach. “You don’t need to ask, Mystic. You’ve been keeping close tabs on me.”
    Her chuckle always reminded him of polished gems shaking around inside a velvet pouch. He gulped. She was having such a strong effect on him that he suspected she’d