Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 163: gotta

Tila stirred, her head foggy as she woke on the soft bed, the relentless cuffs gone from her wrists and ankles. Her sharp features twisted into a scowl.

"Creepy fuck," she muttered, a curse for Kael slipping through her lips.

The last thing she remembered was his hand pinning her face, his fingers on her neck, and then darkness as his resonance knocked her out.

Her black hair clung to her sweat-dampened forehead, the power-suppressing collar a cold weight around her neck, its faint hum a constant reminder of her captivity.

"Ah, sis," Lila’s voice cut through, soft but clear. "You’re awake."

Tila’s head snapped up, her eyes darting around the dim room, its bare walls and single bulb casting stark shadows.

A hallucination?

But there, at the foot of her bed, sat Lila, her black curly hair framing her face, her glasses glinting, her loose gown pooling around her, the collar mirroring Tila’s own.

"Sis!" Tila lunged, throwing her arms around Lila, who hugged her back just as fiercely, their embrace tight, unyielding.

"This is really you," Tila murmured, her voice thick, burying her face in Lila’s shoulder, her hands gripping her sister’s gown, the fabric soft against her calloused fingers.

Lila didn’t flinch, her own arms strong, knowing Tila’s intensity matched her own.

They’d been apart too long, the Haven’s walls a cruel barrier, each day without their shared whispers and plans a gnawing ache.

"I missed you," Lila said, her voice soft, her glasses fogging slightly, her breath warm against Tila’s cheek.

"I missed you more," Tila shot back, her grin fierce, her eyes searching Lila’s for any sign of harm, her heart pounding with relief at her sister’s familiar warmth.

They held each other for a long moment, the room’s silence wrapping around them, the faint creak of the Haven’s floors a distant hum.

Pulling back, Tila’s hands roamed Lila’s arms, her sharp eyes scanning for wounds, bruises, anything.

"Did Kael do anything to you?" she asked, her voice low, edged with suspicion, her fingers lingering on Lila’s wrists, checking for marks.

Lila shook her head, her smile small but steady. "No, he’s been good to me. Haven’t tried anything weird." Her gaze softened, turning the question back. "You okay, Tila?"

Tila’s eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a hiss.

"Kael’s bad news, Lila. This place? It’s a fucking sex dungeon or a braindead cult. I swear he’s grooming us for some twisted fantasy. The way he talks, the way he looks—it’s creepy. I don’t like the vibe, and I’m not waiting to find out what he’s planning. We’re together now. We can figure a way out, bust through these walls, maybe overpower him when he opens the door."

Lila tilted her head, her glasses catching the dim light, her voice calm but firm. "You’re overthinking, Tila. I talked to Kael, and... I don’t know, he seemed genuine. Like he really wants to help us. Maybe we should give it a shot."

Tila’s grip tightened on Lila’s hand, her sharp features hardening. "It’s too late for you, isn’t it? He’s got you brainwashed. Stay here any longer, Lila, and we’ll both be chanting his name in some creepy cult, wearing robes and singing his praises."

Lila sighed, her smile wry, unshaken. "You’re being dramatic, sis. Kael’s not a cult leader. He’s just... persistent."

Tila leaned closer, her voice urgent, her eyes blazing. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"I’m serious, Lila. He’s weird. The way he looked at me, like he knows my past, like he’s digging into my head. He’s got this smug vibe, like he’s already won. He’s—" Her words cut off as Lila stuffed a piece of herbed chicken into her mouth, the savory flavor—rosemary and garlic—bursting across Tila’s tongue, startling her into silence.

"Eat," Lila said, her voice gentle but pointed, holding up the tray of food Kael had given her, piled with Freya’s herbed chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables.

"He’s even letting me feed you. You’re so dead-set on thinking everyone’s evil, Tila. Try seeing him differently, and maybe he won’t seem so bad."

Tila glared, chewing grudgingly, the potatoes velvety, the chicken perfectly tender. "I’ll play along while I’m trapped," she muttered, swallowing, her throat dry from her earlier yelling. "But the second I spot a crack in this place, I’m out, and I’m dragging you with me."

Lila nodded, her smile soft. "Fine, Tila." She handed her another bite, then a cup of her chocolate pudding, its rich cocoa scent curling up, warm and indulgent.

Tila took a spoonful, her eyes lighting up despite herself, the silky texture melting on her tongue, the chocolate a perfect balance of sweet and bitter.

"Did you cook this?" Tila asked, savoring the pudding’s decadence, a rare moment of pleasure in the Haven’s gloom. "It’s good."

Lila shook her head, her grin proud. "Freya made the meal. The pudding’s mine, though. I had to make it to get time with you."

Tila froze, her mouth agape, the spoon hovering. "I’ve been eating their food? It’s not poisoned, is it?" She eyed the pudding warily, then took another bite, unable to resist its allure, the cocoa lingering on her palate.

"Ya, sure, my ghost is feeding you right now," Lila chuckled, feeding her more, the sisters settling into a quiet rhythm, their bond a flicker of warmth in the room, the tray between them a small bridge across their differing views of Kael.

_____________

Kael returned to the Haven as evening settled, the city’s neon glow fading behind him.

His errands at the Department of Superhuman Affairs had been productive—he’d secured REAPER’s second mission, a tougher one, as Freya and Rhea wanted.

At the DSHA, he’d met Harris, his old teammate, in the bustling headquarters, heroes and officials weaving through the glass-walled lobby.

Over coffee, Harris asked about REAPER, his tone casual but curious. "How’s Rhea holding up?"

"She’s good," Kael said, his hazel eyes steady, sipping his drink. "Sticking with REAPER, though. Loves it."

Harris nodded, his expression wistful. "Was hoping she’d join my crew, but fair enough. We’re taking it easy anyway—my team’s still rattled from the Haunter twins’ attack."

Kael kept his face neutral, his grin fixed, not mentioning that the Haunter twins—Tila and Lila—were in his custody, locked in the Haven. "Yeah, tough break," he said, steering the topic away.

Harris leaned forward, his voice lower. "Heard you wrapped the Vulpes mission. Nice work. How’d you pull it off?"

Kael’s grin tightened, his mind racing.

Lila had single-handedly taken down Vulpes, but revealing her involvement—or the twins’ presence—could complicate things.

"Freya and Rhea were on point," he said, spinning a vague tale of teamwork and strategy, glossing over details. "Snuck in, took out his guards, bagged him clean."

Harris bought it, nodding approvingly. "Solid. Keep it up."

Now, back at the Haven, Kael paused outside, his hazel eyes scanning the shadows. No surprises, no ambushes. Cardboard boxes from a high-end TV and speakers were stacked by the wall, their logos gleaming.

"Looks like they went all out," he muttered, a wry grin tugging at his lips. "Might not need to spend a dime for a while—unless they burn through their cash with these splurges."

He unlocked the door, stepping inside, the Haven’s familiar creak greeting him.

Freya and Rhea sat at the dining table, their casual clothes—Freya in her cyan t-shirt and navy pants, Rhea in her white tank top and black pants—contrasting their tense postures.

Freya’s platinum-cyan hair was loose, her blue eyes sharp, locked on Rhea, who leaned forward, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulder, her amber eyes glinting with intensity.

The air was heavy, their silence charged, as if they’d been debating something fierce.

Kael raised an eyebrow, his stun baton clipped to his belt, his jacket slung over his shoulder. "What’s with the death stares? Got scammed at the electronics store or what?"

Freya and Rhea stood in unison, striding toward him, their expressions stern, like they were about to throw punches.

Kael froze, his hazel eyes widening. "Whoa, what’d I do?"

They stopped inches from him, their voices synchronized, firm, and unyielding. "We want you to train us," they said together, Freya’s blue eyes blazing with determination, Rhea’s amber eyes burning with resolve.