Grace POV

"Well Grace...your husband to be is certainly efficient," Rachel said to me

"First off, not my husband," I said while trying to hold my blush,"second...yeah he definitely knows how to make a scene."

We were in the penthouse in the most expensive hotel in the city, and it was covered with blood from the victims in the room. I looked at the main attraction of the room, there in the middle was a chair, which was covered in blood and other things. I walked around it as I surveyed the scene, Matthew hands were laying in the middle, lots of blood scattered around the white carpet

I hummed as I walked around as the CADMUS personal CIS teams tried to find clues to find Specter, they won't find any...his to good to leave any evidence. I hummed as I walked to the center and took a deep breath and touched the dead hand, cold like ice. Soon the area around me faded and a holographic like room was now there, an exact replica of the room

I opened my eyes as now I saw Matthew Burns in a chair, tied up by cords ripped from the wall, he was colored sliver. I looked up as a massive red figure walked up to him, Matthew cried as Specter walked up to him with a knife, droplets of blood falling down. I walked around and sat on the massive couch, which was thankfully cleared of blood, and watched

"Please...I...don't know where she is," Matthew's said,"after you blew up the lab, the test subjects-RRRAAAAGGHHH STOP PLEASE IT HURTS, MY BRAIN IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE!!

Specter just looked at him as Matthews' stopped thrashing around, must have been from Specters Psionic abilities. Matthew's panted as Specter used the knife and cuts a finger off the left hand, making Matthew's scream in pain again. I frowned as Matthew will break, Specter knew what scared people, how to break them and to make them talk

And its all thanks to Project Ghost

"OKAY OKAY, MY OFFICE IN MY OLD HOUSE," Matthew yelled,"I HAVE THE FILES IN A SAFE IN THE WALL, PLEASE STOP!!"

"...," Specter said nothing...but I knew that look

Instead of stopping with what he was doing...he continued. He cuts off all the fingers, soon the hands, feet and then worked on his head, slowly and  methodically slicing his tongue off. Then lastly he used a dull spoon to scoop out the mans eyes, no doubt finishing the deed, Matthew probably died from blood lost, chocking on his blood or the eye scooping

...All three seem possible

After Specter used his telekinesis to throw Matthew out the window, he walked back through the room where he killed Matthew. But he stopped, tilted his head a bit as if he heard something, then he turned to me. I flinched as I never excepted this, this...never happened before, but he just looked at me. I stood up and walked to him, he had grown taller so I had to look up

We stared at one another, then he moved his hand and touched my cheek, though it faded through into my skin. But I could still feel the warmth of his skin, it reminded me of when we slept in the same room back in the facility, our bare skin rubbing against one another. He then pulled his hand back and then made a sign with his hands, he touched the tips of his index fingers together

I was crying a bit as the image faded, meaning that was the end of the sequence of the killing. I managed to rub my eyes and hide the tears, didn't need anyone to see me cry or weak, I had to stay strong now and find Specter. But when he made that sign, I could have sworn my heart busted out through my chest, that was a special sign for us, we made it when we were in the facility

It meant...Together...Forever

"Hey sis, you okay," Ethan asked me

"Y-Yeah," I said as I looked at him,"it was Specter, his heading to Matthew's old residence, he has files on Project Ghost."

"Wait, if his hunting for you, then why is he going after the old researchers," Joshua asked

"He's going for Keller," Waller said as she walked to us,"all victims of Specter were Kellers closet scientists during the project. And it seems they stayed in contact."

"They can not be that stupid," Henry asked

"GAH STOP DOING THAT," Alice yelled at him

"Or what?"

"Or I won't let you use the chains during sex!"

"...," Henry said nothing and just nodded

"Okay enough of the hormonal teenage shit," Waller said,"and they are that stupid, they made a group chat a few months ago."

"Okay, so if they have that, how did Specter know about it," Rachel asked,"cause no offense, he doesn't seem the type to have an understanding of technology."

"You're not wrong sadly," I said as I rubbed my chin,"hmm he must have a contact in the dark net that found them and gave him their locations."

"I will have my tech heads already looking into that angle," Waller said,"so why don't you 6 head to Matthew's house, maybe Specter is still there looking it over."

"And what about Union," Ethan asked,"they won't be happy that a students and Heros of theirs is dead."

"I'm handling that, Ozpin is actually being helpful unlike the rest of the Headmasters. So go now and Grace, don't fuck him until we give him immunity and find a place for you two to live in."

"...I think I prefer the old you," I said with a deadpan

"If he tires anything I'm killing him," Ethan said, but Rachel bonked him hard

"Dude they already fucked, get over it," she said as she shook her head

"Besides which one would you have, a boy who doesn't know how to fight or a mass murderer who treats your adopted sister like a princess," Alice asked, all while I glared at them

"...Fair enough," Ethan said

We all left the murder scene, as we took a Legion academy car and drove for a while. As I grabbed my phone and saw who it was, I looked at the others and answered it, this was important cause of my...other Affairs

"Captain," I said, trying to play it off as Hero business,"any news?"

"Yes my Lady, we have news," Captain said over the phone,"seems Specter has been busy last few weeks, he took down couple drug cartel operations, gang activity has went down majorly and even took care of some villain organizations causing us troubles."

"Hehehe thats Specter for ya, anything else?"

"Yes, we're currently looking into the hacker angle we overheard on your comms. So far we've checked the local dark nets, no leads thus far but we have a name, they call themselves The Silver Cross."

"Keep looking into it, I want them so I can find Specter and fast. He's heading after Keller, and I know he can handle himself, but I just can't help but worry about him...his-."

"Father...you do not have to explain anything to us," Captain said and I swear I can hear that smile,"if he is that special to you, we at the Hearth shall do whatever it takes to help you find him, for we owe you everything my lady."

"Hmm," I said with a smile,"sometimes I wonder how I was lucky to have you as my second in command Captain."

"Cause you saved me from being killed when my family died, I owe you my life Father, and I will serve you until I die."

"I rather you didn't Captain, your to valuable to me and the Hearth, I need you to continue fighting for it."

"Understood my lady, I will do it."

We hanged up at the same time and I sighed, sometimes living two lives was so exhausting. Being the adopted daughter of a Hero and the sister of one, and being the member of an organization that helps children and works in the shadows for people. I sighed as I hopped Specter was still at that house, I need...I need to see him again...to feel him

To...be with him once again

Specter POV

I killed the last thug in Burns house, those hired by no doubt Keller to burn anything connected to Project Ghost. I took a breath as I looked around the house, I killed about 20 thugs, no doubt low levels thugs hired, expendable and can't be traced. I sighed as I walked to the office where Burns said the safe was, there I could find the files to find Keller

I managed to use my abilities to rip the door off, I wasn't one for fancy lockpicking so this was easy to do. I grabbed the filed and immediately started skimming the papers, thanks to my enhanced eyes I can read at super speeds, hours turned into seconds as I read the files. I wish I could hum, those detectives in those books Vicks gave him always did it

'Why...hum...important,' I thought as I internally growled

Ever since I went through Phase 2 of the project, I lost my leg and my voice, so damaged it was beyond repair. Along with that, I couldn't talk normally in my mind or telepathy, my speech is just a few words jumbled that only makes sense to me...and her...Grace

'Grace...meet...again,' I thought as I finished the papers,'files...have information...but not all...need.'

I got up and put the files in my bag, if Vicks can use them to track Keller it'll help either way. I looked around until I saw something tapped in the safe, on the top of it, it was a hard drive...I think thats what Vick would call it. I grabbed it and looked it over, no use trying to look in it until Vicks gets it, he was more better with technology then me

As I was about to head out, I heard a car pull up and rush to the window, I looked out to see a vehicle parked a few feet away. 6 occupants exited, 3 males and 3 females and...

'Grace,' I thought

3rd POV

"Ookkaayy I think Specter came by here," Ethan said

"Really what gave it away," Joshua asked in a sarcastic voice

The entire front yard of the two story house was covered in dead bodies of gang members, the High Roller 5's, known as for drug smuggling, human trafficking and weapons smuggling as well. Grace looked around as the gang members were killed with a blade or a bullet to the head, clean efficient kills, all of Specters doing. She closed her eyes as she used her Psionics to seek him out

There was a small trace, it lead to the house, so I signaled the rest to follow me. As we did, I decided to transform my clothes to my Hero uniform

Grace Kennedy, aka the Hearth Hero, Arlecchino:

"Nice outfit," Rachel asked,"get it this morning?"

"Yep, finally got it from Noah at the shop," I lied to her

I hated lying to them sometimes, but it's necessary to protect my personal life and those at the Hearth, it's a necessary evil. We walked in, where more dead bodies awaited us and a nasty smell, must be the rotten food...or the shit in the corpses pants.

"Okay Grace, where is he," Ethan asked me

"Hmm his power is all around the house," I said, speaking truth,"he must've killed the ones on the first floor and moved up."

"Okay, Rachel and Joshua, take the first floor. Henry and Alice, take the backyard and see if he left any trace or he even left at all."

"Copy that," they said walked off

"That means me and you on the second floor," I asked him

"Yep, come on let's go," he said as we walked up,"also...what will you do when you see him?"

"...I don't know yet, but I will handle him. He will only listen to me Ethan, so try and attack him or order him, he won't go quietly."

"I'll trust us sis."

Soon as we make contact with the second of the house, again feeling his Psionic signature all around the place. I went right as Ethan went left, trying to cover more ground and find Specter, I just hope he doesn't jumpscare Ethan and cause the roof to blow off. As I went into the study, I froze as his signature was strong here, meaning he was here for a while...

Or he was still here

I walked to the safe and saw the front part ripped off, meaning he got the files and possibly another target. I hummed as I walked around, stopping at the desk and rubbed the chair, sensing his energy but thats it making me sigh. But as soon as I turned to face the window, I felt a heavy presence, a power that I was all to familiar with, I could practically feel his body heat on me

"Specter," I whispered to him

I turned around and there I saw him, in all his flesh and he had grown taller. I looked up and saw his solid white eyes, his short spiked hair and just from looking at him he was still jacked, making me smiled as I rubbed my hand over his chest. His hand moved to my cheek, then rubbed his like he did at the hotel, making me feel warm

"Still so handsome," I said to him,"still working out?"

'Little...bit,' he said through his telepathy,'and you...more...beautiful.'

"Oh you tease, still a charmer I see?"

'Only...for...you.'

"Hehehe seems you've been getting better with speaking through your telepathy. But flirting and sexy talk later, tell me, do you have the files?"

He nodded as he showed me a small backpack on his back, then zipped it open to show a bunch of files. I nodded as suddenly Ethan came in, making Specter flinch and turn around, seeing him and pulled out his knife. But I summoned Crimson Moon and held Specter, to stop him from attacking Ethan, I didn't want him to hurt Ethan

"Specter ease, ease," I said to him,"he is family, his my brother."

"Grace...you good," Ethan asked me, getting an electric blade ready

"Ethan stand down, let me talk."

Ethan nodded as I looked at Specter, then rubbed his cheek, making him cool down. When he got the message, he soon dropped the knife onto the floor, I let him go and there he stood up, moving his shoulder. I got in between so they don't fight, boys and their egos, pride and shit, seems I have to handle things again.

"Specter," I said to him,"this is Ethan, he is my brother, he and his father found me and took me in

"...," Specter said nothing but stared at Ethan, then nodded

Good, thats shows he respects him

"Ethan, this is Specter, and you already know who he is," I said to him, glaring to make sure he knows what to do

"...Nice to meet you," Ethan said,"she told me what you did for her in the project...I want to say thanks for that."

Specter simply nodded, seems we didn't have to clean up a mess. I sighed as suddenly thumps were heard and we looked to see the others come up the stairs, panting as they looked at us, but mainly Specter, who only looked at them as he got closer to me.

"So this...this is your boy huh," Alice asked me, making me sigh

"Yes, in a sense, guys meet Specter," I said then looked at Specter,"Specter, meet my team, the Vanguardians."

"...Nods," he nodded

"Okay well now that reunions are outta of the way, we have a situation," Rachel said,"incoming vehicles, at least a dozen."

'Keller,' Specter thought

"Maybe," I said, then looked at him,"want to make him know we're back together~?"

Specter looked at me, but even with that mask, I can tell he was smiling under it. Then I looked at the others, Ethan already knowing what it was plan to do, and he knew it was pointless to argue with me. I looked at Specter, who nodded and we both waked down then stairs, soon we reached the front door, but he stopped and turned me around, making me look at him

"What is it," I asked him

He looked at me as he removed the mask, showing off his beautiful face, even with the massive scar on his right side...he was so handsome. He looked at me as he grabbed my cheek and kissed me, surprised me for a second, until I sinked into it, our lips dancing together as we kissed. Soon we separated and touched foreheads, our energies mixed together

"You've waited for that for a long time, haven't you," I asked him

'More...then...know,' he said in my mind, making me smile

"Once we get somewhere save...we'll talk. Right now I need you focused okay, we need to fight."

'Understood...I will fight.'

I nodded as we walked out of the house, ready to make sure Keller knew we were alive and kicking.

3rd POV

Soon as the two walked onto the front lawn, about 4 dozen military trucks pulled up. Soon dozens of mercenaries in full tactical gear came rushing put, armed with massive guns, thinking bigger guns will stop them. The two looked at another, as Specter got his knife ready and Grace summoned Crimson Moon, both ready to slay all in front of them

The once sunny sky was now clouded by grey stormy clouds, casting the battlefield in darkness as Specter and Grace stood surrounded, the mercenaries closing in with grim determination. Grace grinned, her eyes flickering with fierce excitement as she twirled her twin daggers, the blades catching glints of light in a deadly dance.

"Showtime Specter" she asked, her voice playful

Specter gave her a nod, activating his Psionic Shield to create a protective barrier around them as they prepared for the onslaught.

The first wave of mercenaries charged, but Grace was already in motion, her form blurring as she activated Hallucination to create a trio of clones. Each of her copies mimicked her swift movements, confusing the mercenaries and creating openings for her real self to strike. With lightning speed, she darted forward, Crimson Moon flashing as she sliced one mercenary, then flipped gracefully over another, delivering a downward slash to slice him in half

Specter focused his gaze, using Psionic Sight to track incoming enemies and anticipate their movements. Channeling Psionic Lash, he released a narrow beam of energy that cut through the crowd, scattering the mercenaries and soon their minds were on fire and soon their heads exploded into red paste Grace took advantage of the disruption, darting into the chaos.

With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her Vicious Strike, a dark energy enveloping her blade as she sliced through the air, sending shockwaves that disarmed and destabilized those nearby. Another mercenary lunged at her from behind, but she dodged smoothly, conjuring a Shadow Cloak around herself that shrouded her movements in darkness, allowing her to vanish briefly before reappearing behind her attacker and sliced him at the waist.

As more mercenaries surged forward, Specter used Pulse to disable their radios and gear, leaving them momentarily disoriented. He ran as he reversed gripped his life, slicing and stabbing areas where the armor was open. He used X Factor to slow time as he moved like a cheetah and killed more mercenaries with ease, then used Telekinesis to push more away

Grace took the opportunity, her agility and weaponry proving unstoppable. She spun and flipped, Crimson Moon gleaming with a dark, powerful aura as she unleashed Illusory Strike, creating afterimages of her blades that confused the mercenaries, making it nearly impossible to predict her real strikes. She killed a few with slashes and slices, killing them with ease

One particularly daring mercenary attempted to flank her, only to meet her Nightfall Whirlwind attack, a rapid spin that combined her agility and dark energy, sweeping her blade in a wide arc that slashed his chest. Specter smiled at her performance and activated Psionic Shock, sending out a wave of psionic energy that further disoriented their attackers, giving Grace an opening to press the advantage.

"Not bad, Specter," she called out with a smirk.

She glanced at him briefly before summoning a shadowy Blade Dance, her movements becoming a blur as she cut through the mercenaries, each of her strikes landing with precision and force. Specter joined in, creating a coordinated, dizzying flurry of attacks that left the mercenaries stumbling as Specter sliced and killed them

Then he sensed another group approaching from the rear and quickly created a Psionic Shadow decoy, distracting them while he conjured a wall of Pyrokinesis flames to block their path. Grace noticed the barrier of fire and used it to her advantage, driving her foes back into the flames with a series of precise, relentless attacks, thus burning them to death

As the final wave of mercenaries hesitated, Specter used Telekinesis to disarm them, lifting their weapons into the air and sending them spinning harmlessly out of reach. Grace dashed forward, delivering a swift, final combination of strikes, Crimson Moon  flashing as she beheads the last of their attackers with an elegant, fluid motion.

Specter then lifted the guns and fired them at the guns at the remaining mercenaries, gunning them down with no mercy. Soon the battlefield finally quieted down, Specter and Grace exchanged smiles, showing they still got it.

"Think he saw this performance," she asked with a wink.

'Maybe...bar...set high,' he said in my mind

They turned and walked off together, leaving behind a field of corpses. The Vanguardians saw their performance and save to say...they do not want to fuck with them