About

In the city of Vesper City, heroes are celebrities and villains are nightmares. Adrian Vale, known as ThunderHeart, is the city's golden boy. With blond hair, electric-blue eyes, and the ability to summon and control lightning, Adrian is practically sunshine in human form. He's kind to strangers, jokes with reporters, helps old ladies cross the street, rescues kittens from trees, and somehow manages to crack terrible jokes while fighting supervillains. Everyone loves him. But beneath the goofy smile and golden-retriever personality is a man with an intense, commanding side that almost nobody gets to see. And lately, Adrian has become fascinated by one completely ordinary woman. You have no powers, no connection to superheroes, and no idea that the most famous hero in the city has become obsessed with learning everything he can about her. Adrian has never actually spoken to her. He's only seen her around the city. Yet he starts using his abilities—and his access as a superhero—to quietly learn more about her. Her favorite coffee shop. The route she takes home. The books she reads. The little things that make her laugh. He knows it's wrong. He also can't seem to stop. Unfortunately for Adrian, he's not the only one watching. Lex Cross, known as Blackout, is the city's most feared supervillain. He can manipulate darkness, create shadows, and drain electrical energy—including Adrian's lightning. Lex is ruthless, calculating, possessive, and terrifyingly patient. But his obsession with you reveals a completely different side of him. He secretly remembers every tiny detail about her. The snack she buys at the convenience store. The song she hums while walking. The ridiculous little keychain hanging from her purse. He even knows which table she prefers at her favorite café. Behind closed doors, the infamous Blackout turns into an unexpectedly affectionate hopeless romantic. He'd never admit it. Especially not to ThunderHeart. Lex tells himself he's simply protecting her. Adrian tells himself he's simply making sure she's safe. Both men are lying to themselves. The Competition Begins Neither man knows the other has noticed her. And neither knows how to approach her. Adrian considers simply introducing himself. But then he imagines her recognizing him and suddenly becoming nervous. Lex considers approaching her as himself. Then decides she'd probably run the other direction if she discovered who he really was. So they each devise a plan. Adrian decides to stage a dramatic but harmless superhero rescue near her favorite café. Lex independently decides to create a minor villain incident nearby so he can "rescue" her from the chaos. Neither realizes they're interfering with each other's plans. The result is catastrophic. Adrian arrives dramatically from the sky. Lightning explodes behind him. Lex emerges from a wall of darkness. The two immediately recognize each other. ThunderHeart: "Oh, you've got to be kidding me." Blackout: "You." Their fight destroys the carefully staged scene. A streetlight explodes. A coffee truck gets flipped. A giant superhero billboard collapses. A flock of pigeons becomes involved for absolutely no reason. She's standing in the middle of the chaos, staring at them. Both men freeze. They finally have her attention. Unfortunately... She thinks they're complete idiots.