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Zee tilted their head at their fellow Supers, eyebrows raised likeShe has a point.

Darlene wandered in a tight, stick-up-her-ass circle. “How does this grand plan Trick has been preparing not exist? All we’ve been hearing is how he’s going to take over the city.”

“The dude does mind control,” Joan reminded her. “He’s got the norms worked up into thinking something big is coming. But he can’t come up with anything. We’re the ones with all the great ideas.”

Mark leaned close and said, “Maybe not the best place to bring that up, sis.”

“You know he’s full of shit.” Joan looked at the Supers. “He controls people. That’s what makes him dangerous. He’s been framing us for things we didn’t do. I swear to you, Mark and Perry and I want him put away.”

“Irving and Ethel, too,” Mark said. “They suck.”

Otis did hisLook at me, I’m a Superheroarm-crossing again. “And then you’ll leave villainy? Perry, too?”

Joan gave him a firm nod. “Yes. Gladly.”

Anxious energy blazed through her bloodstream. If they said no, she’d go all gangbusters and rescue Sadie herself. Even if it meanta lotof destruction.

Zee seemed to pick up on her vibe. “I vote yes,” they said.

“I vote yes,” Otis said.

Kade looked between them. “I vote yes, too,” he said.

“Thanks, sugar.” Mark winked at him.

“Huh?”

Everyone turned to Darlene. Her nostrils flared, and she clearly wanted to do anything but agree. Her gaze settled on Joan.

“His hostage,” Joan said quietly. “Sadie. I’m way into her. She makes me want to stay on the straight and narrow.”

“Aww,” Kade said.

Zee cracked a tiny grin.

“Do it for love, Darlene,” Mark said.

Darlene pursed her lips. “I’m doing it for justice. I vote yes.”

A tiny thread of relief cooled some of Joan’s rage. “Let’s find where Sadie’s being held and get her and take those assholes down.”

Otis held up a finger. “We need to coordinate a plan of attack.”

“That wasn’t a fully thought-out plan?”

“Made sense to me,” Mark said.

“Ward?” Otis addressed the sidekick.

Consulting his tablet, Ward said, “There have been multiple reports of activity on the roof at Thirty South Mansfield. Trick and Volt, which suggests Hide is there as well.”

“To the control center!” Kade announced.

Darlene made a beeline out of the room, Ward hurrying after. The other Supers surrounded the Villains down the hallway. Any other day, it would’ve been unnerving.

Mark bumped Joan’s shoulder with his own. “We’ll bring her home.”

“We will,” Joan vowed. Sadie would never forgive her after this, but right now, only her safety mattered.