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Across the roof, an unconscious Hide and Volt were being tied up by Catch. All the guards had already been bound.

Joan pulled her facemask off, revealing wild, sweaty hair and eyebrows knit in concern. She extended a tentative hand and gently brushed Sadie’s hair back. The tender gesture was pure Joanie, not at all Spark.

“So that was Uncle Mel?” Sadie said.

“Yeah.”

“He kind of sucks.”

“Yeah.”

“This happened because of you,” Sadie said. “Because of my connection to you.”

Joan closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“That was why you didn’t want me involved with this part of your life.”

“I put you in danger,” she murmured.

“Well, I’ve never wanted an ordinary life.” Sadie mustered up a smirk. “Meeting you has made it very interesting.”

Lunk lumbered over. “Let’s set you free,” he said to Sadie. He pulled the zip-tie between his hands until the plastic broke. “There you go, little lady.”

She rubbed at the raw skin on her wrists. Her shoulders and arms ached from being pulled taut behind her back.

Lunk stood expectantly, fists on hips, waiting for her to fawn over him. Sadie reached for Joan instead, who drew her into her arms. Joan rested her cheek against Sadie’s forehead. It was warmer than usual, but nothing Sadie couldn’t handle. Being in Joan’s protective embrace waseverything.

“Stand back, stud,” Mark said to Lunk.

He waved his hand. A thick ice arch formed to cover Joan and Sadie, affording them some privacy as the helicopter hovered overhead.

Poking his head beneath it, he said, “Hey, it’s me, Mark.”

“I know,” Sadie said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Mark winked at her.

Under the other side of the arch, Breeze leaned in. “Hi, Sadie. I’m Perry. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Nice to meet you,” Sadie said to the masked man. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”

Breeze-Perry shared a look with Mark and Joan. Then his gaze shifted behind them.

Race cocked a hip, amusement dancing on their lips. “We did it,” they said.

“We sure did,” said Mark.

Joan tilted her head to see Race. “Thanks for trusting us. This wouldn’t have happened without you.”

“You’re right,” Race said. Then they nodded. “Thank you for trustingus. Uphold your end of the deal.”

Mark and Joan agreed to whatever that meant. Sadie nestled closer to Joan’s bodysuit.

“You too, Perry.” Race did theI’m watching youtwo-finger gesture. Perry appeared to be confused by that.

The Superhero headed to where Catch watched over the guards. Lunk looked back and forth, then trudged in the same direction.

“Hate to see you go,” Mark said, “but I love to watch you walk away.”