Page 55

“Right,” Joan snorted. “Supers always just want to talk.”

“This time, I do.”

She merged her weak flames into a ball. “About what?”

“Is it true you’re done with Trick?” Zee asked.

“Yes. I’m sick of his shit.”

They nodded once. “I believe you.”

“That’s a surprise,” Joan said, and meant it. “Do your cohorts share your belief?”

Zee paused before answering. “They’re less keen on taking your word for it.”

“They think it’s a trap.”

“I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. You and Mark are the only ones in that bunch with any common sense.” Zee stood watchful, but not poised to strike. Really, any time they stood still was good. If they wanted to, they could wrap Joan up in something secure in seconds.

Joan waved her hands to extinguish the smoldering fireball. It didn’t have much juice thanks to her using so much energy as a flying propellant.

“Listen.” Zee walked toward her. “Can’t you convince Trick to give up his wholeFirst Vector City, then the worldplan? You told Darlene you tried talking to him. She doesn’t believe you, but I do.”

Freakin’ Darlene.“He won’t listen to me. He doesn’t listen to anyone. His lackeys do whatever he says. Mark and I stand up to him, but we can’t stop him.”

Zee crossed their arms. “Once he starts in on civilian mind manipulation, we quickly lose control of a situation.”

“I get that it’s hard to stop him, and harder to keep him contained.” Joan took a step back, not that such a small distance would matter should Zee want to capture her. “But you guys need to do something. He’s grown drunk on his self-made power. He even got a cape.”

“He what?”

“He got a new cape attached to his suit. It looks ridiculous.”

“Channeling big Flight energy?” Zee half-laughed.

“I guess.”

They hesitated for a long moment. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he’s our priority right now. We’re doing all we can. Any help you could provide would be?—”

“I know he’s planning on?—”

Joan clamped her mouth shut. She’d rat Mel out if she could force herself to look beyond their Villain Code. They didn’t snitch, didn’t turn each other in. The bad guys were still her people, for better or worse.

Plus, if Mark or Perry decided to take part in the museum heist, she’d be putting them at risk. That was something she’d never do, not for anything or anyone.

Zee stared at her intently, dark eyes shining against the golden skin peeking through the eyeholes on their mask. “He’s planning on what?”

“Taking over the city,” Joan offered weakly.

“Do you know how? Has he filled you in on his plan?”

She focused on a nearby pile of trash bags.

“Come on, Joan. Help us. You and Mark can help bring him down.”

“What will you give us in return?” she asked. “Immunity? A free pass?”

“Well, no, but possibly a moratorium on?—”