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He was in full costume, the lenses over his eyes slightly narrowed. He stood with his arms clasped behind his back. His broad shoulders were squared, and he looked calm and confident. His costume glittered under the lights from the camera. It took a moment for Nick to realize why his stance looked familiar. The cops, in the hallway. They’d stood the same way.

For the first time since he became aware of Shadow Star’s existence, Nicholas Bell felt… nothing.

Wait.

That was a lie.

He feltsomething,but it wasn’t like it’d been before. Even days ago, the very sight of Shadow Star would have sent him into a fit of teenage hormones, most likely ending with flop sweats and a partial erection. His eyes would be wide, and he’d be breathing heavilythrough his mouth, taking in every single inch of Shadow Star that he could.

It wasn’t like that now.

Now, Nick felt… He didn’t know how he felt. While there was a trace of that obsessive attraction still clinging to the back of his mind, it’d been replaced by something different. His palms were sweaty, his stomach twisted slickly.

It didn’t help that Shadow Star wassmilingat Rebecca Firestone, smiling as if Aaron Bell didn’t lay unconscious in a hospital, a tube shoved down his throat. As if Nick wasn’t in a strange house in a strange bed because he had nowhere else to go. As if Nick hadn’t just had what was probably the second worst day of his life. Fiery disappointment bled through his rib cage, lodging firmly in his chest.

“Thank you, Rebecca,” Shadow Star said, voice modulated to a deep pitch. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Rebecca’s smile widened. “We appreciate you speaking with us in what I’m sure is a busy time for you.”

Shadow Star shrugged. “It’s always busy in Nova City. Crime never sleeps.”

Nick barely avoided rolling his eyes.

Rebecca chuckled. “I bet it doesn’t. Can you tell the viewers what happened today?”

Shadow Star looked directly at the camera. “Of course. Early this morning, the villain known as Pyro Storm attempted to gain access to Burke Tower. It’s not the first time he’s tried it, but he’s become more aggressive in his tactics.”

“Why is he trying to get into Burke Tower?”

“I don’t know, Rebecca,” Shadow Star said. “I haven’t discovered that yet. But it doesn’t matter. What Pyro Storm was trying to do is against the law, and he must be stopped. And since I’m the only one capable of such a thing, I did what I had to in order to ensure the safety of those inside Burke Tower.”

“Burke Tower,” Rebecca Firestone told the viewers, “is of course where Burke Pharmaceuticals is located. We asked the contractor who runs security for Burke Tower for a statement, but have yet to receive a response.” She turned back to Shadow Star. “In the past,you’ve been able to keep the skirmishes between you and Pyro Storm to a minimum. What’s changed?”

“I don’t know,” Shadow Star said, and he sounded frustrated. Nick almost felt sorry for him. “Something’s changed. He’s becoming unstable. I urge the good people of Nova City to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s dangerous. A threat to our way of life. I’m going to do everything I can to stop him and to keep the city safe.”

“You’re so brave,” Rebecca Firestone said, putting her hand on his arm.

“Holy shit,” Nick muttered. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Turn it down, Firestone. Have some dignity.”

“It’s not a matter of bravery,” Shadow Star replied. “It’s about doing what’s right.”

Rebecca Firestone frowned as if she hadn’t expected that answer. She recovered quickly. “An NCPD officer was injured in the line of duty today in direct correlation with the battle between you and Pyro Storm. Is there anything you’d like to say to the family of Officer Bell?”

Nick held his breath.

Shadow Star turned away from Rebecca and looked at the camera again. “Yes, there is. If they’re watching, I would like Officer Bell’s family to know I will do everything I can to make sure justice is served. I hope I can be strong enough to make sure something like this doesn’t happen to anyone again.”

“What a lovely thing to—”

“There’s more.”

“Oh. Sorry. Go right ahead.”

Nick felt as if Shadow Star were staring directly at him. “I promise you. I won’t stop until Pyro Storm has paid for his crimes. He won’t get away with this. I meant what I said in the alley when our picture was taken.”

Rebecca Firestone blinked. “What? What picture? What alley?”

Shadow Star cocked his head, as if hearing something in the distance. “The city needs me,” he growled. “I must heed her call.”