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“Maybe don’t piss him off more,” Dad growled behind Nick.

Owen’s mouth twisted into a snarl. “I’m the hero. I’ve always been the hero. Just because none of you can see it doesn’t mean you can take it away from me. I’ll show you. I’ll show youall.”

He raised his hands. The shadows rose around him, taking shape, becoming corporeal again.

The police on the other edge of the bridge took aim. Without turning, Nick knew the cops behind him were doing the same.

They would slaughter one another.

Dad grabbed his good arm, trying to pull him to safety.

“No,” Nick snapped, trying to get free. “Dad, you don’t understand, he’s—”

Seth Gray landed between Nick and Owen.

His cape hung in tatters over his shoulders. His costume was shredded on his back, revealing bloodied skin. Somehow, he’d lost one of his boots, and his foot was bare. That hit Nick hard—for reasons he didn’t understand.

Seth took a limping step toward Owen. “You won’t hurt them. I won’t let you, Shadow Star.”

The shadows swirled around Owen. “You think you can stop me? There will always be darkness, no matter what you do. You can’t stop it. Not now. It’s too late. I’m going to show you what I’m truly capable of.”

Seth took another step forward as the shadows grabbed support beams and lifted them off the ground, wielding them like oversized weapons. Cap was barking into the megaphone, telling both Extraordinaries tostand down,and the cops were getting restless, barrels tracking every movement Owen and Seth made.

This wasn’t going to end well for anyone.

There will always be darkness.

This is how we burn the world.

You need to burn away the shadows.

Nick’s eyes widened. “That’s it.”

He looked up at the helicopter. The spotlight still shone.

He looked over his shoulder. The cruisers were all pointed toward them.

Same on the other side.

He spun on his heels. “Dad, you have to get all the lights on. Spotlights. Headlights. All of them.”

Dad’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? We’re getting you out of herenow.”

Nick shook his head. “I know what I’m doing. I need you to trust me. Please. Tell Cap. All the lights. Everything you’ve got.”

Dad looked like he was going to argue, but instead, shook his head. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Nick grinned at him. “Come on. Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Dad gave him one last look before turning back toward Cap, hospital gown billowing around him. Nick was going to give him so much crap for not putting on pants if they survived this somehow.

Owen and Seth were advancing on each other. The shadows moved like some Lovecraftian nightmare. Nick almost froze at the sight of them, but there was no time to be afraid. It was time to be extraordinary. He had a city to save.

He ran to Seth’s side. Seth opened his mouth, undoubtedly to tell Nick to get back, but Nick cut him off. “I know what to do. We stick to the plan. We burn away the shadows until there’s nothing left.”

“You’re too late!” Owen shouted at them. “There’s nothing you can do to stop me!”

“Holy hell,” Nick muttered. “How on earth did you not punch him in the throat on a daily basis?”