Bentley lunged in my direction, and I could feel my people backing away behind me. I stood firm. The mutant bulldog landed with both front paws first, the impact so heavy that spittle and moisture was flung from his massive body.

A low, guttural noise tore its way from Bentleys throat as he surged forward again. I could hear yelps and shouts of alarm from the crowd behind me.

Wood splintered, cracked, and finally gave way. Behind Bentley, the husk of a fire-scorched building collapsed. Chains that had been lashed to the buildings wooden supports trailed from the dogs harness as he bounded toward Bitch. Of everyone present, only Bitch and I held our ground as the dog barreled into his master, practically bouncing with joy.

Bitch, for her part, wrapped her arms around his head as he lifted her off the ground. Good boy!

Hes just a dog. Beneath the three-thousand-ish pounds of muscle and the exterior of tangled muscle and bone, he was still a dopey dog who adored his master. Bitch had given him what hed been yearning for since he was abandoned or abused in his past life. Shed offered him the affection and companionship hed been wanting for years.

I could relate. Not in terms of Bitch, specifically, but I could relate.

Get to work clearing that up! I ordered. My swarm augmented my voice to carry it across the crowd of my followers. There were twenty-two adults and twenty kids. With Coils assistance, Id brought in work gloves and black hazmat suits, but most people were wearing only the lower body of the suits. It was too warm for the full suits, and the masks were largely unnecessary. Everyone was dripping from the rain, but nobody was really complaining. I rather liked it; it was refreshing in the otherwise warm day.

A generator stirred to life a short distance down the street, and there was something of a rush as people hurried to get away from the intimidating presence of the big bad supervillains and their mutant animals. That, and there was something of a fight to get the power tools. There were only so many circular saws and chainsaws to go around, and anyone who didnt have one was tasked with carrying the cut wood instead.

I created a barrier of bugs to stop one of the teenagers from reaching for a circular saw.

If youre under eighteen, you dont get to use power tools, I called out. Priority goes to the people who know how the tools are used. Able bodied adults get second dibs. Listen carefully to the guys who know what theyre doing, and work somewhere dry if possible. Weve had enough casualties, lets not have anything stupid happening with someone slipping or losing their grip in the rain. If someones being an idiot, tell Sierra, and shell inform me.

Sierra glanced at me and nodded.

I turned my attention to Bitch.

You owe me, she said. The rain had plastered her short hair against her scalp. Her gang of four people stood by with dogs on leashes: Barker, Biter, a college-aged kid with the scars of four parallel claw marks running across his face, and a girl with her arm in a sling. They didnt look scared, like my people had, but they still didnt look fantastically thrilled to be in close vicinity to one of Bitchs dogs on full throttle.

Nevermind that you were the one that came here early. Of course. Well get you and your people some lunch.

She frowned. Lunch?

There was a bit of a pause. I waited patiently as she considered the idea.

Fine, she decided.

Come on, I told her. Well go to my place while we wait for the others.

While Bentley had been helping to tear down and dismantle the derelict building, Id been contemplating how Id leverage Bitchs early arrival to mend fences and rebuild some trust. Id decided on something simple, as that seemed to work best with Bitch. I imagined that she hadnt paid a lot of attention to stuff like food as she took hold of her territory. Odds were good that shed asked Coil for a lot of easy food she could stuff in her pockets and eat on the go. She probably wouldnt pay much attention to stuff like seasonings or variety in courses.

Id recently spent some time looking back on our past interactions. Her perspective toward me had zig-zagged between a kind of hesitant acceptance and hostility. Wed met, shed attacked me. Wed gone to the bank robbery, and shed been open and excited, only to do a one-eighty and start shouting at me after misinterpreting something I said. Two steps forward, one step back. Until Id left the group and then been outed as an undercover operative a short while later. That had been a good solid one-hundred steps back.

Recovering from that breach of trust had proven far more difficult than anything that came before. Not quite impossible, though; Id apparently proved myself in the recent past, because Bitch was making an effort on her end. She was here earlier than Id asked, for one thing, and she hadnt murdered me when I asked for a hand with some things I couldnt handle with my own power.

She glanced back at her group and whistled once, making a come hither gesture. I couldnt tell if she was signaling her dogs and expecting the people to follow or if she was treating her own people like she did her dogs. She grabbed the chain at Bentleys neck and used it to lead him.

Barker and Biter looked pretty unimpressed, either way. Barker especially.

We didnt talk as we made our way to my headquarters, and I was okay with that. Every exchange between us was one more chance for me to inadvertently offend her, and the silence gave me a bit more time to consider how to tackle all of this. I was used to feeling like I had to approach every conversation with a strategy, planning out what I was going to say so I didnt sound like an idiot. That went double for Bitch, because a slip-up could set me back days or weeks in terms of our friendship.

Should friendship even be my goal? Maybe I was better off just trying to be a teammate.

If it was just for my sake, I could probably convince myself. As it stood, though, I was thinking of Bitch. I felt like I would be abandoning her to a pretty lonely existence if I didnt at least try.

I let them into my lair, after sweeping the area with my bugs to check for any observers, unlocking and opening the shutter. Charlotte had experienced a few sleepless nights since the scare three nights ago, so Id given her permission to take it easy here, with the warning that Id have guests and would want her assistance. She still looked a little wary as Bitch, Biter, and Barker entered.

Hamburgers? I asked Bitch. She nodded. When I looked at her minions, they signaled agreement. Good. Easy and simple.

Charlotte, would you mind? Maybe fries, too, if you know how to make them on the stove?

I dont, but theres some in the freezer that I can do. They arent bad, she replied.

Good. When you have a second, some towels for the dogs, too.

Okay.

I led the others into the sitting area on the ground floor. With the shutter up, some dim light filtered through the rain-streaked windows. Bitch was outside, tending to Bentley, who had yet to shrink to a more normal size.

I stepped outside to give her directions to where she could stow Bentley until hed returned to a more normal size, pointing the way to the beach. She marched off with the one-ton monstrous dog, not offering a response.

Which left me to deal with her people in the meantime.

Barker and Biter gave me something of a George and Lennie vibe, with the smaller guy as the brains of the outfit, the larger one as the big oaf. While I didnt have any major clues to Barkers powers, Biter was clearly a physical powerhouse. He stood over six feet in height with a severe underbite exaggerated by a metal bear-trap style band of metal around his lower jaw. His teeth, I saw, were filed into points. His costume featured spiked knuckle-dusters and a number of leather straps and belts over his clothes. Each length of leather was studded with sharp spikes.

Barker was an inch or two shorter than me, his hair and beard cut short enough that there was more skin than hair showing. His eyes seemed overly large for his face, with heavy lids and folds around them that made him look older than he probably was. His costume consisted of a black sleeveless t-shirt, jeans and tattooing around his mouth. Id seen him in something more conventional when Coil had introduced him to us, but now the only sign of his parahuman nature was the faint smoke that curled out of his mouth. Just going by his lack of bulk and short stature, I thought I might be able to take him in a no-powers fist fight.

Id nearly forgotten about Bitchs henchpeople in the chaos of dealing with the Nine and all of the fallout that had ensued. I realized I knew very little about them.

To my surprise, it was Biter who did the talking. He had a low voice, and his words were muddled by some combination of the mouthgear and the underbite. You get along.

I folded my arms.

He spread his hands, How?

How do Bitch and I get along? I asked.

He nodded.

Im not sure Im comfortable talking behind her back.

The girl with her arm in a sling spoke up, She acts like shes frustrated with us. And I think were frustrated with her.

I dont want to be rude, but thats really her business with you. Theyre her property, her territory. If I screwed around with her minions or started something, it would effectively be stepping on her toes.

You cant offer us any tips? she asked.

She looked so hopeful. Damn it.

I can, but its going to sound pretty damn basic. Be honest, be absolutely clear in what youre saying. Be obedient, but be assertive. Dont let her walk all over you or she will walk all over you. At the same time, if you think theres something worth arguing over, be prepared to fight tooth and nail for it, because youll be in a weaker position if you fight over it and lose. Respect her space and her things, and remember that shes your boss above all else.

She doesnt act like a boss, Barker said, and he made it sound almost insulting. Puffs of the dark smoke spilled from his mouth with each word, but they seemed to carry further than cigarette smoke would. It seemed to be tied to the stress or emphasis on the sounds that drove it forward. She does her own thing and she leaves us to clean up shit.

Adapt, I told him. Thats all I can say. If youve proven yourself reliable, showed that youre willing to clean up after the dogs and take care of them without complaining, shell test you in other ways. Thatll be your chance to prove youre useful.

He sneered, looking at the girl and the boy with the scars on his face. Shes cutting them more slack than shes cutting Biter and me. We shouldnt have to prove anything.

What do you do? Your powers.

He looked up at me. You want to see?

I shrugged.

Whore.

The puff of smoke that accompanied the word detonated like a small thunder-clap, mere inches from my face. I flinched, but it hadnt been intended to harm. Only to alarm.

He sniggered. Id never met anyone who really sniggered before.

I could see how Coil thought Barker and Bitch would be a match. I could also see where there would be some friction between the two.

I sighed a little, watching as Barker looked to the others, then over at Charlotte, as if theyd be joining him in his amusement. None did. Biter earned a brownie point in my book by staying quiet and simply watching.

I caught my baton from behind my back and swung it underhand, still folded up, into Barkers chin. His teeth clacked shut with percussive force, and I stepped closer to push at his upper body while hooking at the chair leg with my foot to pull it in my direction. He toppled backwards, his head hitting the wall behind him.

I didnt have a full measure of his ability, but I did know his mouth was his weapon. It made me look weaker, but I stepped back so his legs and the chair seat gave me cover in the event that he decided to attack me.

For extra measure, I drew the bugs out of my costume and sent them straight for his nose and mouth.

He went bug-eyed as he sat up, coughing and sputtering in an attempt to clear the bugs from his airway. After one rolling cough, he created another detonation in and around his mouth, obliterating a majority of the bugs Id tried to gag him with.

I glanced at Biter. He was still seated. Good. Id somehow thought that the guy would be stepping up to defend his partner, making this a two-versus-one fight.

Barker was climbing to his feet. I saw him falter, then start coughing again, gagging.

The capsaicin had kicked in.

Thats the sort of thing you have to watch out for, I told him, as he fell to the ground, writhing and coughing, tears welling in his eyes. I kept my voice level. Youre in my house, my territory, and you fuck with me? Thats the sort of thing that would get you in your bosss bad books if you did it to her.

He has, the boy with the scars on his face spoke.

Barker only gagged in response.

Guess thats why he deserves shit duty, I commented. I leaned against the wall, folding my arms, my telescoped baton still in one hand.

Bitch had chosen that moment to return. She stared at the scene. Me standing idly by as Barker was curled up on the floor, wheezing and making pathetic noises, a few stray bugs crawling across his face.

She looked at me, glaring.

He started it, I finished it, I told her.

She looked at Biter, who shrugged and nodded agreement with my statement. Bitch seemed to accept that as answer enough. She picked up his chair, moved it a few feet so it wouldnt be in Barkers way as he kicked and spasmed, and sat down.

Im surprised theres no objections about me attacking your partner, I told Biter.

Your house, your rules, you said.

What do you do? No demonstrations, please.

I make parts of myself bigger. He pointed to his mouth, then to the fist with the spike-studded knuckle-duster. Open wide, swing with bigger hands.

Nothing that would have been that great against the Nine. I couldnt blame Bitch for leaving them behind.

Fair enough. I addressed the two unpowered individuals from Bitchs group. And you two? Why were you picked for her team?

I was just starting my first year as a vet before everything went to hell, the girl said. Needed money to pay my boyfriends hospital bill, was offered more than enough. He got better a week ago, then broke up with me. Not even a thank you. Guess Im still here because I dont have anywhere else to go, and I like taking care of the dogs.

I saw an opportunity. Did you have a dog growing up?

Greyhounds. Eclaire and Blitzen.

Blitzen? Like the reindeer?

No. Like German for lightning. And Eclaire is French.

I could see Bitch was tense. Something about this line of conversation?

I guessed what it might be and continued the questioning. Why greyhounds? Dont they need a lot of exercise?

She shook her head. No. Theyre running dogs, but they only need about a half-hour of walking a day. They work really well living in an apartment, which we were.

They howl, Bitch said.

Only if theyre unhappy, the girl protested. She glanced down as Barker thumped on the ground with one fist, then looked up at Bitch and smiled a little, And ours were happy.

Bitch seemed to accept that.

Do you have a dog now? I asked.

She shook her head. I dont have the money. Or I didnt have money, before Leviathan came. Student loans and living expenses kind of ate up whatever I made. Im hoping to save up enough with the work Im doing now.

You buying the dog? Bitch asked. She seemed interested, now, but there was still a tension, as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. One wrong answer, and this could turn ugly. I could only hope the girl had the right answers.

I kind of want another greyhound, because its what I grew up with and youll get greyhounds from an animal rescue ninety percent of the time. Theres one Im pretty fond of thats in one of your shelters, but hes yours, of course.

Shed taken my advice about respecting Bitchs ownership. Good.

Greyhound? Chase or Ink? Bitch asked.

Ink.

Bitch frowned. I tensed, ready to jump in and distract with some mention of food.

Grudgingly, Bitch said, Rather they have a proper home than stay with me.

I could see the girls eyes widen in surprise. I didnt- um. Thank you.

If I see him in some cage in a shelter after youve taken him home, Im going to track you down and dismember you, Bitch growled.

I could see from the expression on the girls face that she believed Bitch. Still, I saw her steel herself as she replied, If I fuck up, I deserve it.

There wasnt much more I could do to help that conversation. I had hope that this would set Bitchs underlings in the right direction.

While they continued talking, I stepped away to check on the hamburgers that Charlotte was cooking on the stove.

Is he going to be okay? she asked me.

It took me a second to realize who she meant. I looked back at Barker. Yeah.

I mean, is he going to attack us?

I dosed him with pepper spray, basically, as well as a few stings and bites to add to the hurt. Thatll generally put someone down for half an hour, so I dont think hes a threat. I dont think hes stupid enough to attack with Bitch and I here.

She nodded, but she didnt look relieved. I would have asked what was up, tried to pry for more clarification on just why she hadnt slept well, or why she was so easily spooked, but I was interrupted by the vibration of my phone.

I stepped up into my lair to take the call.

Were a few minutes away, Lisa told me, the second I picked up.

Bitch is here already, I answered. Come in the front door when you get here.

Righty-o. Ta ta.

She hung up.

I took a second to compose myself, alone in the second floor of my lair. Dealing with people, the sensitive management of Bitch and her underlings, pretending confidence where I didnt necessarily have it, and thinking of all the little details that would help me convey the image of someone confident and powerful it was draining. It meant standing straighter, having the answers, thinking two steps ahead and using intimidation and fear to prevent any argument or insubordination like Barkers little stunt. It meant retaliating in excess to any slight or disrespect.

Barker had pushed me, Id left him mewling like a baby.

At the same time, I faced a dilemma on the opposite end of things. I wanted to help people, and I wanted to build friendships with the others. With the way Bitch sort of mandated that I go the extra mile, it was hard to be nice to her without seeming weak to others.

Well, what they didnt see didnt hurt them.

I stepped downstairs.

Bitch? I asked. A word?

She frowned, glancing at the food.

Well be done before the food is, I promised.

She followed me up the stairs.

Its not complete, I admitted, walking over to where I had fabric draped over a workbench. I picked up one piece and flicked it out. I just figured youd want to see it and voice any complaints before the others got here, so your voice doesnt get drowned out.

She took it from my hands. It was a jacket, not dissimilar to the one shed lent me once upon a time, but it was naturally lighter. There was a hood with a fluffy fur border at the edges, extending around in front of her shoulders. Besides the zippers and buttons, the fur was the only thing I hadnt made myself.

I dyed it dark gray. I figured if you wanted it any color, youd want it something dark, so I can tint it dark red, dark blue, dark green, or whatever you want.

She stared at it, her forehead creased.

Its spider silk. Tensile strength like steel, but flexible enough to resist wear and tear that steel wire would experience. And its lighter than the steel would be. Knives wont cut it. I figured youd want a heavier feel, judging by the jacket you lent me before, so I put rectangular panels of armor in between the inner and outer layer to give it more substance. I originally meant for there to be an undershirt or something you can wear to protect your upper body for when you dont have it zipped up, but I kind of cannibalized it for my own costume, after I burned my legs. Ill have the shirt ready for you in a week or two. Here, theres leggings, too. They survived.

I picked up the leggings. Unlike the jacket, they were skin-tight.

I dont wear tights, she said.

I thought you could wear them under your pants if you were expecting a serious fight. I gave you an inner layer with a really fine weave for the inner thighs, for when youre riding, so theres less chafing.

Uh huh.

I went out of my way to give you lots of pockets like you had in the other jacket. I dont think itll be too hot. Theres zippers in the armpits so you can ventilate some cool air inside, and you can detach the hood if you want, but I liked how it looked with the fur. Im planning an inside liner for when its-

Its fine, she interrupted me. Stop talking. Its good.

Yeah? I didnt get a chance to get your measurements, so I went by memory, based on the jacket you lent me.

She pulled it on and adjusted the front. Fits fine.

Here, I said. I turned around and grabbed the next piece. I handed it to her.

She turned it around in her hands. Id cheated and formed the base sculpt out of chicken wire, covering the remainder with layers of dragline silk and painting the end result. It was, as close as Id been able to manage, a recreation of what her power did to her dogs in the form of a mask. Except Id made it half human and half dog.

Looks like Brutus, she said.

I didnt see it, but I didnt see fit to correct her either.

She pulled it on.

Its just a little bit flexible, if you want to bend any bits that are rubbing in the wrong place, or shape it to fit your face better.

Its fine, she said. She adjusted her jacket again.

If you want me to change anything-

No.

Her refusal was so curt it gave me pause. I couldnt tell if she was upset or happy.

I forced myself to keep my mouth shut. Id give her a few seconds to let me know either way. If she didnt, I was ready to escape by pointing out that lunch would be waiting for us.

You made stuff for the others?

Yeah.

But I didnt ask for it. I told you to fuck off when you asked me for my measurements, remember?

I made it anyways.

She adjusted her mask, turning it so it hung off one side of her head. She was glowering at me. Why didnt you listen when I told you to fuck off?

Two ways I could interpret that question. Dont worry about it. Look, the hamburgers will be ready soon I trailed off.

An awkward silence reigned. I turned to head downstairs.

What do you want for this?

I looked over my shoulder. What? Nothing.

Youre trying to get some favor from me.

No, Im really not. It might feel like it, with the timing and what were going to talk about with Lisa and the others, but its really not. Youre free to argue and disagree with me or the rest of us, just like usual. The costumes a gift.

I dont get many gifts.

I shrugged. What was I supposed to say to that? I couldnt help but feel that if I were a little more socially adroit, Id have had a snappy answer.

She kept talking. All of the stuff Ive gotten, its been with strings attached. Used to get gifts from one of my foster dads, she paused. And I get the money from Coil.

Those arent really presents. Theyre more like bribes or enticements. Really truly, this is no strings attached. You can act like you normally would, I wont expect any different.

Again, that glower.

I swallowed. Wear it or dont wear it. Its okay either way. Its not a big deal.

Ill wear it, she said.

When I turned to head downstairs, she followed.

I guess that means thank you.

We were greeted by the others in the kitchen. There was just enough time to grab and prepare our burgers before the others arrived. Grue, Tattletale, Imp, Regent and Shatterbird. They turned down the offer of food, and together, we ventured back upstairs.

With everyone gathered in my headquarters, I handed out the costumes. Like Bitchs, the other costumes were in various stages of completion, primarily with minor details missing or askew. I ate while the others tried it all on.

Lisas costume was virtually the same. The complicated aspect had been maintaining the crisp differences in color without any bleeding of black into lavender or vice versa. Thered also been the issue of getting the mask to fit her face well. Id accomplished the former by making the black and lavender pieces separately and attaching them to a gossamer-thin sub-layer when I was done. We had the boys and Shatterbird turn away while Lisa and Aisha changed at one end of the room. The mask was a failure, it didnt sit right around the eyes, but I was left with an idea of what to do.

Grues costume was not unlike his motorcycle leathers in terms of thickness and design, making him one of the most heavily armored of our groups in terms of the amount of material he was wearing. His headwear was the part Id changed the most: Id modeled the face-plate after a figurine hed bought at the market. It was a step away from the visor hed worn up to now, more demonic than skeletal. The only real trick there had been making it non-porous enough that his darkness wouldnt bleed through. A quick experiment proved that my efforts had turned out alright. In costume, the face-mask down, the darkness framed his mask but didnt cover it unless Grue forced it to. A demons face in dark gray in a vaguely human-shaped twist of darkness.

For Regent and Imp, Id settled on bodysuits and masks. Regent would wear his beneath his costume and Imp would wear hers as a simple black bodysuit, complete with a scarf and the horned mask Coil had provided.

There was more to do: belts, Imps scarf, Tattletales mask and Bitchs shirt, not to mention finishing my new mask, and my plans for different masks for our various minions.

When wed been fighting the Slaughterhouse Nine, Id lamented the fact that I hadnt better outfitted the team, and people had been hurt where the costumes would have otherwise protected them. In the days Id had to wind down, focusing on getting people organized and working on cleaning up the area, Id been in range to get a serious effort going on the costumes.

I was satisfied with this.

By all appearances, they were too.

Safe to turn around, Tattletale told the boys.

They did. I gestured, and people found seats in the various chairs.

Feels like were different people than we were an hour ago, Imp said, looking around.

I considered her words. I appreciate the sentiment, but I think its more accurate to say were different people than we were a week ago.

There were some nods. I glanced at the scar on Tattletales cheek, at Shatterbird, who stood obediently behind Regent, and at Grue, who had transformed more than any of us.

And I couldnt forget the change Id undergone, even if I didnt have the objectivity to nail down exactly what about me was different from a week ago. Sure, my costume was different, and I had the three hundred pound beetle that was resting on the roof.

You wanted to touch base? Brian asked, after hed pulled off his mask.

I had some words with Skitter, Lisa answered. I think its about time we all got on the same page.

In terms of tactics?

Lisa shrugged, Theres that. I think working independently is kind of throwing us off, and it leaves us weak against any coordinated attacks from the Chosen. We work best when we complement one another.

Alec shrugged. Okay. Thats easy enough to arrange. Not really a reason to throw a major group meeting.

Theres something else, I said. I swallowed, looking at Regent, Imp and Bitch. Ive already talked about this at length with Lisa, and Ive discussed it some with Brian. This isnt an easy topic to broach, because it sort of fucks with the teams status quo.

That had their attention.

I guess the question is, how keen are you guys on continuing to work for Coil?

Are we talking quitting in the short-term or what?

I dont know exactly what were talking about, because so much depends on how you guys respond and how things unfold in the next while, I said. But this thing with Dinah, Im not happy with it. I know Lisa and Brian have their issues with that, even if they dont share my perspective in how culpable we all are in that.

Im not responsible at all, Aisha pointed out.

Aisha, Brians tone was a warning.

Just saying.

You arent responsible, I know, I told her. I get the impression youd side with Brian, Lisa and me if it came down to it. The people Im really directing this question at are Alec and Rachel. Im under the impression theyre the least invested in helping Dinah out, and theyre most interested in what Coil has to offer.

Doesnt Brian have a stake in this? Alec asked.

Brian shrugged. Coil approached me a few days ago about increasing my pay. I think he knows Im not that reliant on him anymore. I got into this because I wanted to get Aisha away from my mom. With the way things in the city have been turned upside-down, I know and Coil knows that I dont need help. The fact that I can say Ive got money saved up, I can arrange to get a place and Aishas safe and sound with me? Thats almost enough to decide the court case as is.

And mommys on a bender, Aisha said. Dont think itll end anytime soon.

It was odd, but Brian looked more upset at hearing that than Aisha was about saying it aloud. Hadnt he grown up with his dad?

So its really down to you two, I addressed Alec and Rachel.

If I were to say I wanted to stick around? That I like the status quo? Alec asked.

Thats fine, Lisa said. Youd be an asshole and a prick, but wed work around you.

Thats vague, Alec commented.

We cant exactly share our game plan with you if were going to wind up on opposite sides, I pointed out.

Its a hassle. Why make things complicated for all of us, because one member of our group has a moral quibble?

A preadolescent girl was kidnapped, with our help, and shes spent the last few months in a dungeon, drugged out of her mind, all so Coil can use her power, I said. Thats not a quibble.

Alec sighed dramatically. Im just pulling your legs. Worlds going to end in a couple of years. Wont kill me to help you make peace with yourself before it does.

There was a long pause where nobody spoke.

Nice, Alec. Brian said.

Alec chuckled. What? Its true. That Dinah kid said it was. Dont pretend its not going to happen. Might as well live it up before everything goes to hell in a handbasket.

Theres a chance it wont, I replied, my voice quiet. And with the sheer variety of powers out there, theres got to be an answer.

That optimisms bound to be wearing thin by now, Alec commented.

Enough, Brian said.

Why are you guys freaking out? Because Im calling you out on your willful blindness? The worlds gonna end, and Im okay with that. Therefore Im saying Ill go along with your plan, whatever it is. Why argue with me?

Brian sighed.

Bitch? I asked. I know Coils set up your dogs in those shelters, and wed be asking you to potentially lose that, depending on how this plays out, but

Ive managed without money before, Bitch said. Smarmy bastard conned me. Promised me Id be left alone if I joined the group. That hasnt happened. If he thinks Ill forget that because of what hes given me, Id like to see the look on his face when he finds out how wrong he is.

Thank you, I said.

So were all in? I asked.

It was fun, Alec shrugged, Thats why we got into this, wasnt it? Easy money, fun, get to do what we wanted. No pressure, no responsibilities. Its become something else. So maybe we end that.

I dont necessarily want to end it, I said. Im not talking about taking Coil head on, and I do want to preserve my territory, if I can help it. Its helping people.

So what do you want? he challenged me.

For right now? I mainly wanted to know youre on my side. I really appreciate that you are, I said. I looked at Bitch and repeated myself, Really.

And for the future?

Weve got an awfully small window, Lisa said. One and a half weeks, roughly, before Dinahs power is back online. Once that happens, Coil becomes a thousand times harder to take on. Theres the mayoral elections, the question of whether the city gets condemned-

What? I cut in.

Its arguably more expensive to fix the problems here than it is to abandon the city entirely. Depends on what the consensus is from the President and all the other folks in charge.

If that happens, what will Coil do? Brian asked.

Leave. Start over somewhere else, transporting any resources he can, leaving behind all liabilities. He might bring some of you with him, offering some hefty bribes. Somehow I dont think hell bring Skitter. Even my own currency is running pretty thin, Lisa shrugged.

He cant afford to lose you, Brian said. Youre too dangerous as an enemy.

Oh, I think hes studied me enough to feel pretty confident he can off me if he wants to, Lisa said. Trick is making it a sure enough kill that theres no chance of it backfiring on him.

And me? I asked, feeling a pang of alarm.

He knows your weak points. The gaps in your power, your dad, your identity, your morals. You already know that.

I did, but hearing it said so clearly, it was one of those cases where having the details laid out in front of me didnt make me feel more confident.

So this is going to be a different kind of fight, Brian mused. Its about control and subterfuge. If he figures out what were doing, if we clue him in, hes probably better equipped than any of our past opponents when it comes to knowing how to deal with us. If the city gets condemned, were boned. And if Dinah gets her powers back, hell be impossible to beat.

Thats the gist of it. Even I dont know what he has planned for his endgame, here. Its looking pretty ugly, to be honest. Lisa counted off the points on her fingers. The Chosen will be gunning for us, Coils got a small army of pretty excellent, well-equipped soldiers at his disposal, hes got some pretty fucking heavy hitters with the Travelers, the heroes are going to be going into overdrive to establish some sort of control and last but not least, hes Coil.

Well, Alec said, chuckling a little, At least well have something to help pass the time while we wait for the world to end.