“She is,” Emily said. “It’s . . . nice to see you?”

“You don’t need to lie on my account,” he said. “If everyone’s ready, hop in. We can talk tactics on the way to the hotel.” Handshake turned and walked back over to the driver’s side. “Coming?”

Emily pushed Teddy toward the back of the car, so Athena started walking around it, passing behind and taking note of the car’s plates before shuffling past the plume of stinky smoke from the exhaust. She hopped into the seat behind Handshake’s and pulled her belt on.

She had to tuck it behind her because it passed right in front of her face.

“You mentioned a hotel?” Big Sister asked as she buckled herself in.

“I did,” Handshake said. “Nothing fancy, I’m afraid. We, that is, the lot of us and our guest, have a conference room scheduled for us at the Oliday Inn.”

“Isn’t that a little public?” Big Sister asked.

“That’s the idea, yes. We’re presuming that neither side wants to get the public involved. That means keeping a low profile. At the same time, having it be in a public place like this imposes some civility on both sides.”

“I think I get it,” Big Sister Emily said. “I don’t really like the idea of being seen with a Villain, though.”

“Ah, yes, your Hero persona. I wouldn’t worry. I’m not a well-known face in the public, but in our world, people on both sides of the figurative fence know of and use my services.”

“Our world?”

“The world of Heroes and Villains,” Handshake said. “The real one, not the whitewashed and cleaned version the corps and government want people to see. I suppose calling it a world is a bit much.”

“I guess?” Emily said.

“It’s more of a community, separated from the rest of the world. And every year, on the same day, the community grows.” Handshake leaned forward to see if any cars were coming from the road the alley opened up to. When it was clear, he drove out and merged with the traffic.

“Is it really separate from the rest of the world?” Athena asked. “We still need to eat, and some of us go to school and stuff like that.”

Handshake nodded. “That’s true. But a lot of powered individuals, myself not included I’m afraid, think that they are . . . I suppose superior would be the right word. Greater than normal people. More talented, or gifted, or deserving.”

“That makes sense,” Teddy said.

Athena blinked. “Aren’t you a communist?” she asked.

“Doesn’t mean I’m an idiot,” Teddy said. “If all my comrades could turn into cool bears, then it wouldn’t be a problem, but only I can do that. So I’m a little bit special. But that doesn’t mean I deserve more.”