Lulu sat next to the chief and gazed at Intelligal’s chair. A calculating expression filled her smooth face, and her fingers tapped against the arm of her wheelchair like it was a keyboard. The computer hacker was probably wondering how she could get Henry aka Hermit to make her a similar contraption. I didn’t blame her. Although I had little use for gadgets, given my natural superpowers, even I had to admit the Intellichair was a cool, deadly gizmo. Especially since it had been kicking our asses for the last six months.

“I do hope you all will forgive my rude outburst,” Siren continued. “I really want to make a good impression on everyone, being so new in town. I’ve heard such lovely, lovely things about Bigtime and all of you. I just want to fit in.”

I rolled my eyes. Good grief, she was simpering now. Did the woman have no pride? She was giving ubervillains 32

J e n n i f e r E s t e p

everywhere a bad name. As much as I hated evildoers like Malefica, Captain Sushi, and Noxious, at least I had some respect for them. They would never have lowered themselves to play to a crowd of civilians.

“Oh, get on with it, Siren. Quit showing off,” Intelligal snapped and crossed her arms over her flat chest. The geeky ubervillain had little use for her partner’s sexy antics. That was two of us.

“You always spoil my fun.” Siren stuck her lip out and pouted.

“I’ll kill her for you, Siren!” one of the wealthy businessmen volunteered.

“Me too!”

“And me!”

“No, let me do it!”

Siren smiled, and several of the older men in the crowd clutched their chests, ready to have coronary episodes if she so much as crooked her pinky. “Thank you, darlings, but that won’t be necessary.”

I thought she muttered the word yet, but I couldn’t be sure. The two ubervillains might work together, but they definitely were not the best of friends. Too bad they wouldn’t take each other out and save me the trouble.

“Intelligal is going to come over to you now. If you’ll be so kind as to put your necklaces, watches, rings, and other valuables into her bag, we would greatly appreciate it.”

Siren’s husky voice wrapped around me again, and I burned away the tight, grasping tendrils. Intelligal zoomed into the glassy-eyed crowd. She hit a button, and the side of her chair opened up. A mechanical arm holding a soft, cloth bag stretched out.

The ubervillain floated through the crowd, robbing Bigtime’s richest, while Siren cooed into the microphone and kept them in line. Although I wanted to lob a fireball or H o t M a m a

33

three her way, I couldn’t risk it. There were too many people around. Frying civilians was not good for my image. Or for sales of my action figures, calendars, and other officially licensed merchandise. Intelligal motored round and round, collecting millions in jewels, watches, and other baubles. Of course, there were a few willful holdouts who weren’t under Siren’s spell and didn’t want to give up their precious shinies. Joanne James was among them. Intelligal had to threaten to shoot Berkley with the machine guns mounted on her chair before Joanne parted with her pearls and enormous engagement ring. Even then, it took her a while to decide between imminent, bloody death and going without her status symbols. To my surprise, Johnny Bulluci was also among the people who resisted Siren’s throaty call. Unlike the others, he didn’t have a blank look on his face. He and Bella hovered protectively over an old man in a navy tuxedo. That must be the grandfather they’d rushed out to save. What was his name? Something with an R. Reed, Reynolds, Richards, Roger, Rob, Roberto! That was it. Roberto Bulluci. Bobby for short.