“No. No place. No need, really.” She frowned at Molly. “Look, I knew your dad, and for him I’m glad to help you out. But once I get you tucked away someplace, I have a few things I wanna look into. Starting with that election joint.”

“Of course,” Molly said. “And I’ll—”

Cat raised her hand. “All I’m sayin’ is that I don’t have time for helping you track down your past, if that’s why you came hunting for me—”

“No, that’s not why—”

“There’s a lot I’d rather forget than stir up, is what I mean. And if the galaxy’s endin’ soon, you’re not gonna get a lotta complaints from me.”

Molly shook her head. “It’s not like that. I just need help getting in touch with a group of people. My mom said you’d know where to start, maybe introduce me.”

Walter popped out of the shadows, tugging on Molly and Cat. “Let’ss go,” he hissed, looking down the alley.

Cat nodded and pointed the way, causing Walter to scurry off into the shadows. Molly watched him go, marveling at how at-home he seemed in the dark, grimy alley. Cat pulled her along, her gait light and full of bounce, especially for someone who had just taken such a brutal beating. Molly racked her memory for information on Callites, whether they healed faster than Humans. She was pretty sure they didn’t.

“Wait a second,” Molly said, pulling Cat to a stop. “Exactly what are you?”

Cat laughed. “What am I? If I wasn’t what I seemed, would I tell you?”

“I don’t know,” Molly said. “It’s just . . . I’ve seen some things lately that didn’t turn out how I’d hoped. Men that weren’t really men—”

Cat took a step closer. “Listen, you need to up and run if you suspect shit like that. Don’t stand around gabbing—”

“Are you with the Bern?” Molly took a step back as soon as she heard herself utter the question. She looked around for Walter, her thoughts flitting to the last humanoid she’d encountered with godly powers and an uncanny resemblance to what he wasn’t.

Cat moved swiftly and seized Molly by the shoulders. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Molly attempted to pull away, but the woman’s vice-like grip held her firm and seemed to confirm what she was thinking—

“No, I’m not one of them,” Cat said. She let go and slapped Molly on the shoulder. “Now, c’mon. Walk and talk.”

Molly hesitated, rubbing her shoulder. Something rattled in the alley behind her, and she found herself hurrying forward, catching up with the mysterious woman.

“What are you, then?”

“What does it look like?” Cat peered over at her. “I’m a sodden Callite, that’s what. Well, mostly, I think.”

“You think?”