Victor came into view a few seconds later. The man on the ground got up and started toward Victor, only to buckle, as if he’d been struck.

Victor’s cool voice wafted up like smoke.

“I will ask you one more time . . .”

The man said something, the words low and unintelligible from June’s position on the roof. But Victor clearly heard him. With a single, upward flick of his hand, the man was forced up to his feet, and Victor shot him in the head.

The silencer muffled the violence of the gun’s retort, but not its impact. Blood sprayed across the bricks, and the man fell lifeless to the ground. A second later, something seemed to fall in Victor, too. His poise, so tightly held, began to fray, and he swayed a little on his feet before slumping back against the opposite wall. He ran a hand through his light hair, and let his head tip back against the brick as he looked up.

June lunged backward, breath held, waiting for some sign that he’d seen her. But Victor’s gaze had been miles away. She heard his footsteps, slow and even, and by the time she chanced another look over the rooftop edge, he had disappeared around the corner.

* * *

JUNE found him again, at the edge of the Brickworks, followed half a block behind as she dialed Marcella’s number.

She hesitated before she hit Call, not because she had any lingering doubts, but simply because the words would carry weight, consequence, and not just for Victor. Putting him in EON’s path meant endangering Sydney, too.

But June would be there. She’d keep her girl safe.

The phone rang once, and then Marcella answered. “Well?”

June studied the man in black. “His name is Victor Vale.”

“That was fast,” said Marcella. “And you’re sure he’s the one they’re looking for?”

“Positive,” said June.

“And his power?”

“Pain,” said June.

She could hear Marcella’s smile. “Interesting. Is he alone?”

“Yes,” said June. “As far as I can tell.”

The words came out effortlessly. Lying was a skill made easy by habit.

Besides, Sydney was hers, and June didn’t know if she wanted to share. If she could get the girl to Merit, maybe. If Marcella succeeded, if the time came when EOs didn’t have to hide, or run. June knew Sydney was tired of running. In the meantime, there was no need for Marcella to know about the girl. Not yet.

“I’ll stay here,” continued June. “Keep an eye on things. Wouldn’t want Victor to slip away.” She frankly didn’t care if EON got their hands on Victor, but she wasn’t about to let Sydney fall into the same trap. “Unless you need me,” she added.

“No,” said Marcella. “We’ll survive a little longer without your sparkling wit.”