“It was like getting hit with Victoria’s aura, but without the jittery oh-shit-ness of it,” Lookout said. “Purer, stronger.”

I folded my arms, thumb hooked into sling.

“I pretty much only ever get the jittery oh-shit part from Victoria,” Capricorn said.

“Same,” Cryptid said.

“I’ll talk with her,” Ashley said. Her expression was cold. “She was testing me. That can’t stand.”

“Don’t get yourself in more trouble,” Sveta said.

“She fucked with Lookout.”

“Stick with the rules,” I said. “Use the system against her. Report her, let them handle it and change their policies.”

“No, don’t use the system,” Lookout said.

We looked at her.

“If you do, they’ll say the easiest fix is to not let me come back. They’ll say it’s too dangerous to let kids come here, and then I won’t be able to see you.”

“They’d punish her, not you,” Sveta said.

“They might punish me.”

“I’m on the kid’s side,” Cryptid said. “Institutions are dumb.”

Ashley drew in a deep breath. Holy shit, she looked more pissed than she had with Beast of Burden. I could imagine the only thing that was stopping her was that her potential target was out of reach.

“Leave it,” Lookout pleaded. “It’s fine. Please?”

“I’m not going to leave it,” Ashley’s voice was quiet. “But I won’t make it an incident.”

“Take care of yourself,” I said. “If you let her get to you, she wins.”

“It’s fine,” Ashley said. “I’m betting she’ll go back to her cell to hide, the coward. I’m going to run, and I’ll think for a while before doing anything.”

“Good plan,” I said. “Except the doing part, I’m worried.”

“It’s fine,” she replied, with a tone that suggested it was also final.

“Okay,” I said, glancing at the others.

“I’m sorry things ended on that note,” Ashley said. She set a hand on Kenzie’s head.

“Me too,” Lookout said.

“Don’t let this place get to you,” Sveta said. “Remember your goals.”

“Yeah. Always focused on the future, hm?” Ashley asked.

“Exactly. Just get through today.”

Ashley stepped back, like it took a measured effort to separate herself, then she smiled. With that, she left, heading back into the deeper prison, while leaving us to enter the gate.

Capricorn and Sveta each placed a hand on one of Lookout’s shoulders. I glanced at Cryptid, but I couldn’t read the expression he wore, Lookout’s device masking his face.

There were people to keep tabs on, both enemies and on our side.

⊙