There were other things to dwell on. Goddess, for one. This feeling—I could place the why of it. I’d made assumptions. I addressed Goddess. “I said we’d part ways after this was done. Was I right about that, or is the plan that we come with you after?”

Goddess answered me, “I’ll end my relationship with Breakthrough after I have what I need from the prison, a few of our mutual enemies’ underlings removed, then you can decide with clear heads if you want to come with me. Agreeable?”

“No, it’s not agreeable to me,” Amy said.

“It’s perfect. Stop talking, Amy,” I said.

“Victoria—”

“Stop!” I raised my voice, taking a step forward. It took Capricorn’s hand on my shoulder to remind me that she was more than sixty miles away.

I’d spooked Lookout by being so loud, by the looks of it.

I saw Amy drop her hands from the small raised ‘hands up’ position that had followed my shout. It would have been comical if just about anything about this scene had been different.

I didn’t like feeling so off when it came to my mental footing, especially when I had to deal with the relative proximity of someone I’d really hoped I’d never have to see again. I avoided looking at the screen—I didn’t want to make eye contact, to see if she was staring at me.

“Make her stop talking, I’ll stop, you can talk to the team,” I said.

“Breakthrough?” Goddess asked.

The others were voicing their agreement—most of the others. My thoughts were chaotic enough that I was momentarily incapable of sifting through overlapping voices.

“…should work out,” Capricorn’s voice trailed after the others.

Even the projections of Swansong and Precipice nodded assent. Good. The satisfaction that we were all on the same page was disrupted by the sound of her voice. Amy’s voice. I grit my teeth.

“Vicky,” Amy said. “I’m on your side here… and I don’t think you’re on your own side.”

“Are you working against me now?” Goddess asked.

“No,” Amy said. “Because I think this is a bad move. I’m helping you by saying no to this.”