The lighting in the room changed. It was Byron’s motes—like fireflies that left lines drawn in the air as they traveled their lazy helixes and loops. All around Kenzie’s workstation and tinkerings.

“No, no, no,” Kenzie said.

“You guys broke free of Valefor. Can’t you break free of this?” he asked. The water-to-be floated around the computers and things like a knife held to a person’s throat. Kenzie’s work.

I shook my head slowly. I wasn’t the only one. Sveta did too, the logistics of her body obviously applying.

“Byron,” I said. “Switch back with your brother. Take a backseat role while we do the high-risk stuff. I know you didn’t ask for this life, and there’s no reason you should be caught up in something bigger.”

“I don’t think I’m going to do that. The problem with the powers thing is that it sweeps through everything and leaves ruin and devastation,” Byron told me.

“It does.”

“This is a lot of really big powers in one persons’ hands, and she’s catching you guys up in her wake. She would have caught me too, if I was out and Tristan was in, like he was supposed to be. We can’t let that be a thing—the devastation. I don’t want that here, with you guys.”

“Two of us aren’t really here,” Rain observed. “Whatever we’re made of, it’s cracked and broken.”

“No,” Kenzie said. “I don’t believe that. Because they’re still here. They’re here in the way that counts.”

“Maybe,” Byron said. “But I’m not sure that’s true. That Woman in Blue is not equipped to lead. As far as I can tell, that’s a woman who was younger than I am now when she took over her planet, and nobody was strong enough to stop her. She didn’t know how to lead, she just… things work out because she keeps everyone united in fear, if they’re unpowered, or united under her banner if they’re powered. She’s spoiled and unhinged. I can’t see a good outcome from that. If I don’t take a stand here, there’s going to be more ruin and devastation. This whole thing needs to stop now if we’re going to keep this from ruining Breakthrough, hurting the other heroes, letting Teacher or Goddess win, or letting both win while everyone else loses…”

There was a pause. I suspected nobody involved really wanted to pick a fight or force a move. Too messy.

“Um, I’m sorry to interrupt,” Kenzie said. There was nothing to interrupt, really. “Your Malfunction Junction guys have an major update, Victoria. Please don’t drench my workstation, Byron.”

“Noted. Thank you, Kenzie,” I said. My voice was empty of emotion. My expression was unflinching, as I stared down Byron, one corner of my eye noting the blue motes. The stalemate continued.