“Uh. Six? She’s depressed, she’s scared, she doesn’t know how to use her power, and I can’t get near her to help her. She’s afraid people are going to take her away.”

“How immediate is the situation? Does she need help in the next five minutes, next hour, today? Is she or anyone else in danger?”

“She’s alive, but I’d like to get her help soon. She’s freaking out and I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m only asking like this because it’s an emergency, and since our talk on the phone it’s escalating. I’m going to take you to the Wardens headquarters, okay? I’m going that way already, I can walk you through the security and introduce you to some people, and they’ll have ideas on what to do with your friend. Sound good?”

“Sounds alright.”

“What’s the emergency?” I asked.

“Citizen labor is going nuts. They’re massing, pulling in some outside help, a lot of other angry and frustrated citizens. I don’t have the full picture yet, but it’s all hands on deck. Wardens are coordinating Advance Guard, Foresight, Shepherds, the Attendant and others. They’re even bringing in the PRTCJ capes, which haven’t exactly been advertised to the public.”

Crystal’s group. The situation was bad enough to open the can of worms that was capes serving as a military-adjunct force? In this climate, no less.

Tempera went on, “I and some of the other prospective Wardens are being asked to go with the Wardens proper, to handle things where they’re getting out of control offworld.”

“Offworld?”

“I recommended you, said you’d help, they’ve given a tentative A-okay on that. Things are expected to blow up when the city wakes up tomorrow, so it’s up to you if you want to help tonight or first thing tomorrow. I sent you the address?”

“I got it,” I said.

“I should go. Sam, with me.”

“Good luck,” I said. “Sorry to pass the ball like this.”

“It’s fine. Good luck to you too, Victoria.”

I checked my phone, waiting painful minutes for sites to load.

She’d said I could help tonight or tomorrow. That things would get bad starting tomorrow.

The news sites already had multiple headlines with the word ‘war’ followed by a question mark. And things were expected to get worse tomorrow?

No, I’d go tonight.

I’d fly, even. I messaged Crystal.

⊙

I let myself into Crystal’s apartment through the balcony, using the key Crystal had given me on the sliding glass door.

“I’m here,” I called out.

I was about to step from the living room to the hallway when a red-tinted forcefield appeared across the path, blocking my way.

“One moment!” Crystal called out.

I turned my back to the forcefield and leaned against it, my arms folded. “Can I talk to you from here?”