I found myself a bit at a loss for words. I could argue logic, but this wasn’t borne of logic.

My issue wasn’t borne of logic either. Half of the reason I wanted Lookout to hang back was because I didn’t like how Cryptid was acting. If he was in a bad place, if he was thinking about hurting himself to try and do something, or if he really wasn’t part of Breakthrough anymore, then I didn’t want Lookout in the midst of it.

“She should come,” Sveta said.

“It’s best if we stay together,” Lookout said, sounding solemn and sincere. “But thank you for thinking about me.”

“Can I call in a favor?” I asked. I made a rectangle with my index fingers and thumbs. “Or use the it’s complicated card? Let me do this, let me explain later? I have a gut feeling about this.”

“I have a heart feeling about this,” Lookout said, stubborn.

It couldn’t be easy.

“Antares,” Swansong said. “She stood up to Monokeros. She’s strong.”

“I know. I’m not disputing that.”

“She stood up to Monokeros because she’s worked really hard with dealing with obsessive and overwhelming feelings,” Swansong said, her voice quiet. “And because she really wants to stay with the group. She wants the group together.”

I bit my tongue.

I looked over my shoulder at Chris. He still stood by Amy, growing taller and taller, the feathers filling in the space to the point that barely any skin showed, and the skin that did show had large goosebump-like growths on it that indicated the feathers pushing through.

Amy had her tattooed hands clasped in front of her, Dot on her shoulder. Amy’s hood had been pulled up and to the side, used by Dot for warmth. Goddess’s power kept them protected from the rain.

The group being together or not together was the problem.

“Stay close to Swansong and Damsel. Keep that emotional training in mind. This might be a tough situation.”

“Got it,” Lookout said.

I nodded to myself.

Fuck.

I ran fingers through my hair to fix it, then adjusted my grip on Sveta’s prosthetic body to ensure it sat squarely on my shoulder.

Of course the Fallen stepped into our way.

“Rain-man,” Seir drawled the words. “We were talking about you. I’m hurt you didn’t come say hi earlier.”

“Yeah, well, didn’t see the point,” Rain said.

“Respect is the point, Rain-man,” Seir replied. “We’re not people you want as enemies.”

“I don’t want the Fallen as friends either,” Rain said. “The respect thing is already decided. You don’t deserve any.”

The heavyset man smirked.