The second to last wasn’t as smooth. The ‘loading’ symbol played over the final bar, which was simply labeled ‘Wardens’. The option grayed out, a line struck through it. Then it shifted. A crown icon.

A crown for a monarch? An emperor? It was uncomfortable, but I doubted Kenzie had put that much thought into things.

Doubly uncomfortable that they knew what we were doing now.

Citrine or one of her employees sent their reply. Permission given. Good, to meet the self-imposed requirement of a thumbs-up from the higher-ups. Negative, on so many levels, that the higher-ups were who they were.

“The others want to meet up. They’re heading our way, since we’re closer to the car,” Rain said.

“They’re packed up and moving already,” I said.

“All energy and forward momentum.” Rain smiled.

“What do you think?” I asked him. “Any doubts?”

He didn’t have an immediate response for me.

“It’s okay to say no.”

“I’m—” Rain started. A group of people walked right behind the couch, one of them holding a bag that brushed Rain’s head. Sveta’s head craned around a bit more than a head should, studying the people. She dismissed them as normal.

“I’m thinking of how Ashley apparently backed off, the other night. She said she didn’t want to do the one thing, she knew she was bad at it and it was bad for her.”

“Yeah.”

“I respect that. I’d want to do that if I was more sure about anything. I’m pretty sure the three of us that are left are going to kill each other.” The last few words were whispered.

“But?” I asked.

“But I also feel pretty sure that if I don’t stop her, she’s going to hurt other people. I know her pretty well by now.”

The other three members of the group were at the second floor stage, looking down. They started the walk around to the stairs.

“Should we pack up?” Rain asked, hand on the lid of the laptop.

“Wait,” Sveta said. “Look.”

It was the cartoon overlay of things, showing the truck. Heading to the Lyme Center.

At the back of the truck, the roof and side had been slid away, revealing the gun within. The gun was lighting up, crackling with electricity, and slowly swiveling. Aiming at the camera.

My head snapped around to Lookout. She was at the top of the stairs, oblivious. I raised a hand, trying to get her attention.

“Shit,” Rain said.

She was too enamored with Ashley, chattering up a storm. Tristan had a hand out to make sure she wasn’t going to fall down the stairs, but he wasn’t looking at us either.

Phone out, I started to type. I knew it would be too slow.

“Powers?” I whispered.