“I’m going alone? At first?” Capricorn asked.

“You’ll have company soon, and you’ll have backup.”

Byron turned and ran, shifting to Tristan for that little bit of added strength and the speed that came with it.

She took two long steps forward, grabbed Colt by the neck, and pulled her closer. Colt initially resisted, then followed. A glowing pellet passed through the space she’d been occupying a second ago. It splattered like a giant paintball and melted the concrete and rebar.

“You shut off your power,” Rain said. “Are you even—?”

“I remember what needed to be done,” she said. “But I will remember less accurately if you pester me. Give the needles to Swansong.”

He did.

“You, Love Lost, and Colt, go that way, you’ll face the Fallen. Be aware of how far a voice reaches. Circle back toward Capricorn at the stairwell, then keep going forward. You’ll find the ones taking custody of Chevalier. Save him. Then go back to the stairwell.”

My heart sank.

“I—” Rain started, another question or statement.

Love Lost grabbed him, pulled him closer, then pushed him away, all in a fluid movement, managing not to shred him with her claws in the process.

They left.

“Swansong, Sveta. You go together. Go up to the second floor. There is a thrall commander you need to remove. Cut through to the outside and go in opposite directions. Sveta will target the Dragonslayers. Deal with them—”

“Kill them, you mean.”

Contessa paused.

“What?” Sveta asked.

“I assumed kill when I interpreted the step, but didn’t consider the alternative. Too late now. It should be fine, whatever you do.”

“Should be fine.”

“Saint has a key on his keyring that’s a disguised override. Take it, find the slot in his machine. Insert it.”

“Machine. Okay.”

“Then return to the stairwell.”

“What am I doing?” Swansong asked.

“Valkyrie. Do not wake her up. There is a member of her flock wearing yellow. Make sure she takes the syringes.”

Swansong looked at Sveta, nodded, and then the two of them headed off to the side, heading for the least occupied gap in the enemy rank and file.

“Heartbroken, Rachel Lindt, assist the others in leaving, rendezvous with Imp in the process. Then I want you to head to the stairwell, use the third floor because the way will be blocked. Then go to find Narwhal and Miss Militia.”

“Why?” Juliette asked, looking back at Rachel.

“Because she said so,” Chastity said.

“Because you need to stop and knock out Miss Militia. Then surrender, or the subordinate heroes will retaliate. If she’s gone her team won’t get in too deep. Once you answer their questions, bring them back to the stairwell.”

My heart was pounding, getting worse with every statement.