“You have a call,” Tattletale’s voice came from the other side of the curtain. “That communication with Fortuna you were planning. Lookout’s handling the technical side. You know where she is. You’ll want Precipice with, since he’s the one that got through to her in the first place. It might help.”

That wasn’t an answer, that wasn’t—

“If you need to get Riley or her stuff to a place you can use her, there are non-cape ways. Several.”

I picked up my blood-crusty costume top with the Fragile One, pulling it on, the rush of realization providing a dizzying rush that threatened to make me pass out at the same time it dulled the edge of the pain.

Sveta followed, with Rain jogging along.

Semiramis was out there, with Tattletale. As Tattletale gestured in my direction, I felt my collarbone pop. My costume shed crusty blood.

My first thought was that it was a trap, that she was rewinding my memories as well, in a final action of regret. But I didn’t feel anything slipping away. I felt better, as the worst of my wounds were targeted. Undoing what had been done. Giving me just a bit more strength, a bit more of what I needed.

Which fit. Outreach, possibly final, from Tattletale. It served as a push forward, and recognition that she understood, even though she’d never be able to use words to voice it.

⊙

“Fortuna. I’m… I’m hoping it’s the person that hears me. Not the Titan.”

…

“If you have any fight left, I need it now. I need you. You can tell your agent we’ll give them Fume Hood and Dauntless. They’ll know we’re telling the truth.”

…

“I need your help, and the help of the Titans you’re linked to. Pouffe, Valkyrie. One person to one place. You should be able to defeat the Simurgh, and all the pieces fall into place just as they want them.”

…

“Please. Thank you.”

Last 20.a

“Fortuna. I’m… I’m hoping it’s the person that hears me. Not the Titan.”

“Is there a response?”

“I don’t know. No.”

The voice cut in, female, weary, rough at the edges. “If you have any fight left, I need it now. I need you. You can tell your agent we’ll give them Fume Hood and Dauntless. They’ll know we’re telling the truth.”

“Did she clear that with Chevalier?”

“No. But I don’t think he’d say no.”

“Really.”

“We’re running out of cards to play.”

“Our friends—” he started. He stopped as Antares began talking again.

“I need your help, and the help of the Titans you’re linked to. Pouffe, Valkyrie. One person to one place. You should be able to defeat the Simurgh, and all the pieces fall into place just as they want them.”

“So that’s her plan.”