“They made a mockery of us.”

“They made a mockery of themselves,” Prancer said.

“I think you’re the only one that’s dwelling on the peninsula thing,” Velvet said.

“We’re fine,” Prancer said.

“Were they related to the blonde, Victoria?” Moose asked. “Pretty much the first thing I said to her was that she’d end up outnumbered and having to skedaddle. Someone hears that, they might call friends.”

“They’re still outnumbered,” Velvet pointed out.

Prancer replied, “I don’t know, Moose, but yes, we will always have the numbers advantage. For now I’m content to wait and see what happens. If they move in, we have the resources to answer them. Bluestocking? Can you tell Bitter Pill I want to talk to her about her team? I want to keep a closer eye on things.”

“I can,” the woman with glasses said. The one that had been collecting protection money.

“We’ll be fine,” Prancer said.

“What I’m wondering,” Kitchen Sink said, “Could this have to do with the truck of—”

“Shut up this very second,” Prancer said.

There was silence.

“No,” Prancer said. “I doubt it does, and you shouldn’t talk business unless we’re inside with the Speedrunners or Caveat helping to ensure things are private.”

“You’re doing a lot of talking,” Sink said. “But I’m thinking you’re not doing a lot of doing. Those guys walked in and walked out. They might come back and they’ll be a headache. Speaking as someone who’s been collecting rent—”

“If you want to talk business, you do it inside,” Prancer said.

“—it’s going to impact that,” Sink said. “We have to explain. You have to explain, really, because I’m saying fuck this conversation.”

He punched Hookline lightly in the shoulder, gestured. The pair of them turned to walk away.

“Cracks and clues,” Tristan’s voice could be heard over the phone.

“And two of the locals following Houndstooth’s group,” Kenzie reported. “They’re aiming to catch up.”

I took off. I paused in the air, hand out.

Sveta sent out her hand. With the wind currents above the water, the hand moved off-course. I flew over to catch it in the same moment she flexed her tendrils and sent the hand to where I’d been.

We coordinated, I caught her hand before it dropped into the water, and she pulled herself to me. She had a silly smile on her face when she drew close.

“We’ll work on that,” I said.

I flew over the water. When we reached the first tall building, I dropped Sveta, before changing course again.

She went low to the ground, pulling herself straight to the street level. I flew high, to the point where Birdbrain shouldn’t have a high enough perspective to see me, much like with Kenzie’s high-flying cameras.

I retrieved my phone. “Do we act?”

“Act,” Tristan said.

I drew closer.