“With my power, I can usually figure people out. With March, I can’t. When that happens, it’s because there is no answer, or I’m asking the wrong question.”

That was more information than I’d ever had about Tattletale’s power and its limitations.

“You should know I’m baring my throat and showing you some weaknesses as a gesture of good faith,” Tattletale said.

Or as a manipulation tactic.

I watched the Fallen advance a little, but kept up my end of the call. In a pinch, I would fly in and stall. I drew out the thrust of Tattletale’s explanation, something that I seemed to have to do with regularity. “You think you can’t figure out if March is one or the other because she’s both?”

“Or neither, but saying it’s neither would mean it’s so far afield it’s not sensible. Which would fit her. Either way, if she really likes someone, that isn’t a good thing.”

“You’re saying not to rely on her, then?”

“Know what you’re getting into. She’d be useful to have if you pick this fight. It’s a lot of Fallen and they’ll be going to somewhere there are friends.”

“Understood,” I said. I was distracted as I replied; the Fallen were more agitated now.

“We know they’re projections!” the Fallen woman jeered.

Narwhal looked at one of her team members. I imagined it was the kind of disappointed look that went with a sigh.

She looked at me, and I nodded.

My phone beeped, loud. I twisted my head around, burying my eyes in the crook of my elbow, bringing out the Wretch.

The flash was so bright I could briefly see my bones through my arm, with everything else being a mottled pink.

The Fallen were left partially or wholly blind. Some screamed, others opened fire. Narwhal already had her barrier up. The forcefields glowed as they absorbed the fire.

Our trap worked.

“Sounds like you’re busy. We’ll meet, and you can bring some of your people this time, if you want. You can glare at me, I’ll fill you in on the why and the what.”

“That’s only if we agree.”

“Let’s keep this simple, Victoria. I’m trying to play ball.”

“You were ops for an assassin that came after my teammate.”

“I’m trying to play ball with this. If you put him in jail, I might have to break him out, or he’s going to break out on his own. He’s a tinker, among other things. The places they’ve got aren’t that good, trust me.”

“If you or your people help him, we’re actually going to have a problem,” I said. “But whether we release him in exchange for your help isn’t up to me.”

“I’ll send you some stuff. Use it to convince others.”

⊙