“I have some idea. How about I whisper it in your ear?”

“We flew over, our thinker gave us the take on you being in the car, stolen goods being in the truck. We— If you stop and talk to me, I’ll call back the Boston fliers that just left. You can walk away.”

She glared, blasting again. Then, to break up the rhythm, she shot with the hand that hung limp at her side, her arm going rigid to provide some strength for the blast. She sent herself upward, over the field, and then blasted again to rocket toward him.

Shapes went up. He leaped to one side and skidded on one hip and leg, moving along a smooth, shallow slope he’d made with his power. She gave chase, rocketing toward him with her power, and more shapes went up between them.

This time—cones and diamond-shaped spires that might as well have been spears. Points aimed her way.

She stopped.

She reached out, touching one of the points. She smiled. “Got scared?”

“Director of the Boston PRT wants to talk to you,” he said.

“Again.”

“We bring you in or have you make a phone call. We’re supposed to take the stolen goods back, according to the police, but we’re getting conflicting orders, because we’re supposed to be ready in case that giant ends up being a threat. Given our past relationship—”

Damsel snorted. “You stalk me and get in my way.”

“—I’ll let the stolen goods slide. We won’t arrest your guys. If you talk.”

“Does describing your unfortunate and imminent demise count? Fuck you, Licit. You’ll promise that and betray me the moment you have what you want.”

“I’ve never once done anything like that.”

“Everyone does things like that. You’re not special.”

“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I’m going to reach slowly for my belt. I’m going to pull my phone out, and I’m going to call my guys off. Just… stay where you are.”

She stared at him.

His hand moved. She watched as he reached down, drawing the phone out. There was a pause as he typed, his eyes moving back and forth between the phone and her.

Furtive. Cowardly.

“Dovetail, Aerobat. Can you let the trucks go?”

There was a pause.

“Please,” he said. Pause. “Yeah. Thanks.”

“You’re lying. Secret code. Cops and capes can lie, and I’m not going to be fooled.”

“Just… wait?” he asked.

“If you are lying, how about I put you down? I might not have maimed anyone, you’re right about that, but I’ve killed people, you know.”

“I know, Ashley,” he said. “I’m sorry that happened.”

Her expression twitched. Irritation, anger. Her voice was hard. “What did I say about my name?”

“I wasn’t saying it to you,” he said it in a quiet voice. “I was saying it to her. Is that okay?”