Deleted

While listening to the newcomer, Eilidh felt the bright and vibrant presence of Kali as she approached. She offered a slight smile and wave as the woman approached, noting too the change in the stranger's mood as she entered. That dark, brewing storm inside him had quelled. Curious, she thought with humour trailing it.

"Lincoln... Do ye like Link?" she asked after a moment.

"We can help," she began. Red wasn't going to like that. Eilidh was quick to judge, but she had keener senses for lies and other tells than he did. He'd need to be set at ease, he'd need to be allowed to ask his own questions too.

"But ye have tae be honest with us about anything that's happened."

She brought the cup of tea to her lips, eyes staring idly out across the room over the rim of it as she took a quiet, thoughtful sip.

She was about to speak again, when she was interrupted by a sharp, phantom pain in her head and the disruptive sensation of ringing between her ears. She winced at it, instinctively shutting her eyes tight to try and block it. As quickly as it happened however, it slipped back to itself and away - leaving Eilidh's mind clear again. Her head tilted and she gripped the cup a little harder, letting the warmth from within it flood through to her hands.

"Errr, I... We might just want... Understanding, of what happened before... but yes. Help, yes we can help."

Back again after two long years. Varo thought as he gazed at Edge Towers from the sideway. Looking up at the tall tower, he could only feel remorse and curiosity. Yes, he did leave the group two years ago and has gone on a journey across Earth to find himself. Staring in America and then across the world. But after two years of wandering and seeking a place for himself. Varo has not found that place in the two years of traveling the Earth. True, he has helped people and found some happiness, but nothing close to what he had with his father. There was nothing for him in space, no world to call his own. He is not even sure he can call Earth his home at this point.

So, after two years of wandering and failing to find a place for himself. Varo has decided to return here to the first group that took him in. The first group that helped him to ease himself with living on Earth. His potential new family and the one he walked away from. Varo is kinda surprised that he can still remember how to get here, and from the outside, it looks the same, at least.

But Varo felt nervous about going in. He has not seen anyone from there in two years, and would they even accept him back in? Would coming back be in vain? Another nervous thought, and after some time of prepping himself. He thought, well, time to see who is still home. So Varo, with one last nervous long breath. He went inside.

Varo could hear voices as he neared the kitchen. One voice he recognized, Eilidh, he thinks that was her name. Her accent he remembers, but the other voice. Male, and said something about something being in the wall. That voice he could not place, but what did he mean that there is something in the walls?

Thus, Varo being cautious when he finally turned the corner and saw Eilidh, Kalianne, Red and a new face. Who Varo, upon seeing the werewolf start to turn. He defensively readied himself before speaking to the two. "Hello, Eilidh, Kali and Red, nice to see you all again." Trying to sound friendly despite being concerned about the newcomer. "Who is this, and have I come at a bad time?"

Kalianne lowered her guard and sheathed her knife before extending her hand in return to shake Link's. "I'm Lianne." She wasn't exactly sure about him yet, but he was raised with manners at least and at the moment he wasn't a threat. He was someone who needed help and if Julian were awake he wouldn't turn him away. He probably would've recruited him before the Titans did, so in his honour she'd at least hear him out. Eilidh at least agreed with the sentiment and asked him to explain his situation before they consider anything.

Her opinion of Lincoln quickly changed when he began explaining his story. She didn't care how old he was when it happened he took that girl's innocence and broadcasted it to the world. He should've been in prison. But she withheld complete judgment for now. He was cursed after all, so maybe he learned his lesson and started to make changes. But for now, she didn't like him at all and it seemed like they had a bigger problem on their hands back where he was from. Another werewolf, but one that killed innocents. Knowing that she couldn't just ignore it.

Kali pulled her gun, just as Varo entered the room, and shot Link. From the story and his current partial transformation she knew the bullets she had wouldn't be effective against him. She just wanted to release whatever negative feelings she had towards him. "Down, boy. Don't change the subject. That's just our resident chimera, Dandy. Also, if it isn't my favorite space elf. Hi, Varo."

She and Dandelion hadn't gotten all too close before the group fell apart shortly after Julian's defeat, but one thing she could not forget about was their very strange scent. Eilidh may not have been able to sense their psionic presence, but Kali wasn't quick to forget that scent. She discovered their friend was still there one day when after taking a shower post mission. She thought the smell was her, but after several more showers she realized it wasn't her and that she had smelt that smell before. She decided not to say anything, because she figured they were hiding within the walls for a reason. She just made sure to remember they were there whenever she stayed up watching a horror movie.

Kali put her gun away to show that she wasn't looking for a fight. "That was for the girl in your story. I don't like guys like you, but you came to us for help and there's a town being preyed upon. Ju---Young Justice's known for taking in outcasts and strays, so we'll help. At least those of us that are willing and once this other werewolf is taken care of you might have a place here, but with absolutely zero access to cameras."

Conor stepped off the bus as the clouds started to gather. The doors hissed closed as he stood still, he felt a singular drop of rain land on his cheek. Some regarded the rain as washing away your sins, to clean you and make things fresh. He didn't particularly subscribe to any of that, and even if he did it would take a torrent to clear him of his sins. The weight of this past year and a half weighed on him heavily, taller and more grown in his figure. He also hunched over slightly as if something was dragging him down. A new scar blessed his face over his left eye, and his clothes made him look somewhat homeless. Pulling the hood of his cape up over his head he started to walk towards the tower that loomed over him in the distance.

It had been a home for a time, when he had little else going for him. Vincent and Julian had been like brothers, albeit one of them a very annoying brother. Many of the rest of the Renegades had become good friends. They ventured into the realm of heroics, word of mouth even began to spread about their existence. Then the unthinkable. Julian took on more than he could chew. He left the team behind and paid for it dearly, knocked into a coma. No magic nor science could revive him.

Conor did what he could with the team, as the de-facto second in command, but as turmoil began to spread back at home his focus was scattered. Guilt gnawed away at him, he pushed people away. First, those that he should have given more attention and more focus. Who needed him more, such as Dandy. Then even the likes of Eilidh. Eventually, the team began to dissolve around him, and he took his leave. Vowing to return to Ireland and never return to the mess he had made.

Now as the rain began to pour, bouncing miraculously off his cloak. The streets looked the same, but they felt different. The energy was... off. Perhaps it was just him? He could swear the shadows flickered and crawled out toward him. He shrugged it off as nothing but paranoia.

Approaching the tower he was surprised to see a couple of vehicles in the empty lot that was otherwise occupied with broken glass, rubbish and the tell-tale marks of misguided attempts at doing donuts. I suppose free real estate where nobody was going to report you to the police was in short supply.

He took a deep breath as he walked around the building, ignoring the front door. He came across a fire escape door, running his hand down its spine several hidden rules glowed momentarily before the door popped itself open. Slinking in, he pulled it closed behind him. Quickly keying in his code to the alarm system to keep it quiet.

It appeared that none of the remaining Renegades had changed the codes to the tower. That certainly worked to his advantage. Pulling a plain silver ring from his pocket he slipped it on his finger. A wave of cold washed over him, the cold penetrating down into his spine as he drew the shadows of the corridor in on himself as he climbed the stairs. If anyone happened to check the security camera footage at this time all they'd see was a flicker off shadow, nothing more.

Selene scowled at her reflection, which only glared back, stubbornly still in the polished mirror before her. The familiar gentle breeze that regularly swept across the island ruffled the papers at her knees so she had to use a hand to hold them down while amending the marking on the topmost with the other.

How many more variations could there possibly be?

Julian would have known the answer, and given her a hopelessly large and accurate number; only for Connor to lean over and effortlessly add a few lines that would transform her chicken scratch spellwork into a work of art. Elidih could have simply plucked the memory of the damned thing from her mind. But the Renegades were no more; and after their disbandment, Selene had proven herself unworthy of their help. Their friendship too, if she'd ever had it. Despite her wandering mind, every few seconds Selene's eyes would dart upwards, keeping a watchful gaze on her own reflection while studying the broken memories of the spell she's managed to collect.

A lot about Selene had changed over two years. Her once long auburn hair was cut short around the ears, where it had begun to gently curl once free of the extra weight. The thin and lanky frame of her teenage years was replaced with a solid build, reflective of the Amazonian physical training that came with her imprisonment on Themyscira. Even her clothes were unrecognizable; having quickly outgrown the hoodies and jeans she'd arrived with, Selene had adopted the same dress as her captors. While the Amazons were technically her saviors, after eighteen months of isolation from the rest of earth, it was hard to see them occupying any role other than her wardens.

"Oh little godling!" As though summoned by her thoughts, a sing-song voice rang out from behind the mirror. Tucking the pages of her work under one knee, Selene peered behind to find the source. There was little time to react, as she identified the blurred figure of Mala rushing towards her with inhuman speed.

The papers, so carefully protected from the elements, were surrendered to the breeze as Selene rolled to narrowly dodge the oncoming assault. She watched helplessly as one drifted across the southern cliffs that had been her backdrop, and into the turquoise water below. Mala, her warden and mentor, had managed to pin herself atop Selene anyways.

"You're late Selene. Queen Hippolyta doesn't care much for waiting." The blonde woman chastised, arms folded as she looked down on her captive.

"You would think immortality would have taught her some patience." Selene grumbled, but took the offered hand as Mala rose.

"There's hardly a virtue greater." The Amazon agreed while dodging the point. She had begun eyeing the mirror, right as the breeze turned the other way, plastering Selene's failed attempt at a portal spell right before them. "And one that you'd do well to practice also."

Selene's cheeks flushed. She ought to have gotten used to these sudden flares of shame, but the Amazons were nothing if not exacting with their evocations of guilt.

"Oh come, its not all bad," Mala continued, her sunnier disposition returning as quickly as it had gone. "It's a day of celebration after all."

Selene rolled her eyes. "But not for any reason you'd care to tell me, I suppose?"

Mala laughed. "We're afforded so few surprises, you can grant us this one."

Well that was certainly a brighter way of looking at it; better than her life once again being used and decided upon by those more powerful with little regard for her own desires.

Mala didn't allow Selene any further time to wallow in self-pity. "We should leave, before Artemis finishes all the wine- are you even old enough to drink?"

"Depends on the place I guess."

"You earn your right to these things in Themyscira." Mala nodded, considering. "Catch me before we reach the acropolis, and I may allow you to partake."

Before Selene could voice argument, Mala had kicked off the ground, leaping forty feet high in the air towards the treeline leading inland. The jump shook the cliff with enough force that it rightly should have split open. But the island, like her Amazons, was made of sturdier stuff than the rest of the world. With a small curse of her mothers name, the daughter of Circe cast a familiar flying spell and sped off after her keeper.

Behind her, just as Selene's face turned to the sky and feet left the ground, a tiny ripple broke across the mirror's surface unnoticed.

Deleted

Varo just stood there silently as he watched the scene before him unfold. He did not know why Vali shot the partly transformed human. He guessed the human deserved it? From what he remembers about Kali, she is not the one who would just shoot someone without a reason. However, it looks like the human, while in pain, is not concerned about it or is Kali. Humans, he thought and sighed, even after two years of living among them. Varo still has questions about them and more so about this human and why he is here.

But, Varo, seeing how the human was about to leave, and Dandelion appeared, saying there is an intruder. Varo elected not to get in the way of the newcomer or what business he had with the Renegades for the moment. Since he is clearly missing information and now is not the time to ask.

So he walked over and approached Dandelion, who, despite looking the same, he seemed different. In his blank face and his cold, almost lifeless eyes. It seems that after two years of the gang disbanding, was not good for him. Something that Varo did feel sad about, but, for now, he will focus on the other newcomer.

"Hey, Dandelion, good to see you." Saying it truthful and with a friendly tone. "How about I help you track down and catch this intruder? My magic is still strong, and do you know where this person is or where to start searching?" The last thing they need tonight is a thief or someone else lurking in the tower right now. Varo got the feeling that this is going to be a long day.

Present Day:

Gunshot in the distance, shivers running down his spine. At the back of his head he could feel something gnawing at him. Something near, something coming. He grunted and groaned under his breath. He didn't have time for this, or for whatever Renegades still remained. Conor turned one corner after another, every other corner he ran his hand over a symbol on the wall. Walls seemed to shift and move, corridors changed. Adjusting his original route as he climbed up through the tower he came to a keypad on the door to a security console. Keying in the code he slipped in before closing the door behind himself. While the remaining Renegades hadn't changed any of the standard codes. There were still codes and protocols that they didn't have access to.

Moving to the central computer he input his override code as anything that wasn't emergency lighting shut off all throughout the tower. Security doors closed and clicked shut with a resounding thunk. Conor hovered over another option on the console, just labeled Julian Security Contingencies. They ranged in severity from Class 1, to 5. Shrugging he hit the button for one. As he took off at a run out of the room he could hear the whirring of small mechanical bots crawling around the inside of the walls, deploying in the search for intruders. Too which they would consider anyone except Conor as an intruder.

Jumping over some as he ran around a corner he slammed himself into a collection of runes on the floor. The whole hallway twisted and turned as it became inverted, forward became backwards, left became right. Powering down the hallway as best he could without suffering from vertigo he jumped into an elevator shaft. Jumping into the back wall the elevator stopped its already planned descent as the counter balance became ineffective as the gravity ceased to be an issue. Holding onto the wall he pulled himself upwards, twisting as best he could until he was running up the wall. Deeper and deeper into the tower he pushed himself. He sure as hell didn't want to be caught.

Kalianne watched Dandy drip and form right before their eyes. It had been so long since she had seen them, but for some reason she didn't get the feeling that Dandy appreciated their presence or their cover being blown. Though, it honestly felt deeper than that. But she'd have to worry about that later. Her attention was still primarily on Link. She almost felt bad for him. Not because getting shot hurt like Hell or because he didn't have any friends. Both were fitting punishments for his crime. She wasn't really all too caring about the fact that he was cursed to be a lycanthrope. There were honestly worse things to get cursed with. She could sense that he genuinely regretted his actions and not just because he got cursed with a beastly condition. Just like the one in the Fairy Tale he learned about life through his trials since then. That still wasn't enough to completely wipe his slate clean, but it was enough to get him some help and a second chance.

Kali reached out to grab his hand to stop him from leaving. She released any lingering feelings of anger or resentment from his story and moved slow enough to not be perceived as a threat by his wolf. Just as she did Red finished talking and the lights went off and were replaced by the building's emergency lights. Someone had labeled them as intruders despite being the one intruding themselves. Still, the robots and their mystery guest could wait.

"Contrary to what's happening, Red's right. And I said I'd help you. I don't care what kind of beast is out there or what you did in your past. Yes, I just shot you, but you proved some things to me by letting me to do that. You came to us for help and there are people in danger." She let go of his hand and pulled out her prometheum katana revealing more of the blood that he smelt earlier. "Right after we're done cleaning up the house, the Renegades are back and on the case." Her last words were more towards Dandelion than they were towards Lincoln. Letting their strange friend know that the team was here to stay, with or without Julian.

"Dandy, I'm getting this almost predatorial scent off you. Can you point it towards whoever sent these security bots after us? Right now it seems like you're the only one that can sense them." She didn't wait for an answer and charged towards the Lexbots. She hoped they were more of a challenge than who she last used this one. Kali leapt into the air slashing down on the first one in front of her knowing the rest would follow suit without any leadership.

Deleted

Present Day:

The shadows lanced out, his ring vibrated, and sent a chill through his body warning him of danger ahead. He merely smiled. While he had originally planned for this to be a stealthy operation things had went the way they typically did whenever the renegades were involved. Still, there was something waiting for him on the top levels of the tower. Where Conor was going was far riskier. The residential level. His quarters were relatively close to the lift. The issue was going to be getting in without anyone hearing him. Pulling the doors open just enough for him to get through he slipped down the hallway.

If anyone happened to notice, they would notice the shadows in the hall bulge as he made his way down towards his room. He thought he saw the door of the living area open and without a second hesitation he slapped his hand on his door. It allowed him entry and he slammed it behind him. Cursing quietly, hoping that whoever had opened the door hadn't seen that. Not that it would matter for a time. Hands running over his door the room sealed itself, sealing him in. It would take an excessive amount of force to break through the wards. Wards that he should in hindsight used at his main library. Though in all likelihood Constantine would have lucked his way through disabling them, and never turned them back on again leading to the exact same result.

Conor sighed. There was part of his heart that still viewed this as home. It was exactly the same, albeit with a thin layer of dust that covered everything. He looked over to the small seating area. He had read to Eilidh stories of wisps, fae and kelpies there. While CeCe sat in her own chair reading books of equal age, but more whimsical and fantastical.

At the desk, he had researched many things. He had tried to get an understanding of Varos magic. There was a small target against a far wall, still burned and signed from where him and Selene had practiced their magical strikes in friendly competition to see what school of magic was better.

Not that they ever got an answer. Walking over to the desk he ran a hand over a still open book on the Mayan gods, smiling sadly. Gabi had so much power, and yet so much she had to learn. So much he owed her to discover, and like the rest of them, he had abandoned them with no explanation.

Sighing he took off the ring and felt the warmth return to his body, placing it on the desk. He closed his eyes and concentrated, clearing his mind as best he could in a technique he and Eilidh had developed.

He cast his mind out. "Don't panic Eilidh. I am in tower. To get defenses to stand down say aloud - 'Lucky Charm'-" Julian always liked to think he was funny. "-Please keep my secret."

It was all becoming too much for Eilidh.

Dandelion's reappearance, this strange new individual with his terrible secret - spilled across the place more spectacularly than Dandelion had spilled himself out of the walls.

The gunshot. She had seen the colours of it - a flash of white that burned into smoke in her minds eye until it disappeared, presumably into Link's body. Enough of a welcome to make him turn himself away.

Varo had even appeared. So much noise, and the sudden aura of everyone blending into one, so long in the silence, the noise was too much. There was also that echoing ring of the sharp pain from moments ago.

When the situation seemingly couldn't get worse, it did. Just as the bots were an intruder to the tower, so too was Conor's voice in Eilidh's mind. How long had it been? How long without anything and now - a voice in her mind, and a request to keep the secret. She would. She always would. "Of.. course." But this time, it pained her.

"Lu.." she began out loud.

Everyone was still talking, sounds of fighting, alarms, scuttling of the bots around.

"LUCKY CHARM" she yelled out, louder than she thought she was going to - and not exactly subtle.

As Varo felt sad at the utterly dead, Dandelion sounded to him and was ready to track down the intruder. The alarms started ringing out, and a fight was now on their hands since the building's security robots were now in play and heading right for them. "I really chose a bad day to come back." He said out loud as blue energy started to form around his hands. First, a newcomer, and now this. Well, it's time to see how tough these robots are, he thought.

As Kali started her attack and sliced one with her swords. Varo focused and launched a volley of energy from his hands. Making sure that Kali would not get in the way and it would hit two of the incoming robots. Both were taken down and as he prepared to launch another burst. Eilidh suddenly yelled LUCKY CHARM, and the alarm stopped, and the robots stopped in their tracks.

Varo, after a moment, to make sure that everything was now safe but still cautious, just in case. "That was quick," and he turned his head to Eilidh. "It is nice to know you know the command words to shut down security, but we still have an intruder to deal with, and I would rather security not get sent against us again."

So now Varo turned to Kali. "How about we find this intruder before things get more.... interesting?"

The rain had stopped an hour ago, but the streets still glistened with the sheen of it. A narrow alley cut between two rows of crumbling apartments. A single streetlamp flickered above, its light stuttering like a heartbeat.

A boy no older than twelve sprinted into the alley, his bare feet slapping against the wet concrete. His breath came in sharp bursts as he moved, his eyes wide as he kept glancing over his shoulder in fear.

Something moved behind him. A soft rusting, like feathers brushing stone.

The boy stumbled on the uneven cobblestones, falling to his knees, his palms scraping the ground. He pushed himself up, but a shadow slid across the wall beside him. It was long, thin and just plain wrong.

He froze.

Two pale eyes opened before him in the dark. They reflected the streetlamp like an animal’s, but the shape behind them were too human. Whatever it was clung to the leftmost wall as if gravity meant nothing. Its limbs bent at unnatural angles as it perched there. As it stalked.

The creature dropped silently to the ground. It moved effortlessly despite its bizarre proportions.

The boy could only whimper.

The creature’s head tilted as its jaw opened. A low clicking sound echoed in the alley. The air grew colder.

None of them paid any attention to the rain that began to fall from the sky around then. Nor the storm clouds that had appeared overhead.

KATHOOMM!

A crack of thunder split the sky.

A streak of blue light tore down from the rooftop, hitting the creature with a force so brutal that it shook the alley. The boy shielded his face from the burst of sparks.

Gabi Rivero, Wonder Girl, stood tall from where the lightning had struck, her axe humming with residual energy. Her now wet hair clung to her face and her chest rose and fell with the effort of the landing.

The creature hissed, its skin rippling. Feathers pushed out through its shoulders and its mouth elongated outwards into something like a beak made of bone.

Gabi tightened her grip.

“Corre. Ahora.” She barked, taking a glance to the boy behind her as she ordered him to run.

He obeyed immediately. He scrambled to his feet in seconds and began to book it. A small wave of relief washed over Gabi. She couldn’t begin to imagine how events would have differed if she had arrived even a few moments later.

She couldn’t think about that now though, as the creature before her began to pounce.

Gabi swung her axe up to block the lunge, but the creature moved faster than she expected. She let out a cry as Its talons raked across her forearm. The cut opened instantly. Her blood welled up and quickly began to run down her wrist.

The creature seemed to pause slightly as it recovered itself. Its pupils widened. Its breath quickened. And a thin line of saliva dripped from its beaklike mouth.

It lunged again, this time with hunger.

Gabi stepped back this time, but the creature’s claws caught her thigh. The pain was sharp and immediate. She gasped and nearly dropped to one knee. The creature inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of her blood.

It clicked its teeth. It wanted more.

Gabi gritted her teeth and swung the axe in a tight arc. The blade crackled with electricity. The creature twisted away, but not fast enough. The edge caught its shoulder and tore through a line of feathers causing black ichor to spray across the wall.

The creature shrieked, darting forward with renewed frenzy. Its claws hammered against the haft of her axe. Each impact sent vibrations up her arms. She staggered back. Her heel slipped on the wet concrete.

The creature saw the opening.

It pounced.

Gabi braced herself and slammed the butt of her axe into its jaw. The blow knocked it sideways, but it recovered instantly, skittering across the wall like a spider. It launched itself from above, talons outstretched.

Gabi raised her axe and let the lightning surge through her arms. She swung upward with all her strength.

The blade connected.

The creature dissolved into a cloud of black feathers that scattered across the alley. They drifted down like ash.

Gabi exhaled. She’d done it. Barely.

Her leg throbbed. Blood trickled down her thigh. She wiped her fingers across the wound and stared at the fading feathers.

It was a teyollohcuani. A blood feeder. A shapeshifter that shouldn’t exist outside of the old stories.

And this was the third one she’d found this week.

---

The motel room smelled of damp wood and cheap disinfectant. A single lamp cast a warm circle of light over the bed. Rain tapped against the window in a steady rhythm.

The sound of it soothed her.

Gabi sat on the edge of the mattress, her shirt laying discarded on the floor, stained with blood and ichor. Her skin was a map of bruises. Purple blooms along her ribs. A deep bruise on her shoulder where a creature two nights ago had slammed her into a wall. And then tonight’s wounds. The gash in her are arm and the long cut across her thigh.

She winced as she peeled away the bandage. The wound pulsed faintly, as if it still remembered the creature’s touch.

Thankfully her connection to the rain god meant that her healing was accelerated. It was probably the only thing keeping her conscious right now. That didn’t mean she didn’t hurt like hell though.

She reached for a small device on the nightstand. A gift from Julian. A reminder of a time when she had not been alone.

She pressed the activation stud.

A soft hum filled the room as light erupted and a holographic map unfolded in the air. It was littered with writing. Crude notes and markings.

It was her path. Her hunt. Every town she had visited. Every creature she had faced. Every place she had bled.

She lifted a finger and dragged it across the glowing outline of the town she had just saved. As if using a pen, the hologram reacted to her movements and crossed it out. Another kill confirmed. Another step in a journey that had begun two years ago.

Her eyes drifted north, back to where it had begun.

Seattle.

She remembered the day she left. The ache in her chest as she walked away from the team. Eilidh’s fierce hug and Seline’s constant offers to come along with hers. Red had quietly understood and Connor’s had put a steady hand on her shoulder and wished her the best of luck. She had promised she would be back. She had believed it herself.

Then the first creature appeared. Then another. Then another. And she had followed the trail south, deeper and deeper, until the world narrowed into a single purpose.

Her thigh throbbed, jutting her out of her memories. It was sharp. Immediate. She sucked in a breath and pressed a hand to the wound.

She looked back at the map.

So many marks. So many encounters. So many close calls. After everything two things were very clear.

The first was that things were worsening. It wasn’t just teyollohcuani. Other creatures of the night were rising. Monsters were appearing more and more.

The second thing was that she couldn’t keep doing this alone.

The rain outside grew heavier. It sounded like distant applause. Or a warning.

She stood, reaching for her axe. The metal glowed faintly in the lamplight.

Her gaze returned to Seattle.

She had made up her mind.