Beside Chris, Karter and Dereka knelt atop the crawler in the rain. Near the nacre cylinder protecting the caldera, Caedes and Bones alighted and practically dropped their charges to hit the one-knee action. Lucas followed suit.

All around, every Icarus on either side subjugated themselves to the image in Earth’s cloudy sky. Pehton, Kombuchi, X—all the Collective warriors stared up at the young woman. The Reipon lamias recorded every word with rapt diligence. Jack beamed at her with the kind of pride only a sibling showed for their superhero sister who saved the world.

Chris listened to the girl, not with awe, but with remorse. Her story was not a happy one. Staring up at her, he saw only the loneliest person on Earth. Hell. Maybe even both worlds. Even his joy for Earth’s victory couldn’t combat the ache in his chest.

“After the one hundred thousandth training for Night, he tried to tear my bleeding heart from me.

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“When I survived, I understood, and salvaged the lives of thirty at thirty sites across the country.

“They suffered no more pain at the hands of their tormentors. They spoke to me. Saw with me. Knew me.

“‘Rayne,’ they cried.”

As Jack’s grin slowly descended into a frown, Chris shook his head as he calculated all her sacrifices and all her losses up to this point. The teenager turned to him, confused and hurt. Unsure what else to do, Batman opened his arms, and Robin pulled in for a hug with tears in his eyes.

“I was not alone. From the ten grew twenty, and so on and so. Hundreds of us training.

“But as the millions came without abilities and strength, I ordered to protect and keep your brethren.

“A possible peace brokered, I’d never turn away. But Night never promised peace, only pain.

“My sadness grew.”

Karter heard Jack’s first sob, and her head snapped up. Probably breaking some kind of Icarean protocol, she stood and embraced them both. Maybe this was a new slice of home.