“Levi,” Maury sighed, but she didn’t refute him.

“If the precog is near Alpha, we—”

She gave him a look. “Don’t pretend like this is about Fira. Go on.”

Levi grinned, waggling his finger at her. “You know me too well! If Alpha’s out, I can break in. Scout out the scene. And who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to finally sniff out a weakness of his.”

“You just want to mess with Alpha,” Maury said, shaking her head.

“No, no. I…the only thing I’m serious about is wanting him dead. I’m going to do it, Maury. But I can’t do it unless I know how to break him down. If it’s not a physical weakness, a psychological one. Maybe he has a new girlfriend. Something. Anything. I need to start working at him. Nibbling at his mind, his safety. Putting him in a bad situation, where he’ll make mistakes and slip up. Please, Maury,” Levi said, earnest, not smiling for once.

She turned solemn as well. For a long moment, she thought, and then she nodded. “Fine. But if your ass gets nabbed by Alpha, that’s on you. I’m not coming to help.”

“Yeah, yeah. I won’t even get close unless I’m sure he’s gone. I swear. I promise,” Levi said, pressing a hand to his heart. “I don’t want to get absorbed. Hell no. I’ll be as safe as I can possibly be. In and out. A quick glimpse at his inner sanctum and back out again.

“It’s just…he’s been holed up in that penthouse of his for almost the last ten years. I don’t know enough about him anymore. I need to get inside his head—at the end of the day, he’s only human. That’s the only weakness we can be sure he has. Friends. Family. Loves and hates. Things like that. And the only way to know what makes him tick, is to see where he lives, what he cherishes, what he holds close to him.”

“I know, I know. Preaching to the goddamned choir. Fine. Fine. Just—be safe, alright? We don’t need to make Alpha any more powerful,” Maury said firmly.

“No, we don’t.”

She nodded, then, crossing her arms. “Go forth, then. Do your worst.”

Levi gave her a thumbs up. “Gotta get out on the streets. Only got three hours to prepare.”

“If you aren’t ready, don’t do it. Even if this is our one chance in a long time…safety first,” Maury insisted.

“Got it, moooom,” Levi said. He turned to go, then paused and turned back, beelining to her closet.

“What?”

“My cloak got destroyed. I need a replacement.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Maury sighed. “Fine. But be quick about it.”

The door opened. Fira walked in, looking around. “Levi! Are you ready?”

“Huh? Ready for what?”

She frowned at him. “Ready to go take down those criminals who might know something about my brother.”

Levi’s brows lifted. He pointed at her. “Ohhh, right. Right! Yeah, so. I kind of did that already.”

Fira stared. “You…what?”

“An opportunity arose, you know how it is. I kind of kicked their warehouse down. May have forgotten the whole look-for-your-brother thing. Hey, but good news, he’s probably not there! I have no idea where he is, or why they had a picture of him, but I didn’t see him, or any kind of long-term-kidnapping setup.” He gave her a reassuring grin.

She frowned at him. “You did it without me?”

“You’re, like, fire. Flashy! Not suited to stealth. Of course I went alone. I’m way better at sneaking around. Like, way, way better.”

“We’re looking for my brother! Why did you go without me?” she insisted, frustrated.

Levi laughed. He pointed at her, backing away. “So, uh, you’re not gonna be thrilled to hear that I’m headed out somewhere you can’t follow, huh?”

Fira’s expression turned stormy. She clenched her fist, her jaw tightening. “No.”

“No?”

“I’m coming with you. I don’t care where you’re going,” she said, moving to block his way out.

He glanced at her, then sighed, shaking his head. “Fira, no. Now isn’t the time.”

“I don’t care. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

Maury sighed, loudly. She clunked over between the two of them and stood there, like a referee. “He’s going to break into Alpha’s penthouse, sweetie. This ain’t the time.”

“I—”

Maury shook her head. “You’re an amateur. Levi’s been doing this for years. He can’t afford the risk.”

Fira opened her mouth, then shut it. She turned away, fury reddening her cheeks.

“Oh, but there’s something you can do! Something that’s super important and very helpful, and might help you find your brother!” Levi said.

She hesitated, then turned and glared at him, nodding just once. Her jaw trembled, clenching tight, on the verge of a scream or tears; Levi couldn’t tell.

Levi spread his hands, grinning at her. “The Apostles are going to do that same thing they did at the concert—create monsters all over the city. Your brother tried to warn people about it last time. He might do it again this time—might be doing it right now. Not only are you better suited to torching monsters on the street, but you’re also going to be closer to any message your brother leaves! Better all around.”

She gritted her teeth, then turned away. “I get it. You don’t want me around. I’m a liability.”

Levi shrugged. “You said it, not me.”

Her nose wrinkled. She stomped up the stairs, leaving them behind.

Maury stared after her, then looked at Levi. “Could’ve handled that better.”

“Yeah, well. I’m not good at people.”

With a deep sigh, Maury shook her head. She went to say something, then shut her mouth and scratched the back of her head instead. “Too old to learn, huh?”

Levi glanced at her. He cracked a grin. “Not as old as you, old lady.”

Maury shook her head. Just before she ducked behind the plastic sheeting, she glanced back. “About Alpha—don’t fuck around, Levi.”

“Or I might find out?”

“You will find out. And Central City will be out its last hope of liberation,” Maury grumbled.

Levi gasped. He pointed at himself. “Me?”

Maury squinted at him. “Alpha’s inevitable mortality, you dumbass.”

“Oh,” Levi muttered. He nodded. “Yeah. I know.”

“You used to fight him all the time. You’re not even fighting him, this time. In and out. You’ll be fine. But don’t take any risks.”

“Nope. No-risk Nancy, that’s me!” Levi said, saluting.

Maury shooed him out, stepping behind the sheeting. Her voice echoed back through the narrow stony space. “Get outta here before this whole place reeks with your bullshit.”

With one last salute, Levi turned and vanished up the stairs.