A small flame flickered from Joan’s palm. “Just say the word.”
Zee tilted their head. “Maybe no open flame near an oxygen tank?”
“Sorry.” Joan mashed her fingers on it.
“Where are the Villains right now?” Sadie asked.
“Contained in the basement,” Otis said.
“Here?” Her pulse jumped. “Like,herehere?”
“They’re secure,” Zee said. “The power blocking is cranked up high down there. We’re waiting for the team from the prison facility to come get them.”
“I’m going with,” Aura/Sherrelle said. “Make sure no shenanigans happen.”
“Me too,” Kade said.
Darlene crossed her arms. “And me.”
“Is that a good idea?” Sadie couldn’t help giving the norm perspective. “I mean, there was just a huge battle. Having half your Heroes leave town, even for a good reason…?”
Zee raised their eyebrows at Mark.
Sherrelle waved across the bed. “There’s five of you. That’s more than enough to start cleaning up this mess.”
Sadie’s breath stilled. Joan’s fingers went slack.Five Heroes. That includes Spark, Ice and Breeze.
“You’re right,” she said, squeezing Joan’s hand.
Joan met her gaze, brows quirked, asking permission. Sadie smiled and gave an encouraging nod.Go for it.
Joan cleared her throat. Looked at Mark, then Gus. “I want the city to know how much Gus has sacrificed. Her whole life. What she went through before, and hiding out all those years so Quake wouldn’t find her.”
“She’s so brave,” Kade said.
“Running headfirst into danger to help people. That’s the sort of person I want to be.” Joan paused, then added, “That’s the sort of hero I want to be.”
The energy palpably heightened in the room.
“I know that sounds cheesy, but…”
“That’s what a hero would say,” said Darlene.
Joan gave her a look. So did Sadie.Darleneof all the Supers giving support?
Drawing in a deep breath, Joan said, “I want to join you. Officially. I want to be a Superhero.”
Sadie felt her brace for the response. It could be denied, laughed at, anything. She stepped closer to show her support.
Mark looked back and forth from his sister to Perry. “I do, too. It’s nice to be the good guy for once.”
Kade grinned and said, “That would be so cool!”
The others looked more skeptical, but not completely dismissive.
“What about you, Perry?” Otis asked, crossing his arms.
Perry gave him the stink eye. “God no.”
