The crowd clapping distracted her for a moment. When she turned back, Greta was gone. Doing what she did best and disappearing. Joan could only pray to whoever was in charge that she never had to face Greta on this side of the law.
She laughed to herself. Grets would never get caught anyway.
“And now, the reason we are here today.” Otis glanced over his shoulder at the newbies. Oh, shit. “These past few weeks, Vector City has had protection from an unlikely source.”
Joan lost the ability to hear through the roar of white noise in her ears. Otis was talking and gesturing, Mark was grinning, but oh god, she had to throw up.
She found Sadie in the crowd again. Her hands were clasped on her chest, tears running down her cheeks. The pure love radiating from her gave Joan the strength to breathe and stand tall.
“Therefore,” Otis said. “And again reinforcing that it is on a probationary basis…”
Mark rolled his eyes at Joan.
“I’d like to introduce you to the newest members of the Vector City Superheroes squad, Ice and Spark.”
The other Supers clapped and turned in to face them. Otis vacated the podium. The crowd was lukewarm, but a few people whistled and whooped.
Joan moved to the podium beside Mark, who was waving to the crowd, enjoying this a whole lot more than she was. There wereso many peopleand they wereall staring at them.
“What’s up, Vector City?” Mark said. “I’m sure most of you are looking at us and wondering what two former Supervillains are doing up here with the good guys.” He glanced at Joan. “We know we have a lot of work to do to earn your trust. But we’re here to make a positive impact and show you we really do want to make up for our past transgressions.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A lot of disbelief and “Yeah, right” and “I’ll believe it when I see it.” But at least one of them could remember talking points.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know you all and really workingforyou. I don’t expect anything from you other than your trust. Which I will earn in time. I hope.”
His charisma brought a few chuckles. Good. Mark could charm them so Joan wouldn’t have to?—
“Spark, would you like to add anything?”
She gave him a look. Mark just grinned at her.
Joan forced her torso to bend toward the microphone, half expecting the ear-shredding feedback that happened in the movies. “Uh…”
She cleared her throat.Come on, Joan. You’re Spark. Act like it.
“Thank you for putting your trust in us. I’m going to do what I can to help the people who need it most. Everyone deserves a second chance. I’m really lucky to have been given this opportunity.” She gave a solid nod. “Thank you again.”
Relief flowed down her body as she stepped back.
“Oh my god, Spark ishot,” some woman said, getting a ripple of giggles in response. “No, seriously, she’s hot!”
The heat burning Joan’s face had nothing to do with her abilities. She widened her eyes at Otis, telegraphing he could go ahead and wrap this up.
Otis resumed his place behind the podium. “Let’s have a nice round of applause for Spark and Ice.”
Joan could’ve collapsed against Kade’s thick arm, only he raised it for a high-five. “Good job!” he stage-whispered.
“We have time for a few questions.” Otis pointed toward the throng of press. “Yes, you there.”
“Is Breeze also joining you?” a male reporter asked.
“Breeze has decided to remain in the private domain. He has, however, reformed his ways and no longer poses a threat.”
Joan found Perry with an eyebrow raised above his sunglasses. Then she looked at Sadie again because she was such a comfort. A light in the storm.
“Next question. Yes you, madam.”
A blonde woman held her digital recorder high. “Flight, what can you tell us about the rumor that the Villains had access to a technology that could block your superpowers while boosting their own?”
