Max sat by the edge of a bubbling stream, her feet dangling into the cool water, tricking through her toes. Warm sunlight spilled over her, the day dwindling into the late afternoon. She closed her eyes and leant back, stretching out, trying to ease the stiffness knotted in her lower back. It didn't do much. After a few minutes she sat up straighter and rubbed her back.

"You're supposed to be resting," chided Wally as he sat down beside her. "Not walking half an hour to this place."

She glanced at him and smiled, not out of love but a companionship. He was her friend. "I feel drawn here. It sings to me. Well, this whole planet sings but here is sweeter." She looked down at her swollen belly and set her hand on it, feeling life stir and flutter beneath. Her daughter. "Not long now."

"Then you have to go, don't you?"

She didn't say a word. She didn't need to. They both knew the answer.

Chapter 4 Duplicitous

Why did they always have to run? I thought as I flashed after the scientist, whom I'd cornered after receiving a tip from an old. My jumps were short and I kept myself just shy of him. If the guy wanted to run, like he actually had a chance, then I was more than happy to let him. Let him tire himself out. Be like a fawn that, after being hunted so long by a mountain lion, simply stops and lies down. Of course, the difference being I didn't need to kill him to talk. No, if he was running, then he was terrified. He'd sing like a canary when I was done with him.

He dashed down a side street, dimly lit from the occasional street light and dull glow of the sporadic neon sign. Several times he shot panicked glances over his shoulder. Each time I stopped just long enough for him to see and smile deviously at him. It was cruel, this little game of mine, but it was quite a bit of fun. Much to his dismay there was no cars, no people, to one to call out to help to. He was alone and he was beginning to realise how it was going to end. Still, he ran on, far longer than I expected. Not that it mattered. I was barely cracking a sweat doing small jumps, materialising a few metres away. Each jump easy.

The street forked off up ahead. I saw him hesitate, then dart right. I chuckled and flashed after him, enjoying the rush of each jump flood through me. For him, it felt like life and death. For me, it was all just a game and one that I had already won. Poor guy. He pounded on like he had a chance, his body full of adrenalin. In pure flight mode he clung to the dim hope he'd actually escape me.

I flashed even closer, enough so I heard how hard he was breathing and to see the thin sheen of sweat that gathered on his brow. When he shot a look over his shoulder he didn't expect me so close. His foot caught a crack in the road and he tripped, staggering back over his own feet. The game was over. I drove my fist into his face. He dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Sighing, I stared down at his unconsciousness body. "Funs over." Kneeling down I set hand on his neck and the world spun away.

The world spiralled back into clarity, a bedroom sparsely furnished. I dumped the scientist on the bed and locked the door behind me. It'd take some time before he'd wake. Using the time I made a pot of tea and set it brew. As it boiled away, the faint whiff of peppermint filling the air, I made a couple small sandwiches. Likely he'd assume it's poisoned, so I made an extra for myself and resolved to eat it, though I wasn't really that hungry. And, if he proved difficult after that, I'd switch to more persuasive methods. Whatever I had to do to make him sing canary and I would. I was good at my job.

Once the tea was brewed I put it on a tray with the sandwiches, then returned the room. Part of me expected him to jump out and try an attack me. I was a little disappointed when I found him in the corner of the room, looking at me like I was the epitome of evil and death incarnate. To be honest, I only ever looked like that after a night of drinking. Otherwise, I wasn't that bad.

"I brought you some food and tea. I hope you like peppermint. It's my favourite."

He glanced at the tray suspiciously. "You've poisoned it."

I set it down on the bedside table and sighed. "If I wanted you dead you'd be dead. As it is I want you to talk and be able to walk away from this. You're more useful to me that."

"You'll probably kill me the second I talk."

I tilted my head. "You're missing the point. I want you to walk away from this. Honestly, I'm a lot things but not nearly as bad as you think." I frowned to myself. "Okay, scratch that, I am probably guilty of everything you're thinking about me right now." Shaking my head I looked up. "Regardless, I'm in a bit of a hurry so if you could answer my questions this will go a lot quicker. So, why don't you tell me about your time working for Vandal Savage?"

His eyes widened. "Vandal Savage? I never worked for him. Isn't he dead?"

I chuckled. "That'd be a no, since he can't die. Now come on. I'd hate to use more persuausive methods."

He gulped. "More persuasive methods?

I lifted one hand, my fingers crackling and lit up with writhing energy. "It's very effective, trust me but, ah, I'll be honest, it's the worst pain in the world."

I watched with satisfaction as he shifted nervously on his feet and swallowed, hard. Good. Make him sweat a little. I didn't really want to go down the other road, not if I could help it. It was so messy, not blood wise but shredding someone on the level I could. Practically tearing their cells apart slowly, so it felt like their whole body was slowly being pulled apart. It was too easy for me at times.

"Fine, fine, I'll tell you what I know."

Tilting my head to the side I smiled. "Now, was that so hard?"

It was her again. Bart saw her from across the university's main garden, dressed in a blue shirt and jeans. Ava sat on a park bench, reading a newspaper – well, she seemed to be trying. Every so often her brow crinkled in a kind of cute way and she shifted her position. He walked over. As he neared she looked up. Surprise flashed across her face and something else – a flash – but it was going as she smiled, her eyes glowing with warmth.

"Hey – what are you doing here?"

"I work part time here in the science department. What about you? You never mentioned university," he said curiously.

She set the newspaper down beside her. "I was waiting for someone. An old friend but they're a no show."

"An old friend, eh?"

The corner of her lips twitched. "He's married to my best friend. I was hoping to talk to him about something personal. Guess he got caught up, though. Which means I should probably be on my way. Want to come for a cup of coffee or are you busy?"

"Coffee sounds wonderful. Lead the way."

She rose and grabbed her back. As they began to walk away he asked why she left the paper, didn't she want it? She merely glanced at him, one brow raised almost imperceptibly. "It was a public paper. Besides, there's no wind today."

With that said he could only follow after, thoroughly confused. Dismissing it, he fell into step beside her and they left the university grounds. From there they made their way down to the nearest main street, which was teeming with fancy restaurants and simple diners. People streamed in and out of all of them, carrying the delicious whiff of fresh pastries and newly brewed coffee. From a few came the mouth-watering aroma of a variety of dishes, which made his stomach grumble. Beside him Ava chuckled but said nothing. She simply tugged him into an industrial-looking restaurant, which seemed expensive in a new-age kind of way, until he saw the prices on the menu, then he relaxed.

Once they ordered they sat down by the back, tucked away in the corner, far away from everyone else. Ava sat with her back to the wall, a clear view of the restaurant. In anyone else it would've seemed like a defence mechanism, the kind you saw in veterans. In her, though it seemed strange, was more likely to do with a preference to talk in relative privacy. The coffee soon arrived. When the waitress walked far enough away Ava picked up her cup and took a deep sip.

"Did you know I'm adopted?"

Bart froze. "What?"

"That's why Wally and I don't speak anymore. I refuse to be like him, make it some big secret when it shouldn't be. Besides, I knew you were curious why I don't talk to him anymore and you'd be dying to ask."

He stared back, wary. "You didn't need to tell me, if you didn't want to."

Her gaze flickered to his, searching, measuring. "But I did." Her gaze softened, her dazzling blue eyes darkening a fraction. "Anyway, it doesn't change much. Wally refused to tell me their names or anything about them, said I didn't need to know when he and Artemis were the ones who raised me. I get it, I do but I don't agree with it. Combine that with all the 'therapy' they made me have as a kid…I guess there's a lot of messy history now." She blinked and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm blabbering."

Surprise stirred within. Then understanding. He saw it from both sides. Though he'd been a young adult he'd seen the stress Wally and Artemis had been under raising Ava. As a child she'd been wild and restless – she was complicated. On the other hand he saw Ava, saw how badly she'd wanted to be understood and for people to get her. She'd starved herself, changed herself so drastically at times, just to be understood. The more she changed herself, the further she distanced herself from how she'd originally been, the sadder she seemed. Now, before him, he didn't see the sadness. There was traces of bitterness but he didn't see the troubled girl, or the tortured teen. He remembered of course when, at age fifteen, she'd said she had a crush on him, and he'd kindly reminded her he was too old. That had been their last conversation for five years. It seemed almost bizarre talking to her now, given she looked focused and sure of herself.

"No, it's fine. I could look into it, see if I could find anything," he said quietly.

Her eyes widened a fraction. "You don't have to."

This time, he smiled. "I do."

She regarded him warily but nodded, accepting.

It was after midnight in Keimer Labs when Savage's prime agent, Nitri, was summoned. Accustomed to strange hours, odd missions and seemingly meaningless tasks, Nitri didn't question. She was made not to. She strode down the main lobby, having come from her room which lay in the adjacent building, and past the reception. The security guard there looked up, saw her, and quickly looked away, nervous. That wasn't unusual. Everyone was afraid of her. They all knew what she could do, if she was commanded. Beyond those commands she didn't act out, didn't see the need to. As she stepped into the elevator just beyond the reception desk she wondered why she had been summoned. It wasn't punishment. That hadn't happened in years and there had been no subtly in that. No, it was a mission. As the elevator began to slowly rise she realised it didn't matter. She would do as she was commanded and she didn't really care.

The elevator doors whirred open a moment later, revealing the spacious office of Vandal Savage. She took a second to run her hands over her uniform, just to ensure everything was in place. Satisfied, she strode forward, head held high and confident, right up to his desk. Vandal Savage stood behind his desk, staring out the enormous window to the glittering city beyond. He didn't acknowledge her presence at first but she knew he was aware of her. After a minute he turned and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same. As she did he handed her a thick manilla folder. She opened it and saw the first page was a brief bio on a young woman, though personal information seemed sparse. The picture attached was of her unconscious but was strangely grainy and out of focus, too, like the camera had shaken as it took the picture.

"Her name we don't know. All we have managed to cleave from their computers and our own information was that she was one of their top agents. Like you, she's skilled with energy and machines. When we attacked their facility all the targets were captured and photographed, then sent away for transportation to the appropriate labs. This one escaped on route. You will be tasked with finding and capturing her."

Nitri nodded. "Is the photo's poor quality the result of her power?"

"We believe so."

"Good, it will make finding her easier. How long do I have?"

Savage leaned back in his chair. "For now there is no immediate time line but within two months is preferred."

"When do I leave?"

"Now. I have a team readied. Prepare yourself and be ready within two hours."

Nitri stiffened but quickly relaxed, hiding her irritation. All her missions before had always been with the prisoners on the labs or for carefully hacking from the security of the lab. She'd been heavily restricted with her movements outside. She had hoped that she had proved herself loyal enough to be given a looser chain on a mission outside. It would seem not, she thought darkly as she rose with a passive expression and departed.

She strode carefully back to her room and stepped inside. Once the door was closed she let out a howl of fury, energy exploding out, sending papers and clothes scattering. How dare he? She'd been nothing but loyal and precise, never hesitating or wavering with his commands. Now, when she finally has the chance to show her worth, she has to be saddled with babysitters to make sure she didn't defect. As if she would. For all she'd done, for what she was, she knew the world wouldn't – no, couldn't – accept her.

With a snarl and a curse she cleaned up her room – no use for anyone to notice her outburst – and packed her gear. With it all done she returned to the parking lot where her team waited; three soldiers in plain black gear, one girl and two guys. Nitri put her gear in the back, practically snarling at one of the guys who tried to help her, and climbed into the truck. When it was all loaded the others climbed in, the girl sitting next to her.

"Hey, I'm Agent Marlow."

Nitri shot her a scathing look. "I don't care."

A knock at the apartment broke my thoughts as I sifted through a dozen emails. With a sigh I closed the laptop, realising it was one of either two things; the people who captured my team, yet that seemed unlikely or…I strode to the door and quickly tapped into a hidden camera I had above my door. Relief flooded my chest as I opened the door and welcome Tate Barnem in. As Mei's husband I had regretted not seeking him out immediately to explain what had happened; this fell away as I saw his expression and knew he'd already found out.

"When she didn't come home I suspected something had happened," he said by way of explanation.

I nodded. "We were attacked and taken prisoner."

Tate took a seat at the dining table and glanced up coolly. "Yet here you are."

There was no mistaking the accusation in his words. Why did only you escape, huh? Rather than rise to anger like some kid I calmly sat down and lifted my gaze to him, undaunted by his fairly large physique and hard eyes. Whatever Mei saw in him I had no idea. With his distinctly Greek features and tanned skin he was the complete opposite of Mei, whom was more lithe and graceful outside of work.

"I was transported with no one else. As for why, I don't know. I am working on my leads as we speak, which is why I called you. Did Mei ever discuss with you about possible threats against the team?" I asked, wondering if he knew about Mei's affair with the Irish agent.

He shook his head. "Mei never spoke of any concerns. I only just got back from my rotational shift with the Irish branch in Belfast, so we hadn't had a chance to catch up. The dinner was meant for that."

I blanched, shock coursing through me. Mei had mentioned a husband numerous times, yet not that he was an agent. She'd also talked about a man in the Irish team. The way she'd spoken it was like the men were two different men, not one and the same. I felt a stab of anger and betrayal. Mei and I were what I considered to be friends. It had never been declared but I had believed it. Clearly, I had mistaken the label and had been duped, with Mei disclosing as much information she'd give to Shadow or the others.

Tate smiled at my shock, realising what I had believed. "You thought she was having an affair."

"She spoke of both like they were two men, not one."

He shrugged. "Marriage between agents is forbidden. Mei had originally arranged it so she was married to a civilian but having an affair with an agent. Both perfectly fine, so long as the latter isn't deemed as long term or serious. Of course, Hera eventually found out but allowed it providing we continued the ruse."

Yet she still didn't trust you enough, a dark voice sniggered at the back of my mind.

Pushing it aside I shrugged. "Nothing remains hidden from Hera forever. Now, I had asked to meet you here thinking you were just Mei's husband, not an agent…"

"I can't. It's too risky," he said.

"What? Why?"

"They're targeting us, which means they likely have a list of our names and files. We'll be more easily tracked. Well, I will. I know about your gift, which hides you but if you're around me, well…"

My stomach sunk. He was right. I was a ghost, best working alone. If I was around him, if he was found…No, it was easier for us to work separate and harder to be captured. A single person could blend and melt away far easier than two together…and if they knew that two of us were free…Well, it made more sense for us to work apart. Smarter.

"Very well. I suggest we work to the same goal and use some sort of system to share information. No more physical contact, not unless we have assurances that we've found where our team is. Then, and only then, do we go in together. Sound good?"

He nodded. "My suggestion though? When that time comes, we could use some more support of the powered kind."

I frowned. There wasn't anyone I could think of that would be willing to help, not with the power that would be useful for a rescue. There were obvious choices but they wouldn't help someone like us; rather, they'd be more likely to throw us in prison before they helped us or even bothered to listen. So surely he didn't mean them?

"You can't mean the League?"

To my surprise he nodded and got to his feet. "Of course they're more likely to throw us in a hole if we approach them now. So they just need to see our way, if only for a night." He glanced at me, his eyes full of questions, with lips drawn into a thin, pensive line. I saw a myriad of ideas play across his face before he exhaled deeply and spoke. "Mei always said you could get anyone to dance to your tune, manipulate anyone. Is it true?"

Nodding slowly, I got his trail of thought. "With the right motivation and pushes anyone can be manipulated. It's a matter of finding the right strings but that would take up a lot of time."

He nodded. "I know so let me work on my leads, as well as some of yours, and do what I can from my side. I'll keep you informed on the dark channels but I'll send some tester information for a week or so to see if it has been compromised. You know the drill." When I nodded he continued on. "Meanwhile you find a way to get the League's attention, make them your puppets and then get them where we need them. When we have the location we bring them there and we tell them."

"And if they try to take us? Or don't believe us?" I asked sceptically. "Because I'm all for messing with the League for a bit but what do you suggest then? I mean, I've got my ideas but they're probably a tad extreme."

The corner of his lips twitched with amusement. The action made him look passably attractive, so I caught a glimpse of what Mei might've been drawn to. There was something about him. Not that I'd go down that road – again. I'd danced that line before but I wasn't about to do it with a team member that I worked regularly with, that I counted on. It'd make things messy and complicated and I rather suspected that he was the honourable type. And when those types broke their honour code it was more a headache the next day, listening to them drone on about their shame before you managed a getaway.

"We'll come up with some back up plans but I suspect that they won't be keen to let hundreds be experimented on, criminal or not. After that, we'll need a big distraction, something to smuggle the teams out without the League trying to imprison us all afterwards."

I smiled wickedly. "You leave the chaos to me. That's my specialty."

Following Tate to the door he chuckled; a deep, resonating sound from his chest, which made me laugh a little more. "So Mei has told me many times. You're the dangerous one."

I held the door open as he walked out, smiling. "That I am."