Here's my disclaimer for the day. Do not get involved in drugs. A senior at my high school recently died in a drug deal gone wrong. He shot a man, and after a few threats involving his family, the young man threw himself off an overpass a mile from our school. Don't do drugs, don't sell drugs, and don't think that doing drugs will make you happy, pretty, or cool. All it will get you is trouble.

This is a special occasion. I've just typed up three full seventy-page college rule notebooks of writing- and a fourth is going strong. Thanks for reading- but don't think that I'm done yet. This is only the bare beginning of the end.

Chapter Thirty-five: Foreshadows
He was at their oak tree when she ambled into the park. They watched clouds pass over the moon for at least a quarter hour before Jinx could bring herself to start talking.

"Blood's scared, Stone. He's not sure that Slade's gone." Sharing information about a mutual enemy violated no ties. She wouldn't trust that Slade was dead, even if she saw the body herself with a wound or two that would keep even Slade from slinking back to his shadow work.

"There was only an hour, Jinx. Even Slade couldn't have walked away from that explosion. Before the explosion, he was pinned. He had to have been badly injured, and he was buried in rubble." Victor forced himself to relay the facts without forgetting purpose.

"Slade is Trigon's second-in-command. If Slade was dead, Trigon would choose a new person to head up Slade's sector of business. Everyone in the underworld knows who Trigon wants for the next leader, but we all hope that one gets away." Jinx was a villain. She understood how criminals worked, and the hardness required for living on crime. She didn't want to see anyone else forced into that way of thought.

"We can't share everything." Victor would like to know, but Jinx insisted that it was better kept a secret.

"That's a different matter. Slade has his uses, from Trigon's perspective. Blood thinks that Slade squealed about the rebellion. Tara was a part of their plot. I didn't know what she was supposed to do- that was the highest levels. Only Tara and Slade knew. Trigon didn't know what Tara was meant to do." Jinx didn't know how to make Victor understand.

"So, look out for Slade?" Victor knew that people within the HIVE could be a little paranoid, but she seemed a little overzealous.

"Yes. Slade, if alive, will need to prove himself. He was involved with Tara's plot, and Trigon can fill in the blanks in the police report. Watch out for your team, especially people who say they don't need help." Jinx rose, shaking her head. Maybe, if she kept moving, she could leave worries behind. Since when did she have to worry about the good guys? "I can't stay long tonight, Victor." She felt a little better. He knew her suspicions, and he was steady.

"Slade and Blood have targeted us, Jinx, but only one Titan has been really singled out for damage. If you want me to, I'll watch her back." Victor knew that Rachel wouldn't accept offered help.

"Slade's alliance with Blood puts the HIVE in danger. I'm watching for anyone who could need help. If Trigon turns against our school- we'll be in danger. In case of an attack, I'm on the volunteers-only rescue squad for the littlest boarders. The HIVE might sponsor illicit activities- but it's a home."

"I'll talk to Oracle," Victor promised. "If you can repeat all your warnings to her, she'll make the best sense of him. She'll help you if she can."

"There's a newcomer to the HIVE," Jinx said, the last order of business. "He's big enough to make you look like Robin, and he's probably a Trigon plant. He's snooping, Stone- and he's nosing about how much Blood told you."

"Jinx, I can handle him."

"Don't show off your ego, Stone," she snapped. "He's dangerous, and the last thing I need is the Titan I can really talk to dead in a tragic conflict of arrogance and male posturing."

"Nice to know you care," he quipped.

"I do care, you idiot. I know he's connected to Trigon. Once he knows what you know, or decides that you're a danger, you could be dead." Jinx was not going to let him ignore the warning.

"I'm sorry, Jinx- it's just a lot to hear."

"You need to know it, and I need to get back. Atlas tried tailing me, but I lost him in the subway."

"Forston doesn't have a subway," Victor said.

"To the lawful, now. It's an underground road for deliveries. It's almost a labyrinth, with guards on a few turns. It can lead to Trigon's house, if you're foolish enough to go there without an invitation and escort."

"Go on, Jinx." Victor knew that she didn't want to leave him- he never had met anyone so protective. "Do you need my phone number, in case we can't meet here?'

"Just say it- I'll remember."

Victor didn't doubt her. "Four eight two, six seven two one."

"He goes by Atlas. Be careful, Victor- you're hard to replace."

"I'll be careful, Jinx- and the same goes for you. Call me if you even think you need help."

For a girl in a hurry, she took her time with a good-bye kiss. She pulled away and waved before hastening down one of the trails. A few minutes later, he headed the opposite direction towards his home.

.Present.
Gar showed up early for Friday night patrol with a bag from the Forston Police Department. Before anyone could ask, he set five presents on the table. "These were kept for a little while as evidence, but the police released them this afternoon. I bought for Tara, and her present is already at the hospital."

Victor picked up his gift. "From Starfire," he read. The odd package was a four-way tire iron for changing tires. Kori had braved a hardware store for him. "Thanks, Kori." If he didn't know what else to say, he didn't have to worry. She smiled as happily as if he had said something much more eloquent.

Kori praised Richard's gift of an amethyst pendant enough to make him blush. She did let a few tears fall when Richard told her that Tara had helped. Kori was the Titan who would be voted most in touch with her emotions, and she found no shame in displaying them. It was better to remember that Tara had been a friend than to remember only the betrayal.

Gar wouldn't say what he had bought for Tara. Instead, he gave an unnecessary amount of attention to Rachel's present from Victor. She assured Victor that the book was fine. Her dreams could use the interpretation.

Richard's present from Tara was a book that no one else had ever seen before. It was a collection of stories about people who had broken past ties to criminals. I wish I'd had a copy ten years ago- the first taste of crime is bitter, but it's easier than you think to give up. You're stronger than me, Richard- and if you never get this, I'm sorry. If you do- who knows, maybe I did it.

Rachel's present for Gar was last. The box was large, but most was tissue paper. A garishly bright envelope demanded attention. Inside, he found a note in her meticulously neat handwriting.

Garfield-
It might be a new year by the time we get to opening presents. I only have one resolution this year. What's past is past, and bringing up the past is only needed to learn from old mistakes.

You said you wanted to see me smile. Here's proof- and it's the closest you're going to get.
-Rachel

A picture buried in the paper showed a very young Rachel in the playground. The sun was bright, and a beaming young girl kicked her legs forward to swing towards the camera. The background was familiar, a glance of a playground he had visited again to think. He was going to think of something to say- but she saved him of that trouble by not being there.

"Friend Rachel left to don her uniform," Kori said. "She looked slightly flushed."

"The letter's just for you, but is the picture common ground?" Victor asked. He wanted to know what kind of picture would keep Gar staring for six minutes straight.

Gar nodded. The letter had been sealed in an envelope, and the picture was a present. Victor took it, remembering. "She changed most when we were eight, but this is even younger," Victor said. "If she ever opens up again, I know you'll listen- she won't do it for me."

"I hope she'll talk to me someday." Gar took the picture back carefully. "We all can go change now. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, back to business." He would bring the picture home- he knew Shelia would like it, and Harry would have to pay up an old one-dollar bet with this kind of proof.

.Assignment.
"Find out all that you can."

"I will, Trigon," the addressed man answered.

"Take action that cannot be reversed only if needed. You are above petty rivalries, and will act as such." Trigon tolerated no mistakes.

"I understand."

"Summarize your mission- don't parrot it back to me."

"I am to draw the one sometimes called Stone and obtain information about possible connections between Blood, Slade, and their mutiny. I will use permanent harm only if necessary, to keep the police away."

"This will be your last assignment in such low-paying work. If you succeed, you will have quite a promotion. If you fail- you know what your fate will be, Atlas."

"I do."

"Dismissed. Go."

Atlas nodded formally. A few drug deals had gone wrong and stopped a promising career as a football player- but his new job had the potential to be much more rewarding, if just this one mission would go right.

.Duty.
"Rachel."

She turned, but that was all. She was meeting the other Titans, and wanted to make sure that the tension between Richard and Kori didn't break into a fight. Her father had been busy since Slade's betrayal. She should have known that it was a matter of time before he remembered her uses.

"You need a lesson in fighting, daughter."

"Why do you say that, father?"

"Do not question me, daughter. Your precious Titans have not had a true fight in weeks, and you grow weak."

Rachel was not listening to him this time. He would not use words that way. "You grow old. Haven't you ever heard that you should be nice to your children? I will be the one to pick your nursing home, if you live that long."

"Charming. My daughter has forgotten her manners. I think it's time you learned fighting from me. If you try avoiding lessons, I can find someone else to teach."

Rachel stepped forward, dropping her backpack. "Leave Arella out of this. It's a shame that the big bad gang leader resorts to threats to control his daughter. You really aren't doing well with your choices for lieutenants."

"Such a spine, daughter- your friends do you some good, I see. You should be their leader- you have the talent."

"My field leader has the talent and the drive. Maybe I would be more receptive to your demands if you did not accompany each with a threat." Rachel kept circling her father. Right now, they were testing new boundaries.

"Duly noted. Let's call a few standing threats insurance, shall we? You have threatened escape, as if you are in a cage- do you really think that I will not be able to find you?"

"You're stalling, now. If have places to go, but I'll fight you first," Rachel said airily.

"There's some of the family arrogance. Weaponless fighting, this room- try to not bleed on the carpet. I just had it replaced, and you know how spooked blindfolded installment crews are."

"I'll try to not make you bleed on the new sofa," she returned. "I like the color," Rachel said with an indifferent ferocity. She didn't care that he smiled. For the first time in her life, she wasn't scared. She only moved forward to begin the fight.

.Something Different.
"What are you happy about today, Rachel?" Gar asked finally. She had come into the basement as happy as she ever looked, and had remained in the same mood for at least ten minutes.

"I fought my father."

He had guessed something of the sort had happened, from the spreading bruise on her arm. She was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, for one of the very few times since Adonis. Her friends were used the barely visible white scars that crossed her arms- even if the sight of them did make Gar want to go hurt Adonis again. "Is that a good thing?"

"Yes. Besides splitting his lip, I made sure that he understands a few important points."

"Um- good job?" Gar grinned. "Hallmark doesn't cover the occasions I need today. Cards that say 'Way to give your father a well-deserved fight' and 'Congratulations on a modeling job' just aren't typical."

"Let's skip cards until I can do that again. He might stop what bugs me the most." Rachel could stand up to her father- she finally had the confidence. He would let her slowly start in taking over small tasks, there would be no threats towards Titans, and her mother was exempt from arguments.

The elevator opened. Richard turned, expecting Barbara. Instead, Kori stepped out. She wore a formal dress, completely black. She noticed that everyone was staring. "Greetings," she said with a weak smile.

Victor guessed that Richard would be in shocked catatonia for another few minutes. "How did you do, Kori?"

She smiled shyly. "Selina drew up a contract with terms we spelled out. Today, three companies bid for me to work their lines. The setup in this area is odd, so I can act as a free agent and do only walk-ins that fit my schedule."

"You can walk in those?" Gar asked, glancing at a pair of very high heels that probably could be used as a murder weapon, with that sharp of a point.

She took a few sure steps. "Yes. I avoided the steps because of the latticework. Mr. Pennyworth called the elevator for me." She never called him Alfred. That was too formal for the butler, no matter how many times he quietly insisted otherwise- and she knew that the butler enjoyed the slight attention.

"Is the dress yours?" Rachel asked.

"Yes, or I could not have brought it from the premises. Selina gave me a ride here." Kori still would go dress shopping with Rachel. Elinore Stone's wedding still would require two bridesmaids, and the black dress was something her sister would take more pleasure in.

"It's nice," Richard finally managed. Thinking and looking at Kori, especially when she was dressed in something like that, did not go well together.

Kori knew what he meant. "Thank you. I will change now. Connie can have the dress later- I believe the cut is a little low for comfort."

Rachel watched her go. "If I ever have a sister, I want one like her."

"I think you have a sister in her." Victor could get away with lines like that, especially when everyone else was thinking the same thing. "If this is a family, you're the grumpy eldest sister."

"Thanks," she said with a roll of her eyes. She was flattered, not that they had to know. "You're the overprotective older brother, Richard's a born middle child, and Kori's the younger girl that everyone looks out for."

"I wouldn't know- I'm an only child." Richard wasn't sure about one point. "But if Kori and I are dating. . ."

"She's been eyeing you too long to really be called a sister of yours," Gar assured him. "If she was a sister, that'd be incest, and we don't need that." He decided that Richard had turned enough shades of pink for the night. "You left me out, Rachel."

"It's assumed where you fit," Rachel said.

"Is it?"

"You're the youngest in manner and facts." Rachel moved on quickly. "We should all be ready soon- the main drag near the retail sector might be troublesome tonight."

Gar waited until she was gone. "Do I have a shot with her, Victor?"

"Do you want me to be nice or honest?"

"Well, there's a choice," Gar grumbled. "Give me both- nice first, if you please, so I can be happy before I'm crushed.

"She likes you." Victor's voice was barely above a murmur. Rachel would not want to hear this. "There's a mutual attraction and a few sparks- a push could send you in the right direction."

"That's nice. What's honest?" Gar asked.

"You could driver her away just as easily, she's never expressed interest in romance, and she encourages distance."

Richard agreed. "You have a chance. It's just not likely."

"People can't be honest and encouraging, can they?" Gar didn't wait for that answer. "The last five times the girls beat us changing, they had eight new inside jokes we couldn't hope to catch. They don't need the time to plot."

"Agreed." Richard hated missing something, and didn't understand why some accidental word choice of his could make Kori go into peals of laughter and exchange looks with Rachel.

"I'm with you on that." Victor didn't want to know just way they had giggled (in Kori's case) and gave peculiar twitch-smiles (Rachel) at the mention of "aglets." What was so funny about the plastic bits at the end of shoelaces?

Come to think of it, Victor wasn't sure he wanted to know.

.Action.
Rachel's prediction about the retail sector was right. No one asked how or why she knew, and side comments about her uncanny knowledge of the city's underworld brought only a cool stare. She kept her secrets.

Rachel had heard rumors about a few HIVE operatives planning a heist in a twenty-four hour retail chain, hitting the safe. She didn't know there were two HIVE students at each cash register, as was intended. The event of an ambush had been tried many times before, but Rachel was careful to find details. That night, it worked.

The Titans knew they were in trouble when they walked into a silent store. No shoppers pushed carts, no stockers checked the shelves, no cashiers shrilled for price checks. When teams of fighters in black began an approach through the produce section, the Titans formed a ring, backs in.

They fought. Gar ducked into relative safety for a minute, as the smallest. He was guarded by four as he made a quick call for help from the police. Hearing guesses from a Titan who never overestimated in serious situations, Eve sent a dozen squad cars and began to find other free officers.

The HIVE fighters were quietly led by Jinx, who had direct orders from Trigon. Atlas had organized the plot, and Trigon added a few small provisions and issued orders. Her troops of under-trained students lost to the five heroes, but the objective was complete. The Titans were weary, and mistakes were likely.

"Spear formation!" she snapped, drawing attention to herself. Jinx ignored the shocked look on the largest Titan. She had a job to do. Mammoth and Gizmo flanked her. The Asian swordswoman Victor had seen fell just behind the outside. Without a visual or audible signal, they charged together as a phalanx.

They drove the Titans apart. Gizmo drove Gar away from the main fight. As expected, Raven followed to help. Kori found herself fighting Mammoth, and Robin dodged a flat sword that had enough weight to make him nervous. Jinx drove Cyborg back. He let her, trying to decipher a wild look in her eyes. She never fought scared. He didn't consider that Jinx could be leading him into a trap, or that she was bringing him far from everyone, including his friends.

She pushed him against the glass case of the frozen foods section of the supermarket, using a gentle hold that looked painful from a distance. "Victor, I need you to fight me and make it look real." She used his name only when she was serious. "Trigon suspects that I'm in on Blood and Slade's plot, and Blood wants me safe. That's why he tells me nothing. My orders are to bring you in for someone to get answers."

"Orders from who?" he asked, trying to make sure he looked properly angry. Seeing that people were watching, he put up an orchestrated struggle.

"I don't know. I think it's Trigon, but Blood passed them to me. Let's make it convincing, Victor, but I need to lose."

"What about the HIVE?" he asked.

"Forget the HIVE. I'll be in solitary for a few days, not that I'll want to explain how I lost. The HIVE is disintegrating, and this is better. Someone's testing me."

"I wish you'd started out good, Jinx. If you need me to break you out, I'll try."

"That would make it worse," she hissed. "I'm going to fake a choke, and a wild thrash would knock me over. Your friends are only being held off- we're on orders to not hurt them too badly. Go on, Victor." She shifted, exaggerating movements for a distant audience.

He waited to make sure it looked real. She gave a final comment. "Leave bruises. This has to be real, not a throw. We'll have a full-contact spar, but I'll-"

She wasn't ready for the wild punch that kissed her temple. Her surprise was genuine, and she rolled with the impact and sprang to her feet. She flashed him a final smile before scowling at her opponent. Trigon was playing games with her, and she didn't like their choices in rules.

They didn't know how long the contest of speed against strength lasted. Rachel kept the Titans from causing serious harm to Jinx, and was mad enough at herself that no one risked angering her.

Victor found the opening in her guard. She would have a bruise from his full punch to the side of her head. He caught her, when she fell, and set her on the ground. That wasn't unusual. Cyborg was an honorable opponent.

After Jinx fell, the HIVE left. The main objective had failed. Mammoth was the one to carry Jinx away. She was completely limp, and the bruises already were coloring.

"What was that?" Richard asked.

Victor didn't answer until Jinx was out of sight. "She doesn't know, but she thinks Trigon wanted her to get me out of the way. She's caught in something big, and she wants to find out exactly what it is."

"She told you to throw the fight." Gar could only guess. "She likes you."

"She does." Victor needed time to repeat all the information. "Let's head back. Jinx had a lot to say. The HIVE is about to collapse, Trigon knows that Blood was planning a mutiny, and someone might know who I am."

"Let's hear the important parts, from the beginning on." Richard couldn't protest a relationship with Jinx, when she had saved Victor.

"We have all night, so I'll have time." Victor would try later to guess why Rachel looked dangerous. For now, he had a car to drive and a story to tell.

.Filial Devotion.
"Two visits within twelve hours- I am lucky to have such a kind daughter," Trigon said.

"You will not go near my friends again."

"I did not touch a hair on their heads- not that there are any on the friend foolish enough to involve himself with Jinx. Her work has not been the best since Blood let a Titan into his HIVE."

"She only did it to get information from him," Rachel lied. "He wouldn't believe me if I told him. Jinx told him that she thinks the HIVE is dissolving." Rachel was taking a gamble. If it failed, the consequences would be hers alone.

Trigon took the bait. "She's a clever agent, unlike the team he keeps her with." He already had a plan. "When the HIVE falls, she will not be harmed- and her boyfriend will also be safe, don't fret. Blood can't have told him much of anything useful."

"If you're playing games, my friends will not be involved. Arella has had enough, and needs no additional grief." Rachel was not going to let anyone else get involved in their game of family ties.

"You give them enough trouble. Have you forgotten who led them to the ambush, or who was the reason your mother had to have surgery?"

She had no response to that. "I'm not infallible, but neither are you. If you want a second-in-command, remember that I'm not going to do it because of threats."

"You don't want command. Without me, your reign would fall to pieces. You would either be forced to take charge, or watch as all in your employ mill about without penalty for needless deaths. You need me, Rachel, and I need you. Filial devotion is not so bad."

"Neither is parental affection. Some fathers play catch. You taught me how to throw a knife to kill at ten yards."

"Which will be more useful, daughter? Your friends gave you a little confidence, Rachel, but you wouldn't change if your parents were straighter than a good assassin's rife. You still would be a loner- but you would not be able to defend yourself, and you would not have the skills to fight for the law. You don't have natural talent- you have years of expensive training. You will pay your debt."

"You've had blood, sweat, and tears."

"I own you, too, daughter, but it doesn't have to be this way. Don't make me force you, Rachel- we could be partners."

Rachel guessed he was done with confrontation. "Today, we are not." She left with that reassuring thought. He would leave her alone, so she made a phone call. "Victor, pick up," she said quietly, even if no one else could hear.

"Rachel?"

"It's about Jinx. I won't say how I know this, but just trust me. I wouldn't tell you except that you need to know, and you need to tell Jinx."

"No explanations necessary, Rachel," he promised.

"Today- I didn't have the whole story. The point was to test Jinx, and those orders came straight from the top. She passed. The HIVE will fall, but she will be safe. Trigon himself likes her."

"She's safe?" Victor had to make sure.

"She's safer than anyone else in the gang, about now. If I can find her Asian friend, I'll get an untraceable cell to Jinx. It will only call your number, but no one will be able to get your number from the phone."

"Her teammates didn't look very broken up when she lost," Victor said.

"They can't afford to, but they're all close. They don't have anyone else. Jinx is safe, and I think she can call you by tomorrow evening. Don't worry, if she has to wait- I might have to pull a few strings." Rachel was taking another risk, but she had an explanation ready for her father.

"Thanks, Rachel."

"Any time."

.Solitaire.
"Jinx, no one can hear us."

"Tia?" Jinx asked, waking up instantly. It was an old talent; Jinx had never been allowed the luxury of being a heavy sleeper.

"Gizmo's running surveillance and Mammoth's on hall duty for another hour. You have a friend in a high place- there's a cell phone in the spare blanket. Giz is running a sound program and lip cover, but make sure you look angry."

"What's the cell for?" Jinx asked with a false glower.

"A call from the main house said that it'd call your friend. I can't stay long without drawing attention- and don't talk for too long. Giz will flicker the lights when you need to stop. For the rest of time, you're on a loop of sleeping," Tia said quickly. To cover appearances, she kept a hand on an ever-present hilt.

"Thank you."

"We all miss you, girl- Giz and Mammoth don't know what to do with themselves." She ignored a pointed swivel of the security camera. "It's true, Giz, and don't listen to her conversation. I'll be helping with monitors." Tia gave Jinx a last smile. "Keep cool- you'll be out early. As soon as Blood can find an exemption, he's springing you."

Jinx nodded a good-bye and picked up the phone after lying down for a minute, to give Giz a fee. There was one button inside the thin flip-phone. She pushed it, crossing her fingers. Maybe she could have good luck, for once, and someone she wanted to talk to would answer.

"Jinx?"

She relaxed instantly. "Victor. You have some friends in nice places."

"That would be Raven. She called me, early this morning. You're in favor- she sounded nervous about Trigon." Victor had talked to Rachel again while waiting. "Trigon called you 'clever.'"

Jinx paled. "That's not always a good sign. If Raven heard that Trigon mentioned me- I could be working for him soon."

"Isn't that a promotion?"

"Yes, but Trigon is completely unpredictable. I'd rather work with his new helper and take my chances."

"How are you, really?"

"I'm fine. A few people snuck in to visit. Blood likes me, and knows that Trigon has me in favor- I'll be out by tomorrow, waiting for the ax to fall."

"Trigon said that the HIVE will fall, and that you won't be harmed. Tell anyone you know to slip out quietly."

"I will," Jinx promised. "Giz and Mammoth can do it alone, and Tia's actually decent at leading. She likes working solo, but she'll stay with Mammoth for herself and Gizmo as a favor for me."

"Good luck, Jinx."

"I never have caught the hang of that, but there's always this time." She paused. "I hear Blood coming- he has a cane that he uses when no one's watching. Stay safe, Stone- I think that Trigon's done, but it's better to not guess."

"I'll try. You're going to stay." Victor knew that Jinx wouldn't leave her classmates.

"Someone has to- and I'll less likely to be caught in the potential crossfire. If I don't make it-"

"Don't say that."

"I will say it," she said fiercely. "People can get hurt, and I'll miss you until I see you again. As soon as it's safe, I'll see you."

"The tree was watched, a few nights ago."

"Can I come to your house, if I'm not followed?"

"Any time." Victor considered. "You know where?"

"I know, Victor- if I don't see you again, that's my funeral."

"Graveyard humor, Jinx?"

"In times like this, it's the only kind. Later, Victor- blame yourself for anything that happens, and I'll come back, haunt you, and kick your sorry ass." She paused. "If I have the time later, I'll call you back."

"You take care, too," he said. She hung up quickly, hiding the cell phone under her pillow. She was ready when Blood came inside, and greeted him with a spectacular yawn. She felt safe- no amount of compliments from Trigon or assurances from Blood could do that, but Victor could. If she ever had the chance- maybe she could break out of the gang. She could afford the risk, with someone there to help her out. Until then- she was the HIVE's top agent. She would do more than survive- she'd like her last bit of employment in the gang.

.Friends in High Places.
"Victor?" Rachel hadn't expected a phone call.

"I just talked to Jinx. She thinks she might be going to the highest levels of Trigon, and doesn't want to work with the big boss."

"She won't have much choice, if he wants her as an employee." Rachel knew what she would have to do. Victor had meant to just talk to someone who might understand, but he had done more than that. The more favors she asked, the deeper her false promises had to seem true. If all else failed, she'd run away on her eighteenth birthday.

"She said something about his new second-in-command. She won't tell me who he is, but wants away from Trigon."

"Why do I get to hear all this?" Rachel knew the answer- or maybe she didn't. She could guess what his reasoning would be, but maybe she had guessed wrong.

"You don't judge, and I feel like you can understand. You can't help her this time, Rachel, but you listen."

"I would if I could, Victor." Rachel knew she would.

"I know, Rachel. I know."