Chapter 27

-Alec-

Rachel was the last one of us up the stairs, since her mutts weren't particularly keen on the idea of being close to Taylor. Cassandra. Or whatever name she'd pick, since apparently she'd finally decided to sign up.

"Now why, exactly, did you think the middle of a fight was a good time to ask if you can join?" Brian asked the crazy girl.

"Would you have preferred it had I come at the end of the adventure? I do not think the Beast of Knives and his siblings in arms would make for a patient audience, and he is wiser to my tricks than he once was."

"You mean we just missed Hookwolf?"

"Unless you can think of another Reverse Iron Maiden that would show up, that's probably what she's saying," I answered Brian's question.

"Reverse- no," he shook his head. "Not getting into that. Why now, of all times?"

Whatever our friendly neighbourhood vampire would have said to that was cut off by Aisha appearing and wrapping her arms around Taylor's shoulders. Or trying to, considering the height difference. The shorter girl poked her friend's mask.

"But it's obvious!" she explained, in a tone that was trying for exasperated but ended up almost laughing. "She even has a mask matching yours!"

The mask wasn't a match beyond the skull motif, actually - bone white and theatrical versus a black helmet - but it was enough to make Brian facepalm and Taylor shrink into herself.

"I have told you before, young devil, that is not where my interests lie," she muttered, shaking her head.

"Well, you're in luck, then! We have another crazy know-it-all!" I helpfully told her.

Taylor's and Lisa's combined glares were cut off by Rachel.

"Are we getting to the point or not?" she asked with her usual charm. "The dogs are hungry."

"Let's," Brian nodded. "So why did you decide to volunteer? You haven't even hinted about wanting to join before."

"Oh, but I've had time aplenty for contemplation. The keepers of lies and order might play nice for now, but they know not yet what I have become, or what I know. My freedom would be their price, if I sought their aid. Perhaps a different name for myself would keep me and my father safe - and why not take my share of the one you seek now to make? Have I not helped you in this already?"

"I vote we let her in!" Aisha piped up as soon as Taylor finished her speech. Lisa nodded in agreement while Rachel simply grunted.

Brian and I exchanged looks.

Better to keep the crazy where we can see her, if we're stuck with her anyway. I nodded. Brian took a slow breath.

"Is that your plan, then? Make a name for yourself? Will you keep calling yourself Cassandra, then?"

"A name is but a cloak of letters, but it is not so easily discarded when worn in the minds of others. I shall keep it, as a reminder of what was - and what is yet to be."

"Then perhaps you could 'remind' us of what's going to happen a bit faster in the future?" Lisa asked her. She was lounging back in her chair seemingly carefree, but there was a gleam in her eye.

"The currents of fate change when one sticks their hand in to feel them - and every motion is a ripple. The madmen offer advice, but it is not free of agenda."

Oh, yes, the million dollar question at it again. She rambling again or did that one matter? Lisa's grin twitched a little, clearly thinking the same thing.

"I suppose it would be too convenient," Brian admitted, rubbing his forehead. "But if you want to keep your father safe, are you sure signing up with us is the best idea? You've been active without a mask for a while now."

"There are more dangers in this city than the ones that seek out me alone - and my little masquerade has kept my face from all but those who know no matter what branch they sit on. And when people look at a thief that steals from thieves… they don't always see a criminal."

"I don't think picking fights with the Empire will make people see us as heroes," Brian commented. "Hell, most people in this city probably don't even know we're doing that."

"Iron Bastion's been exposed as willingly working with the Empire," Lisa jumped in. "You should see some of the speculation. There's even a crackpot or two out there that claim we've been misunderstood vigilantes all along."

"You didn't tell me this before?" Brian asked while I chuckled at that idea.

"Only went public today." Lisa turned to Taylor. "But you're aiming higher, aren't you?"

The pale girl nodded thoughtfully.

"The city bleeds, something more precious than blood. I can help it, but not alone, and not in chains… and not in silence."

Lisa leaned forward a bit, looking at Taylor questioningly. Whatever she found, she showed no reaction.

"Very ambitious," I commented. "No offense, but that sounds like work."

"The grandest of the battles has already been picked. The outcome yet hangs in balance, but I can put a finger on the scales. They're slippery!"

We exchanged nods around the table - or what passed for a nod, in Rachel's case. Brian spoke up after a dramatic pause.

"Welcome to the Undersiders, Taylor."

"So, here to play or share more pearls of wisdom?" I asked the resident vampire when she plopped down next to me on the couch after the others went off to wherever. She had changed out of the suit into one of the outfits Lisa got her.

"My oyster is empty," she replied, staring out the window. There didn't seem to be anything particularly interesting out there. I thought for a moment about taking the opening for the joke, but then I paused. As far as I could tell, it was just me and Taylor in the loft now. Maybe Aisha too, or maybe not.

"Your concerns are distracting," the crazy girl spoke up again. "Perhaps you should set them free? Even the Mischievous One has noticed - she is far sharper when cutting with the right edge."

...In hindsight, I wasn't sure why I expected the precog not to see that coming. Seemed like the kind of mistake a newbie cape would make. I eyed the room. The scepter was too far away to grab in time, but I didn't think it would do me much good after what she'd done to the dumbasses by the Docks. My power was out of the question too - I'd checked very thoroughly the first time she hung out here.

Well, Jean-Paul, time to talk. At least this isn't a family reunion.

"Fine. What did you do to Lisa? And why?"

"I sing only the songs of madness. Forbidden thoughts are not within my purview."

I could believe that. Some powers were awfully specific… but the pulse-impaired chick had already taken "grab-bag powers" to mean grabbing the whole bag, so taking her word for it didn't seem like a smart decision. But if you are trying to spin that story…

"Who did it, then? Had to be somebody."

"The Fox was on that trail before being led astray. It is dangerous knowledge to share, and I have had enough false blame laid at my feet for two lifetimes."

"That sounds like a cop-out," I pointed out.

"No police patrols here," she shook her head. "Nor will they catch your sister."

"I could've told you that," I replied. If she really is loose, I won't be rid of her nearly that easily.

She got off her seat and walked up to the window, staring out at the waning moon.

"New moons. New beginnings. For her. For me. For my sisters. But a single moon has passed, and yet the girl I was would not recognize me. I just hope my path leads to brighter places than hers," she spoke absently. I doubted she was talking to me right then.

A minute later, she shook herself out of her reverie.

"The Beast is gnawing in its cage again. Perhaps later we will talk," she told me, and climbed out the window.