Ezra stared down at the newspaper resisting the urge to tear it in half. The photo on the front page glared up at him as he read the article with fervor, absorbing every detail. "The Shadow", as the press had dubbed him, had been the culprit of several bank robberies. Diligent in never getting caught on camera, never leaving witnesses. Well, sane ones at least.
His latest heist had been more of the same. Police left baffled by lack of evidence. None of this surprised Ezra. He'd seen the articles before, chosen for the most part to ignore them. Except this photo had drawn his eye. Because this time, for the first time, "The Shadow" had left behind a message. One word carved meticulously in a wooden surface.
"Apprentice."
Not just a reminder. But a warning.
A soft meeping noise sounded as Ezra felt a nudge in his side. Absentmindedly he stroked the ginger cat, his other hand clenching the newspaper.
First the encounter with Kanan and now this. After all this time, after believing he was finally free of Maul, the creep kept crawling back. What exactly was he trying to accomplish? Surely, he didn't think Ezra would seek him out.
He'd been so stupid the believe the lies. To think Maul actually cared about him. Force, he'd give anything just to—
Ezra yelped, wrenching his hand back from the sharp sting of static electricity. Chopper hissed and sprang from the booth. He stared at his gloves. Getting shocked was one of those things he never really thought about until it happened. But lately that seemed to be more and more often.
"Everything okay?"
Cal sat down across from him, steaming cup of coffee in hand. Kriff, Ezra had been so preoccupied he'd never even heard the man.
"Yeah." Ezra casually tossed the newspaper aside. "Just bored. But what else is new?"
"Honestly, I need a little boredom," Cal said. "It's been a hectic year."
In the week since Cal had joined them, he had told the most incredible stories about the different missions the Rebellion had sent him on. Infiltrating E.M.P.I.R.E. offices, stealing information, even smuggling young Wielders to safety.
Weirdly, Cal had been pretty tight lipped about his last mission, even to Kanan. The first night Cal had been with them he had mumbled something about "not in front of the kid" when Kanan had brought it up. Any time the two men had engaged in quiet conversation, Ezra attempted to eavesdrop. No such luck. Kanan seriously sucked at his no secrets promise.
Though to be fair, Ezra still hadn't told Kanan the truth about Maul, evading the man's subtle questions. He continued to convince himself that it simply wasn't important. But honestly, he knew if he explained who Maul was, he would be forced to admit his own involvement. And he couldn't stomach the thought of Kanan's inevitable disappointment.
"Do you want to try again with the guitar?" Cal asked, breaking Ezra out of his thoughts.
Ezra's previous attempts of learning how to play music like Cal had—simply picking it up with his ability—had proven to be disappointedly unsuccessful. As long as his fingers physically touched the instrument he could play, understand musical notes. But the knowledge was stolen, limited to the memories left behind. And the second the contact ended, it all slowly evaporated. He'd stare down at the sheet music he'd played mere seconds ago only to find it complete gibberish.
"Yeah, I'll go grab it," Ezra said.
The instrument lay near the front of the RV. Thanks to the fake driver's license Cal had procured for him, Kanan drove, Hera beside him in the passenger seat.
"I'm getting worried," she said, her voice hushed, "It's been over a week."
"I'm sure she's okay," Kanan replied.
Hera noticed Ezra and smiled. "Hey. Have you talked to Sabine recently?"
Ezra grimaced. After a few attempts of contact, Sabine's texts had fizzled out. He kept telling himself to respond, to at least try to move on from the awkwardness. He'd even typed out a few messages, only to delete them. Everything he wrote sounded so wrong and stupid.
"Not really," he answered. "What's wrong?"
Kanan's brow furrowed. "Something happened at her school. A professor got fired for speaking out against E.M.P.I.R.E. Kids started protesting."
"Sabine included," Hera added.
Ezra couldn't help but grin at that. It slipped from his face as he took in Hera's stricken expression. "I'll message her."
Hera nodded as he picked up the guitar and headed to the back.
He'd spent the past few weeks torturing himself, replaying the disastrous scene in her dorm. In that moment, right before he'd tried to kiss her, something existed between the two of them. Even though she had rejected him, she clearly still cared about him. Tried to reach out, to apologize. And he had been the one to pull away, to allow his own hurt to come between their friendship. What if something had happened to her? What if he never got to talk to her again?
He took off his gloves, trying to think of the right words to send her. But as memories of music filled his mind, sparking his fingers into motion, his own thoughts of Sabine melted away.
The following week dragged on. Driving constantly, couped up. Hera's concern growing readily with every unreturned phone call. Everyday Cal gave him a few small objects, mostly Hera's. Nothing of Kanan's though, who appeared uncomfortable offering his stuff. Honestly after the book fiasco, Ezra agreed. Whatever Kanan's tragic past included, Ezra had no desire to experience it for himself.
"You feeling any better about this?" Cal asked after their current session.
They'd parked for a day as a break from the road. The three adults sat around the table, observing him, Hera with curious interest, Kanan with unnecessary worry.
Ezra slid his gloves back on, wishing he didn't feel so self-conscious. Or like a monkey performing a trick. His head swam a bit, full of sloshing memories and emotions that weren't his. "Kinda? I don't know. I just feel really weird doing this with your guy's stuff. Like I'm reading your diaries or something."
Cal nodded. "You know," he said to Kanan, "We passed that flea market on the way in. I could buy a few things. Switch up the training.
Ezra straightened, beaming eagerly. "Oh, can I go?"
Kanan made a face. "I don't know kid, there's way too many people."
"Love, think maybe you're being a bit overprotective?" Hera asked, stroking a purring Chopper in her lap. "We've been pretty careful. If they were tracking us surely, they'd shown themselves by now. They're not exactly subtle."
Kanan narrowed his eyes at her, but there wasn't much heat to it. "Cal, what do you think?"
Cal shrugged. "Honestly, I think it'll be okay."
"Fine," Kanan grumbled. "Let me shower real quick."
"Actually—" Hera smiled playfully at him. "Maybe just let the two of them go and we can relax here?"
Kanan hesitated. "I don't think that's smart."
"I think I can handle keeping an eye on him," Cal replied, smirking.
"Yeah, one babysitter is plenty," Ezra said.
Kanan threw him a stony look and sat back down. "Fine, just please be careful."
"Kanan, it'll be okay," Cal said. He grabbed a backpack from an overhead storage cabinet and slung it over his shoulder. "Besides, the Inquisitors won't attack with that many people around. E.M.P.I.R.E. doesn't like reminding the normies that they have Wielders working for them. But just in case—" He tapped his bag, a mischievous smile spreading across his face.
"Cal," Kanan said, a warning in his voice. "What do you have?"
Cal's grin widened. "Nothing that will hurt anyone. Just a little gift I've been saving from one of our Fulcrums in case trouble arises."
"Fulcrum?" Ezra asked.
"Rebellion agents that don't wish their involvement to be public to the rest of us," Hera answered. Her eyes were on the backpack, her nose scrunched in distaste. "Only a few of the higher ups know their identities."
"I don't know about this," Kanan said. "Not sure I trust anyone who won't show their face."
"You trusted Kallus."
"Only cause of Zeb. Personally, I think he's a dick."
Cal rolled his eyes. "I promise we can trust this one. Their tec has saved my ass more than once. But if you want someone else's opinion"—slipping off the bag he pulled out a small metal sphere, no larger than a baseball, and held it out to Ezra— "Touch it." At Ezra's hesitation, he added, "I promise there's nothing bad."
Ezra pulled off a glove and took the sphere from Cal. Intense emotion hit him at once. Nothing painful, just…startling. Echoes of determination to help, to make up for past wrongs. The need to prove she was more than the mistakes of her family.
And there was something else as well. A familiar feeling, a sort of brightness that warmed Ezra from the inside. He hesitated before giving Cal back the sphere, not wanting it to fade. That in itself surprised him. Rarely did he ever touch something that left him feeling better.
"It's okay," he assured Kanan and Hera. "I can't explain it, but I know it's someone we can trust."
Kanan crossed his arms. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"I'll keep an eye on him," Cal said. "And force forbid something happens all our cells can track one another."
Ezra had never seen so much junk in his life. The flea market stretched for miles; endless rows of tables covered in everything imaginable. Baseball cards, watches, cooking pans, you name it. One table was buried underneath piles of underwear, though whoever was crazy enough to buy those used, Ezra didn't know.
The place was packed, people swarming all about. He stuck close to Cal as they maneuvered through the crowd, trying not to get lost in the sea of bustling activity. They'd been there for a little over an hour, and already Cal's backpack had grown significantly fuller. Currently they were perusing a table full of small children's toys.
"Uh, why exactly are we looking at this stuff?" Ezra asked. Somehow getting stuck in the emotions of five-year-olds didn't really appeal to him.
Cal laughed, running his fingers over building blocks. "Kids tend to have very creative imaginations. And they tend to be happier than adults." He picked up a stuffed dog and immediately dropped it, wincing. "Of course, there's always exceptions." He blinked a few times. "I'm gonna take a break, let my head clear."
They wandered around, ending up at an enormous set of tables selling books. Cal picked up one with a guitar on the front and began flipping through it.
"Do you mind if I look at the comics?" Ezra asked, pointing to a table a few over.
Cal considered it for a second and replied, "Yeah, but just stay in sight, okay?"
Ezra tried not to let the annoyance show on his face. This better not be the rest of life. He imagined his twenties, Kanan never leaving his side. Kriff, he'd go crazy.
He examined the comics, occasionally choosing issues to thumb through. Even with gloves on, he couldn't help the anxiety rising in him. Who knew how many people had touched these. All the thoughts and emotions attached them. His fingers tingled a bit, just thinking about it.
Something, as if his name had been called, caught his attention. He turned, half expecting Cal calling him over. But no, Cal was still looking through the books. Ezra shook his head returning to the comic.
And there it was again. A strange sensation of someone watching him. Ezra put down the comic scanning the nearby tables.
Standing a few stalls away, stood the Inquisitor.
Ezra swallowed, feeling his legs turn to rubber. No. It wasn't her. Another girl who looked similar. A trick of the mind. Just like at the gas station. He rubbed at his eyes, expecting when he reopened them for her to be gone.
She wasn't.
The world around him blurred, leaving only her in crystal clear focus. There was no doubt this time that it was someone else. He'd seen her in enough nightmares to recognize those features.
Thunder hammered in his ears as he watched her study the crowd. He twisted frantically towards Cal. Only to find the space empty. The man had been right there a few seconds ago. Ezra searched nearby tables, the sound in his ears growing louder, his heart pounding fiercely against his chest, threatening to burst forth. Cal was nowhere to be seen. Gone.
Ezra began to move through the crowd, pulling out his phone only to find it completely dark. Karabast. He spared a glance behind him. The girl too pushed through groups with precision, taking in every face. So, she hadn't spotted him yet.
Could he remember how to get back to the RV on his own? The walk over had been maybe twenty minutes. Thirty at the most. Kanan would be livid, but Ezra didn't have any other options. He needed to put as much distance between him and the girl.
Kanan relaxed on the tiny bed, Hera's head laying against his leg as he ran his fingers through her hair. She hummed a soft contented noise. The shades of the RV remained pulled down, the lights dimmed, leaving the two of them in quiet darkness.
"You know," Hera murmured, her voice a little husky, "I honestly think someone playing with your hair is one of the best feelings in life. Possibly the best."
Kanan laughed. "Really?" he asked. "I can think of something far better"
She scrunched up her noise "Love, the second we get privacy I'm all yours."
"Hera?"
"Hmm?"
"It's been awhile since we last talked about it," he trailed off, swallowing, "and I know things aren't ideal right now, but maybe once this is all over—"
"Kanan," she interrupted him, her voice unbearably soft. "You know how I feel about this."
He did. Why did he keep punishing himself by bringing this up? Every conversation had ended the same. But after all this time, he still didn't truly understand why. For years he'd been afraid of asking the question that plagued him. That ate away at him every time she'd said no.
"Is it because of what I am?"
Kanan winced at the frailty in his voice. Kriff, he regretted it immediately. Should have just left it alone.
Hera jerked back, sitting up straight to look at him. "No," she answered firmly. "You know that's not it." She bit her lip, her eyesfalling down to her hands. "Okay maybe a little. But not in the way you think," she hastily added. "Kanan"—she touched his cheek delicately— "if we were to get married, legally married, there'd be a record of it. And love, you aren't supposed to exist. Kanan Jarrus doesn't exist. All it takes is one slightly intelligent, overachieving E.M.P.I.R.E. agent to realize something isn't right."
"Then we don't make it legal," he replied. "People do it all the time."
She pulled her hand away. "How is that any different than what we are now?"
"Hera—"
A burst of music interrupted him, both of them flinching from the noise. "Perfect," Kanan mumbled, as he stood up from the bed to grab his cell.
Cal's name flashed across the screen and he answered it. "You guys on your way back?"
"Kanan," Cal replied. Kanan tensed at the abruptness in the man's voice. "I don't know why, but Ezra just took off."
His fingers gripped the phone tighter. "What?"
Kanan hit the speakerphone button, placed the phone back on the table and frantically grabbed at his shirt laying on the floor. Hera's eyes widened.
"I don't know," Cal continued. Kanan could hear several voices in the background all blurred together. Someone shouted an expletive, followed by Cal mumbling an apology. "I was looking at something and when I turned back, he was pushing through the crowd. I went after him, but we got separated. Right now I'm tracking his phone."
Kana finished pulling his sweatshirt over his head. "Okay, we're on our way." He pounded the end call button and opened the tracking app Cal had installed. "Dammit, kid."
Hera put her hand on his arm. "Why would he just leave?"
Kanan shook his head. His fingers were shaking lightly, making it difficult to use the phone. The whole situation was too familiar. He never should have let the kid out of his sight. If they found him, if they managed to take him. No, thinking this way wasn't going to help anything.
He swallowed, trying to clear away the obtrusive thoughts. "I don't know."
Ezra quickened his steps, careful not to move too fast to draw attention. As he maneuvered through the throngs of shoppers, he kept a sharp eye out for a glimpse of red hair. Every so often he'd check behind him, but even the girl had disappeared from view. Whether or not that was good, remained to be seen.
Eventually the crowd thin, the last of the tables marking the end of the fair. Ezra's stride widened as he turned down a street, thankful for recognizing it from the walk over. Though near where close to out of the woods yet, no Inquisitor appeared behind him. He allowed himself to relax, reveling in the feeling of his heart returning to normal.
And then he heard it.
A feminine voice, a plea to be let go, sounded from an alley as he passed it. Ezra froze. No, he needed to get back to Kanan. To find Cal and leave this city behind before the Inquisitor could spot them. But then another cry, terror as clear as day. The kind of noise no decent person could simply ignore. Despite knowing he'd probably regret it, he followed the source.
Three figures stood halfway down, hidden within the shadows. Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, cowered against the wall, trapped by a lean man.
"I swear we don't know," the boy pleaded. "I thought he was one, but I was wrong."
The older man made a tutting noise. "Now come on. You promised me names. I'd rather not do this this hard way."
He stepped closer to the girl. She screamed once more, and he grabbed her by the arm. Then leaning in closer, he whispered something Ezra couldn't hear. Her eyes went wide, her please dying out.
"Get away from them!" Ezra shouted.
The man's head cocked to the side, regarding Ezra as if he were spilled coffee on a shirt, nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Over his shoulder the man said calmly, "You're going to leave and forget you saw this."
There was something…something strange in his voice. Ezra didn't know how exactly, but it thrummed full of power. An authority that demanded Ezra obey, even though he didn't want to. But the feeling merely brushed against him, the desire to leave sliding off him like water.
Ezra didn't move. "Let them go," he repeated, louder this time.
The man straightened. His lips curved upwards. "A Wielder," he said, his voice normal. "How interesting."
He dropped his hold on the girl. "Stay put."
While the command wasn't directed toward him, Ezra could still sense the pressure in the words. Though free, the girl remained motionless, no attempt to escape, not even when the boy pulled on her arm. The man turned his full attention toward Ezra, eyes sparkling with keen interest. "You're having a very unlucky day, kid."
Ezra's throat tightened as he unconsciously took a step back. He'd heard rumors of Wielders with this type of ability. Vile and dangerous. Though not the most terrifying he'd encountered. Maul's easily won that contest.
His body screamed at him to run, but he couldn't just leave the teenagers at the mercy of the creep. "I'm not surprised," he stammered.
The man tilted his head. "About what?"
Ezra swallowed, forcing a smirk. "That you'd have to bully kids." Confidence he didn't really feel colored his words and he managed a small laugh. "What, are adults too scary for you?"
Annoyance flashed in the man's eyes. "Leave us," he snapped, his focus never leaving Ezra. The teens jerked like they'd been electrocuted and sprinted away.
Kriff, now would be a good time to start running himself. He turned on his heels.
"Hello there, Ezra."
Adrenaline shot through him and he stepped back, his breath hitching. The girl Inquisitor stood before him, her amber eyes glinting like a feral cat's as she watched his reaction. Ezra's mouth went completely dry, every nerve in his body on fire.
He whipped man had moved closer blocking any attempt of escape. He stared past Ezra, arching an eyebrow. Ezra heard the low laughter of the girl. The sound sent fresh waves of panic throughout his body.
"I'm impressed. They normally start running by now," the man said, his attention sliding back towards Ezra. "Unless you don't know what I am."
"An Inquisitor," Ezra answered, his voice barely a whisper.
"Very good," the man replied. "It just happens to be my day off, but I guess there really is no rest for the wicked." He studied Ezra intently for a moment. "Wait a minute. You're that brat everyone is looking for."
As the man stepped closer, Ezra instinctively moved back. But he heard the girl laugh once more and froze.
Force, how could he be so stupid? Once again, he'd allowed her to trap him. Only this time she'd be smarter. There would be no phone call to Kanan. He'd simply vanish. Just another Wielder taken by E.M.P.I.R.E. No one would save him.
"I think—" he heard the girl start to say.
A silver sphere rolled past from behind him, settling in between him and the man. High pitched beeps emitted from it.
The world went purple. Thick plumes of smoke exploded from the ball, filling the alleyway, obscuring his vision. He heard the male Inquisitor swear before someone grabbed hold of his arm. Stark fear surged through Ezra, but it wasn't the girl.
"Run!" Cal's voice shouted through the smoke.
Ezra's feet didn't seem to want to move. "Where'd she go?" Ezra asked, trying not to choke.
Cal didn't answer. He just started running, pulling Ezra with him. "Come on. That won't distract him for long."
He shoved Ezra forward, digging another silver sphere out of the bag. He hurled it back towards the direction of the Inquisitor. Ezra heard the faint hiss, sparing a glance back to see orange sparks, so bright they were blinding even from a distance. Almost like fireworks. Cal caught up to him.
"This way!" He pulled Ezra down another street, slightly populated with people. Ezra figured they would stop, try to blend in. But Cal kept going, and Ezra had no choice but to follow. They tore down the street, weaving in and out of people, leaving behind annoyed cries.
After several minutes, Ezra's lungs couldn't take it any longer. He stopped, leaning against a store window to catch his breath. "Sorry, I just need a second."
Cal stopped abruptly, frowning. He kept watch on the street behind them.
"How'd you even find me?" Ezra asked.
"Your phone," Cal answered. "The tracker, remember? When I turned around you were just gone. Not the smartest move, kid."
"But—" Ezra took the dead phone out of his pocket. Only it wasn't. The screen lit up, displaying several missed calls. "I don't—"
Cal's face darkened, staring past Ezra. "We need to keep moving."
They continued on, walking briskly rather running. "This way," Cal said after a while, and they turned down an empty side street. They were about halfway through it when two people came running into view from the other side.
"Kanan!" Ezra ran to him.
Kanan latched on to his shoulders. "You okay?"
"Inquisitors," Ezra answered, his voice breathless. "I think we lost them though."
Cal frowned, opening his mouth to say something, but didn't get the chance. Kanan's head snapped up and he pushed Ezra behind him. "Hera, take Ezra and get back to the car."
"Oh, but that would ruin all my fun," said a voice. The male Inquisitor sauntered into view and grinned at them. "Did you really think a little smoke would keep you safe?"
Kanan didn't hesitate. He threw out his hand. The Inquisitor went flying sideways into the brick wall where he hung there, struggling against Kanan's force on him.
"Ezra," Kanan said through gritted teeth as he moved closer to the Inquisitor. "Go, we'll be right behind you."
Ezra's feet refused to move. Hera stepped toward him, reaching for his arm.
"No, stay," the Inquisitor said.
Once again Ezra heard the ripple in the words. Felt the strange urge to plant his feet, only for it to quickly fade away. Kanan and Cal must have as well because they blinked in confusion. Hera froze completely in her tracks. Her eyes grew wide, her mouth parting open.
The Inquisitor's cool eyes fell upon her, interest flickering through them. "Excellent." His lips curled upwards. "Punch him."
"What—?"
Hera's fist interrupted Kanan's question, hitting him square in the nose. He doubled over with a loud grunt.
"Kanan!" Hera shouted. "I didn't—"
"Cal," Kanan gasped. "Get them out of here."
The Inquisitor, now free from his hold, stalked toward them. He held his chin high, his lips twisted into a sneer. "Come here, pretty thing."
Hera walked toward him, raging hatred across her face. The man opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could, Kanan recovered from the punch, slamming the Inquisitor back into the wall.
"Go!" he shouted at Cal.
The Inquisitor laughed; the sound strangled from the pressure on his body. Hera continued toward him, but her steps had slowed, her body shaking as if trying to resist his strange power. Cal wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back.
Kanan's jaw clenched. A thunderous crack sounded as he increased the force on the Inquisitor, fracturing several of the bricks. The man moaned, his eyelids fluttering.
Hera stopped fighting Cal's hold on her. "I'm okay," she mumbled, her eyes a little distant. "Just dizzy."
"Cal," Kanan hissed, his hand beginning to tremble. "Go."
Cal scooped Hera up into his arms. "Ezra," he barked. "Come on."
The trembling in Kanan become more prominent as beads of sweat slide down his face. His chest heaved with obvious effort. Ezra stood frozen. Kanan couldn't last much longer. He'd only been able to hold Ezra for a few seconds during their fight
"Cal, get Hera out of here," Ezra ordered. "I'm not leaving him."
Kanan squeezed his eyes shut. "Cal, just go. I've got the kid."
Uncertainty crossed over Cal's face, but he nodded and took off.
The Inquisitor had come to, and he stared manically at them, as if aware of some joke they had yet to understand. He closed his eyes briefly, his face contorted with effort. "Sleep," he choked out.
Similar to before, Ezra felt the thrum of power in his words. Only this time it crashed into him, a horrible numbing sensation, attacking his mind from all sides. Things would be so simple if he just laid down to rest. But the command hadn't been intended for him, and the feeling quickly subsided. Kanan on the other hand wasn't so lucky. His eyes slid closed as he toppled sideways.
The man dropped from the wall, landing on his feet like a cat. Blood oozed from his nose, and he wiped it away, the movement jerky. He staggered slightly toward them, and Ezra thought for a second he'd collapse from the effort he'd exerted. But there was fierce determination in the man's eyes, and he remained on his feet. Ezra took a protective step in front of Kanan, panic rising in him.
The Inquisitor grinned, blood still dripping from his nose onto his lips. "You better be worth the trouble, kid." He spat, a mad giggle bubbling from his mouth. "That's going to give me a weeklong headache."
As the man approached, Ezra's fear left him. An ugly chill unfurled within him, overwhelming him with the intense need to inflict harm on the man before him. To make him pay. This man had turned his back on his own kind, relishing in their pain. Now Ezra would be the one to cause that suffering.
A sharp tingling sensation radiated down his right arm, the tips of his fingers burning. He ignored it. "Get away from him."
The Inquisitor merely rolled his eyes, sticking his hand in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a small syringe. "It's over, brat. You can't save yourself and your friend."
The icy sensation vanished. The man was right. He had no idea how to fight, especially someone significantly larger than himself. And unlike Kanan, his ability was completely useless. The smart choice would be to run. But to do that would mean abandoning Kanan.
The Inquisitor laughed once more, more mania than amusement in it. He swayed on his feet.
An idea formed in Ezra's head. A long shot perhaps, but it was all he had.
"Better him than me," he said nonchalantly. He forced a grin, stepping back. "I highly doubt in your state you could catch me." Wiggling his fingers, he increased the distance between them.
Color drained from the man's face. "No," he growled. His eyes bulged. "Sleep."
This time Ezra felt nothing. No thrum, no power. His grin widened.
The Inquisitor trembled with effort as more blood dripped from his nose. "Sle—"
He broke off with a choking sound, eyes rolling back in his head as his body hit the ground.
Relief swelled in Ezra's chest, and he allowed himself a brief moment to revel in it. However, the lack of appearance by the girl unnerved him. Where had she gone to?
He ran to Kanan. "Come on, come on."
A few shakes later Kanan stirred, his eyes opening slowing. "Ezra?"
"We need to go." He helped Kanan to his feet and together they stumbled away from the Inqusitor's form.
Kanan plopped down in the passenger seat, pressing a bag of ice to his nose.
"They okay?" Cal asked.
Kanan winced, the ice stinging his skin. "Hera's a little shaken up, but yeah."
"Hell of a right hook."
"Yeah," Kanan replied. "Try not to get on her bad side."
Cal chuckled before asking "And Ezra?"
The answer to that one was complicated. Though Kanan had been groggy on the way back as the effect of the Inquisitor wore off, he'd still managed enough coherence to worry over Ezra. The kid adamantly assured Kanan he was perfectly fine, but he could sense the lie.
"He'll be okay," Kanan said. "He swears he left because he couldn't find you."
Cal frowned, not saying anything.
"What's wrong?" Kanan asked.
Cal rubbed at the back of his neck, his forehead creasing. "The whole thing is just weird. And something Ezra said earlier been bothering me." His voice trailed off as he shook his head. "Sorry, overthinking things. Now what do we do?"
Wasn't that a million-dollar question? Two very close confrontations with Inquisitors, both times managing to narrowly escape. Sooner or later their luck was going to run out.
"We keep driving?" he suggested. "Honestly, I don't know what else. If they all know what he looks like, our best bet is to keep moving. And no more field trips."
Cal grimaced, the shadow of a suppressed thought crossing his face.
"What?"
"You're not going to like it," Cal said slowly. "But I think we should hide out for a while. And I know the best place for that."
Kanan closed his eyes, fighting the apprehension threating to surface. "Yeah I do too. I'm just not happy about it."
The corner of Cal's lip twitched upwards. "It's the safest place until we figure something out. At the very least she'll know if someone's coming."
Ezra slid the mug of steaming tea to Hera as he joined her at the table.
"Thanks, hun," she said, smiling faintly.
He winced. "Hera, I'm so sor—"
She held up a hand to stop him. "You have nothing to apologize for. I promise, I'm fine."
He nodded, his guilt still refusing to quiet. All he ever seemed to do was cause trouble for his friends.
Hera watched him as if she understood his thoughts. "Ezra," she said, reaching out to hold his hand. "As much as I wish it were, this probably won't be the last time we see those bastards. It's not your fault." She squeezed his fingers, before pulling away. "I think it's time for a new pair of gloves," she said with a laugh, "those look a little worn out."
Ezra frowned, following her gaze. A heavy feeling spread through his stomach as he examined his fingers.
"You okay?" Hera asked.
"Uh, yeah," he lied, forcing a smile. "Sorry." He took a sip of his drink, hoping he'd convinced her.
She nodded and began talking about something, her voice nothing more than white noise to Ezra's ears.
There had been a moment back in the alley, that he hadn't bothered to spare a thought of until now. The strange burning sensation in his arm and fingertips as he stood before the Inquisitor. At the time it had been insignificant compared to everything going on, but he now realized that the pain reminded him of something. A dream? Or maybe a memory that had faded over time. One that didn't seem like wholly his own, but instead belonging to someone else.
The gloves he'd put on this morning had been brand new. The left one looked exactly as it had, though maybe a bit dirtier. But the right one, all the fingertips exactly where the pain had ebbed, were scorched.
Almost as if they had been burned.