Chapter 7 – More Family History

The Alighieri, San Francisco

The fortuneteller sighed as her last client of the day finally left her curtained booth. She doubted the young lady would take seriously her advice to clean up her act and get sober, but she hoped anyway. Hope, it seemed, was one of the last few things that didn't cost money in this world.

The store's bearded manager poked his head in through the booth's beaded curtain. "All done, Madame Xanadu?"

"All done, Joe. I know we went over an hour. I'm sorry I've kept you."

"Oh there's no problem. It's been a quiet day, anyway. But there's someone else here to see you."

She frowned. "Is it who I think it is?"

"Now is that any way to talk about your favorite nightmare-imp?" Fuselli edged his way past the manager's big legs. "I promise I'm not asking for money."

"Good, because you not getting any," Xanadu humphed, as she collected the scattered tarot cards on the table in front of her.

"I'll leave you two to your, um, business," Joe said and left quickly.

"What have you been up to, Fuselli?" Xanadu eyed the imp warily; although he now possessed the appearance of a human dwarf, she did not for a moment forget what he really was.

"I paid a visit to our old friend Constantine," he replied cheerfully. "He's still locked up at Ravenscar, snug as a bedbug."

"He was never an old friend," Xanadu corrected testily. "I don't know why you visited him – did Zatanna ask you do to that?"

"Not exactly. She did give me his private notebook, which was written in some kind of code, and asked if I could decipher it. She had some idea it might hold a clue as to what he was trying to do, and who he was associating with when he was doing it."

"Hmm," Xanadu was aware that Constantine had been left in a catatonic state due to his own foolish meddling with the power of the Outer Darkness. She had never liked the man and had tried to warn Zatanna away from him, much good that it did. Sometimes children had to learn the hard way. "Did you crack the code?"

"Not exactly, not yet," Fuselli frowned. "But I did some investigating of my own and I think there is more to the story than meets the eye: I don't think Constantine's condition was an accident-"

"Never mind that," Xanadu said impatiently. "That is not what I want to talk to you about."

Fuselli heaved himself up into the plush velvet chair reserved for Xanadu's customers. He had a good idea what she wanted to talk about.

"By the way, have you been watching the celebrity news?" He asked casually instead.

"You know I don't bother myself with that rubbish."

"Oh, I think you'll like this," Fuselli announced with a grin. He produced his smartphone from his jacket and pushed it across the glass table.

Xanadu stared at it. "Some ridiculous gossip site, I see, with pictures of Zatanna and Bruce Wayne getting into a car. What kind of 'news' is this?"

"Well it looks like our power couple is getting serious! Or as serious as Zatanna ever gets, anyway. I figured that was what you wanted to talk about."

"You are most perceptive," Xanadu said dryly.

"That's only one of my many talents," Fuselli shrugged. "I know you don't like Bruce Wayne. Why don't you just get rid of him? Oh, I know Zatanna wouldn't like it but so what?"

"It's not that simple, fool, and also because I know Zatanna will not end her relationship with this man, no matter what I say. There is some attraction there that goes beyond the physical."

"Really, you mean beyond lots of money, good looks, and sex?"

Xanadu ignored him and re-shuffled her cards. "It is no coincidence that Zatanna's path has crossed with Bruce Wayne's. It has nothing to do with her interest in crimefighting or her reasons for joining this Justice League. There is something more, I believe. Someone or something is propelling her into this."

Fuselli thought he understood. "Perhaps something in the past then? But they've never met each other before?"

"Giovanni performed in Gotham City, when Zatanna was a child, that much I know," Xanadu said slowly. "Only once, for an orphanage. He never talked about it, it wasn't anything unusual."

Fuselli thought aloud. "So...Wayne would have been orphaned then. You think their paths crossed back then? They would have been kids, if they even remember. That would have to be some coincidence! But that doesn't mean anything, even if they did."

"No," Xanadu agreed. "And yet…even that encounter itself...it must have had some cause in the past. I feel it, and the cards suggest as much."

She spread them out in accordion pattern on the table. Fuselli didn't see any pattern in the pictures of swords, moons and stars, but he wasn't as knowledgeable as the ancient sorceress, and it was evident that what she saw bothered her.

"I must know more," Xanadu said after a tense moment. "Baron Winters won't lift a finger. You must help me in this."

"I thought you were of the opinion that there was nothing to be done?"

Xanadu shook her head forcefully. Clearly, the imp thought, she was attached very much to Zatanna. "Focus your efforts on Wayne's mind, his dreams, both his and Zatanna's. I want to know what he's planning."

Fuselli sighed. "I told you before I couldn't see anything in Wayne's mind. As for Zatanna…" He spread his arms. "Look at what happened to me the last time I interfered in her dreams!"

"You look very handsome, such as you are. Anyway, you are a nightmare-imp. You will find a way," Xanadu said confidently. Seeing his doubtful face, she added. "This is Zatanna's life and soul in danger. I know you may not like her, but do it for me, if nothing else."

Xanadu sighed again. "I can return you to your original form, if you like?"

"Well I may prefer this form after all, but I'll do what I can, if you think it will do any good."

"I don't know about 'good,'" Xanadu said gravely. "Yet, perhaps, we may be able to save her."

"And…Bruce Wayne?"

She sat back in her chair. "As for him…I am not so sure."

Wayne Manor

Bruce awoke suddenly, his mouth agape but no sound came out. His body arched as if jolted by a shot of electricity, the thin bedsheet slipping half off his body as he did so. It took him another second to realize where he was - then, his body relaxed in a supine position. He breathed heavily, lying on his back. He saw that he was in his own bedroom, surrounded by his familiar things. His eyes adjusted to the darkness, broken by a stream of moonlight coming through the half-open drapes. After another second, coherent thought returned to him.

A dream, he thought with bewilderment. A...a nightmare?

Only seconds after awakening but already he could not remember what he had dreamed of. He had the slightly nauseating feeling of deja vu, of something similar happening a few nights ago. His muscles still thrummed as if he'd been struggling with someone in his dream...had he been? He had the disquieting feeling that he had narrowly escaped something, or someone. His heart was pounding as if he had been running. But he couldn't remember what he dreamed of.

Absurd, Bruce thought, irritation replacing the confusion. Too many busy and stressful nights. That's all. It was bound to happen again. Only...

Tonight hadn't been stressful at all, at least, not after Zatanna had acquiesced to his plan (albeit with some reluctance). She had soon changed the topic, and they had talked of much pleasanter things. Much more pleasant. She'd asked him if he would like to see her revised dance moves to her burlesque show and he had said he would very much like that. So she had performed her dance (more like a striptease, if truth were told) and he had admired it very much - she really did have a talent for dance, as well as magic, he'd thought. He hadn't let her finish, and he hadn't felt more relaxed than he had been than tonight, thanks to her.

He also remembered he wasn't alone in the room. Zatanna lay beside him. This was the first time she had spent the night with him at the Manor, Bruce realized. She slept peacefully, undisturbed by his thrashing. She lay on her back naked, save for his gift, which glinted goldenly against her white skin in the thin moonlight. Her long black hair was spread out beneath her. Her dancing had stirred appetites in him that he hadn't acknowledged for some time. At times he was afraid he might hurt her, especially when she cried out so hard it sounded like sobs, but she had never stopped him.

Bruce watched her for a long time. Zatanna didn't stir, but continued to sleep on. After awhile he slowly reached out and touched the skin of her neck, stroking gently with his fingertips. He'd been relieved she'd liked his gift; it had taken him ages to make up his mind to give it to her. He hadn't done anything quite like this before. He knew how'd Selina would have reacted if he'd given her this type of thing (depending on if she was 'up' or 'down' or off her meds), she would have probably thrown it back in his face and accuse him of 'trying to buy her.' Hell, she'd do that if he bought her a latte. Vicki, despite her tasteful TV show host appearance, was at heart a hippie chick and didn't care for such things. As for Talia…the less he thought about her the better.

No, Zatanna was like no woman he'd ever met before. A magician of incredible power, he'd known that the first time he'd met her. Possibly, she was potentially more powerful than anyone else in the Justice League, Superman included, since he was vulnerable to magic. Yet she was vulnerable too, especially if taken by surprise, as he'd seen in the California desert. Despite that, he wouldn't forget how dangerous she could be.

Dangerous...yes. That odd feeling of deja vu came again, and it triggered just the faintest recollection of his dream. He'd been pursuing something in the dark, and found it...then he'd fled. Yes, that was the substance of the dream-nightmare. He'd been frightened of something...

Zatanna?

No, he thought. That couldn't be it. She wouldn't hurt him, he was certain of it. If she wanted to, if she had some ulterior motive, he would have known by now, he was sure.

Bruce continued to stare at her intensely. She was so beautiful as she slept, he thought: she had a dancer's body, muscular yet slender and toned. His eyes drifted to the small dark thatch between her legs, remembered how it had felt when she slipped her legs around his waist. He had tried to be gentle with her, this time, but rather doubted he'd succeeded. She didn't seem to mind, letting him do what he wanted. All his stress and anger seemed to dissipate when he was with her...and yet...

An uninvited thought came to him in the darkness, then: Why would she want such as you?

He knew that even to consider such a question pointed to some flaw in his self-perception. He felt it nevertheless. Zatanna with him, and in his bed…there was no reason he could think of, that she would be attracted to him. He wasn't into magic or her world. But she was the one who made the first move, hadn't she? One thing followed another and now here she was, with him, now. He supposed any other man would have rejoiced in catching so fine a woman as Zatanna, so why was he feeling like this?

For his part he felt something for her, but struggled to define what to call it, and he didn't quite know what she really felt for him. Perhaps he really didn't know his own reason for letting Zatanna in.

Annoyed at his own indecision and self-doubt, Bruce got up and went to stand by the window, looking out over the vast garden with its topiary animals behind the Manor. He stood there, naked, arms folded against his massive chest. The moon was out, shining but by this night it would be gone. His mind turned towards work: tonight would be best to implement his plan. If…

"Bruce?"

He let his hands drop slowly to his sides, the only indication that he was startled. He turned to see Zatanna awake and staring at him curiously.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Bruce said apologetically.

"That's all right."

She rolled over onto her stomach and elbows, every movement accentuating her curves. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he said, grabbing a pair of shorts and pulling them on. "I thought I'd get up, get a workout in. It's almost morning."

"You still lie badly," Zatanna said. "It's three hours till sunup!"

He shrugged. "I get up early. Habit."

"Mmm," Now Zee was smiling at him. She stretched in a luxurious way that revealed what she really wanted. "I could suggest a new habit...or a different type of 'workout.' Come back to bed."

Bruce shook his head. All of a sudden, he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. "No...I'm going to go to the gym."

Zatanna sighed and sat up. "If you want. Let me go with you, I wouldn't mind trying out your gym. I couldn't handle your kind of weights but I could do cardio."

"No. I want you rested for the mission today. Go back to sleep."

Before Zatanna could say another word, Bruce walked hurriedly out of his bedroom, all but slamming the door behind him, leaving her surprised and rather indignant. What, she wasn't good enough to work out with him? She may not be as muscular as Wonder Woman or some of the other Justice League ladies, but...

"He had another nightmare. I think you were in it."

Zatanna gasped and nearly toppled out of the bed. She spun to see Fuselli seated cross-legged where Bruce had been sleeping only a short while ago. She leapt out of the bed in a hurry, grabbing the bedsheet and pulling it against her. The imp seemed not at all put out with her surprise and anger, watched her with some amusement.

"Fuselli! What the hell are you doing here?" She shouted.

"Lower your voice, or would you like the butler to walk in on us? My presence would be rather difficult to explain."

"What are you doing here?" Zatanna snarled. "Don't make me ask again!"

"Madame Xanadu asked me to check up on you. She's worried about you."

Zatanna rolled her eyes. "Well you can go back and tell her I'm fine. You can tell her you saw for yourself."

"Lovely man, that Mr. Wayne," Fuselli eyed Zatanna's naked body as she tossed the sheet down and searched for her discarded underwear and bra. "He treats you so well, I can taste the gold from here. I hope it makes up for the bruises. I bet Charly will notice. She doesn't care for him, if you've noticed."

"I don't need your bitchy observations, Fuselli."

"OK, but I think you could use my help. Just in case Mr. Wayne gets a little too intense. I may be wrong but he seems like the intense type."

She stared at him sidelong. "I said I don't need your help, I told you before. I can handle this."

"Oh yes? The way you handled Constantine? Or what happened in Australia?" Fuselli hopped down from the bed and spoke quickly before she could retort. "Listen to me, Zatanna, I know we've had our little differences, but I have to agree with the old broad. Bruce Wayne is nothing but trouble, even more than that crazy Brit I think."

"Is that all?"

Fuselli frowned. This wasn't like the Zatanna that he knew. She'd always been happy to hear the worst about John Constantine, especially after the first - or was it the second? - time he'd cheated on her. Why was she being so defensive about Bruce Wayne?

"Zatanna, come on," Now it was Fuselli's turn to sound frustrated. "Didn't you notice what just happened? He had a nightmare, clearly, but he couldn't remember it. Probably has had more than one. Did you see the way he ran out of here like you had the plague?"

Zatanna frowned, remembering what Fuselli was. "So...that doesn't mean anything. Everyone has nightmares."

"Not like him. He can't remember his nightmares now, whereas before he remembered them all too clearly, his parents being killed and all that. I still can't see them in his mind. Well, maybe a little bit. It started when you started getting involved."

"I still don't see why you need to see them." Zatanna searched for her other bits of clothing.

"Bruce Wayne is using you," Fuselli said bluntly. "Yes, I know all this Justice League stuff, still, he's playing with fire. He wants knowledge, you know what kind. He wants your help to get it. He's going to get burned, and burned badly. You wouldn't like your new boyfriend once he's finely charred. I don't think you'd care to be too close either."

"Is that all?"

"Just what are you doing, Zatanna?" It was now Fuselli's turn to sound exasperated. "What exactly do you want with this man?"

The imp suddenly frowned, as if he'd come up with an answer to his own question. "There's something he has that you want, isn't it? There must be something, and I don't think it's a black AMEX card."

"Fuselli...butt out."

The imp scowled as the magician raised her arms, then he remembered: "Wait! That notebook you asked me to-"

"Enogeb!"

In a flash of light, the dwarf disappeared. Zatanna's tight expression didn't fade. Sometimes she regretted banishing the imp to the human realm, it seemed like he was even more annoying than before. Not to mention more nosy. But more than once she had even considered confiding in him, only she couldn't trust him to keep his mouth shut. He would run off and blab to Madame Xanadu or worse, to Baron Winters. That was the last thing she wanted. They might try to interfere, and if they did they wouldn't care if Bruce was hurt or not. The elder homo magii often looked at non-magickal humans with haughty disdain, sometimes barely more than animals. If Bruce or any of their friends got in the way, it could be trouble. No, she would not go to them for help. For better or worse, she and Batman would have to face the enemy on their own.

Whatever the enemy truly is...

Watchtower 1300 hours briefing.

"As all of you know, the debacle in Australia was originally engineered by A.R.G.U.S.," Batman told the assembled Justice League in the conference room. "A.R.G.U.S. managed to evacuate their facilities before Pnakoutos was destroyed, with minimal casualties."

Zatanna Zatara sat quietly next to Batman as he droned on, his hands darting around the digital keyboard. She was quite aware that everyone's minds here were half on the briefing, the other half eyeballing her and Bruce and wondering what was up with them. J'onn J'onzz was practically staring at her as if he could read her mind. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She had not been her usual ebullient self today, and she knew that they knew it. She thought Bruce seemed oblivious to the mood in the room as usual, caught up as he was in his presentation.

The image of an imposing-looking black woman hovered in the air above the circular conference table, a standard ID photo. Everyone recognized who it was.

"Amanda Waller was A.R.G.U.S.' Director at that time. She has been very quiet ever since the Pnakoutos destruction. She has not appeared publicly, nor at any governmental hearings, that we are aware of."

"Maybe she got fired," Flash said hopefully. "Maybe she's drawing unemployment, sitting at home watching The View."

"Hardly likely," Bruce's flat voice didn't seem to catch the Flash's attempt at humor. "I have no doubt she continues to serve as its head and is engaged in some other plot. However, Waller' is not the subject of my current investigation."

Another image appeared on the screen, replacing Waller. An older white male, with piercing blue-gray eyes.

"This man is Dr. August Fenderbrake. Existing records indicate he is a physician in the employ of the federal government. He was standing at Waller's side in Pnakoutos. I recognize him and so does Zatanna."

"He's a doctor? Ok..." Flash sounded confused. "Um, so why are we looking at him?"

Batman sat down. "Call it a hunch: I don't recall him speaking but there was something about his demeanor. Very calm and collected. When we breached the entrance of the alien city, he didn't look surprised or frightened, only as someone whose plan was going as expected."

Huntress understood. "You think he's...something more than a doctor?"

"We have very little information on the A.R.G.U.S. hierarchy, Waller's chain-of-command. She must have someone who is advising her on the occult and...other things."

"You think it's this guy?"

"As I said, it's only a hunch. There is nothing in this man's file that would point to anything in black ops, or even to any involvement in the occult."

"Yet you think...because there's nothing suspicious that there is something suspicious?" Oliver Queen sounded skeptical.

"I believe Fenderbrake is Waller's right-hand man," Batman said bluntly. He nodded towards Cyborg. "Victor managed to find his home address. I intend to pay the good doctor a visit. This is the reason for the briefing now. When Zatanna and I investigated the informant in California, we were taken by surprise and captured. I don't intend to be taken unawares this time."

"Well, what if this guy really is just a doctor?" Vixen said.

Batman smiled, something of an unnerving sight, even for the Justice Leaguers. "He has a little scare then, but he won't be harmed. Not if he cooperates. He may even be persuaded to switch employers."

"Sounds like a plan," Oliver finished his soda. "When are we pushing off?"

"It will be just me and Zatanna," Batman replied. "The rest of you will be on backup. Cyborg will monitor our movements."

"Hold on: at the risk of sounding negative," Dinah Lance spoke up. "The last time you two went out, it got a little complicated. Maybe the rest of us need to join you?"

Batman frowned. "No, that's why you're backup. I don't want any civilian attention drawn to us. This time, we'll be prepared."

Flash couldn't help himself. "Umm...why Zatanna? I mean, I would think I could be on the ground, too, if we're just picking this guy for questioning...?"

Batman shot him a stare that ended his other intended inquiry. "Zatanna is trained in magickal detection. We may need it, if I am correct in thinking what Fenderbrake's value to Waller is."

"Let's back up a bit," Hawkgirl said. "What do you think Waller and her flunkies are up to now?"

Zatanna spoke for the first time in the meeting. "The only way Waller would have been able to locate Pnakoutos is if she's messing around with the Outer Darkness. But she's just a government stooge herself, she wouldn't know the first thing about that unless she was getting knowledge and help from somewhere."

"You mean, that weird stuff we were looking at in Batman's library?" Oliver tried to ignore Batman's scowl. "I thought that was just, I mean, hocus-pocus..sorry, Zatanna, I mean the black magic stuff?"

"It's...more than that. More than, um, ordinary black magic," she explained carefully. "The Outer Darkness refers to entities and powers that are beyond the comprehension and power of humanity."

"I get it," Flash said. "So Waller's trying to get control of them?"

"That's what makes Waller so dangerous," Zatanna insisted. "They can't be controlled. Anyone who tries will destroy themselves, and everyone around them."

Hawkman frowned. He sat back in his chair, his arms folded against his massive chest. "Then, how do you know about them, magician?"

At first Zatanna just sat there, not looking at anyone, and not responding, uncharacteristically quiet. Batman was about to reprimand him when she suddenly spoke again.

"You all know that I am from a family of magicians," she said, just loud enough for the others to hear her. "I told some of you about my grandfather. For generations, the Zataras have existed peacefully among ordinary people and the homo magii. Until my grandfather, Zkauba Zatara, believed he could harness the powers of the Outer Darkness for his own gain and advancement. He became a worshipper of..."

Zatanna hesitated, and Batman thought she was about to say a name and then reconsidered. "He became of worshipper of these entities, and learned enough to gain mastery of certain powers. To do this, he killed many others who stood in his way or tried to stop him. He killed so many people, including so many homo magii, even members of his own family, that the name of Zatara became associated with evil and hate."

The others could see her wring her hands as she talked, and how difficult it was for her to talk about this.

"At some point, he wanted to do more, not just gain power, but to let these entities into our world, to tear down the barrier that hides our world and dimension from them. It is the only thing that stands between us and annihilation. Yet it became his goal to destroy it."

"Why?" Flash sounded astonished. "Why would he do such a thing? Wouldn't that mean he would die too?"

"Why do evil men do anything?" Batman said sternly.

"Well, someone must have stopped him, because we're all sitting here." Huntress said.

Zatanna nodded. "Yes, he was killed before he could implement his plans. My father told me all this."

"So your father was privy to his plans?" Hawkman sounded accusing, and looked like he didn't believe her story. Hawkgirl glared at her partner but Zatanna didn't seem to notice.

"No...my father never knew him. He was only a baby at the time. He was hidden away by his mother. She knew he would have been used as a sacrifice for his evil plans. It was only after grandfather was dead that he was told what he was. My father devoted his life to making amends for his crimes."

Dinah nodded sadly. "Yes, I remember you told me about him. That was awful, it wasn't the poor man's fault!"

"It doesn't matter, among the homo magii. I am telling you this because I want you to know how dangerous this is. If this man and Waller are doing the same thing, we've got to do everything we can to stop them." Zatanna's voice was hard in a way none of them had heard before.

"You don't have to tell us, Zatanna," Hawkgirl reassured her as an uncomfortable murmur spread around the table. "I think after what we've seen so far, we know this is a grave matter."

Different conversations began around the table. For a moment Batman let them talk. He knew by the way Zatanna was talking that she was deliberately holding something back. Clearly, she was uncomfortable talking about her family. It occurred to Batman that Zatara must have passed on his knowledge to his daughter. He glanced down the table and saw the Martian Manhunter, also looking thoughtful. He wondered if he had similar thoughts.

"Perhaps," J'onn J'onzz's deep voice momentarily cut through the other voices. "Perhaps in such a perilous situation like this we should wait."

"Wait?" Batman said impatiently. "Wait for what?"

"Wonder Woman, at least. She is not here. Aquaman, perhaps. Or perhaps, Shazam could join you."

"No," Bruce's voice was firm. "Diana is away on leave and I don't want Shazam involved, with this. He's too young. Besides, we have a narrow window according to Cyborg. Fenderbrake's movements were not easy to track but we know he will be at his home tonight. I intend to meet him there."

Nobody around the table looked exactly overjoyed at the prospect, but nobody protested his decision. That seemed to be the end of the briefing for now. Bruce glanced at Zatanna but she seemed wrapped up in her own thoughts. Then he saw Cyborg approaching and left to speak with him. Soon, Zatanna was sitting alone at the conference table.

"Zee?"

Startled, Zatanna looked up and saw Dinah staring down at her, a concerned look on her face. She forced a smile. "Oh, hi,Dinah."

"Is...everything okay?"

"It's fine. I guess I'm just thinking about the...mission."

Dinah nodded. "Ollie and I are a little worried about you. We haven't seen you for awhile."

"Oh, I've just been busy with rehearsing. I'm doing a couple months' worth of shows in Gotham City. You and Ollie should come."

"We will!" Dinah hesitated before asking. "Um, is...everything all right between you and Bruce?"

"What?" Zatanna looked genuinely confused for a second. "No...I mean, yes...there's nothing..."

"Zee, I'm your friend," Dinah said. "I'm not going to judge you. You know the gossip mill around here," she waved her arm at everyone. "I guess everyone is wondering about you and Bruce. Are you two...?"

Zatanna smiled. "I guess I know what they're talking about. I saw us on TMZ and Daily World."

She hesitated. It would be nice to confide in someone, and not have to argue with someone like Fuselli. "Bruce and me...yes, but nothing serious. I mean, not that serious. I invited him to one of my shows, I really didn't expect him to come, and everything just kind of clicked from there. After I broke up with John, I swore I wouldn't get involved with anyone again, ever. But forever's a long time, I guess. You wouldn't guess it, but he's wonderful to be around. I mean-"

"You don't have to justify yourself to me, Zee," Dinah said, smiling. "I've been there. Ollie, too, I guess. We told each other we weren't going to make demands on each other, and just see how where everything takes us. So far, it's been great. I guess we're just a good fit. I hope it's the same for you and Bruce, too."

Dinah glanced over at the far side of the room, where Batman was now arguing about something with Cyborg. "You know, I always hoped he would find someone who could, I don't know, get along with him. Selina was always a little too crazy for him, even though I like her. But honestly, I wouldn't have imagined you and him, I mean, he's so serious! I can't imagine him being, uh, relaxed."

"Opposites attract, it must be true," Zatanna shrugged. "You know, he'd be so irritated if he knew everyone knew about us."

Dinah laughed. "Well, my lips are sealed!"

Hawkman and Hawkgirl stood near the entranceway, watching Dinah and Zatanna laugh and talk together. Hawkgirl was surprised by the scowl on her partner's face, partially hidden by his helmet.

"What's up with you?"

"She was holding something back, I can tell," Hawkman said in a low voice. "I don't think she's being truthful with us. She knows more than what she is telling us. Why doesn't she tell the truth?"

"What do you mean?" Shayera was surprised. "What do you think she could be hiding?"

He fixed her with a hard stare. "She is a sorceress. She can hide many things."

She shook her head. "This isn't Thanagar, Talak. She does magic shows for kids. She's hardly-"

"It doesn't matter, Earth or Thanagar! Sorcerers and magic nearly destroyed our people. They led us into evil ways."

"That was millennia, ago!"

"I still don't trust her," Hawkman growled. "She should have never been allowed to join the League. She's a harbinger of danger, I know it."

"Batman trusts her," Shayera countered. "So does Superman."

"Superman's not here, if you've noticed, and neither is Wonder Woman. Who do we have to thank for that? As for Batman," Hawkman's eyes narrowed, as he saw Batman and Cyborg turn to talk to Zatanna. "How do we know she has not clouded his mind with her sorceries?"

Shayera grasped his arm. "What are you saying, Talak?"

"This all started when Zatanna arrived," Hawkman growled. "The night of the Black Stars, the disaster in Australia. She is a worshiper of Thasaidon, I am suspecting!"

"What?" Shayera pushed his arm away. "Why would she worship a Thanagarian god that no one on our world has taken seriously for centuries? This is all superstition anyway. This is Earth! I think your mind is going!"

"Laugh at me if you want. I am going to keep my eye on her. I've heard the whispers about Zatanna, I am not deaf. If they're true, Batman is a fool and hardly a leader!"

"You will do nothing," Shayera hissed. "Not without my order, Talak! Is that understood?"

He glared at her but she returned it equally. Finally he said:

"I understand. But we have a duty to protect our allies against threats, human or otherwise. Any threat. If Zatanna is a threat, her magics won't protect her, I promise you that."

He stormed off, leaving a puzzled Shayera in his wake.

Flash walked up to her. "What was all that about?"

"Oh, nothing," Shayera said hurriedly. "Listen, are you on duty tonight?"

"No, Cyborg's got it. Aren't you?"

"Yes," Shayera said slowly. "Call it a feeling, but I think we'll need your help tonight."

To be continued...

[A/N: Something of a filler this week, but next chapter will be more action-packed, I promise! If you've read Dini's Zatanna series you may remember Fuselli, but I've changed him just a little to fit in more with the story. Clark Ashton Smith, a friend of H.P. Lovecraft, created Thasaidon, which was an evil deity of the future earth, but here I've made him Thanagarian. Is Hawkman right to be suspicious of Zatanna? Should Bruce be more concerned? What will happen when - or if - they meet Dr. Fenderbrake in person. Tune in next chapter and find out! As always, thanks for reading so far, and please review!]