"Home?" I spat. "I hope you use that term loosely."
Luthor chuckled.
"Of course not. Your return has been long overdue. I'm surprised you managed to survive this long," he remarked.
I snapped my fingers, bringing forth a flame.
"Spill!" I snarled.
"Calm down," Luthor instructed, hands held up in defense.
I urged the flame to a dangerous height, eyes never leaving his face.
"You were the runt of the litter," he said.
"Runt?" I repeated.
"The youngest. Hand picked by me," he said.
"What an honor," I snapped. "It's not hard to be the youngest when there're only four."
"Four?" Luthor repeated.
He chuckled, all puzzlement fading.
"Four? Who told you that?" he asked.
"How many were there?" I demanded.
He coughed, gaining control of himself.
"Oh you foolish girl. There were 42."
"42?"
I had to find them. I needed to know if they remembered anything. Anything at all.
"I know what you're thinking," Luthor declared. "Don't bother."
"Why not?" I demanded.
"They're all dead," was his reply.
He cast a glance at his watch.
"Oh look at the time," he said to himself. "We really should wrap this up."
"Tell me something that I can prove. So I know what you've said has been the truth," I ordered, dismissing my flame.
I was so shell shocked that he could have shot me and I probably wouldn't have felt it.
"Alright," Luthor relented.
The look in his eyes when he turned them back on me was sinister to say the least. Whatever he was going to say, he was going to enjoy it.
"Have them check you blood," he ordered.
"Why?" I almost yelled.
He smiled.
"It's special."
With that, he pressed a button and a trap door opened, swallowing him up.
"LUTHOR!" I screamed with pure, uncontainable rage.
On the screen behind the desk, numbers popped up. A countdown! He was just going to blow this place up? Why was I not surprised? I was tempted to stay put but Conner and Loki were in the building too. I couldn't put them in harm's way to satisfy me own needs. I released a shaky breath and then took off running to look for Conner and Loki with only fifteen minutes to go. And counting.
"Have you seen this yet?"
I barely registered Canary's question or the newspaper she held in front of my face. Conner hid his nervousness by turning his attention to Wolf. I turned my eyes to it, scanning it briefly.
"Cadmus. Explosion. Boom," I mumbled.
"Did you have anything to do with it?" Batman asked.
"No," I replied.
"Then why do you seem so tired?" Canary asked.
God, these two were like interrogation team gold. I shrugged.
"Guess I just am."
I wasn't tired. I was defeated. All my efforts felt like they'd been wasted. I had answers from a man who lied for a past time as well as a job. Talk about a workaholic.
"Ariel," Canary began.
I let out an exasperated sigh, turning an annoyed gaze on Canary.
"Aren't you the one that's supposed to see when I need to be left alone, MOM," I spat.
My tone made Canary take a step back, surprised.
"Oh that's right," I went on. "I don't have a mom. Or a dad. And we both know the only reason either one of you keeps pestering me is because I use to be a thief!"
"Ariel, that's not true," Canary said gently.
My head swiveled around to Batman.
"Am I right?" I demanded.
He said nothing, staring at me.
"Am. I. Right?" I asked, calming my voice a bit.
"Yes," he replied.
I relaxed a bit, granting him a small smile.
"Is it so hard to be honest with me?" I asked. "Cause I really need that right now."
Canary's face softened and she stepped forward, grasping my shoulder reassuringly.
"I know I'm overprotective," she said. "But its because I care. I love you, Ariel, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
She gave my shoulder a squeeze.
"That's why we keep pestering you."
Canary smiled and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Trying to eat here," Conner mumbled.
I cast him a glance and smiled. He looked away fast, standing and grabbing his school bag.
"M'gann!" he called.
"Coming!" she yelled back.
I leapt up, scurrying past Canary to catch up with Conner.
"I need a favor," I whispered.
"Wasn't last night enough?' he whispered back.
"More than enough. But I can't do this alone. If we get caught, blame it all on me," I said.
He said nothing.
"Look, I'm doing it with or without help. You don't have to. But if you change your mind, I'm going to be at school tonight at nine," I told him.
With that said, I turned and hurried away, forcing a smile as I passed M'gann.
"See you," she said. "Try not to lose your mind."
Oh, right. I was suspended for beating Barbara.
"I'll give it my best shot," I promised her.
Oh, this was going to be a very long day. I cast a glance around, finding Loki as he lazed across the room.
"Canary! I'm taking Loki out!" I called.
"Have fun!" she called back to my surprise.
It never fails to amaze me what a few pretty words could do.