The Hermes Iional ferend ventioer in Seaside City was hosting the event again this year. The ter was an utterly massive hive of halls and sub-venues, but even with so much capacity, it was still barely able to tain all the fans—many of whom were just as avid as Leona. At the very least, they were all people with a great i in the ‘Cape and Cowl’ culture.

  There were tons of cospyers attending, each dressed like their favorite heroes or, on a while, a vilin. While the fans each had varying levels of i in different aspects of the culture, each year they came together to enjoy each other’s pany, even if it was just for a small slice of their lives.

  Sarah and Leona proudly walked into the main atrium. Sarah wore a cute cat hoodie over the very same white kitty-covered swimsuit she’d worn to the water park. To plete the look, she donned a domino mask that matched the white skirt that she wore over the suit. She found some tiger-striped leg warmers to pull over the boots she had on.

  Oher hand, Leona had put together a det Mistral e and was rog it. Quinn had colored her hair a brighter bloh spray a her with plenty of backup spray bottles for touch-ups. Gaining such a bright-colored hair meant potential damage to her strands, particurly if one wanted such pure white hair that Mistral sported, but Leona wasn’t ed.

  She just wao show her love and appreciation for her favorite heroine, putting all her passion into a homemade approximation. Leona’s mostly atched spandex suit did its job to emute her favorite Weather Witch of the North’s current look. She had gathered all the pieces herself—except for the accurate hair color, of course. All in all, she roud of her e. When Sarah saw her wearing it for the first time, she barely reized her.

  As they approached the kiosks where tickets were checked and nyards assighe hum of excited voices filled the air. Suddenly, a passerby caught sight of Leona and shouted enthusiastically, “Oh damn! You’ve got a great Mistral look! I LOVE it!” His energy alpable as he rushed forward, g Leona’s hand in a firm shake.

  Sarah gnced uainly at Leona, unsure how to react, but Leona didn’t miss a beat. She straightened her posture, pride swelling in her chest. With a fident smile, she shook the man’s hand and stepped back, striking a poised pose.

  “Keep rog that look!” the man said, grinning.

  Leona’s tone was cool and posed—exactly how she imagined Mistral would sound. She put on airs, eling the heroine’s calm authority as she said, flipping her hair, “Certainly, I will.”

  Sarah giggled and impishly hopped o Leona, striking a pose of her own with her ‘paws’ up. “And I’m Misstroll’s sidekick for the event, the Nyavenger!” Sarah cried.

  It was hard for Leona to not fall over with how cute Sarah eople who were around to withe moment ughed and appuded, and the cameraman literally got a bloody nose.

  After a series of shots taken together, ging postures a few times iween, they excused themselves and moved on. Whatever ice or ahe two felt standiween them and the event—or other fans—had melted. Everyone was bubbly, and Leona decided that this vention experience was far more than she’d hoped for.

  Leona was among the happiest of all until she spotted a e that was far better than her own. She nearly fell to pieces, gawking at how authentic it looked. Leona froze, thinking almost that she was looking at the geicle. To make the situation worse, that outstanding cospyer looked Leona’s way and walked right up to her. Her eyes were steely like the real Mistral’s, and her cloak fluttered as she closed the distaweehe few people she had to walk around moved respectfully aside, perhaps thinking the same.

  Dozens of self-depreg thoughts fshed through Leona’s mind just before the woman seized her hand and said, “Your e is great!”

  The better-than-Leona Mistral stunned Leona by saying that, despite surely knowing her e was superior.

  After chatting a bit and parting ways amiably, Leona gloractically flew from pao panel as they worked their way through the rest of the vention.

  Sarah and Leona stuck together, much of the time holding hands, and on a while, they stopped to take pictures with other ‘superheroes,’ f faux Society of Sentinels groups. To the two’s delight, they got enough cred that event anizers approached them and asked if they’d like to be in the e test ter that afternoon. Leona deed, knowing she’d certainly lose if the other ‘Mistral’ peted, and Sarah agreed with Leona’s decision since she wasn’t as serious about the hero stuff, though she took pride in her cospy craft.

  From that point on, Leona occasionally ran ahead of Sarah to do a few things she wao do, and Sarah did likewise, not resenting that their is didn’t always cide. When seminars came up in the schedule, they revened and attehem together, like “Superhero morality in the modern world” and a crafting seminar discussing how to create realistie pos out of everyday materials. That one was kind of like a sci-fi-materials-on-a-budget css, given how crazy advanced superhero es had bee i years.

  Though she didn’t py the game, Leona also visited a meet-and-greet for Banners of the Bold pyers for Sarah sihere wasn’t a more appeali running at the same time. Shortly after their arrival on the se, the nerd boys gregated around them in a little too high a tration for fort. The two quickly agreed using meaningful gnces—ohat said there were more fuo hang out.

  After they slipped away from the crowd, Leona g Sarah, her heart rag with a sudden idea. “Hey, I o cheething real qui the dealers’ room,” she said casually, hoping to sound nont. “Meet you at the Clocktower café?”

  Sarah tilted her head, grinning, aware of Leona’s clumsy effort to mask her iion. “Sure! I’ll grab us a table.”

  Once Sarah headed off, Leona darted into the maze of booths. Her eyes sed the tables until she found a small stall selling Banners of the Bold merdise. She picked up a small, beautifully detailed miniature of Sarah’s favorite in-game character, a fierce warrior with feline armor, the perfeod to Sarah’s pyful “Nyavenger” persona. Leona paid quickly, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and had it ed in delicate tissue paper to keep it safe.

  Following a brief detour through the shop stands, they split for a short time again before meeting up at the Clocktower café set up on the lower level after browsing the dealer’s room merdise, buying a few must-haves.

  Carrying something around the size and shape of a softball ed in neer, Sarah gri Leona with a kitty smile. “I got Misstroll her gift too!” she purred, holding it out just far enough that she could snatch it back if Leona reached for it.

  Leona’s lips twisted. “It’s Mistral, you foolish feline. Not ‘Ms. Troll,’ BAKA!” Leona ughed aloud, realizing she hadn’t really thought about how Sarah had pronouhe il this moment.

  “A, you wound me, Leona—” Sarah smiled pyfully. “I’ll give this gift to you after the vention—maybe,” she teased and took another cat-like pose, one hand on her hip and the other out with her gift, ched like a paw. “But for now, let’s go into the café nyow!” She winked.

  Leona ughed, the small ed gift tucked away safely in her bag, already imagining Sarah’s rea when she gave it to her ter.

  Using the “Gamma” clearance associated with their passes, they started seeis and panels e up that were exclusive, amazing perks for holders of those tickets.

  The first was another meet-and-greet, this time showg civilians who had worked directly with heroes in the past. The couple happily shook the pas’ hands, got their autographs, and posed for pictures, enjoying the camaraderie and shared enthusiasm that filled the room. Sarah beamed with excitement, her hand occasionally slipping into Leona’s, a gentle reminder of their closeness amid the crowd.

  Leona, however, was eagerly anticipating a scheduled for the sed day of the vention. The long wait meant they had to find ways to pass the time, so the pair couch-surfed through the night at the ventioer, attending a marathon of darker-edged fan films.

  As the lights dimmed in the makeshift theater, Sarah curled up across a set of chairs pushed together, using her hoodie as a makeshift pillow. She drifted off quickly, her breathing soft and steady, while Leona sat upright, eyes locked on the s.

  The first of the te-night features was a fan-made yuri animation involving the heroirinity and Redline Racer. The animation was surprisingly well-crafted, with lush visuals and tender moments that drew the audieo its emotional undercurrents. Yet, it took a sudden, explicit turn, causing Leona’s face to flush as she shifted unfortably, steaming hot, in her seat. She had to keep a bag firmly in her p to hide her natural rea.

  When the feature began—a yaoi special featuring Vanguard and Midnight Avenger—Leona tensed. She was already uneasy, but when they reproduced a certain infamous two guys and a cup se, her disfort hit a peak. Leona’s eyes widened, her hands gripping the edge of her seat, and before she could stop herself, she fled from the room. Oh shit… Leona wondered if she’d ever be able to look at these two Sentinels quite the same.

  Outside the theater, she leaned against the wall, trying to steady her breathing. Her mind raced with thoughts. It’s not like I’m against a retionship between them… It’s not that! But why did it have to be so graphibsp; The se repyed in her head, making her wince. She decided that she robably scarred for life. She gnced back toward the door, hoping Sarah wouldn’t wake up and see what was airing and run out too. It robably a blessing that she was so pooped.

  Leoainly wasn’t homophobic—far from it—but the fetish featured in the film just wasn’t her thing. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what Sarah would think if she had seen it. Would she be just as shocked? Or would she take it in stride like so many of the other women in the room, who had been so visibly heated below the colr? Their reas were baffling to Leona, leaving her feeling a strange mix of curiosity and unease.

  She wiped her cmmy hands ohighs, then peeked bato the theater. Sarah was still fast asleep, blissfully unaware of what Leona had witnessed. Whes were rolling, Leona slunk back to her seat, relieved. She gently patted Sarah’s lustrous light brown tresses, giggling softly. She sure had dodged a bullet there.

  The day at the vention was the final day of the vention. Although their hearts were heavy, knowing that the fun would soon e to a close, it went very well.

  This time, Leona and Sarah spent nearly every sed together. Their special Gamma clearance passes allowed them to access to a variety of exclusive activities that Leona had eagerly anticipated after sc the event schedule beforehand.

  One highlight was a brief flight around Seaside City in an older model of the Sentinel Wing, parked in a roped-off wn outside. The sleek, matte-bck aerospace transport vehicle, once used by The Sentinels, had beeired and was doo a museum. Now, through special arras, it graced the vention, rides from the fenced rooftop garden. As they strapped in, Sarah squealed with delight, gripping Leona’s hand tightly as the ship lifted off the ground, giving them a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

  The and final major event, aside from the obligatory closing ceremony, was lunch with active superheroes following a handshake session with Bombshell and Dragonmage. A highly rated restaurant catered the group’s meal, setting a grand table that made the attendees feel like honorary members of the Society of Sentinels.

  Bombshell’s rger-than-life personality filled the room, her presence a whirlwind of energy that made the entire space feel brighter. She stood tall, hands on her hips, her golden curls spilling over her shoulders like a lion’s mahe metallic ats on her suit gleaming uhe overhead lights.

  “Alright, folks, who’s ready to meet some heroes?” she boomed, her voice ringing out like a cheerleader leading a winning team. The crowd responded with cheers and appuse, the energy iious as Bombshell grinned widely. “That’s what I like to hear!” she ughed, the sound eg like fireworks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

  Leona exged aed gh Sarah, who giggled. “She’s like a living dispy of fireworks, rger than life!” Sarah whispered.

  “Yeah,” Leona agreed, her heart rag with anticipation.

  “Okay, listen up!” one of the staff members announced, waving a clipboard as they stepped forward. “Now we’ll be splitting into two lines. If you want to meet Dragonmage, line up on the left. Bombshell’s line will be on the right. Choose wisely, people!”

  There was a brief moment of indecision as the crowd began to shuffle into pce, and Bombshell waved her hands dramatically. “Hey, hey, o stress! You ’t make a wrong choice, but, uh—” she leaned forward spiratorially, showing off her impressive chest, her voice l to a mock whisper, “I give better hugs.”

  The crowd ughed, and Leona found herself grinning untrolbly as she and Sarah stepped intonmage’s line. Bombshell caught sight of them, pointed, and winked. “We’ll see if you’re right about that choice ter!” she called with a pyful grin.

  “Bombshell is everything I hoped she’d be,” Sarah whispered as they shuffled forward, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

  Leona g the line over where Bombshell was ing her arms around an eager fan, pulling them into a bear hug that made the fan’s face tur red. “Why aren’t you in her line, if you’re so into her?” Leona asked, eyeing the dispy with a raised eyebroart of her felt a small pang ret. Bombshell’s line looked wild, fun, and just a little dangerous. Leona would probably have had a hard time hiding her rea.

  Sarah’s face flushed deep crimson as she watched Bombshell press up against another fan, whispering something in their ear that made them giggle nervously. “I… uh… I guess I wasn’t ready for that,” she admitted, her voice trembling with embarrassment. “Besides, mystics… appeal more,” she added, stumbling over her words as her eyes darted away.

  Leona smirked, leaning in closer, her voice low and teasing. “You sure? Looks like you wouldn’t mind being one of those lucky fans.”

  Sarah ughed, swatting at Leona’s arm pyfully but still looking flustered. “Shut up,” she mumbled, though her eyes kept flickering babshell.

  Leona chuckled softly. “Gotcha,” she said, her smile widening.

  Dragonmage, in trast, was quiet and reserved, cryptic musings about fate to those who shook his hand, perfectly in lih his reputatioood with an air of detat, his dark robes adding to his enigmatic presence, while Bombshell practically radiated energy beside him.

  Each Sentinel had a unique reputation that made them as much celebrities as protectors. Vanguard was the Society’s passioher figure, known for his relentless optimism and dedication to saving even vilins when possible. The Midnight Avenger, cold and calg, instilled fear in the underworld with his relentless pursuit of justice. Bulwark, with his fully metallic body, was a liviament to perseverance, having fought fnition as a human beie being born a mae. Redline Racer, the fastest woman oh, had a razor-sharp wit that rivaled her speed, while Privateer was the lovable rogue whose irreverent humor often pushed boundaries even among the Sentinels.

  When it was Leona’s turn to shake Dragonmage’s hand, she approached him soberly, hoping to draw more than his usual half-mumbled greetings. She knew him well by reputation. Their hands csped, and to her surprise, his distant gaze sharpened.

  “An iing aura dances around you, child,” he said, his voice low but resonant. “You should sider seeking proper mystic tutege after pleting your formal education.”

  Leona was stunned. She had watched him greet others, barely aowledging their presence, his eyes distant, his words few. Yet now he was addressing her with an ued depth. His words echoed in her mind, leaving her awe-struck. Did he really see something in me?

  When Sarah’s turn came, Dragonmage’s demeanor shifted back to his usual aloofness, his handshake brief, his gaze distant once again. Sarah didn’t seem to notice, grinning broadly, though she barely khe man.

  Leona couldn’t help but gnce back at him as they moved to Bombshell’s line. His words still echoed in her mind—cryptic, mysterious, and heavy with meaning she couldn’t quite grasp. There art of her that wao turn around, find him again, and dig deeper. What had he really meant by that ent about her aura? The temptation was strong, but she didn’t want to miss her eet Bombshell.

  Thankfully, there was a bit of time left before it was her turn, but Leona couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, something important was slipping away just out of her reach. She hoped, maybe foolishly, that she wouldn’t get hugged. The very idea of Bombshell ing her arms around her was enough to make her stomach do a nervous flip. Although she could ha, she told herself, the prospect still made her anxious about how she’d react.

  She gnced back at Dragonmage one more time, w if she should just turn around and ask him more about what he saw. But before she could make up her mind, her thoughts were interrupted by a firm grip on her hand. Bombshell’s vibrant ughter snapped her back to reality, and the hing she knew, she was being pulled forward, closer and closer to the unstoppable force that was Bombshell herself.

  “I see your enter with ‘Mr. SeesItAll’ was a little overwhelming,” Bombshell teased, shaking Leona’s hand firmly.

  Leona chuckled, still processing Dragonmage’s words. “Yeah, you could say that.”

  Bombshell grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don’t let him spook you too much, kid. He’s got that whole ‘cryptic wizard’ thing down, but deep down, he’s just as human as the rest of us—well, mostly.”

  Leona ughed, the tension easing. “Thanks, Bombshell.”

  “Anytime, sweetheart,” Bombshell replied, giving her a wink before turning to the attendee.

  With a dropped jaw, Leona nodded her head automatically. Although Bombshell wasn’t known for her perceptiveness, she’d practically read Leona’s mind! The sheer fiden her voice was enough to make Leona feel a bit exposed, though the thought that this woman, this rger-than-life figure, had noticed her so easily stirred something inside her.

  Bombshell cupped a hand over her mouth and gnced Dragonmage’s way as she fidently whispered, “You know, I only take what he says seriously when we’re w together.” She shook her head with a wry grin and fixed Leona with her eyes. “Not so much when he’s muttering and ying things on thick for the fans. Just have some fun and fet whatever doom and gloom he mumbled at you.”

  Leona blinked, her stomach doing a flip. This fan had at least read enough online about the mage that no one should take Dragonmage’s pronous lightly. Leona was pletely positive that he had said nothing like this to anyone else here. His expression never ged much. It was all so... strange, but strangely exhirating. She felt a little lighter at Bombshell’s words, though a strange sense of foreboding still lingered. Was this the kind of advily Bombshell could give—straightforward, unapologetid, somehow, f?

  The sound of king silverware in the background broke her thoughts as they moved toward the room. The handshaking portion of the panel had finished, and the caterers were rolling in carts, distributing ptes of food. Leona found herself gng over the various dishes but didn’t feel much hunger. Her mind was still buzzing from the earlier enter. People were versing lightly among themselves, but the se had a surreal quality.

  Bombshell, with her untainable energy, took the brunt of all the questions asked of the two, dominating the versation with ease. Her ughter rang out like bells as she joked with the fans, making them feel at home. Leona watched her iakial notes of how effortlessly she atention.

  But halfway through, Dragonmage became more animated again. His gaze shifted toward something far away, his brow furrowing in tration. It was subtle, but enough for Leona to notice. His intense focus seemed almost otherworldly. Then, in an instant, he mysteriously disappeared from the table with a soft mutter about “a bck malevolence...”

  Leona couldn’t help but be momentarily frozen. What was that about? She gnced around the room, trying to gauge anyone else’s rea. No one seemed too startled. It was as if they were all expeg it. A few chuckles and murmurs rippled through the crowd. It was clearly a pnned part of the meet-and-greet event, a spectacle for the fans.

  But Bombshell didn’t just let it be. She immediately leaned in, speaking warmly to the crowd, her voice dripping with casual charm. “Sorry about that, everyone. He probably got psychically called to the ‘Vampires from Dimension X Panel’ or something,” she quipped, waggling her fingers and pyfully expining away the disappearahe crowd roared with ughter, and the atmosphere lightened once more, but Leona’s mouth kled slightly. Something about that felt... off. While she couldn’t quite put her finger on it, she sehere was more to it than just a joke.

  Still, Dragonmage was gone, off to take care of whatever mysterious business had called him away, so it should be fine. Right? Leona tried to brush off the nagging feeling.

  With the final panel ing up, the closing ceremony begauring a special video made by the Society of Seo greet and thank the attendees for their support. It was a heartwarming moment, but Leo it too—ao something bigger, something she’d only just tasted.

  The ceremony also featured a thrilling demonstration of the heroes’ abilities, and the crowd erupted iement o time. Leo herself swept up in the energy, her heart pounding as the heroes showcased their incredible powers. She couldn't believe it. They’d actually met these heroes. REAL superheroes.

  While Bombshell heaved bricks into the air and puhem into dust, her movements so fluid and effortless that it seemed like aension of her own energy, the crowd’s cheers echoed through the hall. Her ughter, as always, was iious, and the air crackled with her relentless enthusiasm. She smashed each brick with a powerful punch, sending very small particles of dust flying in every dire.

  Meanwhile, Dragonmage, ever the enigma, stood a few paces away, his hands weaving through the air as though maniputing uhreads. His eyes were closed in tration, lips muttering intations under his breath, barely audible above the excitement. Slowly, a rippling light appeared in the air before him, f a portal.

  The first one revealed a se of serene white wilderness—deep snow stretched out for miles, the kind of desote beauty that only the harshest ers of the world could offer. The croed as the chill of the se seemed to seep through the portal, though it was only an illusion. For a moment, Leona swore she could feel a drop in temperature as if the magic was seeping into the atmosphere.

  Before the crowd could fully absorb the idscape, Dragonmage gestured with a flick of his hand, and another portal opened beside it. This time, the majestic pyramids of Egypt stood framed in the swirling light. The sun cast long shadows over the golden stones, and Leona’s breath caught as she imagianding in the shadow of one of the wonders of the a world. She could almost feel the dry heat of the desert, though she k was just a glimpse.

  With barely a pause, Dragonmage opened another portal, this one showing a bird’s-eye view of the Great Wall of a. The Great Wall stretched endlessly, winding across the mountains, a testament to a human endeavor. The scope of it was almost overwhelming, and Leona couldn’t help but be drawn into the grandeur of the sight.

  But that wasn’t enough. The final portal Dragonmage jured was unlike anything the crowd could have expected, it looked different with a faira glow. With a soft, mysterious smile, he raised both hands to the sky, and the air around him shimmered. Slowly, the st portal materialized—a fwless window opening up onto the surface of the moon. Through it, the crowd glimpsed scattered craters dotting the moon's barren surface, the fine dust gleaming uhe soft light. The stillness alpable, the cold serenity of the glowing terrain stretg endlessly. Above, the sky was a deep, infinite bck, the stars twinkling like distant diamonds

  Leona’s eyes widened as she took in the sight. Although she had seen the moon from Earth a thousand times, this… this was amazing. She could see every crater, every shadow, as if she were standing on the moon herself. And then, as if to seal the surreal experience.

  Leona couldn’t tear her eyes away from the pure white moonscape, feeling a strange sensation—a mix of wonder and deep, unspoken awe. She khis was something that few ever got to experience. And in the instant, Dragonmage closed the portal, and the whole room seemed to exhale together, as if waking from a shared dream.

  Bombshell was still beaming, crushing more bricks into dust, but it was clear that Dragonmage’s dispy had left the biggest impression on everyone in the room. The air seemed heavier with the weight of their collective awe. Even Bombshell’s energy, though unmatched, couldn’t quite pare to the ic power they’d just witnessed.

  And thetehe solemn closing ceremony, where pas shared their thoughts and refles on the success of this year’s Justi. Although the speeches were heartfelt, Leona found it difficult to focus. Her mi drifting back tonmage’s cryptic advice—his suggestion that she seek tutege to harness some tent talent he’d sensed in her. Could she actually develop some kind of power? Could she bee a hero herself someday, with enough hard work? The thought lingered in the back of her mind, distrag her from the ceremony around her.

  As the event drew to a close, the crowd began to thin. Half of the attendees were fighting back tears, relut to leave, while the other half buzzed with excitement, still riding the high of everything they had just experienced. Leona and Sarah made their way through the crowd, dodging groups of people heading to parked vehicles or hurrying to catch buses and taxis.

  They waited for a bit, standihe ventio, when a familiar fmingo-pink vertible pulled up. The top was down as usual, and Quinn ractically standing in the drivi, shouting across the lot, “Hey you two! How’d it go? Have fun?”

  Leona could barely tain herself. “HECK YES!” she grinned broadly, practically hopping into the car. “WE MET REAL HEROES! UWAAAAA!” The excitement spilled out of her in a torrent, her hands animated as she spoke. “I 't even believe it—real, actual heroes!” Leona ractically foaming at the mouth in her excitement, her voice rising with every word.

  Quinn and Sarah ughed, their shared amusement at Leona’s untainable joy iious. But Sarah, still smiling, shifted in her seat, her tourning slightly more serious. “It was amazing, really… Way cooler than I thought it would be! Oh!” She blinked, her mischievous expressiourning as she looked over at Leona. “Yift, before I fet it—it’s here in my bag. I’d have taken it home if I hadn’t repeated it a million times in my head before we left the vention, ‘Don’t fet to give Leona her gift—don’t... DON’T!’”

  Leona raised an eyebrow at Sarah’s teasing, her pulse quiing slightly. Her heart thudded in her chest. What was this gift? The thought of it sent a surge of curiosity running through her. What had Sarah gotten for her?

  She ughed as she fished out the neer-ed object from her bag and ha to Leona with a warm smile. Iurn, Leona enveloped Sarah iightest of hugs, the kind that spoke volumes without words.

  After a moment, remembering her own gift for Sarah, Leona carefully handed her the figurine ed tightly in a secure bag. She had made sure to keep it hidden, not wanting Sarah to get a peek before the right moment.

  Sarah's eyes lit up when Leona handed her the ed figurine. She carefully uhe bag, her firembling with excitement. When she revealed the small, intricately crafted piece, her smile widened, a soft gasp esg her lips.

  "Oh my god, Leona, this is... it’s perfect! I love it so much. You know me too well. This will ght by my bedside tonight." She looked up at Leona with a look of joy, her voice soft and sincere.

  Caught up in the moment, they cuddled together in the quiet privacy of the car, their ughter and versation flowing easily. The weight of the world felt miles away, just the two of them, enjoying the simple joy of being in each other’s pany. But soon enough, the moment passed. They both stiffened as Sarah’s house came into view. Reality settled ba, and they broke apart relutly, making sure not to lioo long, lest her parents cat to anything.

  Sarah didn’t waste time. She slid over the side of the vertible with practiced ease and headed up to her house, throwing a quick wink and wave over her shoulder before disappearing inside.

  Quinn revved the engine, bag out of the driveway. She didn’t waste a moment, knowing full well that Sarah’s parents might e looking for her ahem if they didn’t leave quickly. She pulled onto the highway, the speed pig up as the city began to fade in the rearview mirror.

  With a grunt, Leo from the top of the clutter biween the fros and nded in the passenger seat, settling herself fortably.

  Quinn shot her a sly, wry grin. “You should’ve copped a feel, ya know,” she teased. “So much ptonic hugging, it’s cute. My backseat wasn’t intended for such saints. I mean, I’m sitting here watg you two act like a couple out of a Disney flick.”

  Leona’s face flushed bright red, her heart skipping a beat. She fiddled nervously with the ing of Sarah’s gift, trying to distract herself. She peeled back the yers of neer, revealing a thick gss sphere inside.

  It was strange—gray and fuzzy, its shape almost impossible to dis. Leona raised an eyebrow, unsure of what she was even looking at.

  The object had a note of authenticity attached to it, but the more she exami, the more she realized something wasn’t right.

  Leona sighed heavily, blinking as her suspis grew. “Sarah,” she muttered to herself, “you fell for it.”

  It was immediately clear what had happened. Sarah had been taken by one of the many scams that ran rampant at ventions. Leona had seen the warnings on the forums: scammers selling fake ‘angel dowhers, marketed as rare and authentic artifacts. Leona had heard the talk about artists in Seaside City getting ed, selling ‘real’ hero artifacts to hopeful fans, but this o particurly off.

  Leona rubbed her temples, trying to push down the frustration. She khat shady dealers would flood vention floors during big events, especially when there was a desperate demand for anything ected to angelic heroes. The scams were practically a given. Leona wasn’t about to point fingers at Seaside City; crooks were everywhere. But she couldn’t deny the disappoi of seei another scam bubble to the surface.

  Leona grimaced, her firag the edges of the odd object. The more she thought about it, the clearer it became. Someone had gohrough the trouble of smuggling in fake feathers and passing them off as something valuable. Angelic feathers were incredibly prized, especially among the religious unities who would pay a small fortune for a ‘real’ one.

  The superhero forums had been buzzing about this very issue ever since she met Sarah. Leona wondered how much Sarah had wasted on this garbage—how much she had fallen for it.

  “Damn,” Leona muttered under her breath, the weight of the situatioling in.