They both were blushing after what happened between them, their bodies still warm from the shower. Leona gently caressed Sarah’s face, brushing damp strands of hair back.

  “I’m sorry that burned,” she murmured, her voice soft with concern.

  Sarah purred slightly, leaning into her touch. “I liked Leona being inside… even if it hurt a little,” she whispered, her tone teasing yet full of emotion. She giggled softly. “Let’s rest in your room.” She wiggled pyfully, her fingers brushing over Leona’s arm. “Maybe we can do it again… you can use your fingers…”

  Leona’s face flushed deeper, but she found herself giggling, too. “I’d like that.” She nuzzled Sarah briefly before they resumed washing up, making sure to clean off properly. The warm water cascading over them felt like a reset, a fresh start.

  Leona, feeling mischievous, gave Sarah a gentle tease with the loofah, running it up her arm unexpectedly.

  Sarah squealed, her face going crimson. “C-come on.” She swatted at Leona’s wrist, ughing despite herself. “D-don’t py now!” she pouted, turning away with an exaggerated huff.

  Leona smirked but relented, focusing on finishing up. The giggles and soft touches made the moment feel lighter, as if the weight of everything that had happened earlier had eased just a little.

  When they finally shut off the water, they worked together to dry off, Leona handing Sarah the fluffiest towel in the house before reaching for one herself. Sarah started drying her hair with the blow dryer, while Leona used her towel to wrap her own damp locks.

  A knock on the door made them both pause.

  The door cracked open slightly, and Quinn’s voice came through, casual and amused. “Hey, you two, I made some veggie sandwiches. They’re waiting on the kitchen table. Mixed up some sugary iced tea too.” She wiggled a beckoning finger through the crack before closing the door again.

  Leona grabbed her bathrobe and handed it to Sarah, who slipped into it with a contented sigh. Leona wrapped her towel securely around her chest before they opened the door and stepped out—only to find Quinn still waiting, arms crossed with a knowing smirk.

  “Hahaha, I could hear the two of you through the walls by the way.” Quinn teased, waggling her brows. “Don’t do that when Mom’s home, but good work.” She winked at them, ruffling their damp hair.

  Leona and Sarah exchanged gnces, their faces heating up in sync. They both burst into giggles, Sarah covering her mouth with her sleeve as Leona groaned in embarrassment.

  Shaking off the moment, they headed to Leona’s room first, where Sarah borrowed some of Leona’s cutest clothes. Once dressed, they ran downstairs, eager for food and something sweet to drink.

  Sarah ate ravenously, barely pausing for breath between bites. It was clear she had been starving, though she tried to remain polite about it.

  “I was really hungry,” Sarah admitted after a few gulps of tea, her voice sheepish. “But I just didn’t want to yet…”

  Leona smiled at her, still a little flushed as she nibbled on her sandwich. The way Sarah was eating made her heart ache. She had survived so much in that awful pce, and Leona couldn’t shake the worry about how deeply it had affected her.

  As they ate, the front door opened, and Goonie stepped inside.

  The moment she saw Sarah sitting at the table, Laguna’s face changed. Her usual warmth gave way to something sharper—concern ced with quiet fury. She looked between the three girls, searching for answers.

  Leona swallowed the st bit of her sandwich and took a steadying breath. “Mom, there’s a ton to expin,” she started. “Padua was guilty of abusing the children sent there.”

  Goonie’s expression darkened immediately. As Leona recounted everything, her mother’s face grew more and more rigid, her jaw tightening. By the time Leona finished, Goonie didn’t say a word—she just stepped forward and wrapped Sarah in a fierce, protective hug.

  Sarah tensed at first, but then she melted into it, her eyes growing wet. “I don’t know when Aurora will be back,” she murmured, “but Leona says she’ll be back to take me home ter. Maybe I should call my parents… I don’t know how long we have.”

  Quinn was the first to respond. “I dunno… I think you have some idea of how long Aurora would be,” she said slyly, shooting Leona a knowing grin.

  Leona gaped at her, turning beet red. “Quinn!”

  Quinn just smirked and leaned back in her chair.

  Trying to regain control of the conversation, Leona cleared her throat. “I think Aurora would say I should call her when you’re ready to go. I have a special way of calling her,” she said, pying it off as casually as possible. “So when you’re ready, probably soon would be for the best.” She smiled at Sarah. “Are you ready already?”

  Sarah hesitated, looking down at her hands. “Is it okay if I just stay a little while longer and watch TV with you guys?”

  Goonie softened, nodding. “It’ll be fine as long as we’re not holding Aurora up. You should go home soon, but I’m sure a show or two won’t hurt.”

  An hour ter, after an episode of some random sitcom and a bit more time spent curled up in a bnket, Goonie finally spoke up. “Alright, Sarah, I think it’s time we call it.”

  Sarah sighed but nodded. “I’m sure my parents are worried about me.” She gnced at Leona. “Do you want me to go with you to summon her? This way, you won’t have to come all the way back.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” Quinn cut in.

  Goonie raised a brow at her, but Quinn just shrugged. “Look, it’s enough that we have to worry about Leona being taken hostage by one of her rogues’ gallery if she’s seen talking with Aurora. It’s best if we don’t involve anyone else.”

  Sarah exhaled through her nose and gave a small, disappointed nod. “That makes sense, I guess.”

  Leona offered a small, reassuring smile and stepped forward to hug Sarah tightly. “I’ll see you soon, alright?”

  Sarah clung to her for a moment before finally letting go.

  With that, Leona got up and with a wink, headed out the door. She transformed a short distance away and waited a few minutes before returning as Aurora, touching down gracefully in front of the condo and ringing the doorbell.

  Goonie answered with Sarah at her side.

  Sarah’s face lit up instantly. “Thank you for letting me spend some time with the Ramses...es…” she fumbled, blushing slightly. “I need to go home now.”

  She stepped out to meet Aurora, and with one st gnce at Leona’s family, she took a deep breath, ready to go.

  Aurora lifted Sarah gently into her arms again, instinctively applying her protective field around her. “Good girl,” she murmured, smiling down at her. “Now, if your parents don’t completely flip out over this, you’ll have a good night.” She winked, trying to lighten the mood.

  Sarah offered a small, tired smile and nestled closer.

  Aurora turned to Goonie, nodding in gratitude. “Thanks for taking care of her for a little while, Ms. Ramses. I’m taking responsibility for getting her home, and I hope no one cares about the extra time we’ve taken.” She chuckled, flexing her wings as she prepared for takeoff. “Good night!”

  With that, she unched into the air, ascending smoothly before heading toward Sarah’s home. Unlike before, she didn’t push her speed. She took her time, letting Sarah enjoy the ride.

  Sarah sighed softly against her, pressing her face into Aurora’s chest, nuzzling slightly. The warmth, the security—it was comforting. Aurora stiffened slightly at the unexpected closeness, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Oh jeez.

  By the time they arrived, Sarah seemed more at ease, though a hint of tension returned as they approached her house. Aurora nded lightly and set her down, keeping a reassuring grip on her hand as they walked up to the door.

  The moment they reached the doorstep, the door swung open.

  Sarah’s father stood there, his expression unreadable—except for the sharp suspicion in his eyes.

  Aurora’s stomach tightened. That was unexpected.

  She quickly expined the situation, detailing everything that had happened at Padua. His expression didn’t shift at first, remaining rigid and skeptical. “How do I know what you’re telling me is the truth?” he asked, his voice edged with doubt. “She looks fine.”

  Aurora barely held back an eye roll. Instead, she calmly pulled out her communicator, flipping through the high-resolution pictures she had taken at the camp. She set it to slideshow mode and held it up for him to see.

  He stared.

  Image after image passed—the filthy, sweltering outhouses, children stumbling out in varying states of distress, Sarah emerging, weak and disoriented, her clothes stained from her ordeal. Then, the shots taken after—Sarah in the Ramses’ condo, cleaned up but visibly shaken, wearing the same camp-issued clothing.

  “These outhouses,” Aurora said evenly, “were used to punish the children. They were starved, locked inside for days on end. Stripped, dehydrated, humiliated. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they were paired up with members of the opposite sex.” She let the weight of her words settle before continuing, her gaze piercing. “That seems like a really ‘stelr’ way to force someone to be a ‘normal’ human being.” She arched a brow. “Or what someone thinks is normal.”

  His jaw clenched slightly, but he said nothing.

  “Take this opportunity to consider how lucky Sarah is to have come out alive,” she continued, her voice firm but measured. “And how lucky you are that she’s standing here, still willing to come home to you.” She switched the communicator’s dispy, pulling up her Society of Sentinels identification. “I implore you to move past this. To accept her for who she is. You may not get another chance.”

  Silence stretched between them.

  Aurora turned to Sarah, her expression softening. “Do you need anything else?”

  Sarah hesitated, gncing between her father and Aurora. Then, slowly, she shook her head.

  Without a word, her father reached out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her gently—but firmly—inside.

  He looked at Aurora one st time. “Thank you for helping my daughter,” he said, his voice unreadable. “But don’t interfere with our faith.”

  And with that, he closed the door.

  More polite than ever before.

  Aurora let out a breath and turned away, her stomach twisting with lingering worry. Then, shaking it off, she flexed her wings and took to the sky again.

  Just as she was mid-flight, her communicator buzzed.

  Detective Kirby.

  She answered immediately.

  “Hey, Aurora. We’re still out here at the compound,” Kirby said, his voice gruff with exhaustion. “Looks like the state officials are taking over the whole thing. Is your vic still around?”

  “No. I just finished dropping Sarah off at her parent’s house,” Aurora replied. “She wanted to visit a friend before she went home, but she’s safe and sound. Well, as much as she can be, considering her father’s… obsession.” She sighed, rubbing her temple. “Why do you ask?”

  Kirby hesitated. “I just want to know if she seems alright to you.”

  Aurora frowned. “Why?”

  “There’s been some concern that some of the kids who have been here a while might’ve had some… questionable food fed to them.” His voice was careful, measured. “If she’s alright, then I wouldn’t be concerned.”

  Aurora’s grip on the communicator tightened. “What are we talking about when you say ‘questionable’? Mystery meat?”

  There was a beat of silence.

  “I’ll forward you the report,” Kirby said at st. “It’s probably nothing, don’t worry. Hold on, I’m getting a call from the station. Just keep an eye on her, okay?”

  “I will,” Aurora assured him. “By the way, her parents might call you to confirm what I told them about what happened at Padua. I gave them your name since you’re handling the case. I hope that’s alright. Sarah seemed mostly okay, though. She bounced back pretty quickly.”

  “Noted,” Kirby said. “I’ll take the call if they reach out.” There was a pause, then, “Gotta go.”

  The line cut.

  Almost immediately, another buzz followed.

  This time, from the Sentinels.

  Aurora inhaled sharply, feeling a chill creep up her spine. She opened the message and scanned the words.

  We got a report of your investigation of a camp that has been involved in a

  conspiracy that’s been fgged to us. Please call when you can. /MA

  Aurora froze midair.

  A conspiracy?

  So this went deeper than just child abuse and a deranged cult?

  Her pulse quickened. No hesitation. She dialed the number instantly.

  “Midnight Avenger,” he answered gruffly. “Aurora, what led you to the camp you were recently involved with? The children’s camp?”

  Aurora exhaled, already feeling the weight of where this conversation was heading. “The child of a family I know was sent there. I was concerned for her well-being and decided to investigate it.” Her fingers tensed around her communicator. “Is it more serious than just cultism and abuse? The detective I work with at the 24th precinct here suggested that the kids might have been fed… questionable things.”

  “Hrm.” Midnight Avenger was silent for a moment before continuing. “Apparently, they found evidence linking the camp to a smuggling ring I’ve been investigating. The problem is that they’ve been selling genetically-altered food, which has been shown to cause… reactions in some people. The odds are small that anyone has been directly affected, but the investigation is ongoing. What we do know is that some of the hash responsible for these outbreaks was found at the site.”

  Aurora’s stomach dropped.

  Midnight Avenger went on. “The hash interacts with tent metagenes in a subject, triggering a chemical imbance—sometimes resulting in temporary powers. Needless to say, an unstable superhuman is cause for concern. This ring seems exclusively interested in getting the food out and into the hands of as many people as possible, so it’s likely the food was just purchased as a cheap ‘organic’ alternative, with no deeper connection to the smuggling operation beyond foolish greed. But it’s still a serious problem. None of the reasons for the smugglers to spread this stuff on the market so aggressively are good ones.”

  Aurora’s mind raced.

  “Anyway,” Midnight Avenger continued, “keep an eye out for people in your area who suddenly develop powers and show signs of losing inhibitions. The effects st anywhere from twelve hours to a couple of weeks, depending on the amount consumed and the extent of the reaction. I’ll be stopping in California soon to review the evidence personally. When I’m in town, we’ll confer, got it?”

  Aurora gulped, gripping the communicator tighter. “Right. Gd to work with you, Midnight Avenger.”

  Her heart pounded as she cut the connection.

  Sarah.

  The way she’d acted tonight—the sudden change, the ck of hesitation, the intensity—was that it? Had she ingested some of the altered food? If this was affecting her judgment, then what they had done…

  Aurora clenched her jaw.

  It wasn’t wrong. She knew Sarah loved her. She knew it wasn’t just the influence of something foreign. All the food did was lower inhibition, not change someone’s sexuality, right? But still… would she regret it ter? Would she come back saying she wasn’t in her right mind?

  Aurora took a deep breath and shot off toward home, cutting through the night sky.

  She nded in the copse near her condo, shifting back into her normal form before heading inside. As soon as she stepped through the door, Quinn and Laguna were waiting.

  Before she could say anything, they both wrapped her in a tight hug.

  Leona melted into it, her worries momentarily soothed by their warmth.

  From the kitchen, she caught the scent of her Goonie’s cooking—a mostly vegetarian meal this time.

  Home.

  For now, that was enough.

  The next couple of days passed uneventfully. Leona wasn’t able to visit Sarah due to her parents’ restrictions. It didn’t seem to matter to them that Aurora had saved their child, nor that the Ramses had fed and bathed Sarah in her time of need.

  Then, finally, a message came from Sarah.

  Nyaavenger: Leona, I love you! <3

  I’m sorry about my parents. But I’m alright. Don’t worry. I’ll send

  some pictures of Mama and me! I hope we can spend time

  together again soon!

  She attached photos, showing her mother doting on her—small moments of warmth and care, the way a parent should be with their child. They were cooking together, ughing, doing everyday things. But not a single picture contained her father.

  Meanwhile, Quinn finally got her car back, along with a formal apology from the Junker police department. True to form, she immediately posted about it on social media, dragging them through the mud and making sure that everyone knew about Padua’s ties to a religious cult of child molesters.

  For a while, things settled into the new routine. Then, Leona received a text from Midnight Avenger.

  Call me.

  Aurora transformed in her room, then leaned out the doorway and called downstairs, “I’m going out flying!” Before anyone could respond, she threw open her window and flitted up into the sky, dialing Midnight Avenger mid-ascent.

  “Aurora,” he answered, always straight to the point. “Meet me at 10 PM at the scene of your first super-outing. The Blue Max gang job. Avenger out.”

  Aurora blinked, but a smirk tugged at her lips. That had to mean the b building where the blimp heist had gone down.

  She had some time to kill before then.

  With nothing urgent pressing her, she decided to check on Sarah. She sent quick messages to both her mom and Quinn, letting them know where she’d be and what she was doing. If nothing happened, she’d probably head home early.

  Swinging by Sarah’s house, Aurora kept it casual, blending in as a neighbor doing yard work next door. As she quietly observed, she noticed that the family was home. After some time, Sarah’s mother finally emerged, carrying a basket of food and a picnic bnket. Sarah followed close behind.

  Aurora softened.

  They sat together in the grass, sharing a simple meal, talking, ughing. Sarah’s mother rubbed her back gently, a mother’s love clear in the way she held her child.

  Aurora exhaled, relieved.

  At least one of her parents seemed to care.

  As her mother returned to the house, Aurora caught something out of the corner of her eye.

  Sarah’s hair…

  It had lifted slightly—just for a moment, as if static had run through it—then fell back down.

  Aurora’s spine tingled.

  Was that…?

  It had happened so fast that she hadn’t been able to snap a picture, but she knew what she saw. A metahuman reaction? Or was she just overthinking things? She stayed put, finishing her “yard work” while keeping an eye out.

  Nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.

  After a while, she decided to send Sarah a message as Aurora.

  (real)AuroraAngel??: Sarah, sweetie, it’s Aurora. Don’t look for me, but

  I’m keeping an eye on you. I also got word that food poisoning was going

  around with the other Padua kids. If you start feeling strange, send me a

  message, okay? Know that you have a guardian angel looking after you,

  kiddo.

  No immediate response. That was fine. She was likely inside now, out of reach of her phone.

  Still, Leona nodded to herself. It was enough that Sarah knew she wasn’t alone.

  She sent another text, this time to Quinn and her mom.

  I’m looking after Sarah. That’s the best thing I can do for her right now.

  Minutes ter, her communicator beeped. A reply from Sarah.

  Nyaavenger: Hi, Aurora. I’ll send you a text if I feel weird. Thank you again, Aurora.

  Please tell Leona I miss her. I can’t text her too much because my cell

  phone can’t be on me all the time.

  Aurora smiled softly, typing back.

  (real)AuroraAngel??: I will rey your message. You’re very welcome, Sarah.

  At least she was okay.

  But still, Leona couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting beneath the surface.

  As night fell and the time neared, Aurora took off toward the old b building, where Midnight Avenger was waiting.

  Sarah’s parents were still keeping her on a short leash, but at least her mother was showing her love.

  Her father, though?

  That man was still a problem.

  Aurora arrived early at the building, settling onto the same nding where the blimp had once docked. The air conditioning unit was still bent out of shape, a quiet testament to her first real battle as a hero. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of anticipation settle in her chest. She was meeting the Midnight Avenger, but for what exactly? He hadn’t given her much to go on.

  The night rolled in, the city below glowing with golden rivers of traffic, the occasional red and blue flicker of police sirens breaking the illusion of serenity. Aurora shifted her stance, staring into the skyline—until a sudden, light tap on her shoulder jolted her into action.

  She spun around fast, wings spreading slightly, but—nothing.

  Her breath hitched. She turned the other way, and there, standing like a silent wraith in the shadows, was the Midnight Avenger.

  The way he just stood there, arms crossed, his entire form draped in the abyssal blue of his zentai suit, made her heart pound. His dull metallic belt glinted faintly under the ambient glow of the city, its clock-faced buckle like a silent, ever-watching eye. The deep red visor, nearly bck, concealed his expression completely. He could have been watching her, or he could have been staring straight through her.

  “You’re not aware enough,” he stated matter-of-factly, his voice low and gravelly, carrying the weight of years of discipline. “That’ll get you in trouble.”

  Aurora exhaled, swallowing her embarrassment. “I’ll work on that.”

  Midnight Avenger simply nodded. “I didn’t call you here just to critique your awareness. I wanted to introduce you to someone.”

  She opened her mouth to ask, but then, a figure descended from the heavens like a comet.

  The very air around her vibrated with power as a towering man, wrapped in white and red, nded before her with effortless grace. The impact barely stirred dust, but the sheer presence of him sent a thrill down her spine.

  Vanguard.

  Aurora’s breath caught. The legendary hero stood nearly two meters tall, broad-shouldered, every inch of him carved with the discipline and power of a living demigod. His striking green eyes carried the weight of decades of heroism, and yet, they held a warmth that contrasted against the Midnight Avenger’s chilling, unreadable stare. His iconic white bodystocking was pristine, the deep blue "V" stretching down from his shoulders framing his impressive physique. The red cape billowed slightly, even in the still air.

  Holy shit. It was THE Vanguard!

  She could almost hear her father’s bitter words echo in her mind, but they were nothing compared to what she knew in her heart—Vanguard wasn’t responsible for her mother’s death. He had tried to save her, and he was still out here, saving people.

  “Aurora,” he said, his voice rich, powerful, but carrying an unmistakable kindness. “I’m gd to finally meet you. I’m Vanguard, and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.”

  He extended his hand.

  Aurora practically beamed as she grasped it. The strength in his grip was undeniable, but it was controlled, measured. He could probably crush steel like paper, but here he was, shaking her hand like an equal.

  “Wow, you’re one of my role models, sir.” She grinned. “I’m honored to meet you.”

  To her utter shock, Vanguard blushed slightly. It was subtle, but it was there.

  “Well, I had to come see what kind of hero everyone’s been talking about,” he admitted, chuckling. Then, turning to the Avenger, he added, “She does have a simir energy profile to that of an Empyrean.”

  Midnight Avenger nodded, filing that information away in his mind. “All right. Thank you, Vanguard.”

  Aurora blinked. "Wait, what?"

  Vanguard turned back to her. “I can sense energies, and yours… It’s different from a standard metahuman’s. It’s closer to what I’ve encountered from Empyreans before.” He studied her a moment longer before continuing. “The Avenger here wanted me to confirm that you are indeed a member of their species. The sensors and teleportation data from your guided tour could have been faked… by some impossible method that only one as paranoid as him could even think is a reasonable likelihood. What this little exercise definitively confirms is that the Empyreans’ issues might be coming to visit us here on Earth, or more specifically, to visit you at some point. I understand you’re trying to keep your identity a secret. Although I don’t know the specifics of your situation, if you ever need a secure location—a safe pce to be Aurora—the Society can help.”

  Aurora hesitated. That was a hell of an offer.

  “If it’s about money,” Vanguard added, “the Society has a treasury. We could help fund things like a secure hideout, passageways—whatever you need to ensure your safety.”

  She nearly gaped at him. “You mean like a loan?”

  Vanguard smiled. “An investment. You wouldn’t need to pay it back. It’s about making sure heroes like you have a solid foundation.”

  That was… incredibly generous. She shifted, considering it, but before she could say anything, Midnight Avenger cpped Vanguard on the shoulder.

  “As much as I’m sure the handout is appreciated,” Avenger said in his usual ft tone, “we didn’t come here just for a social visit.”

  Vanguard sighed, but there was amusement in his eyes. “Fine, fine. But part of our mission is keeping young heroes from falling off the right path. I just wanted to extend the offer.”

  Aurora smiled, deeply moved. “I appreciate that, sir. Really.” She tilted her head. “But I think I should be honest with you—I trust you with my identity. I've heard that you know the true names of most of the Sentinels, and I know you'd protect mine.” She lowered her voice. “The Midnight Avenger, though… he’s a respected legend, but I’m not sure if I can say the same about him.”

  Vanguard let out a deep chuckle. “Yeah, no one trusts the guy in bck.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Midnight Avenger muttered.

  Vanguard grinned. “But, I’ll say this—you work with him a few times, you’ll see he’s one of the best partners you could ask for.” Then, gncing at his communicator, he sighed. “I have an appointment with a faultline in China, but I’ll be in touch.”

  Aurora saluted. “Yes, sir.”

  Vanguard shot her a final nod before rocketing into the sky, disappearing into the night like a meteor bound for the stars.

  Aurora let out a breath, still a little starstruck. “That was really something else…”

  Midnight Avenger stood beside her, watching Vanguard vanish. “He’s a true hero,” he murmured. “I think he deserves more respect than he gets. People criticize him, but they don’t understand what it takes to carry the world on your back.”

  Aurora gnced at him, hearing something rare in his voice—earnest admiration.

  Then, he straightened and got back to business. “Anyway,” he said, turning toward her. “I wanted to meet with you to discuss the Realignment Camp.”

  Aurora’s expression darkened instantly. “Yeah… let’s talk.”