Page 38 of Secret Spark

Mark managed to get one hand free. He blasted ice at the same time Joan shot a steady stream of fire. The elements connected to form a burst of steam. It rose and thickened, clouding across the rooftop.

Joan set her other hand on the frozen shell and melted it enough for Mark to get free. They used the haze to sprint across the roof and lose Race.

As soon as she spied Greta, Joan called, “Get on.”

Greta hopped up and pressed herself flush against Joan’s back. Joan took several running steps and blazed fire from both hands, careful to keep it out to the sides. They floated over Lunk stirring into consciousness.

“What happened there?” Mark said as he flew alongside them.

“Knocked himself out,” Joan said.

“Again?”

A few blocks later, they coasted down to the dark alley where Greta’s van full of equipment was parked. She pushed off Joan, shaking her arms and legs. “You get hot when you fly,” she said.

“You say that every time,” Joan said.

“Not a complaint. I would love to be able to do what you do. Without all the side effects.”

“Yeah, well, those are part of the deal.”

They got into the back of the van, Joan and Mark quickly pulling off their masks. Joan unzipped her suit to air out. Her white tank top stuck to her sweaty skin.

Her phone vibrated. She pulled it out, smiling at Sadie’s name on the screen.

What about a few rainbows and pride flags on your food truck? Represent LOL

Her smile faded. Here Sadie was, thinking about Hot and Cold at her regular person job while Joan was making a getaway from the Supers with her Supervillain brother and thief best friend. She’d told Sadie she was having a quiet night with them. This didn’t exactly qualify as a quiet night.

Mark chuckled at his phone. “I love SuperWatch. Catch went to Allegria Tower to get us. She’s so predictable.”

Catch.Ugh. Shit. Would Sadie know Catch was out and about? Would she think Joan was texting her while patrolling the streets?

“Sadie again?” Greta said. She set her harness on the narrow work counter.

“Yeah.”

“Then why the long face?”

“She thinks I’m someone else,” Joan said. “A way better person than I am.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“Of course it’s a problem.”

“You can’t tell her who you are.” Greta stated this as fact.

“I just wish I could steer her away from assuming I’m a good guy.”

“You’re the most decent person I know.”

Mark beat Joan in quipping, “That’s not saying much.”

Greta gave them both a withering glare. “I’d tread lightly here. If this goes on for any length of time, the truth will literally come out. She’ll freak the fuck out if you have one of your melty sex-plosions. And you’re too horny not to sleep with her. I’m surprised you haven’t already.”

“Because I’m lying to her,” Joan said. “I don’t like lying to her.”

“But youcan’t tell her,” Greta emphasized.

---