With every word, every second spent with her, a wild, sharp freedom filled Vic's chest. The realization kept him up all night when he returned home, two hours before dawn: he could do this again. He could sneak out. He could meet someone forbidden, someone unusual, whip smart, and beautiful. So he did.

The sound is hard to name. A gasping, stuttering cross between an inhale and a whimper as the mask finally slips free from Tara's face and shatters across the darkened concrete at their feet. She sinks to her knees. Gar follows her.

He feels Nat step closer rather than sees or hears it. Strong hands seasoned by deadly skill and the memory of a hundred horrible acts rest lightly on his waist. But if her crimes number one hundred, James' number three. He dares to meet her gaze. Natalia watches him carefully. Her whisper is low. "You were looking a little lost, soldier." (Cover art by my talented sister.)

Dick can't control what might happen, especially when he and Kori live the dangerous lives they do. But there are a couple things he can promise.