Leona spread her wings wide as she soared through the air, the rush of wind cooling her after the most intense fight she’d ever experienced. Her muscles burned, her pulse still rag, but she kept her breathing slow and measured, sav the exhiration.

  A sudden kxon shattered the moment, yanking Aurora from her in-flight meditation. Her head so the side, eyes narrowing as several dirigibles closed in on her position. They were smaller models—fast, agile—the kind Blue Max’s gang used for their heists. Her body tensed for a fight, but then she caught sight of the painted logos on their balloons.

  News crews.

  A slow smile curved her lips. The media. They’d love an interview—but she knew how this would go. They’d swarm her, jostling to get their exclusive. Auriggled softly.

  Not today.

  Something more important weighed on her mind. Sarah.

  She exhaled, shaking her head. No time to py celebrity. With a final wink and wave, she flitted higher, cutting a wide arc through the sky. The news choppers kept pace at first, their cameras trained on her, but she fshed a dazzling grin before twisting into a spiraling ast. No way she’d let them track her back.

  Angling into a gentle climb, she closed her eyes, basking in the golden sunlight. A warmth spread through her, the familiar buzz of energy saturating every cell in her body. It was the kind of high she would never be able to quite describe—the intoxig rush of power, of freedom.

  Recharged, she tilted into a dive, streaking toward the bay. She reached out, intending to skim her fingers along the water’s surface, but her wingtip brushed it instead. The cool shock of it sent a shiver rag up her spine. She gasped, pitg up instinctively, droplets casg from her feathers in a dazzling prism of color before she leveled out.

  Grinning, she flipped into a barrel roll and gnced over her shoulder, sing the skies for the news aircraft. They were nowhere in sight.

  Perfect.

  Satisfied, she pushed forward. Despite refueling on sunlight, her eyelids were growing heavy.

  Seaside City came into view, its gleaming skyscrapers stretg toward the heavens. Weaviween them, she felt a familiar thrill—a game of reflexes pyed at supersonic speeds. But even the adrenaline couldn’t chase away her exhaustion.

  Then she spotted it.

  A rooftop garden, lush and green, perched atop one of the taller buildings. Deserted. An oasis above the city.

  With a relieved sigh, she touched down, her boots clig softly against the marble tiles. The warmth of the sun bathed the space, a gentle breeze rustling through the foliage. Her gaze nded on a sleek marble bench, inviting and sun-kissed.

  Perfect.

  Stretg luxuriously, she draped herself across it, folding her wings around her like a co. Sleep cimed her in seds.

  She had no idea how long she’d been out when her phone vibrated, led between her breasts. The sensation jolted her awake, heat creeping into her cheeks as she fumbled for it.

  “Hey, you!” Quinn’s voice crackled through the speaker.

  “Mmmnnn… yeah?” Aurora mumbled, stretg with a yawn.

  “Tch… you were napping, weren’tcha?” Quinn accused. “Since when do supers need a nap? Scker!”

  Aurrinned, flexing her wings zily. “Oh, I was just in a tough fight… if you were there, you’d uand.”

  Another yawn forced its way out. “After all, I fought my first ‘teical’ supervilin.” A sleepy, excited smile spread across her face as she gazed at the drifting clouds. “I kid you not, Quinn, an hoo-goodness powered armuy, going full-on ballistiologuing and everything.” She swooned, her grin turning goofy. “I guess superheroes really do attract the weird ones.”

  “Was it like in the ics?” Quinn asked, intrigued.

  “Not quite, but close.” Aurora deepened her voice, affeg ahe-top, gruff tone. “‘I’ll get you ime!’” She couldn’t help but snicker.

  Or was this new grudge just her own whimsical thinking?

  Nah, he probably was thinking that the whole time.

  "Anyhow, he didn’t know my superhero name. Not like many do… but then, Kirby said it, so he curse my name if he remembers it." Aurora stuck out her tongue, holding her phoo her ear.

  "You’re ly a household , you know! That dude might not bother to remember your name!" Quinn ughed.

  "Nah… he got burned bad. Well, not literally—thankfully—but, yeah… first rogue in my gallery. They even rounded up the rest of his gang, so I wonder how they’ll mao break out again, if at all. A few lucky ones did mao run with their tails between their legs, though." She smirked, remembering the ridiculous guy she’d found hiding in their junkyard shed. His half-baked ploy had actually paid off—she’d pletely lost track of him in the chaos.

  "Anyways, after that fight, I was a little drained and achy, so I took a little power nap. Literally. Seemed like a great idea. Especially being in my super form—I think I soak up the sun and recover faster. I don’t think I’ll ever be afraid of getting sunburned again. Not unless I flew through space directly into the sun."

  "Don’t do that, please," Quinn deadpanned. "So what now?"

  "Well, I’m going to go see Sarah now."

  "Is that one of your powers then? Power naps? Really? How me of you." Quinn chuckled as an obvious ploy to sider what advice to give . "Okay, I won’t wayy you anymore, but hey—when are you gon rich so you build a secret escape tunnel out of here to transform in private?"

  "Mmm… heckifiknow how to get rich. Rich superheroes are usually born rich, then pour it into their careers. I don’t have that kinda money, you know." Aurora shrugged, tilting her head. "I could dig a tunnel with my powers, probably. It’d be one heck of a project though, and I’d have to be careful not to hit any city lines or water pipes or anything else… assuming I did anything like that."

  "Yeah, yeah. Rent yourself out as a light show or to a churetime, and I’m sure you’ll be rolling in Benjamins in no time. Anyway, get going—you don’t want to waste any more daylight, right?"

  Aurora smiled, nodding. "Yeah. I’m not sure it’s as much of an issue as I’d feared, but I’ll still be careful anyhow."

  Boung on the balls of her feet to warm up, she grinned. "See you ter then, sis."

  Hanging up, she tapped open her map app, scrolling to her saved locations and plotting a course to the realig camp. Then, with a burst of energy, she unched into the sky.

  She climbed higher and higher, past the point where a a pilot might catch a glimpse of her. The city shrank behind her, barely visible—save for the skyscrapers, gleaming like beas in the daylight.

  Then she pushed even higher.

  Far higher than she’d ever thought herself capable of.

  The clouds became her pyground as she zipped through them, pung holes and carving shapes into their pillowy masses. She ughed to herself, pying her impromptu game of sky graffiti—until her phone’s alert tone yanked her out of the moment.

  Already?

  She g the s.

  She’d overshot her destination.

  Whoops.

  Banking hard, she adjusted her course and shot back toward the camp. Dropping her altitude, she sed the ground beloure serendipity—there she was.

  Sarah.

  She was in the yard, pig berries from some bushes, pletely unaware of the winged figure desding upon her.

  Aurora smirked. Luck had finally decided to go in her favor for once.

  Diving down, she nded lightly beside her, her wings folding in as she straightened. "Hello there! Before you freak out, my name is Aurora. I’m the city’s new superhero. You happeo buy some of my down for a friend at a certain ventioly." She tossed a wink at the thhly stunned Sarah.

  Sarah’s mouth opehen shut again.

  Aurrinned. "Anyhow, for various reted reasons, I was w if you’d like to take a flight with me?"

  It wasn’t a lie. She had gaihese powers from that feather, after all. The down was hers now.

  Sarah gasped, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the basket of berries. "Ah… aren’t you an angel?" She marveled at Aurora as if she were one of God’s messengers, sent directly from the heavens.

  Aurora’s arrival had not gone unnoticed. Around them, other campers had stopped what they were doing. Some looked on ihers in fear, and some stood frozen, unsure how to react.

  But Aurora’s gaze remained on Sarah.

  Sarah, who was blushing as she stared up at her, utterly starstruck.

  "I suppose there’s a possibility of that, but I don’t know any more about Gods—than you do." Aurora smiled. "I think my race is not of this Earth, and I think our appearance resembles what’s bee the model of angels. That could be more than ce, but who could really say?"

  She didn’t linger ohought, instead refog on Sarah. "So, will you e fly with me?"

  "I… I’m not sure if I . I’m supposed to stay here," Sarah murmured, gng around at the others. "Th-there may be something wrong with me they’re fixing," she added sheepishly, staring down at Aurora’s feet while shuffling her own.

  Aurora sighed softly, her smile gentle. Of course Sarah was a well-behaved girl. But right now, Aurora was challengio make her own choice—to rebel just a little.

  She prepared to leave, but Sarah spoke up again. "If it isn’t for too long…" She gulped, then looked back up. "If it’s important, I leave for a little while—but I have to e back right away," she stated, her stance rexing slightly.

  Aurora could already sehe otion drawing attention. If they stayed much longer, one of the selors was bound to e over, and she doubted that versation would go well.

  "I won’t keep her long!" she called out, making sure the other campers heard. "Let your selors know that a superhero who owes this girl a favor has taken her for a promised flight."

  With that, she ed her arms around Sarah, letting her protective field surround her. Spreading her wings, she took off, gaining altitude rapidly. She held Sarah close, not just to keep her safe—but because it was wonderful to see her again.

  As they soared higher, Sarah gasped and instinctively hugged her back, her face pressing lightly against Aurora’s chest.

  After a moment, Sarah leaned back, avoiding Aurora’s fond gaze. "Ah… you not hug me so tight?"

  Aurrinned. "I don’t want you to fall, Sarah. Not that it would happen regardless, but don’t tempt fate aoo squirmy."

  She ged the subject smoothly. "The food in camp must be pretty dull, huh?"

  "Yeah… it’s pretty bad," Sarah admitted with a nervous giggle.

  "Then you’re in luck! Aurora Air offers free ferry service to niearby restaurants. I’ll spoil you for a bit." Aurora smiled warmly, so happy to be by her side again that she couldn’t resist hugging her again. "We’ll have you back soon, but I did want to talk to you for a bit."

  Sarah returhe smile, ughing lightly. "Um… w-what’s this about?" she asked. "You kind of flew down out of nowhere and… want to take me to dinner? It sounds kind of… unusual."

  "Doesn’t it, though?" Auriggled. "It’s not every day you get picked up by a superhero. But this is about you. As you’ve probably gathered by now, I have a special retionship with Leona. You’re very important to her—and because of that, you’re just as important to me. Does that make sense?"

  "Um… are you reted to Leona?" Sarah asked, turning her head—and finally notig the world stretg far below them. Her breath caught. "Oh, oh wow! This is amazing!"

  Aurora chuckled warmly at the awestruck look on Sarah’s face, it was almost more surprised than when an ‘angel’ had dropped out of the sky to speak to her just moments ago.

  "Aurora, right?" Sarah grihe nerves melting away as woook over. "Um, sorry—I got distracted. If you want to talk, maybe we should touch down somewhere…?"

  "Enjoy the ride first," Aurora enced, eyes twinkling. "You never know what might happen. I want this to be a special memory for you. Take in the sery—it’s a private show just for you."

  She tilted her head slightly. "If I remember the map app right, there should be a little steakhouse around here. That should make for a det meal… assuming you want something like that?"

  Sarah’s stomach apparently made the decision for her. She smiled and, embarrassingly, drooled. "Are you sure you want to waste your money on me?"

  "It’s fine." Aurhed, flitting through the clouds, delighted by Sarah’s rea. It was wonderful to share this moment with the girl who had captured her heart.

  "This is really fun, but we should hurry," Sarah sighed. "We’re not allowed to leave the grounds while we’re at camp…"

  Aurora nodded, a little sadly. "My bad."

  With that, she spiraled downward toward the town, desding quickly to avoid unwanted eyes. She nded and took cover heir destination. As she’d hoped, the steakhouse wasn’t busy at this time of day—better food than a cheap burger stand, and fewer people meant more intimate pany.

  As Aurora released her, Sarah smiled but shook her head. "It’s a nice idea, and I do like it, but I don’t really his. We really should go back quickly."

  "I know you have to go back, but you still haven’t had your meal." Aurora smirked. "Besides, meeting a pretty superhero will set them back years and that’s half the point of me whisking you away, haha."

  She winked. "Do this for me—go in a us a table for two. When I e in, I’ll look a bit different, so don’t freak out. I won’t have my wings, but you’ll reize me. Just don’t be surprised when I sit beside you."

  She snapped her fingers pyfully. "I ge how I look just like that."

  Sarah hesitated, looking around as though the whole world might be watg. But eventually, she gave a small nod and headed inside.

  Giving her a couple minutes head start, Aurora used her powers to alter her appearao blend in, she shifted into a simple try day dress she’d seen in a catalog, her hair now a rich, earthy brown. With a flicker of thought, she adjusted her outfit’s details, making sure her wallet was safely tucked into the skirt’s pocket.

  Satisfied with her disguise, she strolled toward the steakhouse and stepped inside.