Lucy followed a second later, hopping across the hallway while trying to pull her socks on.
Corey was already waiting in the main room, leaning against the table. For once, he wasn’t scowling, probably because Davina was perched on his lap, tracing little circles on his arm.
Lucy folded her arms. “Nice to see you two have a thriving social life.”
“As do you, no?” Corey muttered with a smug grin, then gestured toward the basement door. “He’s awake.”
They descended together. Benedict sat chained to the chair, his lip split.
Lucy stepped forward. “So, you’retheLucent,” she said coolly. “Who are you?”
He refused to answer.
“What do you want?”
He refused to answer.
“Why are you killing people?” she pressed.
Benedict spat on the floor, “People?” His eyes burned. “You’re not people. You’re abominations.”
Byron tensed, but Lucy raised a hand to stop him. Her mind brushed both Byron’s and Corey’s.
Let me handle this.
“So why,” Lucy asked softly, “do you keepheralive?”
Benedict’s grin returned. “Ah… you know abouther.” He leaned back in the chair. “She’s one of my best-kept secrets. I’ll be reunited with her soon enough.”
Lucy frowned. “What does that mean?”
“What do you think it means, girl?” he hissed. “My team will notice my silence soon enough. They’ll come looking.”
Corey stepped forward, arms folded. “Speaking of teams…” He nodded toward the corner, where a small screen flickered on the workbench. “We collected all your gear. Our in-house genius modified it to suitourneeds.” He glanced at Lucy.
She caught on instantly. Whatdo you want me to do?she asked silently.
Corey’s eyes gleamed.I need you to become him. Contact his people. Tell them you’re coming back.
Lucy smiled slowly.
Benedict tilted his head. “Why are you smiling, Lucy?”
Her eyes flared violet. Before he could blink, her skin shimmered, bones shifting, voice changing. In seconds,Benedictwas sitting before him. Now speaking with his exact accent and tone, she responded “because I can, Benedict.”
His jaw dropped, right before Corey’s fist connected square with it. The real Benedict slumped sideways, unconscious.
Corey rolled his shoulders. “Let's do it, I think you have to push this button and then speak I guess.”
Lucy tapped the communicator on the table. “Come in, come in,” she said, mimicking him perfectly.
A crackle, then a voice replied: “Hello, Captain. Good to hear from you. How did it go?”
“It went… well,” Lucy answered carefully. “We’ll be making our way back soon. Our numbers have dwindled, but we have someone.”
“Understood, sir. We’ll prepare for your arrival.”
The line went dead.
