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“While your plan is working so far, these people are savages and idiots.” Ben sneered at Vandal. “We still have to get them on camera, either dying or joining us. I’m sure they’ll make that difficult. It would’ve been safer with more than just robots for backup.”

“The Dark King himself created these machines.” Vandal gazed at the metal sentries, as they continued to circle the prisoners. “They are more than adequate. With his technical knowledge and artistic vision, he had them built in no time.”

“Kahn’s technical knowledge and artistic vision.” Daven corrected. “They move around like bigger versions of those toys he made his sisters.”

“Oh, but they’ve been improved!” Vandal chortled. “They have lasers, now. A part of me misses the old days, when warriors fought with swords and honor. But I tried a nobler approach to warfare and look where it got me.” He held up the stump of his severed hand for emphasis. “So, now we use machines. And we win.”

“For how long? Your men are still missing. The whole mission might have failed.” Considering the fragility of his human body, it was shocking that Ben had no problem mouthing off to the giant supernatural being beside him.

“It did not fail.” Vandal seethed. “My soldiers are temporarily incommunicado, but that’s to be expected. They know what to do and some ditzy Fire House girl can’t disrupt our plans.”

“Your men ran into Missy on some super-secret mission?” Sullivan translated, sorting through all of that bullshit. “And now you haven’t seen them in a week?”

“It’s much more complicated than…”

“Your men are dead.” Sullivan interrupted with total certainty and a lot of satisfaction.

Half the room nodded.

Vandal scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. They’re an army.”

“That Missy has already killed.”

Randa had to agree. She’d spent time with Sullivan’s family. The Fire Phases were all psychotic hoodlums, but Missy was the worst of them all. She was like a rabid grizzly bear with less impulse control and more glitter.

Vandal should’ve known better than to piss off Missy. Everyone knew better than to piss off Missy. Some beings in this universe were so unyielding that you simply got out of their way. Too dangerous to fight. Too crazy to reason with. Missy was an immovable object.

Vandal scowled, unwilling to accept the obvious. “My men have dealt with her and anyone else who crossed them. I’m sure of it.”

Sullivan didn’t look worried. “Yeah, I’m sure you’ll see them again… just as soon as Missy kills you, too.” He shrugged. “Unless I get you first. I’m holding a grudge about that time you dragged me to the Cold Kingdom, you insane Rasputin-y shit.”

Vandal’s jaw ticked. “You might be part Wood Phase, but you know nothing of real warfare. Stay out of this. You’re mostly just a human.”

“Your sidekick’s a human too, dumbass.” Sullivan nodded towards Ben.

Tharsis slowly shook his head, his expression thoughtful.

Ben was back to searching all the cages, taking note of who else was missing. “Where’s Randa?” He asked suddenly. “Why don’t I see my bride?”

Randa cringed even lower in her hiding spot. She really needed to come up with a plan. Think, think, think, think, think… She tapped her forehead in agitation, wishing she was smarter and stronger.

The other partygoers scanned around, noticing for the first time that she wasn’t in one of the purple domes.

“Randa’s gone!” Nia gasped in alarm. Turquoise eyes blazed at Vandal. “What did you do to her?!”

Sullivan’s gaze shifted to the Light Phases, studying their calm expressions.

Job’s brow arched in consideration. Or maybe it was respect. His expressions were so minute, it was hard to tell. He glanced towards the door, clearly thinking that she’d escaped.

Isaacs’ attention shifted around the room, and Randa had the impression he was using his Air Powers to search for her. After a beat, his sightless eyes flicked towards the snack counter and then away again. He shifted his position slightly, so he was between Randa and Vandal. Not that it would do much good, since Isaacs was locked in a force field, but she was still touched.

“Randa doesn’t want you. She wants me.” Kahn taunted. He clearly intended to keep the human’s attention on him, rather than let Ben go looking for Randa.

“I saw her first! I sent her flowers and spilled blood for her. She’s mine!”

“You’re already dead. I just haven’t killed you yet.”

“Whose blood did you spill?” Sullivan just couldn’t stop being a cop, even when he was a prisoner of murderous egomaniacs.