Page 32 of Fanning the Flames

“Sorry, honey,” she whispered, then kissed Sadie on the temple. She rolled back to her side to see an unknown local number. “It might be the propane guy calling back.”

She did her best to answer non-annoyedly.

“Joan,” said a slightly familiar voice.

“Yes, this is Joan.”

“It’s Zee.”

“Huh?”

“It’s Zee.”

“How did you get— Never mind. Why are you calling?”

“You need to come to Superhero headquarters,” Zee said. “Now.”

Her heart thwacked against her ribcage. Oh, shit.Shit.“Why? What happened?”

Sadie sat up and set a hand on Joan’s shoulder.

“We need to see you and Mark and Perry,” said Zee. “It’s urgent.”

Fucking shit hell.“What happened?”

“Nothing specific, other than the Villains who invaded our city.”

“We have nothing to do with?—”

“We know you have nothing to do with them. That’s why we need to see you.”

“I don’t understand?—”

“Get here within the hour. This is not a request to ignore,” Zee stated. “I’m calling your brother and Perry, so just get here.”

The call ended.

Sadie scooted closer. “What is it?”

Joan stared at her phone. “The Supers want us to report to their HQ. Zee wouldn’t say why.”

“Oh no.”

“They said they know we aren’t involved with the new Villains, so I don’t know if we’re in trouble, or…”

“I’ll go with you,” Sadie said, tossing back the covers.

“Stay here. Zee didn’t say anything about you. I don’t want you getting caught in the middle.”

“But I want to be there for you.”

Concern lines wrinkled Sadie’s forehead. Joan cupped her cheek and said, “I’ll feel better knowing you’re safe at home.”

She got out of bed before Sadie could debate her. Joan had no idea what she was walking into. A trap? A truce?

The Supers were probably fishing for intel. Not that the former Villains could share much more than the unhelpful factoid that Oceanview Villains liked to party.

She pulled off her tank top and sleep shorts and threw on pants with some give in them and a red flannel. Looser clothes in case action was required.

---