Iara snapped her fingers, silencing them. “Leave. All of you.” When Anachronica stepped forward to cover the Superhero’s face, Iara stopped her with a glance, saying, “Grizzly Bear will stay. We’ll talk more about it, and I’ll decide what we’ll do with him.” She raised her eyes to Léon, then Satina and Mary. “With all of you.”

While Iara and Grizzly Bear talked, Léon, Satina, and Mary waited outside with Anachronica. It was almost like waiting for his sentence. The last time he waited like this, someone was trying to send him to jail. This time, he could also die; that was the punishment for betraying Iara.

His new uniform… the credit card bill… rent... his life.

He paced around the corridor, biting his thumbnail. Every time he tried to say something, Anachronica shushed him with a glare. Satina, leaning against the wall, gnawed at the white stick of a lollipop while Mary hummed something jolly.

When they heard Iara calling, the group rushed inside.

“I hope you’re going to say we’re allowed to lock him in the dungeons,” Satina said, her eyes set on Grizzly Bear.

“I do, too.” Léon crossed his arms.

“We will,” Iara answered, pointing at the chairs in a silent invitation. “Eventually. For now, how are you feeling, Mr. Tapir? Think you can talk a while longer, ‘till we tell them?”

The ex-Superhero wasn’t tied anymore. Bear used tentative, blood-stained fingers to scratch his nape and offered the woman a comfortable smile. “Course I can. Few things can stop my chatterbox side.”

“Marvelous,” Iara said. She took a deep breath. “I’ve reached my decision. Grizzly Bear... before the witnesses gathered here today, I welcome you into our ranks. You’re not part of the Heroic League anymore. Instead, Invidia Corp receives you like a mother, her arms spread and her heart warm.” Clashing with her words, there was a cold sweetness to her voice and a viper smile on her lips. “But make no mistake.” Her words hardened. “As much as I believe in second chances, I don’t believe in mercy. Don’t waste this opportunity. It’ll be your last.”

“I don’t intend to,” Bear answered.

“Good. Now, this is your team,” she said, pointing at Satina, Mary, and Léon. “Congratulations on being Invidia’s first Supervillain quartet.” She opened a fake smile. “I wish you luck on your missions and a great many spoils to share.”

Satina mouthed a long line of foul words as her body slipped on the chair. “What the stinky fuck is happening here?” she shouted, eyebrows furrowed. “Is this serious? I refuse to—”

One glance was all Iara needed to silence her.

Iara’s scleras blackened. “I advise you to hold your tongue, little girl. You don’t get to refuse my orders, and you definitely don’t get to raise your voice—not to me.” Her tone was dark and dangerous, filled with threats Léon never wanted to hear again. As her eyes cleared, Iara’s voice softened. “But as I said, I believe in second chances. And you’ll comply. All of you.” She got up from the divan. “Understood?”

Satina gulped and nodded as the others did.

“Fantastic,” Iara said, tightening her lips. She fixed her posture, her eyes focused on Grizzly Bear. “Now go. Before I change my mind.”

Léon scrambled to his feet. He was shaking, his eyes wide. “At once,” he muttered, tugging at Satina’s sleeve.

Satina jerked her arm free. “Just...” She turned to face Iara. “To make sure I get this shit, Lady Iamí, what will be our part in this?”

Iara raised an eyebrow and scoffed. Her eyes looked for Anachronica, and she waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. Iara disappeared behind the curtain. Moments later came a splash in the water.

Anachronica moved her eyes to the faces before her, then tried on a smile. “You’ll have to pardon her. She’s not having a good week.” Raising her voice, she added, “To answer your question, Bureau, your part in this is to make sure he won’t fuck it up.” She pointed at Grizzly Bear. “Warp, you’ll be responsible for taking Bear to the medical ward. I want him thoroughly checked for bugs... thoroughly.”

“Will do,” Léon answered.

Anachronica nodded and waved them away. Mary and Bear were the only ones who seemed content with the situation.

“So,” Bear said. “What will be our first task?”

“Ask your team leader to show you around.” Anachronica moved her gaze to the image of the purple sky projected on the windows. “In the meanwhile, I’ll contact The Twins and ask them to send you a new assortment of missions.” She studied the faces before her, then stopped on one in particular. “Bear. If I can have your attention for a minute? Alone?”

The group nodded. Satina and Mary were already waiting in front of the elevator down the corridor, but Léon had other plans. He walked out of the room and rested his back beside the door. Anachronica's voice was barely louder than a whisper.

“I know what Iara told you, Grizzly Bear. I’ve known her for more than 30 years now—and she was serious about what she said. If you try to betray us, we’ll know. And she will kill this whole team to punish you, don’t doubt that for a second.” Her tone was hard. Worried, too. “Their lives are also in your hands, Superhero. Please. Remember that.”