I didn’t answer right away. She had been gone from my life for years, left me alone at one of the toughest times of my life. I didn’t owe her a conversation.

But Valiant had said to hear her out. He had never steered me wrong, and he was positive it wasn’t a trap or he wouldn’t have even brought it up. That had to count for something.

“Alright. You got somewhere in mind?” She nodded and gestured for me to follow her to a car parked on the street. We both got in and buckled, and off she went. “So… What, you saw me in trouble and had to check in?” I asked after a few minutes of silence. “I’m sure you’ve known I was in the hero business for a while now.”

“Actually… I didn’t until today. I don’t pay attention to any heroes below gold,” She replied evenly. “If I started to, for anything less than a major event, questions would be asked that neither of us want asked. But I knew when I heard you take charge of your team, and when I came on to assure your team we were on it. Yes, I did want to ensure you were unharmed. But that’s not the only reason we need to talk.”

“Because of the rogue.” It wasn’t a question, since I knew for sure now that I was the target. “You said you know who it is, and I believe we both know who the target is.”

“That would be correct. He’s been on our radar for a few months. He wasn’t doing anything actively wrong, but there were a few suspicious behaviors that our analysts had picked up on, so he’s been on our watchlist for possible rogue activity. Looks like we were right.” She parked by a small house and sighed. “I know it sounds odd, villains watching for rogues, but they ruin more of our plans than people would expect. His little stunt tonight interrupted three preparations that some of our people were making, and actively ruined two other plans that will need reworked. No, I won’t be giving you details, not while you’re a hero.” She got out. “Come on, I’ve got this place so locked down the governments best spies couldn’t tap into it.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” I sighed, getting out and following her. Once inside, she stopped and looked at me a moment.

“Before we talk, call and let your grandparents know you’re safe and you’ll be home in just a bit. You can tell them you’re with me if you like, or you can tell them whatever will make them worry the least. Your collapse was, unfortunately, televised.”

She had the right idea, that was certain, so I did as instructed. I told them the truth about where I was, as I don’t lie to them if I can help it, but also told them I’d be home as soon as our talk was over. While they didn’t like it, they said they understood.

“Grandma says to tell you hello,” I reported as I got off the phone. “Grandpa is… Less friendly towards you right now.” My mother sighed, but nodded.

“He always was one to hold a grudge. I can’t say I blame him. Come, sit, let’s talk.” She led me into a living room and took a seat in a recliner, waving a hand to invite me to take any other seat. I took one on a nearby couch, giving myself some distance from her, but not across the room or anything. “Now… I know I am not your favorite person. I don’t expect to be. I abandoned you, and this is not my attempting to come back begging for forgiveness. I am concerned for your safety, whether you believe that or not. But I know you, and I know you take after your father. You aren’t simply going to walk away from this threat. So, I will give you the information I have so you can handle whatever comes at you as intelligently as possible.”

“If you were that concerned for my safety, why become a villain and put a target on your back?” I countered. It was stupid, knowing she wanted to give me valuable information, but when you live your life filled with hurt, and the years you develop your sense of identity full of hate, some things are just hard to ignore. I couldn’t help myself, even knowing I shouldn’t risk her changing her mind.

I expected anger, regret, even indifference. I didn’t expect the laugh she let out. “Dear one, the only time I wasn’t a villain was while I was married to your father. Part of why your grandfather is so upset with me. He thought I’d given the life up for good once I’d settled down. In reality, I didn’t want to risk your father and I ever having to choose between our jobs or our marriage. He didn’t know until you were three that I had been a villain.” She smiled, a little sadly. “When we first learned of his passing… I had intended to remain a civilian. But things changed. And once they did, I knew I had to make more changes happen.”

“Like what? What was so important that you had to be a villain for it instead of a hero?” I asked, frowning.

“I can’t explain that now. In time. But I learned something about the incident that took your father… Something that meant I had to fight the heroes, not join them.”

That didn’t make any sense. “You’re insinuating that the Association had something to do with Dad’s death. So this is all revenge?”

“Revenge? No. This is about causing change, by my own actions. You will understand one day.” She shook her head. “No more about this now. We need to discuss the rogue.” I didn’t want to change subjects, but I also knew if I stayed too long, I’d worry my grandparents again. “Now… As I said, we’ve been watching this rogue. You… Actually know him, though I don’t think you two have seen each other since you were little.”

“What?” I asked, startled. “Who?”

“Your cousin, Micah. My brother moved away with him when you both were still quite young, after his mother left them, and then… We lost all contact. I tried to find them a few times over the years, but no luck. Now that he’s back, and we’ve been keeping tabs on him, I notice that he seems to harbor a grudge against you. I haven’t sorted out why yet, you two were close before they moved. If I can get in touch with him directly, I plan to try to talk him down before anyone has to get hurt. If I can’t or he won’t listen… I’d like not to have to use force against family, but if it will be you or him, I will protect you first.”

“I don’t need your protection. I’m an adult, and a hero in my own right.” I shook my head, standing. “But knowing it’s Micah may help. Now I at least have as much of an advantage as he had, we both know who the other is. Have you heard from Uncle Mark?”

“No, and I won’t. In looking into things… He passed away, shortly after they left.” Bella sighed, rubbing her face. “Which might be part of Micah’s deal, jealousy that you had family around you and he did not. I tried to find them… This explains why I couldn’t, not easily.” She offered me an envelope. “That’s… That’s for your grandparents. Give it to my mother first, please. Dad will just rip it up and throw it in the trash, but there’s information in there that they’ll want, including the location of Mark’s grave, should they wish to go visit.”

I didn’t really remember my uncle Mark that well. I was three or four when they moved away, but I had pictures of him taking me and Micah out, as my dad would do with us as well. He had been a good uncle, according to those pictures and the stories I heard about how he’d interacted with us.

Remember him or not, I was upset that not only had he died, it had happened so long ago and we were only just finding out about it. Did he not leave a way for people to find out how to contact us? Had anyone even tried? Micah could have come back and lived with Grandma and Grandpa, or my family until shit hit the fan. Hell, maybe having one more kid to worry about would have stopped whatever campaign my mother was on.

“I’ll give this to them,” I said after a moment, taking the envelope. “Is there anything else I need to know?” She shook her head and stood.

“You won’t believe anything else I’d like to say, and I can’t blame you for that. Let’s get you back to your car so you can get home. Unless you’d rather I drop you off there? You have had an exhausting day.”

I considered the offer. “Drop me off at home, please. And take the opportunity to give Grandma your letter yourself.” She nodded, and we headed out to the car.