I didn’t know when the team had realized that Red Lightning had turned supervillain, but if Grandma was pregnant with Uncle Steve, this was too early.

  My best bet was to stop thinking about it at all because Daniel’s grandfather might hear. The second best was to hope that if he did figure it out, he’d know not to break it too soon.

  All of that would be wasted though, if either Ray or Red Lightning blew the secret.

  Deciding it was best to actively think of something else, I had my suit create buzzers, and when they appeared in my palm, I said, “Put these on your costume under your throat. They’ll protect you from sound based mind control.”

  Grandpa took one, placed on his armor and watched as the rest of the League did the same. “Did you manufacture those here? How?”

  “Incredibly small machines,” I said, “but I built them using technology that you’ll create eventually. I just took it in a different direction.”

  He let out a breath. “I’d like to hear more about that if we have time afterward.”

  C shook his head, “You shouldn’t.”

  Grandpa said, “I know. I’ve read enough science fiction to know better.”

  Captain Commando shook his head, “But not enough to stop you from asking.”

  Grandpa’s shrug was visible through his armor, which said a lot about that design’s flexibility.

  Ray stood up enough to peer over the parapet and sunk back down. “I know you guys want to catch up and all, but I’ve got to get down there soon.”

  Grandma faded, “And I’ll be right along with you.”

  Grandpa asked, “Are you sure?”

  Waving her hand across her body as she finished disappearing, she said, “I’ll be intangible. Steve and I will be fine. The only things I’ll need to fade in are bullets and my knife.”

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  Thinking back to a few of my experiences, I said, “Watch out for Magnus. He has some of the same abilities I have and I’ve hit intangible people before. Some of his allies may be able to do the same.”

  Still addressing the spot where she’d been, Grandpa said, “Again, are you sure?”

  “I’ll be careful. This won’t be the first time I’ve fought someone who can hit me.” Her words came out as if this were a normal risk like driving in icy weather.

  In fact, I’d seen a conversation they’d had about that. In the end, she’d said, “You know I’ll be fine,” and left. She had been, but I’d heard later that she’d white knuckled that drive.

  We lived in Michigan. Icy roads when it was too cold for the salt to work and the plows weren’t out was no laughing matter.

  Ray glanced over to where she’d last appeared, noting, “I’d rather be in her position than mine.”

  “Me too,” she said, her voice hollow, the way Rachel sounded when phased out.

  With a look at my grandfather, C said, “Let’s move out.”

  Knowing how our team worked, I suspected there’d been considerable telepathic conversation behind the scenes.

  Don’t think we don’t trust you, the Mentalist said in my head. It’s that I’m afraid of what you’ll share about the future by accident. I’ve already caught more than I want.

  I glanced over at Giles while he had a quick conversation with my grandfather.

  Including that, Daniel’s grandfather added. I’ve heard enough of your thoughts that I think I know when to tell everyone.

  Okay, I thought back, remembering how Grandpa had told me that Giles had withdrawn in the years before he went bad. I could see it here now by how Giles remained silent except for a few whispered words with my grandfather.

  I couldn’t tell them.

  And I can’t either, the Mentalist thought at me, but don’t blame yourself. I’ve seen enough of our future to know that it’s better if I wait.

  Ray and everyone in the League but Red Lightning and my grandfather left for other openings in the room. C had rattled off a list of tasks and their priorities.

  We remained silent as I watched through the bot on Ray’s pant leg. Maybe I should have given one to everybody, but I knew I might need them. Besides, the original League used Grandpa’s team trackers and I’d built on that system for ours.

  They all appeared in my system. I just couldn’t talk to them or follow a camera feed and I could follow as they spread out.

  Though I couldn’t always see her, Grandma’s tracker sometimes left a blip on the screen.

  She followed Ray at a distance of thirty feet, far enough that she wouldn’t get caught in the blast if someone hit him with an area of effect attack. At least she was taking what I’d said seriously.

  As much as I loved her and didn’t want her to get hurt, I also didn’t want to fade out of existence.