Claire’s heart dropped as Killwater’s body stirred.

  At first, it was just a twitch of his fingers, but soon his entire body shifted. With a groan, he pressed a hand to the bloody wound in his head. His flesh bubbled and knit itself back together, the hole closing before her eyes.

  Claire gasped.

  Killwater chuckled darkly as he staggered to his feet. His grin returned, more menacing than ever. “A single shot never takes me down.” He cracked his neck, the sound reverberating in the tense room. “What kinda bullets do you have?”

  Claire backed away, clutching the gun tightly in both hands. She had no idea if the bullets in Daddy’s gun were special or not.

  Before Killwater could take another step, the door burst open with a resounding crash. Purple flames swirled into the room as Gravegirl stormed in, her lantern staff blazing.

  Behind her, a second figure entered. Dressed in a formal black outfit adorned with a dark cloak, Black Jade exuded a quiet confidence. Her dark skin faintly reflected the eerie green light of her magic.

  “So, this is the infamous Killwater,” Black Jade said. “He doesn’t look like much.”

  Killwater grinned and drew a firearm from his side. “Two heroes? You’re just making this more fun for me,” said while he stalked out from the disheveled pile of crates, a sword by his side, an uzi raised and ready to fire.

  “Shut up and die!” Gravegirl said.

  She pointed her staff at Killwater and the flame of the lantern flared bigger and brighter than ever. This energy flew out from the staff towards Killwater, who dove to avoid the blast. An explosion of purple fire erupted along the back wall of the grimy store room. Killwater rolled away as the smoke cleared, then pointed his gun and sprayed bullets at the pair of witches.

  Claire peeked over the toppled crates to see Gravegirl and Black Jade both duck for cover to avoid the chaotic gunfire. Killwater gave a wicked laugh as he charged their position with his sword raised. Meanwhile, there were more Skullfaces coming from the main area of the warehouse. Claire hurriedly pointed Hierarch’s gun at one of them and fired. The shot wasn’t so jarring this time. Claire blinked against the muzzle flash. When she focused again, she realized the target had gone down. Her heart lit with accomplishment and she excitedly took a few more shots. The enemy then recognized her position and returned fire. Claire screamed and dropped to the floor as bullets shattered the wall above her.

  “Gravegirl! Skullfaces!”

  Gravegirl turned to the entrance and waved her hands, purple magic symbols gathering in the air around her. With a few dark words, the magic took hold and a series of curses befell the incoming Skullfaces. They were blinded and silenced and diseased in rapid succession. Seconds later, they were crumpled dead. Meanwhile, Black Jade finished drawing a ritual on the floor. Green energy trailed along the ground towards Killwater. Upon contact with the villain, vines tore up from the ground, entangling his legs.

  “What the hell? Get this shit off me!”

  “Gravegirl!” Black Jade shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Get the girls and get out of here!”

  “What about you?” Gravegirl said over her shoulder, her glowing staff raised towards the dead Skullfaces who began to rise under her command.

  “I’ll handle him!” Black Jade snarled, her hands sparking with green energy as she conjured more thorns and vines to contain Killwater. “Go! Now!”

  Gravegirl grit her teeth, glancing toward the captured girls huddled together on the stage outside. “Come on, Claire!” she barked, her hand stretched out to her little sister.

  Claire darted out from behind her cover, her gun still clutched tightly in her hands. Once she was near, she and Gravegirl ran out of the store room to free the other girls, who stumbled to their feet, fear etched into their faces.

  “Stay close to me,” Gravegirl instructed the girls as she ushered them toward the door. Claire followed, her heart pounding as she kept glancing back at the battle raging behind them. Black Jade stood her ground against Killwater, her magic surging like a storm.

  As they emerged from the warehouse, they were greeted by a chilling sight. Standing in the parking lot, illuminated by the eerie glow of streetlights, was a tall dark elf woman draped in flowing black and violet robes. Her eyes glimmered with an unnatural light, and her hands were outstretched as if conducting an orchestra.

  “Coveness,” Gravegirl called, relief in her voice.

  Coveness turned her piercing gaze to the group, her expression calm and commanding. “Stay behind me,” she instructed, her voice as smooth and cold as glass.

  The criminals and villains gathered in the parking lot began to notice her presence. Murmurs of confusion spread, followed by shouts of alarm. Coveness raised one elegant hand, and the air around her shivered.

  Suddenly, the parking lot transformed. To the villains, the ground seemed to crack open, revealing a terrible abyss filled with writhing shadows. Unholy beasts clawed their way out of the void, their faces twisted and grotesque. A cacophony of wails and screams filled the air, causing the gathered villains to scatter in panic.

  “What the fuck is that?” one criminal shouted.

  “Get out of here!” another yelled, scrambling for his vehicle.

  Within moments, the area was deserted, the criminals fleeing in all directions.

  Coveness lowered her hand, and the illusion dissipated. She turned to Gravegirl with a faint smirk. “Effective, isn’t it?”

  Gravegirl replied with a nod. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Coveness stepped closer, her hands tracing glowing runes in the air. A teleportation circle materialized beneath their feet, its swirling energy casting an otherworldly glow over the group.

  “Everyone, hold still,” Coveness instructed, her voice steady.

  The circle flared with light, and in an instant, they were gone.

  The teleportation energy dissipated, and Claire stumbled slightly as her feet met solid ground. She looked around, her breath hitching as she took in the surroundings. The hideout was a sprawling underground chamber, dimly lit by glowing purple crystals embedded in the walls. Books, vials, and magical artifacts cluttered every surface, and the air smelled faintly of herbs and burnt incense.

  Gravegirl led the group further inside, guiding the rescued girls to a comfortable area lined with cushions and blankets. “Everyone, sit down and catch your breath,” she said.

  Claire followed silently, her mind still reeling. She sank into a corner, clutching her knees to her chest as the adrenaline began to wear off.

  Coveness was already at work, conjuring soothing orbs of light that hovered around the rescued girls, their gentle glow easing some of the fear and tension. “You did well, Gravegirl,” Coveness remarked, her tone calm but approving.

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  Gravegirl gave a curt nod. “It’s not over yet.”

  The sound of footsteps echoed through the chamber as a tall figure emerged from a side passage. Doctor Hex, a wiry man with dark, ashen skin, grayed dreadlocks, and glowing orange eyes, approached them. His exotic, patchwork cloak swayed as he carried a leather satchel brimming with alchemical supplies.

  “Who needs treatment?” Doctor Hex asked.

  “Not me,” Gravegirl said, gesturing to the girls. “But they might.”

  Hex nodded and knelt beside the group, beginning to examine them with a practiced hand. His presence was oddly comforting, his focus entirely on his task.

  The room grew quiet, the tension thick in the air, until another flash of teleportation energy filled the space. Black Jade staggered into view, her normally commanding presence diminished by the clear exhaustion on her face. She was bleeding from a slash to the face, and had suffered burns about her left arm and shoulder.

  “Jade!” Gravegirl exclaimed, rushing to her side.

  “I’m fine,” Black Jade muttered, though her uneven breathing betrayed her. She allowed Coveness to guide her to a seat, collapsing onto it with a wince.

  “What happened?” Gravegirl demanded, stepping forward.

  Black Jade shook her head, her expression grim. “Killwater got away.” She paused, glancing at Claire and the others before continuing. “He has a shard of nihilite, so he resisted my spells.”

  Gravegirl and Claire exchanged a look. “So, he’s still out there,” Gravegirl said.

  Black Jade nodded, her gaze hardening. “Yes, and now he knows we’re a threat.”

  The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft murmurs of Doctor Hex as he tended to the girls. Claire sat quietly, absorbing the weight of the words. Her hands clenched into fists. She didn’t fully understand the scope of what had just happened, but she knew one thing for certain: this wasn’t over.

  Gravegirl and Claire appeared in a swirl of purple fire back in the hidden garden circle, the cool night air brushing against their faces. The faint hum of the magical energy dissipated, and Gravegirl extinguished her lantern staff with a flick of her wrist.

  Claire looked around, momentarily disoriented, before realizing they were back on the estate grounds. She glanced up at Gravegirl, her curiosity bubbling over despite her exhaustion.

  “Why didn’t you tell me the plan?” Claire asked as they started walking toward the estate, her voice soft but insistent.

  “It was a test.” Gravegirl shrugged. “You passed.”

  “A test?!” Claire said. “I was so freaked out, I didn’t know what to do!”

  “You figured it out,” Gravegirl said. “Shot Killwater like we needed, gave us a better chance to catch him.”

  “What are you talking about?” Claire asked. “Did you know he could heal?”

  “Yeah, he’s an assassin who kills supers and also regenerates. We needed to get the advantage somehow.”

  “By using me as bait!”

  Gravegirl chuckled as they reached the back entrance of the estate. “Hey, you agreed to come with me. Now you know how dangerous it really is.”

  As they slipped inside and headed toward Roxanne’s room, Claire’s tone grew more earnest. “But you’re so brave, and you have friends like Black Jade. She’s amazing! And Coveness, her magic scared all those bad guys away!”

  Gravegirl pushed open the door to her room and gestured for Claire to follow. She casually banished the lantern staff into a puff of smoke. “Bravery isn’t about not being afraid. It’s about doing what needs to be done even when you are.”

  Claire frowned, her brow furrowing as she processed the words. “But... why do you do it? Why fight bad guys like Killwater when it’s so dangerous?”

  Gravegirl sat on the edge of her bed, leaning forward slightly. “Because someone has to,” she said simply. “People like him don’t stop unless we make them..

  Claire sat down on the plush rug, hugging her knees to her chest. “Do you think... I could be brave like that someday?”

  Gravegirl studied her for a moment, her expression softening. “You already were tonight. Most people would’ve frozen or given up. But you didn’t. You fought back.”

  Claire smiled faintly at the compliment, but her mind was already racing with thoughts of the Coven and the world of superheroes her sister had opened up.

  “I want to be a superhero too,” Claire declared, her voice filled with conviction.

  Gravegirl raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Oh yeah? And what makes you think you’re cut out for that?”

  Claire sat up straighter, her excitement bubbling over. “I don’t have magic like you, but that’s okay! I could get better at fighting. I guess I can use a gun now, and I could maybe even get better weapons.” Her eyes shone as she spoke, a mix of determination and youthful ambition.

  Gravegirl crossed her arms, watching Claire carefully. “Alright. But you need to understand something; being a hero is more than just having a good weapon. You’ve got to be ready to face the worst, to make hard choices.”

  “Got it,” Claire said, nodding earnestly. “I’ve also got a great name for myself: Baby Gun.” She grinned widely.

  Gravegirl lips twitched. “Baby Gun, huh? That’s... a choice.”

  “Don’t laugh!” Claire said. “I’m small and I’m gonna shoot bad guys.”

  Gravegirl leaned back, her arms uncrossing as she considered her sister’s words. “You’re serious about this, huh?”

  Claire nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. I don’t want to just sit around and wait for trouble to happen. I want to fight, like you.”

  Gravegirl studied Claire for a long moment, the amusement fading into something more thoughtful. “Alright. But if you’re gonna be Baby Gun, you’ve got a long road ahead of you. Training, learning about your limits, and, most importantly, keeping your head on straight when things get tough. I won’t go easy on you.”

  “Thanks, Gravegirl,” Claire whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. “I won’t let you down.”

  After leaving Roxanne’s room, Claire made her way to her own space, the quiet hum of the estate surrounding her. The long hallway stretched ahead, and the weight of the day seemed to settle on her shoulders. But the excitement from the night’s events, of fighting, surviving, and the idea of becoming a superhero, kept her wide awake, her mind filled with possibilities.

  Entering her room, Claire closed the door softly behind her and flicked on the light. It was the perfect blend of elegance and playful chaos. The walls were painted a soft blush pink, accented with ornate white molding. A grand canopy bed filled the center, draped with soft pink curtains and piled high with an assortment of stuffed animals, their plush forms ranging from tiny bunnies to oversized bears. The floor was covered with a fluffy pink carpet, and the windows were dressed in flowing curtains which, when parted, revealed the sprawling estate grounds below.

  Against one wall stood her desk, a haven for her hobbies. The dual-monitor gaming PC, glowing faintly with purple accents, was surrounded by neatly arranged anime figures, each posed dramatically on their stands. Posters of her favorite superheroes and magical girl lined the wall above, their bright colors and sparkles reflecting her exuberant taste.

  On the opposite side of the room were several dress mannequins, each adorned with intricate dresses in various shades of pink, white, and pastel blue. Lace, ribbons, and embroidery detailed the garments, creating a miniature showcase of her personal style. A nearby shelf held accessories such as bows, gloves, and tiaras, all arranged for easy pairing. A full-length mirror stood nearby, framed in silver filigree.

  She walked over to the mirror and looked at herself. The ordeal at the warehouse had left her skin bloody and her dress stained with grime. If she was going to be a superhero, she definitely didn’t look like one. At least, not yet.

  Claire tossed the gold-trimmed pistol onto her bed before she kicked off her shoes. She then unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor before going to the bathroom to clean up. Moments later, she returned to the mirror refreshed, dressed in scarce white lace.

  From there, she looked over all her different dresses and gowns that were to the left of the mirror, debating which one would look best for her costume. She eventually decided to put on a matching corset and skirt. The top had boning lines on either side which reminded Claire of similar shapes she had seen in the supersuits of other female heroes. The skirt was fluffy and layered, very short and playful, but full enough to still be safe. They were both glossy white satin, trimmed with pink frills.

  Twirling in front of the mirror, she grinned at the airy layers that fanned out with her movement. Knee socks were next, sheer white with ribbons laced at the top, followed by the pink heels that added just the right amount of height.

  It was past her bedtime by now, but Claire went on, consumed by inspiration. Makeup was her next step. She applied a pale red blush and lip color, making a variety of mocking hero faces at herself all the while. During that time, she thought she needed a superhero symbol as a final touch. That’s when she looked down at the lipstick in her hand, blinking at the realization

  Lipsticks and bullets look alot alike.

  Claire darted over to her makeup drawer and pulled more supplies, using as makeshift paints to draw a symbol which villains would soon learn to fear. She grabbed the gun from her bed then jumped back to the mirror in her best hero pose.

  She gave herself a cheeky smile, and stared at the bullet/lipstick symbol in the center of her chest.

  “Baby Gun, ready for battle!”