"Agh!"

  Ekko was sent flying onto his back as Orion unleashed a soft wave of indigo energy, his body skidding backward several feet across the pavement.

  Orion exhaled sharply, his eyes glowing faintly. "I owe Silco for breaki," he said ftly, his hand instinctively c Isha's eyes. "Don't go grabbing at me suddenly."

  Ekko coughed and sat up, rage burning in his eyes. "He killed Benzo! Just walk away from him! Or lead us there so we deal with him!"

  Orion tilted his head. "We?" His gaze flicked from Ekko to Powder, his expression unreadable. "I uand your reason, but what's yours?"

  Powder's lips parted, but she hesitated. She hadn't expected Ekko to get thrown back, but she didirely bme Orioher.

  Finally, she spoke, her voice quieter than before. "He's still produg Shimmer," she admitted. "And... I didn't k-"

  "Powder," Orion said, his tone almost amused but ced with something deeper, something dangerous. "You're smart. Smarter than the gang, at least. Which is why I find this all so… iing."

  "It was Silco who saved me. Not Vander. Not Vi. Not you." He let the words hang, then leaned in slightly, voice almost spiratorial. "Tell me, Powder… did Vander ever tell you he was searg for me?"

  Her breath hitched. "No... He- he probably thought you were dead."

  Orion chuckled dryly. "How ve."

  Powder shook her head. "That doesn't ge anything! Silco still destroyed people! He used Shimmer to turn them into monsters!"

  Orion's smirk didn't fade, but his eyes sharpened. "And what do you think the mines do to people, Powder? The Foundry? The Chembarons? You think Shimmer is the only poison in this city? It's just the ohat people like to talk about. It's simple, it's easy to hate."

  Powder hesitated, just for a moment.

  Orion tinued, voice smooth as silk but sharp as a bde. "Vander hid things from you." he g Ekko, then back at her "But me? I was locked away for six years, and the first thing I did when I got out was tell you the truth, again."

  Powder's hands ched, the fire in her eyes dimming with uainty.

  Orion took a step back with Isha still holding onto his leg.

  "Now, I don't expect you tive Silco. Frankly, I don't care. But tell me, Powder… how many more things do you think Vander has kept from you?"

  Silence.

  Powder swallowed, the thoughts colliding in her mind. The anger, loyalty, and questions.

  She wao deny it. She waue. But a seed of doubt had already been pnted.

  "You're talking like Silco," Ekko said with disdain, rising back to his feet. "I see what you're doing!"

  "Questions, Ekko," Orion replied dryly. "Greyson knows Vander, and everything happened on Vander's turf. I sincerely doubt that he doesn't know anything. Just ask him, it's that simple."

  "We will. And when you're wrong, you'll show us where Silco is."

  "No, I won't," Orion replied firmly. Ekko opened his mouth to protest again but was cut off. "Value loyalty above all else. Hreements. Even Benzo would agree to that."

  This bad forth tinued for some time with Ekko demanding he leave Sild Powder trying to reason with him to e back, but with yers of doubt staining her sciousness.

  As the argument finally fizzled out, Orion turned on his heel, leading Isha away without another word. Powder and Ekko stood in tense silence, watg him disappear into the alley.

  ---------------

  The air in Silco's residence was thick with the st of smoke and whiskey. The dim, flickering light cast a long shadow across the room as he swirled the amber liquid in his gss. His eyes, filled with thought, flickered when Orion abruptly opehe door.

  Orion shut the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed as Isha waddled in and sat on the couch.

  "I don't take in strays, Orion." Silco exhaled, tapping his cigar into an ashtray. "I assume your little reunio about as well as expected?"

  "Better than st time," Orion admitted, ign the first remark. "They didn't know a damhing about what happened."

  "It's to be expected with Vander," Silodded. "He'd do anything to protect his own. Keeping your location a secret robably the best thing he could've done for them."

  Orion's expression darke that, but he said nothing. Isha, meanwhile, sat across from Silco, eyeing his cigar with open curiosity. Silco barely spared her a gnce before stating, "It's not for you, child."

  "Nn."

  She frowned and leaned back with her arms crossed, prompting Silco to arch a brow. "What's wrong with her?"

  "She's mute," Orion answered, stepping toward her. "How or why, I don't know.

  "I told you, Orion. I don't take in strays."

  "I'm taking her in."

  "On whose ?"

  "Mine, which is yours. But still mine." Orion jihe bag of . Silco rolled his eyes, taking another drag of his cigar.

  Silco was silent for a moment before setting his cigar and gss down with a soft k. He leaned ba his chair, g his fiogether. "Where do you stand, now that you've had your taste of freedom?"

  Orion's lips curled. "That depends. What exactly do you want from me?"

  "Loyalty," Silco chuckled, studying the new eerie glow from Orion's eyes. "And someohe Enforcers fear. Someone who walks the liween magid men."

  "You wao be your monster... against Topside?"

  Silco exhaled, irritation seeping into his voice. "They've grown bolder." He took another sl, his one good eye gleaming behind the smoke. "Caitlyn Kiramman- who I believe you are well acquainted with- has bee a particur thorn in my side."

  Orio out a low chuckle, his tone ced with mockery. "Worse than Vander's gang?"

  "Far worse," Silco's expression turned cold. "She has power, money, and influence. Her youthful devotion makes her incorruptible pared to Marcus and whes, she is dangerous."

  Orion exhaled slowly. He had no illusions about Silco's iions, nor did he fully trust the man. But after everything- after Stillwater, after his reunion with Powder and Ekko, after the bitter realization about Vander again-

  "Fine," Orion finally said, his voice low. "But I have terms."

  Silco raised a brow, intrigued. "I'm listening."

  Orion sat o Isha, curling his fingers like Silco. "I start with Sheriff Greyson. I'll deal with Caitlyn afterwards- my way."