2.08 – Practice Makes Perfect

Leona and her Goonie scrounged through the house quickly, grabbing blankets and first aid supplies just in case. Goonie swept through the house, snatching up a flashlight as well as anything else that looked like it might be useful for their outing. She rummaged through the bathroom for anything that might double as emergency medical gear. When Leona returned with an armful of bandages, Goonie was already stuffing her oversized pack with spare batteries, a fire extinguisher, and even an old, slightly dented thermos.

Her aunt’s zeal was contagious but it was plain to see they were going overboard for a trip within the city. “Mom, we’re not prepping for the apocalypse,” Leona teased, laughing as Goonie crammed another flashlight into an already-bulging pocket.

“You never know what you’ll need,” Goonie retorted, her voice determined, though her lips twitched into a sly grin. She slung the heavy pack onto her back with an impressive display of strength, earning a gape and a chuckle from Leona.

Quinn peeked from her bedroom door, leaning casually against the frame with her trademark mischievous smirk. “You two look like you’re about to join an action movie,” she quipped, her tone laced with mock admiration. “Good luck!” she added with a playful wave as the front door closed behind them.

Before long, they were in Goonie’s car, winding through San Isidro’s dimly lit streets toward Port Howard, one of the city’s larger ports. The air inside the car was a mix of quiet anticipation and nostalgia.

“There’s a place out near the port where we won’t be bothered,” Goonie said, a wistful smile tugging at her mouth. “Used to be a makeout spot back in my day.”

Leona blinked, unable to suppress a snort of disbelief. “Wait, you made out here?” she teased, her grin wide. “Was it with someone special? Or are you just saying that to sound cool?”

Goonie shot her a pointed look, but the faint blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. “Not saying another word,” she replied, though the grin on her face lingered. “Besides, this isn’t about me—it’s about you.”

Leona chuckled, leaning back in her seat. The thought crossed her mind about how Quinn had mentioned a rave being organized out here last year. She wondered idly if they were headed to the same spot.

After over half an hour of driving, they arrived at a dilapidated, weed-ridden field that stretched out like a forgotten wasteland. Goonie parked a little way off and led Leona to the chained gate. With practiced ease, she slipped through and helped Leona pass the supplies over the fence before joining her on the other side.

“This place could use a cleanup crew,” Leona muttered, brushing cobwebs off her sleeve as they moved further in.

“It’s not about aesthetics,” Goonie replied, rummaging through her pack. She pulled out two flashlights and handed one to Leona, who took it with a grin.

“I mean, I don’t really need this,” Leona admitted, twirling the flashlight in her hand. “But better safe than sorry if my powers decide to take a nap.”

“Exactly,” Goonie replied, her tone practical as she led the way toward a stacked cluster of rusted shipping containers. “This’ll do. Can you transform now?”

Leona nodded. “Yeah, it’s just about willing it… but this is the first time I’m doing it in pitch darkness, so, uh, don’t stare directly at me, Mom. You might regret it.”

Goonie immediately averted her eyes, her hands shielding her face for good measure. Leona chuckled softly before focusing on her transformation. A brilliant flash of light lit up the containers and the field around them, momentarily chasing the shadows away. When it faded, Leona stood resplendent in her heroic form, her costume shimmering faintly, her wings casting a golden glow.

“They really glow!” Goonie exclaimed, lowering her hands to take in her daughter’s appearance. Her face lit with awe as she stepped closer, tightly hugging Leona. “You’re beautiful at night, honey,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Leona beamed, basking in both the compliment and the unfamiliar sensation of motes of light rising gently from her wings. “I feel beautiful, Mom!” she said, her voice carrying Aurora’s celestial resonance. She twirled, her wings trailing glowing embers like lazy fireflies. “I think I noticed these lights that first night, but not like this. It’s… magical.”

“It really is,” Goonie murmured, reaching out to touch one of Leona’s wings. The warmth surprised her, and she ran her fingers over the soft feathers, marveling at their texture. “They’re so warm… and soft,” she said, her tone almost reverent. “You’d better be careful not to injure them.”

“That’s the plan,” Leona replied with a grin. “I can form a protective field, like a second skin, when I need to. It’s automatic, but I’m still learning to control it. When I first used it, it covered me like a big capsule. Now, I can make it cling to me more tightly. It’s scary when someone shoots at you, but at least I have this to fall back on.”

Goonie’s smile turned serious, her eyes searching her daughter’s face. “It’s a good thing you have that field… and your wings. But what else can you do?”

“I can augment my strength a bit. Or maybe I negate gravity or weight itself, which I guess is the same thing.” Leona nodded. “Anyhow, when my power surrounds an object, within certain limitations, I can lift it. I seem to be able to punch people pretty well too. Plus, I blast things.”

Goonie arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. “Well,” she said, casting her eyes around thoughtfully. Her gaze settled on the stack of rusted shipping containers nearby, and a smile crept across her face. “You can practice on these. Let’s start by having you lift one and test your control of that aura of yours. If you run out of energy, we’ll better know your limitations.” She stepped back, giving Leona room to work.

Leona tilted her head, examining the top-most crate of the stack. With a firm nod, she flapped her glowing wings and floated upward. Touching the container, she focused, feeling her aura spread around it like an invisible net. The membrane couldn’t completely engulf the object—only about a third of its surface was covered.

Grunting, she tried to lift the container all at once, but it stubbornly refused to budge. She adjusted her approach, experimenting with spreading the field thicker over a smaller area or thinning it out to maximize coverage. At its thinnest, the aura covered nearly half the container. With extreme effort, she managed to lift one end off the stack for a fleeting moment, but it clanged back down when her power hit its limit.

Leona sighed in frustration, dropping to the ground to regroup. Goonie stepped forward, her expression warm and understanding. She placed a comforting hand on Leona’s shoulder. “That’s okay, sweetheart. Now we know you’re not a super-strength type hero. Try something smaller—work your way up. There are plenty of objects here to experiment with, but don’t overdo it. I don’t want you hurting yourself.”

Encouraged, Leona rushed over to a nearby oil drum. She placed her hand on it, letting her aura envelop the object. This time, the power flowed easily, surrounding the drum completely. With a delighted giggle, she lifted it effortlessly and spun around, holding it high like a trophy. She repeated the process with another drum, laughing as she tossed it lightly into the air and caught it.

Goonie watched, clapping her hands in amusement as Leona juggled two barrels clumsily, nearly dropping one. “Careful! Don’t whomp me with one!” Goonie called out, half-laughing, half-serious.

“Alright,” Goonie said after Leona set the barrels down, “let’s test your strength now. You said your punches were effective, right? Try hitting these and see what kind of damage you can do. Start with the shipping containers.”

Leona hesitated, eyeing the steel crate warily. “This is going to hurt, isn’t it?” she muttered under her breath. Taking a deep breath, she stepped closer and drew her arm back. With all her might, she slammed her fist into the container.

The sound of the impact echoed sharply in the air, but the container remained completely unscathed. Leona, however, winced in pain, cradling her throbbing hand. “Ow,” she muttered, glaring at the offending steel.

Goonie rushed forward but stopped when Leona waved her off. “I’m fine, Mom. I just need to rethink my approach.” She surrounded her fists with her aura, the translucent energy shimmering faintly in the dim light. Bracing herself, she struck the container again, this time repeatedly. The pain didn’t register through the protective field, but the impacts still seemed futile.

After a few moments, Goonie stepped closer, refusing to be shooed away this time. She examined Leona’s hands carefully before inspecting the container itself. Her face lit up with a surprised smile. “You’re not punching through steel, but… look here. You’ve made dents!”

Leona blinked, her jaw dropping as she leaned in to inspect the crate. Sure enough, her repeated blows had left faint but noticeable impressions on the surface. “Well, it’s something,” she said with a sheepish grin. “Guess I’m not breaking walls down anytime soon, though.”

Goonie shrugged, her smile unwavering. “Not everyone’s built like that. You’ve got other strengths. Speaking of which, let’s see how your blasts work."

"Step back, Mom—I’m going to try something bigger.”

Nodding her head, Goonie scurried a safe distance away, her eyes filled with both pride and concern. “Be careful!” she called over her shoulder.

Leona nodded, coating herself in a protective barrier. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the container in front of her. She extended her hand, the air around it crackling faintly with energy. Shrapnel was a real possibility, and she wasn’t about to take chances. Steeling herself, she took aim and prepared to unleash her power.

Reaching her hand toward one of the containers, Leona willed her energy to coalesce, charging a beam that lanced outward. The initial strike was weak, barely more than a flicker against the steel, but she adjusted, cutting off the first attempt and ramping up the power. Each consecutive blast came with greater force, hammering the container repeatedly.

Her strikes grew progressively stronger until one finally pierced through the side of the container. The energy wasn’t searing or molten but purely concussive, delivering raw force with each impact. The resulting damage left the container dented, punctured, and rattling from within.

Leona began experimenting, focusing on accuracy as she targeted specific points and adjusted the intensity of her attacks. The more she practiced, the more her confidence grew. The sheer joy of destroying old, unused shipping containers was undeniable, and she let herself enjoy the moment.

Eventually, Goonie called out from a distance, “Trigger happy, much? If you want to practice your aim more, I’ll set up some targets for you. But take a breather first!”

Leona stopped blasting and nodded, landing lightly as Goonie walked off to set up some makeshift targets. While catching her breath, Leona glanced toward their car, an impish thought crossing her mind. “Mom,” she called, “can I try lifting the car? It’s smaller than the shipping containers. It’ll be a good benchmark.”

Goonie turned, visibly hesitant, but finally nodded. “Fine. But if you damage it, you’re working extra shifts at the café to cover it. Got it?”

Leona grinned, saluting her mother playfully. “Got it!”

Leona flew over the fence and Goonie slipped carefully through the gate. Approaching the car, Leona placed a hand gently on its roof. She didn’t attempt to lift it immediately, instead focusing on spreading her aura around the vehicle. She carefully gauged how much coverage she could manage and how dense the aura felt. Full coverage was possible, but the field was thin—just enough to feel precarious.

Taking a steadying breath, she tightened her core and bent her knees, bracing herself. With a determined grunt, she began to lift. The car groaned as it rose slightly off the ground. Sweat beaded on Leona’s forehead, but she whooped in triumph. “I’m doing it!”

Carefully, she set the car back down, her face flushed but triumphant. “That gives me a good idea of my limits. I can lift it, but flying with it? That’s another story. Not trying that with your car, Mom!” She giggled, her breath still coming in short gasps.

“Smart choice,” Goonie said, walking over and pulling Leona into an awkward hug, mindful of her wings. “Good job, though. You’re learning so much so quickly.”

Leona grinned, an impish idea sparking to life. Without warning, she extended her aura to surround them both, scooped Goonie into her arms, and launched into the air.

Goonie shrieked as her feet left the ground, clutching Leona tightly. “What are you doing?!”

“Testing how long I can carry someone! How about a nice flight over the bay?” Leona laughed, exhilarated.

For her part, carrying Goonie was easy—her mother’s weight felt negligible to Leona’s enhanced strength, or rather thanks to her aura’s effect. Light as her Goonie was, the extra mass altered her flight dynamics, forcing her to adjust her maneuvering. She practiced compensating for the imbalance, gliding in wide arcs before trying tighter turns and playful loops.

However, as Leona flew, she began to notice her mother’s panicked grip and the tension in her trembling frame. While Leona was filled with joy and wonder, Goonie was clearly overwhelmed.

Realizing this, Leona stopped her more advanced maneuvers, leveling out and slowing her flight. She made a mental note that flying evasively with a passenger could be a challenge in high-pressure situations.

“I’m sorry I scared you, Mom,” Leona said softly as she gently descended towards the dock. “Are you okay?”

Goonie nodded stiffly, her eyes squeezed shut. “Y-yes,” she stuttered, her voice shaky. “Just… don’t talk. Concentrate on landing, got it?”

Leona smiled apologetically, keeping her descent slow and steady. Once they were safely back on solid ground, she released her mother, who stumbled slightly but recovered quickly.

“Next time,” Goonie said, still catching her breath, “warn me before you try something like that.”

Leona nodded, guilt and amusement mingling on her face. “Got it, Mom. No surprise flights next time.”

“I promise I won’t drop you, Mom.” Leona giggled and flapped a bit higher so she could show her the skylines of both of the two cities. Her wings hummed rhythmically in the cool night air, and the sensation of freedom filled her. She held Goonie close, mindful of her grip to keep her mother secure without feeling constricted.

“Just don’t get too daring now, honey,” Goonie managed, her voice trembling slightly as she clung to her daughter. Her face, initially pale with apprehension, began to relax as Leona’s steady movements proved her stability. “I’d like to survive the night to tell everyone what a fine flier you’ve become.”

They found themselves in a good place for such sightseeing. The faint glow of the city across the bay and lights from San Isidro reflected off the water below, and the hum of distant traffic mingled with the whisper of the salt-laden sea breeze. Leona’s heart swelled with pride and joy as she gazed at the sprawling cityscape. She was determined to show Goonie something of the wonder she was filled with. “Open your eyes and look. It’s beautiful, Mom,” Leona said gently, hugging her tightly to reassure her. “Trust me, you’re as light as a feather.”

Goonie’s eyes fluttered open, her grip on Leona loosening slightly as she dared to glance around. The transformation in her expression was immediate. “Oh my goodness!” she gasped, her voice tinged with awe. Her gaze darted between the two cities, marveling at the sight of the two from above on a warm night.

Seaside City shone like a distant collection of jewels, reflecting on the bay. Its vibrant lights seemed to dance on the water, casting shimmering trails that moved with the gentle waves. San Isidro, though quieter and dimmer, held its own understated elegance. The warm hues of its lights gave the city a serene and stately charm. “Spectacular!” Goonie laughed now that they weren’t moving. “Thank you, honey. It’s a million-dollar view.” She hugged Leona a little tighter, her earlier fear giving way to genuine delight.

Leona smiled warmly and glided slowly on the night breezes. Her wings adjusted subtly to keep them aloft, and she felt a sense of fulfillment as Goonie’s laughter replaced her initial unease. “I’m glad I could share this with you, Mom.” Leona’s smile was happy, her radiant expression seeming to mirror the light of the cities below.

They carefully circled downwards towards the shipping containers where they’d stood before. Leona’s landing was as graceful as her flight, her feet touching down lightly as she set Goonie on solid ground.

“I think I’m really happy,” Leona said softly, her voice filled with an almost childlike wonder. “Although I don’t know if these powers will always bring me happiness, I’ll take these moments when they come… and treasure them.” A contented sigh escaped from her lips, her wings folding neatly behind her.

“I can’t think of another girl so deserving,” Goonie said, beaming at Leona. Her voice was steady now, her earlier nerves completely replaced by pride. “Do you want to test out anything else?” she asked, though her legs wobbled slightly as she steadied herself.

Leona giggled as she caught her mom by the arm, offering support. “No, there’s nothing left except for my force field to test. I don’t know how we could test it though. When they were firing a bunch of guns at me during the blimp heist, nothing got through. With the first type of capsule shield, they were stopped dead, and with the second, bullets were bouncing off as though the shield had a rubber-like quality.”

“I could throw things at you, I guess,” Goonie suggested, her tone half-joking.

Leona tilted her head, considering the idea. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “I got a better idea… we’ve got a decent body of water right here… so let’s see…” She walked to the edge of the pier, the moonlight reflecting off the gentle waves, and concentrated on her field. Her aura shimmered faintly as it surrounded her, creating an almost imperceptible barrier. With a deep breath, she stepped off the edge to float over the water.

She experimentally dipped her toe into the cool water with caution and noticed that the forcefield rejected the entrance of water. Aurora tilted her head and smiled, her curiosity piqued. Slowly, she sank more and more of herself beneath the waterline. Even when she was neck-deep, she was certain she was quite dry.

Taking the plunge, Leona submerged herself completely. The sensation was surreal. She was surrounded by water yet untouched by it, the forcefield acting as an impenetrable shield. Almost immediately, she noticed the air was getting thin. While she could breathe well enough at first, she realized it wouldn’t last.

Propelling herself back up, her head broke the surface as she gasped for fresh air. She adjusted her field, opening it at the top and widening the gap around her body to become the capsule-type variety.

After a moment of fine-tuning, she dipped back underwater. This time, it was perfect. She felt a comfortable warmth within the field, a stark contrast to the chill of the ocean that she previously felt. She tested her movements, swimming through the water with ease, and noted how the field adapted to her motions seamlessly.

“Mom, this is incredible!” Leona called out, her voice muffled but audible as she surfaced briefly to share her excitement. 

Her smile was infectious, her enthusiasm making Goonie laugh and shake her head. “I’m pretty sure you’re the only person who could make swimming like that look so effortless,” Goonie teased, folding her arms as she watched.

Leona’s eyes sparkled with joy as she continued to experiment. For her, the night had become a series of discoveries, each one more thrilling than the last.

She played and experimented some more, ‘flying’ through the water. Her wings gleamed like liquid fire, refracting through the waves as she propelled herself forward effortlessly. She could take a supply of air with her, but did that mean it was finite? The question gnawed at her, and she decided to find out.

Leona concentrated on holding a pocket of air within the forcefield, noting the size of the bubble and how her breaths depleted it. “Alright, science time,” she muttered, amused by her own determination to test every angle.

She tested to see how much she had to take with her in reserve to be effective. Every now and then, her wings flared brighter, marking her location beneath the surface. It was like an otherworldly beacon cutting through the murk. Though the brightness of her wings conveniently marked her location, she surfaced periodically to reassure Goonie that she was safe and alright.

“Still alive!” she chirped after popping her head above water one time. Goonie waved from the dock, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

Interestingly, she never actually swam at all. Her powers or the capsule propelled her forward underwater, so flight wasn’t quite accurate either. It was more like the classic superhero flying for the types without wings. She zoomed past fish that darted out of her way and even looped around a curious crab scuttling along the ocean floor.

When done, she breached the surface and launched into the air again, water cascading off the field in sparkling sheets. For a brief, magical moment, she looked like a glowing dolphin breaching the surface of the bay. She whooped with laughter, the sound ringing out across the water, before gliding smoothly back to the dock.

Laughing joyfully, she landed beside her Auntie, her hair slightly mussed from the wind. “Wow, that was so fun! I didn’t get cold or wet at all.”

Goonie rubbed Leona’s back, her grin widening. “Well, I think we’ve exhausted the possibilities for now. At any rate, if we keep this up, we might get spotted, particularly given how brightly you shine. So let’s go.” She gave a nod toward the car and turned to lead the way back.

Leona fell into step beside her easily, her excitement bubbling over as she grabbed Goonie’s hand. “When we get to the gate, no need to take turns squeezing through this time. I’ll float us over. You’ve seen magical movies where people held hands and floated together, right? I did that with an officer earlier, so don’t panic.” She winked mischievously at Goonie.

When they neared the obstacle, Leona flapped her wings once to extend her aura around them both. The moment their feet left the ground, Goonie barked a laugh, caught between nervousness and amusement.

“Seriously, you couldn’t have warned me a second longer?” Goonie groused as they danced in midair.

“Would you have said no?” Leona teased, her grin impish.

“Point taken,” Goonie muttered, though her face scrunched slightly at being airborne again.

They floated down gently, their landing so smooth that they were already walking before their feet fully touched the ground.

“Nice job, girl. Which of the San Isidro precincts are you going to tomorrow?” Goonie asked as she moved to the car, her tone shifting to casual curiosity.

Leona let her transformation dissipate, her wings folding away as she slid into the passenger seat. “Oh gosh, the targets you set up! We totally forgot them, Mom.” Her hand went to her forehead, her laugh dry and sheepish.

“It’s fine. I think you have that ability down pat.” Goonie started the car after tossing the backpack into the back seat. She reversed smoothly and headed for the frontage road, the night alive with the hum of tires on asphalt. “You didn’t answer—are you going to speak with the SIPD tomorrow?”

“It seems only right,” Leona replied after a thoughtful pause. Her gaze flicked to the window, her expression pensive. “I’m also thinking I might sneak a peek at Sarah to reassure myself too later on.”

Her voice trailed off as if she’d realized what she’d just admitted. Crud, Quinn told me not to mention it.

Goonie sighed, the sound exasperated but tinged with affection. “You have to be careful, dear. Someone might take it the wrong way if you’re not clear about your intentions,” she warned, shooting Leona a sidelong glance. “But maybe we can decide on a way to do it that won’t offend anyone.” Her hand reached over to playfully tousle Leona’s hair, earning a quiet laugh.

“I had hoped you’d be able to help, Mom.” Leona’s smile softened, her earlier nerves dissipating. “I said the same thing to Quinn. She doesn’t think about things a superhero shouldn’t do… and what they should really worry about, like reputation and stuff. I know it’s inevitable that some people won’t like me… like that grumpy detective over in Seaside, but I don’t want to actually bring that on myself purposely.”

“That’s because you’re a good girl,” Goonie replied warmly, relief evident in her tone. “Do you feel any weaker after all that? I know you were worried about being less powerful at night.” She glanced over at Leona again, her brow furrowed slightly with concern.

Leona frowned in thought, her lips pursed. “That’s true, but how about this—you drive home, and I’ll fly overhead. Not too close, but enough to where I can pull in if I need help. I’ll call you on my phone if I feel like I’m in trouble.”

Goonie nodded, pulling over without hesitation. When Leona stepped out, she transformed in a burst of golden light, her wings spreading wide as she rose gracefully into the night sky. Watching her Mom pull off, she hovered for a moment, feeling the cool air rush past her face.

Testing her limits, she soared higher before descending in gentle spirals to match the car’s pace. She felt no weaker. In fact, she felt exhilarated. Performing a series of slow rolls and loops, she let out a laugh, the stars above and the road below blurring together in her joy.

When they got home, Leona headed to the familiar copse and reversed her transformation. The warmth and glow of her aura faded, leaving her in her normal form as she stretched, feeling the residual hum of energy in her limbs. With a practiced leap, she vaulted onto the wall, landing softly as she balanced. She then strolled along the top of the fence, keeping balance as she reached the front yard and hopped off gently to stroll to the front of the condo and perched herself on the doorstep to wait.

Moments later, Goonie parked in the driveway, the car’s engine humming softly as it powered down. She hefted the supply pack out of the trunk and carried it to the main entrance, meeting Leona just as she rose to her feet.

“Well, how did it feel?” Goonie asked, setting the pack down beside the door.

“It felt fine, actually,” Leona said thoughtfully, her expression brightening as she spoke. “I feel more relaxed. It’s true that I have an affinity for the sun, but maybe it’s not the only source of my power. I feel something right now.” She gestured at the almost full moon above with a smile. “Maybe I take in light from the stars above, or maybe some other particle too.” She shrugged, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Anyway, thanks for taking me tonight, Mom.”

Before Goonie could respond, Leona stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

“I think I have a better idea of what I can do now, thanks,” she murmured.

Goonie smiled and patted her back warmly. “That’s what tonight was about. Okay, get some sleep. I’ll bring you to the station early tomorrow if you’d like. Or, to a private place where you can transform if you’d rather.”

Leona’s heart swelled at her mother’s unwavering support. She pulled back, her eyes glimmering with gratitude. “A private place would be best. I don’t want anyone seeing you and getting a clue about who I might be.”

Goonie nodded, her gaze steady as she absorbed Leona’s reasoning.

“They might even take me less seriously if they knew I was a kid,” Leona continued, her tone growing more serious. “Plus, the comic books show what happens when you aren’t serious about protecting your identity, particularly the darker comics. I don’t want my family to ever be at risk just because I’ve decided to be a superhero.”

Goonie chuckled softly, her smile widening. “Ah, I didn’t think of that. Good idea. Sounds like you’re well on your way to being a real superhero; you have such a level head.”

Leona flushed slightly at the compliment, but her grin didn’t fade. “The future can always be found in fiction. I suppose that’s why they say there is truth in fiction,” she mused, her voice taking on a philosophical tone. “A person’s imagination is oftentimes able to foresee what something will be like without having to experience it firsthand. That’s why I don’t think comics are just frivolous silliness. They’re just like any other stories. The wisdom is always there for the reader to pull out for themselves. I know that’s just a theory and I can’t go into much more detail, but anything is possible, really. That is, if you think more about ‘how’ instead of ‘what’ or ‘when.’”

Goonie rolled her eyes, her fond exasperation obvious. “All right, Plato. Scoot! You have a big day tomorrow, and I want you to get a good night’s sleep.”

Leona laughed and rushed ahead upstairs, dodging the predictable swat aimed at her backside. She glanced around as she passed the living room—Quinn was nowhere to be seen, likely already asleep.

When she entered her room, her steps faltered, and her breath caught in her throat.

Black Angel herself was sitting on her bed, one leg crossed over the other, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. The sly smile on her face sent a chill racing down Leona’s spine.

“Miss me?” the entity purred, waving glibly as though her presence were the most natural thing in the world.

Leona blinked, and she was gone.

The room was eerily still, the bedsheets undisturbed, the air heavy with an unshakable tension. It was as though Black Angel had never actually been there. Yet, the memory of that mocking gaze burned in Leona’s mind, her heart pounding furiously.

Sinking to her knees, Leona pressed her hands against the floor, taking deep, measured breaths. Her chest rose and fell in a desperate attempt to steady herself.

What did seeing her mean? Was she losing control? Would she have to fear that the dark being might take over someday?

Black Angel wanted to be reborn as her—wanted to replace her, or worse, use her for some unknown purpose. The weight of that realization pressed down on Leona, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic spiral.

Closing her eyes tightly, she whispered a silent prayer. She could only hope that Black Angel’s good side—if it still existed—might help her. It was a fragile hope, but for now, it was all she had. 

Regardless, it looked like sleep wasn’t going to come as easily tonight as she’d thought.