Adrian stepped out of the venue, his mind steady and clear. He already knew what had to be done.
Three long-distance communication artifacts—that was all he had. One was with Ruby, another with Elana, and through her he could reach Ariana as well. That meant everyone he cared about was only a call away.
Now there was only one person left unaccounted for. Sylvie. Until he found her, he couldn't focus on saving the others.
He pierced through the barrier, knowing Juggler wouldn't have kept Sylvie within the premises.
He had a few places where he was thinking to look. However, just as he took a few steps away from the venue,
"You're good at isolating yourself."
The words slid through the air like a knife, cold and mocking. Just as Adrian pushed past the barrier and advanced toward the town—where he believed the Acolytes might be waiting—he froze.
That voice. He knew it.
He turned, and there stood a man in a joker's mask, the sharp sunlight glinting off the painted smile.
