The steel gates of Penitentiary-18 clanged shut behind Luther Ward as he scurried to keep pace with Elian Thorne. "Boss," he panted, "did Elian Thorne give any instructions?" "Wasn't him." Elian's boots echoed in the cavernous corridor. "Stick to the original plan." Luther lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "The fallout with Master Lucian... it's really permanent?" Elian halted, the prison's harsh fluorescent light carving shadows beneath his eyes. "Permanent enough. Since when did we need syndicate backing to get things done?" "You've got me," Luther thumped his chestplate, the sound ricocheting off concrete walls. "Through hell and high water!" Nightfall. Countdown: 5:59:59. Metropolis 18, District 7. Jasmine Snow felt microscopic beneath the electric sky. Neon a

