Its the second book in a planned trilogy.
The newFlashbook will be released April 3, and the newSupergirlbook on May 1.
Well over 120 beats per minute.
Credit: Robert Voets/The CW
A ferocious, terrified heart rate.
Unsustainable in the long term.
It wasnt possible to see so much as to perceive vague, moving hazes and glimmering fogs.
DC Comics
He lay half-covered in grimy water, in which floated things he did not want to identify.
Not that he could do either.
He was shackled to the wall, connected by a hefty chain to a stout U-bolt.
DC Comics
Hed tried a few experimental tugs when hed woken, but the chain had not budged.
He was securely held in place.
Down here in the dark and the echoey quiet and the stink.
Something on the farthest periphery of his hearing.
But it was there, no doubt.
Something moved out there in the water.
is whole city had gone crazy ever since that explosion a few years back.
People were seeing things every which way they turned.
He should have moved by now.
Should have moved to Coast City or Star City or even St. Roch.
Anywhere was better than
There.
There it was again.
Something in the water.
He was both grateful and disgusted at the same time.
A rat, even a big one, could be fended off.
But what if there were more, lurking just beyond?
In utter terror, he shrieked, screaming loud and long.
Thee sound echoed from the walls, overlapping his own scream, filling his ears to the bursting point.
It was human but somehow inhuman at the same time.
Two arms, two legs, a head, but .
It wore a shabby coat and threadbare jeans with a long, bedraggled red scarf knotted around its neck.
A rat perched on its shoulder, patiently regarding Herb with glittering, hungry eyes.
It was the only word he could conjure in that moment.
The figure leaned in close.
yo, he said again.
The rat chittered softly in his ear.
The mans voice sounded like a rusty, broken fan, staccato and raspy.
Once I take it from you, youll be set free.
Set free to roam the Upworld again.
you’ve got the option to have it.
Herb thought quickly of the contents of his pockets.
He had little cash on him, but he would give it all up.
His credit cards, too.
And his cell phone, of course.
The man nodded once, with finality, and produced something from his pocket.
He leaned in fartherand Herb saw that what hed withdrawn from his pocket was a surgical scalpel.
For a very, very long time.
a violins bow hummed across the A string.
booksKara Danvers smiled as the sweet note pierced the near silence.
A second later, the note grew into a melody that made emotion swell in her chest.
If Karas eyes hadnt been closed, everyone in Noonans restaurant would have seen them ll with tears.
Kara opened her eyes.
Miss Danvers, are you all right?
Hannah Nesmith, the curly-haired woman seated across from Kara, asked.
Oh, gosh, yes!
Kara laughed and removed the headphones she was wearing.
She removed her glasses, as well, and wiped her eyes with a napkin.
Im glad you enjoyed it.
Kara passed the headphones and music player back to Hannah.
I have never had a song move me like that!
Hannah pointed at Kara.
You should hear it with a full orchestra.
Oh, I dont think thered be enough napkins, Kara said with a chuckle.
And bravo, by the way, for your skill on the violin.
She clapped, and Hannah blushed.
I actually play the flute; the person you just heard was Claude.
As she said the name, Hannahs blush deepened.
Kara pursed her lips.
she asked with the innocence of someone pretending not to pry.
Hannah smirked at her.
You could say that.
We play for the same orchestra, but we met during a triathlon.
Youre a ridiculously talented composer, musician,andtriathlete?
She leaned toward Hannah and whispered, AreyouSupergirl?
Hannah shrugged and laughed.
She and I are never in the same place at the same time.
Kara laughed, too.If only you knew you were sitting right across the table from her,she thought.
Kara flipped through the notesshedjust taken on a steno pad, shaking her head.
Hannah, I would seriously kill for a fraction of your talent, she said.
You and I arent so different, Hannah said.
Were both writers who speak to people through our work.
Yeah, but my work doesnt sell out shows at National City Music Hall.
But it could sell out a TED Talk, Hannah replied.
By this time next year, you could be in Vancouver, giving a speech on women in media.
I dont see myself going to Vancouver.
Their server arrived with the bill, and Kara plucked the check holder away before Hannah could reach it.
Shed once seen him drink from a coffee cup labeled No More Never Mr. Nice Guy.
Kara extended a hand to Hannah, who shook it.
This was such an honor, Ms. Nesmith.
Thank you for meeting me so late in the day.
Anytime, said Hannah.
She leaned toward Kara.
Anything without inappropriate lyrics was probably not going to be on his radar.
Still, Mon-El had been spending a lot of time at National City Museum learning about ancient civilizations.
Maybe Kara could convince him to expand his interests to classical music as well.
Id love to go, Kara told Hannah.
Ill leave two tickets at Will Call, Hannah said with a wink.
She glanced at her watch and grimaced.
I hate to eat and run, but Ive got another appointment.
Yes, go, go!
Kara waved her away and placed some money in the check holder.
Hannah smiled gratefully and rose from her chair, colliding with a tall, sleek-haired brunette.
Kara perked up when she realized it was one of her best friends, Lena Luthor.
Are you all right?
Lena reached for Hannahs arm, and her eyes widened.
What are you doing here, of all places?
I just finished an interview with CatCo magazine, said Hannah, gesturing to Kara.
This is
Lenas face brightened.
She opened her arms, and Kara stood and stepped into them, smiling.
What are you doing here?
They separated, and Lena nodded to a nearby table of suit-clad men and women.
Im at a business dinner as well.
In a lower voice, she added, Im hoping theyll fund a cancer cure Im developing.
Hannah Nesmith laughed and shook her head.
Leave it to you to find a cure for cancer, Lena.
She turned to Kara.
You want to talk talent?
But you left the coins for other people to find.
Lena ducked her head.
You speak too kindly of me, Hannah.
She squeezed her hands.
Are you in town for a bit?
Im at the Wayward Arms if you want to catch up.
Lenas eyes fitted back to her table.
And now, I really must dash.
Lena winked and hurried off.
Im afraid I have to go, too, Hannah told Kara.
If you have any more questions, like feel free to call.
With a wave, she departed.
Kara watched both women walk away, visionaries and dynamos of the twenty-first century.
The thought made Kara feel a bit .
Yes, she was Supergirl, but that was a secret she couldnt share.
Neither Supergirl nor Kara Danvers could compare.
Under the cover of darkness, Kara slipped into the alley behind Noonans and leaped into the night sky.
She soared over rows of buildings before touching down on the balcony of DEO headquarters.
The Department of Extra-Normal Operations was like her second homeandoffice.
His second-in-command was Karas sister, Alex.
But as Kara glanced around the control room, she didnt see either of them.
She did, however, spot another one of her best friends, Winn Schott.
7
Hey, Winn?
Kara said as she approached him.
Have you seen Jonn or Alex?
Winn let his pen fall into one hand and swiveled to face her.
Yeah, theyre on the roof.
Big square thing above us that keeps the rain out.
Kara pinched his arm.
I know what a roof is, smartie.Whyare they there?
Winn grinned and squirmed out of her reach.
Apparently, theres a big comet coming.
Dr. Hoshi brought her telescope, so everyone else is going to check it out.
Kara raised an eyebrow.
Isnt this what you live for?
When he wasnt inventing or hacking something, Winn was absorbed in science fiction and obsessed with outer space.
Ive been to another planet and have the space rocks to prove it.
He polished his fingernails on his shirt.
Once youve crossed the galaxy, everything else pales in comparison.
Youre saying this to a girl whos crossedseveralgalaxies.
Winn stared at her.
Let me have my moment, Kara.
But I still find it hard to believe you arent interested in seeing the comet.
Its orbiting Earth for five days, so Ill have plenty of chances to see it.
Kara crossed her arms.
He smiled sheepishly and pointed to his bag.
I may have a portable telescope I plan to break out later.
What are you working on now?
Kara started to turn his laptop in her direction, but Winn reached out and steadied it.
Hey, hey, hey!
Im doing some personal shopping.
Winns cheeks turned pink, and Kara smirked.
Are you buying more action figures, Winn?
He shot her a look.
First of all, theyre collectibles.
Secondhe turned his laptop so Kara could see the screenIm buying a gift for Lyra.
Lyra, an alien refugee from Starhaven, was Winns girlfriend.
She was a bit of a wild child, but she had a good heart.
Kara squeezed Winns shoulder and glanced at the screen.
Thats a doormat, Winn.
He grinned at her.
Yeah, but look what it says.
He enlarged the image, and Kara read.
Theres no place like 34.1546 N, 118.3340 W. Kara shook her head.
I dont get it.
Its the latitude and longitude for my apartment!
Winn tapped his chest.
Im giving Lyra a doormat for my home because I want it to be her home, too.
Youre asking her to move in with you?
She squealed and bent to hug Winn.
And a really clever gift idea.
Winn leaned back in his chair and smiled smugly.
Just call me Mr. Now I know a Mr. Kara glanced at the screen again.
That doormats out of stock.
She clicked on a link.
And they arent sure when itll be available.
Winn blinked at Kara.
I didnt say I was ready for Lyra to move innow.
Kara rolled her eyes.
Oh, dont judge me with your judging judgery.
Winn waved a finger at Kara.
Lyras out of town, and I miss her, so Im keeping busy.
He closed his laptop and slid it into his messenger bag.
Thats why Im about to meet James for patrol.
Youre welcome to join us.
James was James Olsen, one of her closest friends.
Thanks, but I need to talk to Jonn, Kara said, pointing up.
If you change your mind, well be out all night.
Winn stood and slung his bag over one shoulder.
it’s possible for you to find us at the corner of Danger and Excitement, he said.
Winn walked away, whistling Space Oddity, and Kara grinned.
Then she zoomed out the balcony doors and up to the roof.
At Karas sudden appearance, the foursome stopped talking and glanced over at her.
Jonn, Mon-El, and Alex smiled, while Maggie stamped her foot and groaned.
Alex held a hand out to her girlfriend, palm up.
Thatll be five dollars.
Kara narrowed her eyes good-naturedly as the money changed hands.
Do I want to know what you were betting on?
Mon-El raised his hands defensively and greeted Kara with a kiss.
For the record, babe, I didnt participate.
Neither did I, said Jonn.
We saw you flying toward the building, Alex explained to Kara.
Which, by the way, you should not be doing in your street clothes.
Because youve seen enough of space for a lifetime.
Maggie was one of the few people outside the DEO who knew that Kara was also Supergirl.
Alex put an arm around Karas shoulders.
And I was right.
Kara gave her sister an apologetic look.
Actually, I came to talk to Jonn.
Alex dropped her arm from Karas shoulders, and Maggie let out a Ha!
before snatching her five dollars back.
Jonn stepped closer to Kara.
You wanted to talk to me?
With Alex, Maggie, and Mon-El all listening, Kara felt herself blush.
I was hoping I could start doing more for the DEO, she said quietly.
Doing more than protecting this city every day?
Kara shook her head.
Alexs forehead wrinkled in confusion, but Kara pressed on.
It would be good to know what I might face.
Plus, its definitely something Lena Luthor and Hannah Nesmith wont be experts at, she thought.
Jonn stroked his chin.
Weve got some artifacts in the subbasement you could look at, I suppose.
Thats a start, Kara said with a nod.
Why are you going into DEOverdrive?
Is everything OK at CatCo?
Kara gave her a reassuring smile.
I just want to .
And be a little more impressive without my cape, she added to herself.
OK, said Alex, though she still looked puzzled.
We can head downstairs after the comet appears, Jonn told Kara.
He checked his watch.
Which should be any moment now.
Normally, she acted as the DEOs physician.
But tonight, the petite Japanese woman stood on tiptoe to point out a constellation.
Want me to lift you a little higher?
Kara asked with a wink and a smile.
Glad you could join us, Dr. Hoshi said in greeting.
And no, thank you.
I prefer to keep my feet on the ground.
She glanced down at the rooftop.
Or the concrete, in this case.
Kara smiled and gestured at the telescope.
I had no idea you were into astronomy.
Its kind of my secret passion, Dr. Hoshi confessed.
Tonight, were going to observe Caesars Comet.
Have you heard of it?
It wasnotnamed after the salad, Mon-El chimed in.
And if you suggest that, people will laugh.
He cleared his throat.
Kara held back a smile and rubbed his back sympathetically.
Im not familiar with the comet, Dr. Hoshi.
Many Romans thought it was the dei cation of Caesar: proof that hed become a god.
Dr. Hoshi turned to the rest of the group before she made her next comment.
She bent over the telescope and made a few adjustments before turning to her laptop.
Everyone chattered excitedly and shuffled closer to the telescope.
While youre waiting, you should be able to see the comet with the naked eye right .
Kara glanced to where Dr. Hoshi was pointing and saw an ice-blue dot against the star-speckled darkness.
Too cool, Alex whispered beside her.
Kara turned to answer but was blinded by a brilliant ash of light.
All around her, people cried out in surprise.
The whole world had gone white.
Mon-El gripped one of Karas hands, and she felt around for her sister with the other.
She felt herself falling.
Then everyone and everything went silent.
Before Kara hit the concrete, the white light faded to black, and she passed out.
