Ding. The elevator chimed crisply, and the car swayed slightly. They had reached the first floor.
Lucian looked away from the System Panel. LV5 Plasma Lightning, LV6 Immortality. Very tempting.
But making LV5 permanent took twenty-four hours, and LV6 would definitely take longer. He would have to find a safe opportunity to catch that woman and drain her slowly.
The elevator doors slid slowly apart, letting in the noise from the lobby.
He released his arm from Annie's waist, letting his hand slide down to take hers.
Annie straightened and adjusted her slightly disheveled jacket. Her cheeks were still a little flushed, but her breathing had steadied and her eyes were clear again.
Back in the hallway, she had forcibly drawn electricity from the entire floor, ready to fight Stormfront to the death.
That silly girl. Did she really think she could stop that old monster who had lived for nearly a hundred years?
But that foolish streak really did feel good, just as Annie believed he had stood up for her in front of Homelander. Love went both ways.
"Let's go."
Annie nodded and followed Lucian out of the elevator.
"No more work today." Lucian held her hand as he headed for the exit. "I'm taking you out."
Annie froze for a moment, her steps lagging half a beat. "But Ashley said there's an exclusive interview this afternoon, and a talk show tonight..."
"She can go to hell." Without looking back, Lucian pulled her through the revolving door. "Just tell her you had a scare and need to get yourself mentally ready. I'm sure she'll understand."
Annie couldn't help bursting into laughter.
They picked up a few things at a nearby mall. A New York Yankees baseball cap and a pair of oversized black sunglasses. Annie was now America's