Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1)(53)

“You said as much in the drugstore,” Diana pointed out, leaning against the desk.

“But there’s a difference between looking respectable and saying, Look at me!”

“Perhaps you should think of it as armor,” suggested Diana. “When a warrior readies herself for battle, she doesn’t just worry about practicality.”

Alia rolled onto her side and propped her head on one hand. “I’d think not dying would be the big concern.”

“Yes, but the goal is also to intimidate. A general wears her rank. The same is true of athletes when they compete.”

“That’s true!” said Nim. “I read that football players play more aggressively when they’re dressed in black and red.”

“Nim loves trivia,” said Alia.

“I love information.”

Diana lifted Nim’s measuring tape from the desk and curled it over one finger. “Where I’m from…I get a lot of attention because of my mother.”

“Who’s your mom? Is she famous?”

“Um…”

“Only locally,” interjected Alia.

“Anyway,” said Diana, “I know people will be judging, so I have to think about what to wear. My mother does, too. She’s really good at it. And it isn’t just about battle. Sometimes everything feels like a fight. You know, like just sitting through a dinner.”

“Or walking down the street,” said Nim.

“Or making it through an hour at a party,” Alia said.

Diana found herself smiling. “It’s just an hour. We’ll manage it.” And when that hour had passed, they would be on their way to the spring, on their way to changing the future.

A knock came at the door, and Jason ducked his head inside. “I need to head over to the meeting soon. Traffic’s heavy.”

“Tell me you’re not wearing that to the party,” said Nim.

Jason had donned a suit similar to the ones worn by the businessmen on the train.

He tugged at his cuff a bit self-consciously. “I’d planned to change into my tux at the office. And hello, Nim. So glad you can join us tonight.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Jay-jay.”

“Meyers and Perez will escort you to the party. Dez will drive, but I got him to pick up a new car. If anyone’s tracking our fleet, they’re going to miss him coming and going.” Jason held out a piece of paper that Nim snatched from his hand. “If you need to reach him, use this number. I got him an encrypted burner cell.”

“An encrypted burner cell?” Alia repeated. “You just had one lying around?”

“Alia, what do I always tell you?”

“That you only watch reality TV as an anthropological exercise.”

Nim cackled, and Jason rolled his eyes.

“No,” he said. “Enjoy the best, but prepare for the worst.”

“Wise, Jason,” said Nim. “So wise. Ever notice how hard it is to enjoy something when you’re preparing for the worst?”

He ignored her. “Theo and I will meet you at the party at eight thirty. Don’t be late.”

“Oh lord, Theo’s coming?” said Nim. “Talk about preparing for the worst.”

“And what about…” Diana hesitated. “Our ride home?”

Jason gave a single grim nod. “It will be ready to go.” He shut the door.

“Thanks for the invite!” Nim called after him.

Jason’s voice floated back through the door. “Just don’t set fire to anything.”

Nim pirouetted and struck a pose. “Nothing but the dance floor. Who’s hungry?”

—

A cold supper had been laid out for them in the kitchen, and Diana realized there must be staff here, servants who came and went barely seen. She hoped Jason’s faith in their loyalty was justified, and that both he and Alia were right about the party being a worthwhile risk. Even so, she was glad that they weren’t leaving for Greece right away. Once they’d broken the Warbringer line, Diana would have to return home to whatever consequences might be waiting. With Jason’s jet at the ready, she could at least enjoy a few more hours to observe the mortal world. There was so much to see, and if she was honest with herself, she could admit there was something to be said for being Diana Prince, something freeing about being judged on her own words and actions, instead of her origins or her mother’s choices.

As they hovered around the kitchen counter, piling food onto their plates, Diana wondered if Alia and Jason ever used the huge dining room or threw parties on their grand terrace. Or was it always just the two of them and the occasional trusted friend, sharing this huge home with the ghosts of Alia and Jason’s parents, eating standing up at their counter, looking out at the beautiful view?

Diana had felt so alone on Themyscira, but Alia was just as isolated in this massive city—maybe more so. The palace at the Epheseum was large, but it had been built as a communal space, one where people came and went to seek audience with their queen, where classes were taught. The women who served Diana and her mother were also their friends, the same people with whom they ate and trained. Everyone served Themyscira in some way, but they were all warriors, all equals. It was one of the reasons many believed there should be no queen at all, just an elected council. Maybe this quest would free both Diana and Alia. Maybe it would give Diana a chance to truly belong among her sisters and Alia the opportunity to live her life with some measure of peace.