Blood And Claim

The ultimatum hung over the compound like a storm cloud. Twenty-four hours. Colossus hadn’t let me out of arm’s reach since the bloody toolbox photo arrived. His massive hand stayed on the back of my neck or my hip — a constant, grounding touch that said mine without words. We gathered in the main room at dusk. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and quiet rage. Viper laid out the map while Rogue sharpened a knife with slow, deliberate scrapes. “We hit their main warehouse at midnight,” Viper said. “Not to destroy it. To deliver the message in person. One more ledger page nailed to their president’s desk with a Steel Titans patch beside it. We show them we can reach them anytime.” Colossus’s voice rumbled beside me. “Lena and I ride together. She stays on my bike until we’re inside