Felicia tilted her head, frowning. "From what Dex said… that's when they're vulnerable. When they feed. Right?"
"Right," I said. "Strange told me that the Ancients' powers were a result of their will focusing all the latent energy they've devoured. Morlun wasn't super-strong and nearly invulnerable all the time. He had to be concentrating on it, uniting himself to be that way. When he started to feed, he couldn't keep his focus, or at least it seriously reduced his defenses—and when he panicked, at the end, he couldn't use them at all."
"It explains why they get nervous at taking on more than one opponent, too," Felicia said. "More distractions."
"And why Mortia didn't stay on your trail after you saved the Rhino," Mary Jane added. "You hit her at the only moment when she was vulnerable. For all she knew, you knew exactly what you were doing when you did so. You probably scared the wits out of her."
I nodded. "Exactly. So we use that against them."
Mary Jane sat a cup of tea down in front of Felicia. "How?"
"I don't think I like where this is going," Felicia said.
"We decoy them," I said. "We tempt them into feeding."
The Black Cat sipped her tea. "I was right. This plan has a major flaw in it."
"Flaw?" Mary Jane asked. "Which part is flawed?"
"The part where they have to be feeding when we attack," she said. "To feed, you have to have, well, food.
I don't want to be food. That's really the point of the whole exercise, isn't it."
"It's a risk," I admitted. "But if I'm right, it could work. We wait until they start, blindside them, knock them out, and use the magic rocks to get rid of them."
Felicia's eyebrows went up. "Oh, sure. And if you're wrong?"
"I didn't say it was a perfect plan," I said quietly. "That's why you're carrying the rocks and I'm going to be the decoy."
Felicia shook her head, rising with the teacup to pace restlessly. "That isn't a good idea."
"Sure it is."
"No it isn't. I'm good, but you're better, and a lot stronger. Of the two of us, you're the one most likely to be able to KO one of the Ancients, even if they are in a weakened state." She smiled, showing teeth, and took a few hip-swaying steps across the room. "And let's face it, Parker. I've forgotten more about distraction than you'll ever know."
"I hate to point this out," Mary Jane said quietly. "But once they start feeding, whoever they're attacking is essentially paralyzed. Right?"
I chewed on my lip and nodded. "Yes. Morlun barely got started on me before Ezekiel decked him, but the pain was…" I shivered. "Yes. You can't put up much of a fight after one of them starts on you."
"There are three of them," Mary Jane said. "No matter which of you is the decoy, there are still going to be two of them who aren't feeding. Do you think they'll just stand around and let you knock the third one out?"
I shook my head. "We'll have to separate them."
"Like you did last night?" Felicia asked.
"Exactly."
"Last night, when you scared Mortia to death?" Mary Jane asked. "Do you think she'll be as careless and confident this time? Do you think she'll be dumb enough to get separated from the others again?"
It was a big worry of mine, too, but I tried not to show it. "Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, this is pretty much the best plan we've got."
Felicia laughed. "That's because it's the only plan we've got."
"You say tomato…" I said.
We stood there, looking at one another for a silent moment.
"That's the plan, then," I said quietly, taking MJ's hand.
"Right," Felicia said. She checked her watch, and her mouth twisted with distaste. "Now comes the fun part. Five hours of waiting."
I nodded. "I know what you mean. I hate waiting, too. I think Aunt May has some cards. We could play a round or two, or—"
Felicia lifted both hands. "No offense, Pete, but you could really use a shower first. Really."
"Thank you," Mary Jane told her. Thinking back later, there was a little bit of emphasis on the phrase I didn't notice at the time. "I didn't want to be the first one to say something."
Felicia grinned at MJ. "No problem. Go on, Pete. I'll keep an eye on Snoozy here." She took a sip of tea and regarded the Rhino. "Awww. He's kind of cute when he's sleeping."
"Fine, fine." I sighed, and trooped off to the bathroom for a shower.
I had barely gotten my hair wet when the shower door opened and Mary Jane joined me, pressed against me, and kissed me with abandon.
Two minutes before, I'd said that I hated waiting.
But we made time fly.
Chapter 23
I actually slept. Not for long, but every minute of it was precious. I woke up in the quietest part of the night, hours after the bars had closed, hours before the heavy Sunday morning traffic would be under way.
I lay in bed for a moment, my arm around Mary Jane, and she sighed in her sleep. The night showed me only a ghostly image of her, absent of makeup or artifice of any kind. Nor was her face touched with worry or fear—only the relaxation of peaceful sleep.
My God, she was beautiful.
I'm a lucky man.
After a few minutes, I rose and went to the window, staring out at the quiet city. It was a quiet moment. A good moment. I faced the city I have always fought to protect, focused on what was before me. There was a chance I would prevail, a good chance. Victory was by no means likely, but I had that fighting chance.
That's all I've ever had, really.
And it's all I need.
After a little while, I felt Mary Jane's presence behind me. Her reflection in the window wore only the loosely wrapped sheet from the bed. She stepped up to press against my back, and wrapped her arms and the bedsheet around me. She rested her cheek upon my shoulder and stared out at the city with me, sharing my silence, her warmth and love pouring into me through her touch.
We stayed that way until the eastern sky began to lighten.
I turned to her, and nodded. She smiled a little, then brought me my colors. I started to put them on, but she gently pushed my hands back down to my sides, and dressed me herself. She stood up with the mask last, and pulled it slowly over my head—leaving my mouth uncovered. Then she leaned into me and gave me one more kiss on the lips, slow and sweet. I returned it the same way, as gently as I knew how.
She broke off the kiss after a time, and murmured, "For luck."
I smiled a little and said, "You want to go out for some dinner later?"
"Not Thai. Never again."
"Not Thai," I agreed.
"I'll think about it," she said.
"You are quite a tease, Mrs. Parker."
She lifted her hands to cup my face, green eyes bright. "I'll make it up to you."
I smiled again, and turned to the door. I opened it as quietly as I could, and when it began to open, I heard voices. MJ touched my hand, silently telling me to wait and let her listen.
"Is not so much that I am stupid," the Rhino was rumbling. "But I do not think well on my feet. I try to plan ahead, da? To be careful. But he always makes all plans fall apart."
"Believe you me," Felicia answered, "I know exactly what you mean."
"Is maddening. Someday I will beat him, my way."
"Yeah?" Felicia asked. "Even after tonight?"
The Rhino paused before saying, "He is man of honor. Maybe I have more respect for him. But I must beat him. I
will beat him."
"You're more alike than you realize," she told him. "I've read the files on you. I know why you volunteered for the procedures for the armor, the enhanced strength."
The Rhino grunted.
"I'm just saying, I understand your motivations. He would, too."
"Maybe you are right. It changes nothing."
"Why not?" Felicia asked.
"Because of what I am," he said. "A mercenary. A criminal. An enemy to him and those like him."