The Lone Knight (Under The Cowl Book #1)

CHAPTER 17

     More than an hour passed since arriving and the party was only getting more crowded and more rowdy.

Sitting over by the window and staring down at the busy street below, Stephanie made sure to watch everyone that headed for the front door of this Gotham high rise.

More so looking out for those who did not belong, there was no luck. Most of those who entered didn't look like they belonged. Rachel must have invited the entire school, and they must have invited their friends.

There were definitely a large number of college kids looking to let loose, and what better than free booze to get them here.

"Stephanie." said a soft and somewhat timid voice with a matching tap on her shoulder.

It was Mike.

"Hey, you made it. I didn't see you come in."

"I have my ways of getting in and out of place. Plus you didn't quite give me a choice with that mysterious text you sent."

Stephanie looked down at what hanged on Mike's shoulder; a the large duffel bag . "You brought it. You didn't look inside, right?"

"You asked me not to, so I didn't. But, couldn't you have brought the change of cloths yourself?"

"It's kind of a long story. And I've got too many eyes watching me." Stephanie's eyes narrowed. "Did you come alone?"

Mike sighed heavily at the question he clearly didn't want to answer. "I did."

"What? Why?"

"Because I didn't tell her?"

"How come?"

"She doesn't really do parties?"

"Mike. Why isn't Zatanna here?"

"She had a prior engagement I couldn't pull her away from, I'm sorry." Mike moved in and whispered, "How do you know Zatanna anyway? When I brought up your name to her I got nothing."

"Shit."

Stephanie grabbed Mike by the wrist and pulled him down the hall.

"Stephanie, what is going on-?"

Stephanie pushed and shoved her way through the crowd until she found a room without a looked door, it being the bedroom. "We should be fine here." She entered, continuing to drag Mike alongside.

Stephanie closed the door behind her.

"Mike I'm going to be real with you, I know you serve Zatanna Zatara and I know she is a member of the Justice League Dark. I know explaining magic is real isn't the easiest thing in the world for you to do. But I believe it is real and I need your help. Can you help me?"

"Stephanie, what are you talking about?"

"Ok, don't do that, playing dumb is not cool nor do I have the time." Stephanie lifted her jacket covering what she has around her waist.

The Batgirl utility belt with the symbol of the bat covered in gold.

"You're not Batgirl." Mike recognized the symbol and quickly choosing to drop the facade.

"Well Barbra Gordon isn't around to contest to that now is she?"

"How? Who are you?"

Stephanie reached in a pulled her duffel bag off Mike's shoulder.