Page 100 of Renegades

Gene Cronin and Narcissa stood before an open window. Narcissa spun toward Nova and shrieked, “Shut the door!”

Nova did, slamming it with a defiant shove.

The Librarian did not even glance over at her. He was too busy pulling books out of glass cases and hastily wrapping them up in paper towels, before throwing them out the window in great armfuls. “Help me!” he cried. “Narcissa—quick! The manuscripts case. We have to save the manuscripts!”

“They’re just books!” Narcissa yelled back. “We have to save ourselves!”

“Just books?” Cronin roared. “My life’s work! Some of these are the only known copies left in the entire world! First editions… signed copies…”

“Narcissa is right,” said Nova, stepping farther into the room. She scanned the space again, thinking Adrian would appear from behind one of the cases, but it was only the Librarian and his granddaughter. Adrian wasn’t there. She gulped, and tried not to picture him trapped in the fire below. “The ground floor is compromised. The whole building is going to collapse in on itself any minute. You have to get out of here.” She scanned the room. Two walls held double-hung windows, all of which had already been opened, perhaps in an effort to let out what smoke seeped through the cracks in the door. A brick fireplace stood on the western wall, looking ironically as though it hadn’t seen fire in decades, with an ornate mirror hung over the mantel. Nova guessed this decorative element was intended more for Narcissa’s convenience than an attempt at decorative elegance.

Otherwise, there were four glass cases displaying ancient books, scrolls, journals, and manuscripts, and even an assortment of antique scribing and printing tools, from ink wells to lead type. More bookcases along the walls, crammed full of works that weren’t quite as rare or valuable as those in the cases. There was the door Nova hadentered through, and… that was it. No other escape routes. They would have to go through the window.

“Why did you bring them here?” Narcissa wailed, furious.

Nova spun to face her. “What?”

“You did this! You and the Detonator—you tricked us. Why?” Frightened tears were pooling in Narcissa’s eyes and her fists were clenched so tight they were shaking. It occurred to Nova that she, at least, was not trapped here. There was a mirror. She could leave anytime.

But she hadn’t left yet. She was still trying to save her grandfather.

Nova bit the inside of her cheek, trying to think clearly, while Narcissa’s hateful look cut into her. She’d always liked the Librarian’s granddaughter. She didn’t know her well, but she’d always seemed nice enough when Nova had come with Ingrid to conduct their business. Though she was the Librarian’s granddaughter and obviously knew about his activities, she’d never struck Nova as particularly… villainous.

For the first time, she started to wonder what Narcissa thought abouther.In their few interactions she’d seemed quiet, even meek. Nova had assumed that was just her personality, but now she questioned if Narcissa might be afraid of her.

Because she was Nightmare?

Or because she was Ace’s niece?

“You need to leave,” Nova said, pacing to the nearest window. “Can you take your grandfather through the mirror?”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Narcissa snapped.

“Well then, you get out through the mirror while you can. Gene and I will go out through the window.” She looked down at the two-story drop. “I think.”

This side of the room looked out onto the street in front of the library, where the crowd of civilians had continued to grow.

A quick glance to the office building showed her that Ingrid was gone. The handcuffs lay on the sidewalk beneath the small smoldering crater where Ingrid had set off an explosion between the wall and barred window.

The other two windows opened toward the side alley and the theater. If they jumped, they could aim for the nearest dumpster, which would take the blow easier than concrete would. But Nova doubted Gene Cronin could handle that fall, even if she did instruct him in the basics of tuck and roll.

“He’s seventy-four years old!” cried Narcissa. “You really think he’s going to jump out a window?”

Nova sighed. Where were Winston and his hot-air balloon when she needed them?

A crash resounded behind her and Nova spun around, worried that the building was starting to collapse on them. But no—a window had broken. Shards of glass were flying through the air, scattering across the floor, following the trajectory of the figure that had just launched through the window.

Nova’s jaw dropped as she watched the figure pull off a perfect tuck and roll before bounding effortlessly back to his feet. He spun around, armored body braced for an attack and daylight glinting off the blank visor.

“Seriously?” Nova drawled. She’d known it was only a matter of time before more Renegades started to show up, but she hadn’t expected their secret warrior. Like those onlookers outside had said—a water elemental would have been nice.

But maybe it made sense. The Council knew about this mission, and had a vested interest in Adrian’s well-being. Maybe they’d sent the Sentinel to observe their progress. In which case, the question wasn’t, what was he doing here? But more, what had taken him so long?

The Sentinel’s head swiveled toward her and he said in a deeply concerned voice, “Is everyone all right?”

Nova spread her arms wide. “We’re trapped in burning building. What do you think?”

“I’ll get you to safety,” he said. “All of you. On one condition.” He turned his focus toward the Librarian, who had stopped tossing books out the window to gape at the newcomer. “I want to offer you a trade, Gene Cronin.”

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