Page 150 of Renegades

“Will they die?” she said, reaching forward to feel the soft outer petals of one of the roses.

“Just like real flowers,” he said, though his mouth quirked as he glanced at her again. “But I can always make more.”

That look made warmth spread across Nova’s cheeks and she turned away, picking up the communicator band off the counter and busying herself by putting it back on. Ingrid’s words came back to her.I trust you’ve noticed how he looks at you…

“So, um, I had a thought,” said Adrian.

Nova lifted her eyebrows, but found she wasn’t quite ready to turn back to him fully. “About?”

“Winston Pratt.”

She stilled. Hesitated. Then straightened her spine, preparing for… what? An attack? An accusation?

She told herself she was being ridiculous. If Adrian had come here to cast accusations at her, it wouldn’t have taken this long for him to get around to it. And he certainly wouldn’t have drawn her a vase of flowers first.

“I think,” Adrian continued, “we should look in to Cosmopolis Park.”

One hand still tight around the band on her wrist, Nova forced herself to look at him. But Adrian was adjusting some of the blooms inside the vase.

“What?”

“Just to check it out.” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “I know Winston was lying about almost everything, but the carnival is one of the few possible clues he gave us. I thought maybewe could go and have a look around. Maybe you could talk to your old boss, see if he’s ever heard anything about a… a girl being abandoned there. Or if he’s ever seen anything suspicious, anything that might tie back to Nightmare or the Anarchists…” Finally, he looked up at her, and Nova couldn’t quite read his expression. The self-assuredness from when he’d been drawing was gone, replaced with something uneasy, but… hopeful?

“You sure do want to find her, don’t you?”

“Nightmare?” said Adrian, surprised. “She is Gatlon’s most wanted. Well… her and the Detonator, I guess.”

“Yeah, but… how didyouget so involved with the investigation? Is it because Danna and the others fought her at the parade?”

“That’s part of it,” he said, that small crease forming between his eyebrows. “But also, she attacked the Council. She attacked my dad.”

She looked away. “So why isn’t he looking for her?”

“They don’t really do field work anymore. The Council wants to find her as much as anyone, but that’s part of why they built the Renegades. They can’t do everything themselves. Either way, finding Nightmare is a priority for everyone.” Adrian looked down, fidgeting with the marker. “It’s been years since such a blatant attack was made. In broad daylight, surrounded by both civilians and Renegades. Plus, as far as I know, no one’s ever come that close to actually killing the Captain. It shows that she’s not to be underestimated.”

Nova’s chest tightened. In a way, she felt a surge of pride to think she’d gotten closer than anyone. But at the same time, it served as a reminder thatclosewas notsuccess.She had failed, and now she had every superhero in the city searching for her.

And Adrian… if he knew… if he ever found out…

The spark of pride quickly extinguished.

“So…,” said Adrian, his tone brightening a bit. “About the carnival. What do you think?”

She pondered, but could think of no reason to reject the idea. If anything, going to Cosmopolis Park might serve to lead Adrian and the Renegades further away from the truth of her identity and whereabouts.

At least, she didn’t think there was any harm to it. Even if her paperwork said that she, Nova McLain, had worked there, Nightmare still had no real connection to the place.

“Sure. Okay.”

“Cool. Great. Uh… we can meet, say… tomorrow? At noon?If,” he amended, “I can get a release from the medical wing by then.”

Nova rolled her eyes. “Just let them try to keep me back.”

Adrian smiled, and Nova’s heartbeat skipped to see the hint of dimples that were usually kept hidden. “Well, I guess I should let you… rest.” His brow knitted. “Or whatever it is you’re doing.”

He did not move, though, and Nova had the distinct impression he was looking for an invitation. Some reason to linger.

She refused to give him one.

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