“But there’s a lot more to being a good spy than people think,” Danna interrupted.
Nova’s gaze sharpened. “You don’t say.”
“You were great at the trials, but they don’t really prepare you for reality, you know. In a real situation, especially a surveillance mission, you have to pay attention to the details. And remember them. Put the smallest clues together to make a whole. You never know what’s going to be important, so you can’t discount anything.”
Adrian cleared his throat. “Danna is sort of the team surveillance expert. But obviously, what she can do is a different skill set than what you can do. We don’t expect… we’re grateful to have you both.”
Nova’s lips formed a thin smile. “Thanks for the tip, Monarch. Truly, I think I can handle it.”
“I’m sure you can,” said Danna. “I just want you to stay on your toes. I need to make sure these slackers are in good hands when you’re out there without me.”
“Test me, if you want,” said Nova, with a casual shrug. “See if I pass inspection.”
Adrian glanced at Oscar, and seeing the awkwardness written plain on his face was glad he wasn’t the only one sensing the tension. “This isn’t—”
“No, really,” said Nova. “I don’t mind. It wasn’t fair that she wasn’t at the trials, and I want Danna to feel confident in your choice. Eventually, she and I will be on the team together too, right? So, go ahead. Let’s see how good I am at this surveillance stuff.”
Danna leaned back on her palms, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Okay. Without looking… how many exits are there out of this hall?”
“Oh, come on,” said Ruby. “This is her first day.”
“Seven,” said Nova, holding Danna’s gaze.
A second passed, before Oscar turned in a circle, counting exits under his breath. When he finished, he gave a mildhuh.
Adrian, too, found himself scanning the hall.
“Though one could argue,” Nova added, “that with this many prodigies around, able to manipulate metal or blow their way through concrete, there is potential for countless more exits if needed.”
Danna’s face softened. She was beginning to smile when Novacontinued, “There are also ten security cameras, two fire extinguishers, and five vending machines—one of which sells nothing but candy, which seriously has me questioning the Renegades’ commitment to adequate nutrition.”
Oscar laughed. “She’s already got our number there. Wait until you see the cafeteria. They have a mac-and-cheese bar!”
Danna’s lips turned upward. “How many occupants?”
Nova lifted an eyebrow. “Doyouknow how many people are in here?”
“Nope,” said Danna. “Just checking that you’re not actually better at this than I am.”
Nova rocked back on her heels. “Well, I don’t have an exact count. Fifty-ish, I’d guess. And so far, I’ve only discerned the abilities of sixteen of them.”
On the mat beside them, the trainer threw a disc and Flashbolt lifted his hands, shooting a series of colored lightning bolts out of his marbled palms, striking the disc as it arced through the hall.
“Seventeen,” Nova amended.
Adrian grinned. “Now who’s showing off?”
Nova turned a startled look on him, and there was a moment in which the confident, bold contestant from the trials stood beside him. But a second later, her cheeks flushed and she shrank back slightly, bashful or disoriented. He couldn’t quite tell which.
Danna nodded appreciatively. “It sounds like you’ll be fine. Just try to keep them out of trouble, won’t you?”
“Is that in my job description?” Nova asked.
“Not at all,” said Danna, pulling her dreadlocks back and securing them in a low tail. “But I’ll feel better if I know you’re spending half as much energy watching over these guys as you apparently spend watching everyone else.”
Nova grinned brightly and stuck up her thumbs, in what Adrian was absolutely sure was mock positivity. “You can count on me.”
“Well,” said Adrian, clapping his hands together. “We better let you get back to it. Don’t let Ballistic push you around too much, okay?”