Page 11 of Archenemies

“I hadn’t thought of it.” A short silence hung between them, and there was a hint of uncertainty as Oscar ventured, “Do you really think I should have asked?”

Ruby gaped at him again, speechless, trapped by her own taunting. After a long silence, she cleared her throat and shrugged. “You can do whatever you want.”

Adrian bit his tongue, trying to hide his smile at the nonanswer.

Ruby turned her focus back to her wounds, studying them with renewed interest as her cheeks turned scarlet.

Oscar, though, was still watching her, flummoxed, and maybe a little hopeful. “Well… maybe I will ask a girl on a date,” he said. “Someday.”

“Maybe you should,” said Ruby, without looking up.

“Maybe I will.”

“You already said that.”

“Right. Well.” Oscar climbed down from the table, and Adrian could see that Ruby was no longer the only one blushing. “If you’ll excuse me, I have important debriefing responsibility things to take care of. So I’ll, uh… see you guys back at headquarters. Good job today, team.”

Straightening his uniform, he headed toward the cleanup crew. Tsunami followed, with an almost-unnoticeable sigh.

Danna whistled under her breath. “You two are impossible,” she muttered. “In fact, all four of you are driving me nuts.”

CHAPTER FOUR

THEDREADWARDEN SIGHED, making Adrian jump. He’d forgotten his dad was there. “I don’t miss this age,” he said, and one of the healers gave him a knowing look. “Dr. Grant, could you also examine Sketch when you have a minute?”

“I’m fine,” Adrian said. “Don’t waste your time on me. Focus on Ruby and Danna.”

“Adrian—” the Dread Warden started.

“Honestly, Pops, I just got splashed with some river water. It’s not like I almost drowned or anything. Don’t worry about it.” He added a grin for effect. He’d gotten lucky lately, not having experienced any dire wounds since he’d started giving himself the tattoos that imbued him with the Sentinel’s powers. The last thing he wanted was for a healer to notice the curious designs inked into his skin and start to make inquiries, especially to his dads.

“Fine,” said the Dread Warden. “Let’s get everyone back to headquarters, and”—he turned toward the gathered journalists and their flashing cameras—“start figuring out what to tellthem.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” yelled Danna as two assistants wheeled hergurney toward one of the ambulances. She propped herself up on her elbows. “I’m not going anywhere until someone tells us what happened. Adrian disappears and no one can get ahold of him, the Sentinel shows up, Hawthorn gets away, and now they’re saying the Sentinel might bedead? And what is this about Adrian getting splashed with river water?” She spread her fingers toward Adrian, like she would grab him and shake him if he were within reach. “What were you doing?”

“I was chasing the Sentinel, and after Hawthorn threw him in the water, I was waiting to see if he would surface.” He shrugged, relieved that, in fact, itdidsound more believable this time.

“You’ll all be filled in after the healers have released you from the med wing,” said the Dread Warden. He snapped his fingers and Danna and Ruby were loaded up into the ambulance, grumbling to themselves.

“Nova?” said the Dread Warden. “I’d like to have a private word with Adrian. You’re welcome to assist Oscar and Tsunami with the briefing.”

Nova glanced at the group and noticed Magpie among them. Her own lips wrinkled in distaste. “Actually, I think I’d better head home before the news stories get too convoluted. I like to give my uncle the story from my point of view before he hears it all thirdhand.” Her gaze swooped over Adrian’s wet clothes one more time and he found himself standing straighter. “I’m… glad you’re okay,” she said, sounding almost uncomfortable to be admitting it. “You did scare us for a minute.”

“We’re superheroes,” he said. “We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t scare people from time to time.”

Nova didn’t respond, but her expression softened before she turned away and started heading back toward the river. It was along walk to her home, Adrian knew, and he was about to call after her and suggest she wait. Maybe they could take one of the transport vans together. But the words didn’t come and he knew that the invitation would be declined.

Most of his invitations were declined where Nova was concerned. So what was the point?

His shoulders sank, ever so slightly.

“About that,” said his dad.

Adrian turned to him. The Dread Warden peeled the black domino mask from his face and it was as if his dad had transformed. It wasn’t just the costume. The shift was in the relaxing of his posture. The ironic tilt of his mouth. Where the Dread Warden, famous superhero and founding member of the Renegades had stood, now it was just Simon Westwood, concerned parent.

“About what?” said Adrian.

“It is not our job, as superheroes, toscarepeople from time to time.”

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