“After those burns?” said Oscar, nodding at the small lump where there must have been bandages beneath her uniform. “Lucky it wasn’t worse.”
“And that the healers are so great,” added Ruby. Beaming, she gestured at Nova. “You haven’t met our new girl yet.”
Danna faced Nova. “Insomnia, right?” she said, holding out a hand. “I saw the trial. Impressive.”
Nova accepted the handshake, though as soon as Danna released her she quickly pulled her hand back against her side. “Gargoyle’s not as scary as he thinks.”
Danna chuckled. “I won’t lie. It was refreshing to see someone put Frostbite’s team in their place.” She slumped onto the padded bench. “Five-minute break?” she called over to Ballistic, but he had already turned and started working with Flashbolt, a boy who had what looked like glass marbles embedded in his palms.
Danna turned her gaze back up to Nova. “I heard Sketch thinks you’ll be a decent surveillance asset.”
Nova’s eyebrows lifted and she glanced at Adrian.
He scratched the back of his neck. “We haven’t really started to discuss—”
“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 mild huh.
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 Nova continued, “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. “Do you know 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?”