Archenemies (Renegades #2)

by Marissa Meyer

“It was a good idea. This is … magical.” Adrian started to grin, and Nova braced herself. She had become familiar with that particular look. The one that said he was about to do something that would impress her, whether she liked it or not. “I guess I figured you deserve to have good dreams once in a while,” he said. “Even if you never sleep.” Then he pressed his hand against the nearest wall and exhaled. The mural started to come alive, emerging around his fingers. Fronds unfolded, engulfing his wrist, and the effect spread like the ripple in a pond, outward across the wall. Tree trunks sprouted from the concrete. Grasses curled against their knees. Lazy vines trailed over their heads. Nova moved closer to him, pressing her side against his. The hard ground under their feet transformed into squishy moss. Flowers bloomed. Mushrooms sprouted. The smell of paint was replaced with the earthiness of dark soil and a heady perfume. Though Nova hadn’t seen any birds or insects in the painting, it was easy to imagine birdsong disrupting the silence. The hum of cicadas, the clicking of beetles. The tree canopy crowded in overhead, but sunlight was filtering down, spotlighting the statue.