Archenemies (Renegades #2)

by Marissa Meyer

He wondered if Ruby had had the same thick blond hair at their age, too, before she started dyeing it in layers of black and white.

“Now, that’s an origin story.” “Why are they always so traumatic?”

Oscar wriggled a finger in Nova and Adrian’s direction. “Is this a moment? It looks like a moment.”

Nova smiled, and in that moment, Adrian glanced around at her. He noticed her expression and smiled back.

“Whenever—” Her voice scratched and she cleared her throat. “Whenever you’re ready.” “Am I supposed to be shooting something?” Adrian whispered, startling her. “The target,” she said dryly. “Ignore everything else.” He turned his head enough that he could meet her eyes again. “You want me to ignore everything else?” She held his gaze, but her confidence was swept away. He watched as color bloomed across her cheeks. Great skies, she was beautiful. Adrian gulped and looked away. He gripped the gun even tighter, found the target, and fired. But he forgot to set up his stance. Forgot to relax his shoulders. Forgot to focus. The dart went wide. He grinned sheepishly, stepping back until they were no longer touching. “Like I said, I’m hopeless.”

What if it could allow him to get close to his little brother, maybe even give him an actual hug, for the first time in his life?

“I’m not poison! I’m not a disease!”

“Act normal,” Adrian whispered, his glee quickly overcoming his surprise. He elbowed Max in the side and they both raised their hands and waved.

Adrian had already accomplished remarkable things by inking new designs into his skin. He had stretched the limits of his power beyond anything he would have previously thought possible. He had made himself into the Sentinel, and the scope of his abilities seemed endless, limited only by his imagination.

But no matter how long the growing list of things that attracted him to Nova McLain had become, he still found her feelings toward him to be a mystery, with an annoying shortage of evidence to support the theory that maybe, just maybe, she sort of liked him too. A smile here. A blush there. It was an infuriatingly short list. He was probably reading into things. It didn’t matter, he told himself again and again.

“My point is that Ace Anarchy, whatever his motives might have been, was ultimately a destructive force. He destroyed things. But we are so much stronger and better when we put our energy into creating things, not destroying them.” “Of course,” she said sourly. “And the Renegades are the ones that create.” Callum shrugged. “They’re trying, but no one’s perfect. Like you said, even Ace Anarchy was fighting for a cause he believed in—a cause that was worth fighting for. But he didn’t build anything. Instead, he killed and he destroyed and he left the world in shambles. The result wasn’t freedom for prodigies. It was twenty years of fear. Twenty years in which people weren’t thinking about writing books or planting trees or building skyscrapers. It was an accomplishment just to survive another day.” He smiled wryly. “But then … Agent N is a destructive force too. It depletes, but it doesn’t replenish. I’m worried it’s a step backward, for all of us.”

“There are so many things to marvel at. How could anyone want to hurt it? How can people wake up every morning and not think—look, the sun is still there! And I’m still here! This is incredible!” He laughed and turned to Nova again. “If I could just make everyone see … I mean, for more than just a minute, then … I don’t know. I can’t help but think that then we could all start working to create things. Together, for once.”

to bestow a sense of wonder on those around you. It wasn’t flashy, but she suspected he was right. Maybe the world would be different if everyone could see it the way he did.

If we are going to rebuild the world, I’d like it to be built on a foundation of gratitude and appreciation, not greed or pride.”

Progress was often built on sacrifice.

“I like you, Nova. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I can tell you’ve been hurt. And you’re still hurting.” She flinched. “I know that some prodigies become Renegades because they like the idea of having power,” Callum continued, fixing his gaze on her. “And some want the prestige and the fame. But a lot of us are here because we want to make a difference. We want to change things for the better.” He paused, his gaze slipping to the horizon. “I don’t know what your story is, but I think you want to change things for the better, too. I thought that maybe seeing this would be a good reminder of what we’re all doing here. What it is we’re fighting for.”

Sometimes, things did have to be destroyed before something better could be built.

The air left Adrian. White spots shimmered at the edges of his vision.

Little daydreams about the what-ifs that surrounded her. What if there was more to life than revenge and lies? What if the Anarchists and the Renegades didn’t have to be in constant war? What if Adrian Everhart wasn’t her enemy and his fathers hadn’t failed her, and her life could revolve around gossiping with Ruby and laughing at Oscar’s jokes and not being afraid of every butterfly she passed, and every time she felt her heart patter at the sight of Adrian it wouldn’t feel like a betrayal of everyone she cared about? But that life would never come to pass. Not for her.

He hesitated, a crease forming between his brows. “What are you doing here, anyway?” “I just … wanted to see you,” said Nova. Adrian’s eyes widened behind his glasses, almost imperceptibly. She had been practicing those words the entire walk, trying to find a way she could say them without blushing. She was not entirely successful.

“Adrian,” she whispered, afraid to break the spell of this place, “this is amazing.” “Did I get it right? From the dream?” “You … yes. It’s exactly…” She realized with a start that her eyes were watering. She turned away, pressing a hand to her mouth to collect herself. As her shaking breaths evened, she dared to face him again. “You didn’t do this for me … did you?” Adrian glanced sideways at the statue. “No…,” he began. “Although, I didn’t not do it for you either. If that makes sense. I mean, I had to do it for me too.” He shrugged. “It just seemed like a really good idea at the time.” “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.”

“All of this,” she said, speaking slowly, “and the best alias you could come up with was Sketch?” His lips curled upward, and it was clear how much this small comment pleased him. “Better to under-promise and over-deliver.”

“I’m sorry. This,” he said, gesturing around, “is supposed to be a dream, not a nightmare.” A faint smile twitched at the sides of her mouth. “It is a dream, Adrian. The first I’ve had in a long time.”

“The gala. If you’re going and I’m going and … Would you like to go together? As a date, I mean. Officially, this time.” His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “I know I wasn’t clear with the whole carnival thing, so I’ll just put it out there from the start. I would like you to be my date. I would really like that a lot, actually…” He paused before adding, somewhat self-consciously, “If you want to.” Nova’s mouth hung open. Her mind had gone blank and she was trying to formulate a response based on logic and strategy, and what would Ace want her to do, and would this be good for her cause or not, and how would this change anything, but all she could think about was how adorable Adrian was when he was nervous. And also … He still likes me.

“Nova?” he said, so quietly she almost thought she imagined it. She turned her head up. Adrian held her gaze for all of half a second, before he leaned down and kissed her. Nova gasped against his mouth, overcome not just with surprise, but also by the current that jolted through every nerve. Adrian pulled away, worried again. His eyes were a question. His lips an invitation. Nova’s mouth felt abandoned. The kiss had been too short and already her hands were itching to touch him, her entire body aching to move closer. Though she knew what she had to do and she knew this was a terrible idea, she reached her hand behind his neck and pulled his mouth back to hers. The kiss escalated fast. Hesitant curiosity and then, from nowhere, a desperate, unfulfilled need. To be closer. To kiss deeper. To touch his face, his neck, his hair. Adrian’s arms circled her waist and he pulled her across him, turning Nova’s body so she was cocooned in his arms. He hissed suddenly and jerked away. Nova’s eyes snapped open, her heart catapulting into her throat. Adrian’s features were contorted in pain. “Adrian?” “Nothing,” he said through his teeth, one hand pressing against his side. His face softened again as he peered at her. “What—” “Nothing,” he repeated, and then he was kissing her again, and concerns about whatever had hurt him dissolved. Nova was shaking, overwhelmed by so much physical contact all at once. His lips. A hand in her hair, another against her ribs. Her body half draped acros...

and it was so easy to imagine how perfect this moment would be, if only it were real. Just a girl and a boy,

“What are we supposed to do while you’re doing … everything?” said Honey. She pressed a hand over her mouth to cover a yawn and the flickering candlelight caught on metallic gold varnish across her nails. “We’re villains too, you know. We can handle some responsibility.”

“I could be your emergency backup,” said Honey. Nova cringed. “Well … thanks, but … I’m sort of going for stealth and subtlety?” Honey stared at her, and for a moment Nova expected her to be insulted, but then she said, “You’re right, that won’t work for me.”

It was for the best, he tried to tell himself. There was no way he and Nova could be anything more than friends and teammates. Not if he was going to keep his secret. Already he’d started planning different ways that he could tell her the truth. But Nova hated the Sentinel. If he thought she would be thrilled to learn his identity, that she would somehow be impressed by him, then he was in more denial than he realized. No. A real relationship would never work, not while he was trying to be the Sentinel too. Not while his loyalties were so divided. Not while— “Holy smokes,” Oscar whispered. “Adrian.” He smacked Adrian’s shoulder with the back of his hand, dislodging his thoughts. Ruby noticed, too, and they both turned at the same time.

The air left him. Every doubt evaporated at once. He was just kidding. A real relationship could totally work. He would make it work.

“SHOULD WE DANCE?”

How could Adrian be so nice, so sweet, so authentic, always so damned authentic?

“For the record,” said Adrian, quieter now, so that she had to strain to hear him, “just in case there’s any … confusion. I really like you, Nova.” Goose bumps erupted across her skin. He was watching her closely. She swallowed. “I really like you too.” It wasn’t even a lie. Adrian seemed relieved, if not entirely surprised by her confession. “I’m glad,” he said. “Because I know I haven’t always been super smooth when it comes to … this.” He gestured between the two of them.

“Okay, be honest. How do you think I’m doing?” She blinked. “Doing?” “With Ruby. I’ve been trying to impress her all night but I can’t get a read on her. Do you think she’s having a good time?” “Um … yes?” said Nova. “You both looked like you were having fun.” “We did, didn’t we? I mean, I was. Having fun, I mean. While also feeling like at any moment I could throw up all over her shoes, which—I don’t want to do that. They’re nice shoes, you know?” Nova didn’t know, but she smiled sympathetically anyway. “Okay, let me ask you this. Renegade to Renegade. Bosom buddy to bosom buddy.” “Are we—?” “Don’t deny it.” She bit her lip. “To your knowledge, have the words ‘Wow, that Oscar is such a thoughtful and/or studly and/or impossibly irresistible guy’ ever passed Ruby’s lips?” Nova smothered a laugh. “Uh … not those exact words, no.” He brightened hopefully. “But similar words?” “I don’t know, Oscar. She clearly likes spending time with you, and you’re so good to her brothers. I’m sure she thinks it’s really … sweet.” His expression turned thoughtful. “Thoughtful sweet or studly sweet?” “I’m not sure I know what ‘studly sweet’ is.” “Yeah, me neither.” He glanced toward their table, then spun Nova once beneath his arm. She was surprised at how her body reacted to his lead, and it occurred to her that, despite all his antics, despite needing the cane for occasional support, Oscar actually did know how to dance. “You’ve liked her for a long time, haven’t you?” He smiled wistfully....

“You could tell her, you know.” She shrugged. “Just tell her that you like her as more than a friend and see what happens.”

“I’m ready. Let’s bring them down.”

But Gargoyle was a big guy, and it took a long time for most things to reach his brain, so why should this be any different?

Leroy had figured out how to turn Agent N into a gas, and she had successfully turned it into a bomb. Ace wanted a weapon against the Renegades, and now they had one.

The sky bridge collapsed. The quarantine fell.

“I do believe you know my niece.”

Their eyes were shining, their bodies leaning toward each other, and if Adrian had ever seen the makings of a kiss before, he was certain he was seeing one now.

Nightmare was alive and she needed to be stopped. He would not give up the Sentinel until she was destroyed.

Sweet, handsome, brilliant Adrian Everhart.

“Did you hear … do you know about Max?”