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“You two are impossible,” she muttered. “In fact, all four of you are driving me nuts.”
His dads would call it denial. His team would call it his typical, uncanny optimism. But Adrian couldn’t help it. The truth was, he did not believe that Nightmare was dead.
WELL
“I’ll save you a seat,” said Adrian,
LOVERRRRRRRR
Just, please”—he lowered his voice—“for all the skies, don’t complain to Tamaya without talking to me first, because she is an adamant abuser of the phrase ‘told you so,’ and no one needs that, you know what I mean?”
Sometimes Nova felt like the Renegades of the past had more in common with the Anarchists than anyone dared to admit.
She blinked at Adrian, whose dark expression from before had disappeared. He was grinning—that open, heart-stopping smile that she absolutely loathed.
“And once they”—she paused—“once we have total power, what’s to keep us from becoming villains ourselves?”
Much as she hated to admit it, even to herself, she missed him. She missed the way he used to look at her. No one had ever looked at her quite the way that Adrian Everhart did.
SHUT UPPPPP
“You are afraid…,” Phobia rasped. “Afraid to feel too deeply, afraid that the truth will—” “Okay,” Nova interrupted, almost shouting. “Don’t need the evaluation right now, thank you.”
Earn his trust. Earn his respect. Earn his affection. It shouldn’t be that hard, she had been telling herself all week. Adrian was handsome, talented, honorable, kind. So why did every nerve in her body rebel at the thought of faking attraction to him? Of flirting with him, merely for the sake of flirting? Of pretending to be interested? The answer was thrown back in her face, and she fidgeted with her bracelet. Because maybe it wouldn’t be fake. And to discover that she actually liked him, against all her better judgment, would cost far too much.
i love this song.
Here she was, dwelling on an almost-kiss, and Adrian wanted to talk about the time she’d killed someone.
“You told me that you watched the Detonator kill Nightmare,” said Winston. “That you were there. But … I’m afraid, young Master Everhart, you were mistaken.” His eyes twinkled. “Our precious little Nightmare is very much alive.”
Adrian’s smile widened, and there it was again. The faintly drooping eyelashes. The current of electricity that seemed to spark where her hand rested on his arm. “I’d like that,” he said. Nova grinned. “Me, too.”
para vei.
true queen is made not in times of prosperity, but in times of hardship.”
Even if she had been flirting. Which she most definitely had been. He knew, with a solid 87% certainty.
“I guess I figured you deserve to have good dreams once in a while,” he said. “Even if you never sleep.”
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 settled against him again, and a part of her wanted to be happy, but all she felt was dread. She was going to get that helmet, and Ace Anarchy would return to power. The Renegades would fall. Society would be responsible for teaching its own children, planting its own vegetables, and they would be stronger for it. Better for it. And Nova would be stronger and better too. Soon, she would be done with lying. She would be done with secrets. And Adrian would be done with her.
Nova squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to believe that this was the whole world. Just Adrian Everhart and every one of his magical touches.
Adrian was still sound asleep. She took a moment to inspect his face, telling herself she wanted to make sure he was still in deep. The planes of his cheeks, the cut of his jaw, the lips that were no longer such a mystery, yet were more enticing than ever. “I’m so sorry you had to be the enemy,” she whispered.
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.
certainly did not need to feel them again. Not tonight. “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.
But he hesitated too long, and Nova forced a smile as she turned away. Adrian caught her by the wrist and tugged her back. Nova’s heart jumped and then he was leaning toward her, pressing a single kiss against her lips. He pulled away, a little sheepish. “Good night.” Nova’s body tingled and, for an eternity trapped inside a heartbeat, she considered staying.
“I’m going to destroy her. I’m going to find Nightmare, and I’m going to destroy her.” He curled his fingers into the back of Nova’s shirt, gathering the material into his fists. “Nova … will you help me?” Grimacing, Nova turned her head toward the front room. Through the doorway, she saw the edge of the coat closet. The dingy wood trim around the doorjamb. The carpet worn nearly to the floorboards beneath. “Yes, of course I will,” she heard herself say as she stared into the empty eyes of Ace Anarchy’s helmet, glinting at her from the shadows.
