Page 54 of Flash Fire (The Extraordinaries 2)

“Yes, yes, I know,” Pyro Storm said in a soothing voice. “I’m going to tell you her name now, and I need you to stay calm, okay?”

“What’s with all the theatrics?” the Extraordinary asked. “And when a drag queen asks you that question, you know shit’s getting weird.”

“Your name is a double entendre,” Pyro Storm explained, never looking away from Nick. “If there’s one thing Nick can’t handle, it’s a double entendre. Which is why I want to make sure he’s warned beforehand. Nicky, I believe in you. Hold back your reaction, okay?”

Nick nodded. He could do this.

“Nick, I’d like to introduce you to … Miss Conduct.”

Nick couldn’t do it. He slapped his hands over his mouth and screamed into them, the sound mostly muffled in the alcove. Miss Conduct? As in aconductof electricity with a cheeky implicationof bad behavior? Holy shit, it was literally the greatest thing Nick had ever heard. But—he didn’t want to embarrass Pyro Storm, especially in front of a drag queen. He had to maintain control. He dropped his hands, clasped them in front of him, and blurted, “Hello, Miss Conduct. I like your name. And your costume. And the fact that you exist.”

“Of course you do,” she said. “How old are you, twinkie?”

“Seventeen,” Nick said. “Well, almost. My birthday is in April. And I don’t know if I’m a twink or a furry. Being queer is very confusing. So many labels. Did you know there’s something called a twunk?Cosmotaught me that.”

Miss Conduct gaped at him before looking at Pyro Storm. “Are you seventeen too?”

“He is,” Nick said. “His birthday is in December. I bought him flame-retardant sheets so he didn’t burn his bed if he had sexy dreams about me. I give excellent gifts.”

“You’rechildren?” Miss Conduct asked. “What in the flying fu—”

Nick bristled. “We’re not children. Thank you for noticing that we’re young and attractive—”

“I never saidanythingabout—”

“—but we’re more than capable of handling ourselves. We took down Shadow Star, didn’t we? Sure, my shoulder got dislocated and Pyro Storm almost died, but wewon.” He stared defiantly up at Miss Conduct. “Don’t you dare give Pyro Storm shit over his age. He’s good at what he does. The best, even. If anyone tries to say otherwise, they have to go through me.”

“You look like you weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet,” Miss Conduct said, flicking his forehead. “I’ve eaten bigger men than you for breakfast.”

“Oh my god,” Nick mumbled. “So unfair. Your catchphrase is already better than mine.”

Pyro Storm shook his head. “Nick, what are you doing here? Did something happen?”

And with that, the weight of the day crashed back down upon Nick’s shoulders. He slumped inwardly, looking down at theground, defeated. He flinched when a hand came under his chin, lifting his head. Pyro Storm cupped his face, thumbs brushing over his cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

Nick tried to smile, but it cracked right down the middle. “I should probably just show you.”

“Show me what?”

Nick took a step back away from Pyro Storm and Miss Conduct. Turning, he saw a metal trash can, dented and lying on its side on the ground. He closed his eyes, shaking out his shoulders and arms, trying to rid himself of the heavy tension that flooded his body. He opened his eyes, determined. He raised his hands in front of him, palms facing the trash can and prepared for the extraordinary. And because he could, he said, “It’s time to take out the trash.”

Nothing happened.

Nick wiggled his fingers.

Still nothing.

“Okay, uh, hold on a second. It worked earlier.” He curled his hands into fists before opening them again. “Flying Trash Can of Doom!”

Nothing.

“Levitating Metal Smash!”

The trash didn’t even twitch.

“Come on. Do it. Move! Furious Garbage Annihilation!”

The trash can shook. Nick’s eyes widened, sure he was about to show Pyro Storm and Miss Conduct that he absolutely deserved to be at their secret Extraordinary meeting. Then a cat ran out from the inside of the trash can, ears flattened as it hissed at them. It took off, disappearing into the darkness of the alley.