A burst of flame shot across the open ground with the force of a bullet, striking a distant patch of earth and exploding into a brief bloom of fire.
Several of the younger cadets flinched while Lennon and Kenzo watched with fascination. Claudette lowered the gun. "So, if anything comes out of that lake, I can shoot it."
Lucien nodded. "Good. That'll come in handy." She rolled her eyes. "Don't patronize me."
His impassive mask cracked just a little. "How was I—never mind. We don't have the time." His attention returned to the water.
He had a general idea of what each of them could do, but knowing their abilities was different from knowing how they would react under pressure. They were entering an unfamiliar environment with limited information, questionable terrain, and potentially hostile creatures beneath the surface.
Every ability mattered. Every mistake could cost them. Lucien looked toward the three men standing apart from the Venture members.
