Chapter 25 Emery
EMERY
The last of my uneven hair falls to the floor. I purse my lips as I turn my head to both sides, making sure I got the worst of it. At least it’s still shoulder-length, but I’m unable to braid it like I’m used to doing.
Reed, you asshole. I toss the scissors back into the basket I found them in and spend a few more minutes looking at my reflection before returning to the bedroom.
It’s not morning yet, at least I don’t think it is. It’s almost impossible to tell down here without any windows, but everyone is still passed out and the hallway is filled with the hum of their snores. So I assume it’s still too early.
Even Cameron fell asleep quickly after our lovemaking and sweet confessions. For some reason, even though I’m beyond exhausted, I couldn’t sleep for more than a few hours. I’m restless with everything still.
I decide to take a detour to find a clock. I hate going back to sleep if I only have twenty minutes before I have to get up.
The halls are dimly lit. Herringbone wooden floors stretch throughout the entire basement with the exception of the bathrooms. The farther I get from the snoring of my squad mates, the more eerie this place feels in these early hours. Old buildings have that effect, don’t they?
I round another corner and see that the light to the break room is on. I’m expecting to find Erik in there, either by himself or going over data with Mikah on her laptop, but when I step through the doorway I’m surprised to see Wraith.
My instincts are to turn around and go back to my room before he sees me, but I hesitate, curious as to what he could possibly be doing in here at this hour. I ultimately decide it’s not for me to find out. As I’m shifting to leave, Wraith looks up at me and presses his index finger to his mouth.
Be quiet? My legs lock in place and I assess him carefully.
The Wraith I once knew was arrogant and cruel.
He was loud and didn’t give a shit what happened to anyone.
He’s a cold-blooded murderer and everyone knows it.
But I noticed something the moment I saw him on the helicopter, it’s as if the life has been sucked out of him.
The once malice-driven dickhead seems to have been put in his place.
I don’t think anything could ever snuff out my disdain for him completely, but something about the concerned flicker that crosses his gaze gives me pause.
I quietly approach him until I’m standing across from the table he’s seated at. I don’t hear it for a few beats, but then muffled voices come through to me.
My eyes flash wide and I look at Wraith. Who is he eavesdropping on?
Wraith’s brows are pulled together and he nods his head up to the vent above, indicating that the voices are coming through there.
Carefully, I move a spare chair closer to the vent and stand on it to hear better. I blame the exploding building we just escaped for my lack of hearing such quiet whispers.
Two male voices skitter through the metal vent and chill me to the bone as I realize I recognize at least one of them.
General Nolan? What is he doing out here?
“Did Morphine get the next dose?” Nolan asks. He sounds impatient, a dull sound of shoes pacing on tile accompanies his words. “She’ll need the next one in a few weeks before we can test the new short-term drug. It’s proven useless unless the host is already prepped with the main series.”
“Yes.” The brief answer isn’t enough for me to discern who it belongs to. I worry my lower lip. The black injection, Series Z? They want to use it on me? Cameron has it in his room as we speak.
“Good. Her and Mori will be vital in this final stage. Tell the squad that they’re all earning their cards out after this final mission.” Nolan has a bite to his tone. I don’t understand it, earning our cards is a good thing, isn’t it?
The other male is quiet for a few long moments. I feel as though I can hear him mulling over Nolan’s words.
“Are you certain? I’ve grown fond of them. Three of them are new too.”
Lieutenant Erik?
My eyes widen and my throat dries. I look down at Wraith, his expression is grave. He must recognize it as him as well.
“Mavestelli was originally bringing his product to a beach in Denmark in one month’s time.
But because of the rescue tonight, he’s changed it to be in remote Italy.
He has several hideouts there. I’m not sure which one it is yet, but we’ll have the details soon.
I want you to have Fury stationed here until then.
There’s no sense in bringing them back to headquarters.
I’m going to have Ri?t occupy a bunker four klicks away from here, they will remain on standby until after the mission.
Phase two cannot have mishaps. Captain Bridger will be arriving the day before load out to ensure that if any problems arise, they get handled.
He’s staying with Ri?t but be prepared in case he decides to visit. ”
Wait, Ri?t Squad is strictly for hunting down other soldiers who are deemed no longer needed, aren’t they? Why is he having them come here? Unless…
Unless.
Wraith stands abruptly, drawing my attention. His face has paled, but his eyes are steady. He tilts his head to the door. I set the chair back where I found it, and follow him out, flicking the light off as if we were never there.
We walk urgently back through the common room and down through the hall, only stopping once we reach Wraith’s room.
He whispers in a low voice that brings back heinous memories from the Under and him trying to murder me. “Meet me by that shed we saw near the landing pad tomorrow after breakfast. Bring Damian with you.”
My heart is racing. “What about Cameron?”
He lifts a brow.
“Mori.” I correct myself to his code name as I remember no one ever calls him by his name.
Wraith shakes his head. “Don’t tell him. I don’t trust him yet.”
I glower at him. “I don’t trust you.”
“You heard the same thing I did. We can’t talk here about it, so if you don’t want to show up tomorrow, then don’t. I’ll let Damian know. We won’t wait up for you.” Then he turns and shuts his door quietly.
I make my way back to Cameron’s room and slip back under the sheets, curling up against his back and shutting my eyes at the warmth. A dark and unsettling theory tumbles in my mind heavily and steals any comfort I found tonight away.
Everyone seems shocked when Erik shares the news that we will not be leaving our current location as “plans have changed.” Well, everyone except me and Wraith.
I catch the subtle shift of his eyes as he casts me a side glance.
Cameron’s expression is hard-pressed as he takes in the new strategy that Erik is proposing.
“Our intel tells us that Mavestelli is pulling the trigger on his upcoming trade in just a few weeks. It’s better if we stay put and gather as much information as we can until then. Our objective is to take out the king of the underworld, Mavestelli himself.”
My pulse leaps, but I keep my facial features as smooth as I can.
He’s still my father. Even if he’s a fucking spawn of Satan.
Mikah speaks up, “With all due respect, this isn’t exactly a secure enough location for the data on my laptop, lieutenant.
I assumed that this was a one-night stop.
” Her dark hair looks more frazzled today, like she hasn’t been able to get a good night’s rest in days.
But beyond her fatigued appearance lies a deep underlying stress and worry.
Her eyes are bloodshot as she taps the table repeatedly with her index finger.
Damian shifts in his seat uncomfortably and shoots me a what the fuck is going on look. I dismiss it and pretend like I have no clue.
“Not to worry, Mikah, you will be on a plane first thing tomorrow morning as your services are concluded.” His amber eyes drag over the remainder of our heads. “The rest of us will make a base of this place for now and ensure that the trade location has not changed.”
Thomas has his arms crossed squarely over his chest as he glances at Gage, who has a cumbersome furrow to his brow.
At least we all have a collective concern about this switch.
Gage lifts his hand in a half wave. “Lieutenant, wouldn’t it make more sense to have Malum take this phase? It’s more up their alley, isn’t it? We have three newbies and Mori and Morphine are injured still—”
Erik slams his hands against the table, making all of us collectively flinch. “Malum is on a separate mission at the moment, Gage. Are you trying to suggest that you know more about strategizing than your superior officers?”
Gage’s eyes widen and he shakes his head quickly. “No, sir. Of course not.”
“You’re all excused. Familiarize yourselves with the base today and take it easy,” Erik says coldly as he walks out of the room.
He seems stiff today, like the news from Nolan unsettled him as much as it did me.
It makes me wonder if he’s as trapped in this as we are, only following orders because he has to. Even if it means losing his own team.
The entire squad remains seated with an air of dread that grows between us. I finally look at Wraith, whose face is just as pale as it was last night. No matter how much I distrust him, there’s not really a choice in the matter, I have to meet him and Damian at the shed.
But there’s still the matter of Reed and the part he plays in this. Cameron owes me an explanation.
After everyone else gets up and slowly filters out of the room besides me and Cameron, I get up and lock the door so we aren’t interrupted. I make it a point to check for any vents that might carry our conversation, and let out a relieved sigh when I don’t find any.