19. Annalise
Chapter nineteen
Annalise
I’m practically skipping as Matt, Sasha, and I make our way through the woods to the Ghost Walking Vault.
“Good evening, Charlie Company,” Captain Lin says while we wait in the woods just beyond the classroom entrance, sneaking peeks at the Delta recruits filing down the stairs into the vault. “I’m sure you all remember your first missions when Bravo Company guided you, yes?”
“Yes, ma’am,” we all respond in unison.
“Good, because now you are the experienced recruit and will be in charge of making sure Delta recruits make it back to campus from their first missions—alive, preferably.”
Apprehension and nostalgia mix in my gut as I remember my first mission and where that led. Though both are quickly snuffed out by the excitement of getting back into the field, another step towards getting back to my normal routine.
“We’ll call you all out as a group, just like we did Bravo company, but rather than numbers, we will call your names, and then individually, you will meet your new partner.”
“Recruit Corvin. A word, please.”
Following her and Major Halden a few steps away, my stomach knots as I take in the apprehensive look on her face.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“While we know that you’ve officially received clearance, releasing you to be back in classes, we feel this may be taking a bit too quick of a leap with it only being your second week back.”
My eyes shoot to Major Halden, who's watching, studying our interaction in the stoic way he always does.
“You won’t be punished for missing this assignment, if that’s what you’re worried about,” she assures, as if that’s what is concerning me.
“No, Ma’am—”
“Good, then we will prepare—”
“Sorry, ma’am. I meant that missing points is not what I’m concerned about. I am ready to be here. Ready to learn. Ready to go on another mission. I am not interested in falling further behind, and by taking myself out of the mission, I am only hindering my own progress.”
“Recruit Corvin, there is no shame—”
“As much as I’d rather not have to go explain the assignments like I’m talking to middle schoolers, let’s not waste time here pretending we didn’t already know she was going to push for an assignment…or that we don’t already have a dossier ready for her.”
Shooting me a wink, he walks back to finish briefing the other Charlie Company recruits as Captain Lin smiles back at me.
“He always ruins my fun…but you won’t hear me complaining about him being right.”
My lips curve into a smile, “Nor will I, ma’am.”
“Good. Now, your mission type will be very different this go around. Truthfully, it is in part to keep you from being forced into an intimate situation so soon…BUT, it’s also because we want to test your skills, and see how you do with surveilling a target.”
“I understand,” I say, too thankful not to be sidelined, to put up a fight.
“Annndddd…I think you’re going to like this one…” she laughs, passing me a small manilla folder.
Trailing Major Halden and Captain Lin onto the stage, Charlie Company spreads out, getting our first look at the Delta Company Ghost Walking recruits—though I’m sure most of my class has, at the very least, met many of them while I’ve been out.
“Annalise Corvin, you will be partnered with Theo Stevens for the weekend.”
Well…that explains Captain Lin’s smile.
I’ve heard enough stories about Theo over the last few weeks to feel like I should already know him. Most of them came from Matt telling me the rumors he’d heard about him, or how crazy the girls were going over the new recruit.
Korr’s muttered rants on the first day of class, however, had been significantly less entertaining. He’d simply said the kid was an idiot and that his arrogance and lack of attention would put whoever he fights alongside in danger in the future if he didn’t get his head out of his ass.
According to what Matt heard after, Korr’s whispered punishments sounded like an explosion with how silent the room had gone.
I never got the full story, only that Theo had somehow talked his way out of extra drills, earned himself a week of latrine duty, and still dared to grin every time he saw Korr.
So naturally, I’ve been expecting a younger version of Lucas.
What I wasn’t expecting…was him looking so much like Dean Stevens.
Or rather, like a male version of her.
When Captain Lin calls his name, the boy pushes out of his seat, instantly drawing everyone’s attention without even trying.
He’s tall…Like, absurdly tall.
Towering over most of the room as he walks toward us, his broad lineman shoulders would have been a coach's dream come true. His dirty blond hair is a few shades darker than the dean’s silver-blonde bob, his high and tight hair cut accentuating his sharp brows and dark brown eyes that reflect how much shit I can only expect him to spew on this mission.
Half the girls in Delta Company visibly track him across the room, a few of the Charlie girls do too.
Honestly, I get it.
Theo flashes Captain Lin a grin before his attention lands on me…and sticks.
“What are the odds?”
I arch a brow. “The odds…of what?”
“That I’ve been paired with the woman everyone has a million questions for.”
My eyes flash to Captain Lin, who looks five seconds away from pulling the plug on my assignment.
Taking the team dossier from Captain Lin’s hands, pushing it hard into his chest.
“The only questions you’re going to be asking are about the operation. Now, start reading over our mission details, and don’t forget, I’m the lead this weekend.”
Theo immediately places a hand over the envelope, clenching it to his heart. “Thank the Gods. I’ve heard what happens when people let Delta recruits make decisions unsupervised.”
“You are a Delta recruit,” I point out.
“Exactly. I know what we’re capable of.”
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.
Theo notices instantly, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Yep. Hunter was right—obnoxious.