Chapter 17
Bella and I are the first ones back in the training sector, which means no one else has figured it out yet. I’m sure others would’ve seen what I did, and it won’t be long until more come back.
Somehow in the madness and adrenaline pumping though me, I had completely forgotten Clover managed to cut my throat in the fight.
With a nod, I start walking to the healing sector, Bella by my side.
The healing sector has always been uncomfortable; it’s too clean, too quiet.
It shows you’re weak enough to get hurt. Everyone tries to avoid it.
“It’s not deep enough for stitches, I will wrap it up to keep the wound closed. I suggest removing it in a couple days to let the wound breathe.”
I nod because who am I to disagree with the doctor?
He cuts off some medical tape, placing small strips in a X pattern across my throat, closing the wound and placing a gauze on top before finally wrapping it with a cloth bandage.
“You’re cleared,” he says before going back to the notebook at his desk.
I don’t wait for further instruction, and get off the bed, walking out with Bella when Madam stops us.
“My office, now.”
Well great, that sounds lovely. I’m having a wonderful day, thank you for asking.
We follow her to her office where the Overseer, Commander Wolvrin, and Major are waiting. All eyes immediately go to the bandage on my throat. I straighten my back, putting my hands behind me as I wait for my instruction.
“PX-3, PX-57, you have a new mission,” Overseer says, his eyes still on the cloth wrapped around my neck.
“What did the doctor say about the bandage?”
“To keep it on until morning, sir.” He sighs but nods, moving around the table to hand me a file labelled TARGET 106. Cayden.
“Your target profile has been updated. I suggest you reconfirm the details inside and pay careful attention. I would hate for you to go into a mission unprepared.” I nod, opening the folder and looking over the details.
So much has changed. His full name is now on show, likely because I know it, anyway.
His height is also visible, 6’4, but his weight is still censored. Why that is what they choose to censor?
But it’s the mission details that catch my attention, now visible is a single sentence: Target has an accomplice known to travel with him to and from events, this accomplice is considered armed and dangerous. The accomplice’s name or appearance is unknown, apart from having black hair.
“He has an accomplice, sir? That’s not something I’ve seen?
” Marcus. I know immediately it’s Marcus, but if I pretend to know nothing now, I won’t be expected to know later, either.
Consider my debt for Lauren’s journal paid.
Oh, and the fact I didn’t break while being tortured. Maybe he now owes me one.
“We thought you might say that. We want you to get any details you can on this person.”
“Understood, sir.”
The Overseer nods as I hand him back the file, looking between me and Bella once more before continuing.
“You are allowed to pick between both of your formal mission attire gowns tonight. You have received an invite to a private dinner at the Ashford residence, and we suspect it is an excuse to get information from you both. We expect you to get information instead.”
I’m sorry, what the fuck?
Since when did The Academy take up dinner invitations? Our entire training relies on the surprise, the target not knowing we are coming. What the fuck is happening right now?
This place is falling apart, and I’m going down with it.
“Yes, sir.”
?
The elevator door closes behind us as Wolvrin stands in between me Bella and I; both of us chose the same style. Both long halter-neck dresses with flowy skirts, only I am in the crimson red dress from the first night of the auction, while Bella wears black.
The sun is in the west, but not yet setting, which tells me that it’s late afternoon as we get into the SUV, which quickly takes off. Wolvrin looks at my dress and smirks. “You want it to be any more obvious?” There’s humour in his voice.
“More obvious?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“An Academy agent would’ve chosen black, it’s standard uniform colours.”
“Maybe I like red.”
His face hardens in a way I didn’t expect, his eyes glaring into me as if trying to scold me without having to say the words, but his mouth opens anyway.
“They are testing you. They want to know if you’re still under their control, if they can still tell you to sit and obey. If you don’t want them to know you’re starting to question things, next time go with black.”
Well shit, that’s a warning.
“Thanks,” I respond, too shocked to say anything else. Suddenly things start to click into place; the new freedoms, the mission to the library, this mission to his house. They’re all tests, I knew it. I knew Cayden was a test.
I start to question every decision I’ve made. Was the library a test, too? To see if I would disobey and read? Clearly they knew I did, and then I remember Wolvrin’s warning before we got out. Be careful, watch your surroundings.
He warned us, and I was too dumb to see it.
I need to be more aware of everything. I always have been, but Cayden brings my guard down in a way I’ve never done before. That ends today.
“Should I be careful today?”
“When you’re not alone,” Wolvrin answers before sitting back in the seat, ending the conversation.
I nod, a silent thank you before we spend the rest of the drive in silence. Only the sound of the engine fills the car to break the tension. Before I manage to grasp what has just been said, we arrive.
Bella steps out first, and I follow behind her. The house is big, really big. It’s no wonder he’s at the elites’ events, he is an elite. Standing outside is Marcus with a cigarette between his lips, releasing a breath of smoke into the air.
For the first time, I have more than a second to look at him, and I memorise every detail. His warm, olive-toned skin, green eyes, and honestly, he’s quite muscular. Marcus’s hair is curlier than Cayden’s is; instead it’s tight, black curls styled neatly, while his eyebrows are bushy and full.
“He’s waiting for you inside. He’s not happy with you,” Marcus says dryly.
“What did I do?” He shrugs, not giving anything away as he motions for us to go inside, but I take a moment to admire the outside first.
There’s a large staircase leading up to the front door. Either side of the stairs are lined with flowers while the driveway centres around a large fountain in the middle.
“I don’t have all day, PX-3.” Immediately, my attention is on Marcus. My eyes go cold and for a moment, it’s like I’m back at The Academy.
“Sheesh, calm down. Don’t get your panties in a twist, I was only teasing.”
I soften slightly, but not completely. After Wolvrin’s warning, I’m on red alert and every sense is heightened right now. “Is that any way to stare at the guy who saved your life? And to think I expected a thank you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I snap, and his smile falls.
“I was the one who put you in the shower, Darlia.”
It all makes sense, why the guard was so familiar. Yet it only makes a million questions fill my mind.
“Why the hell would you do that? How did you even get into The Academy?”
“Cayden found a way.”
I stare at him dumbfounded, unable to speak. Cayden found a way.
Cayden was protecting me? How could he have found a way to get into The Academy? Let alone keep me alive? I don’t know whether to hate him for being the reason I was in the chair in the first place, or thank him for finding a way to keep me alive.
“Darlia, love, I’ve been waiting for you.” Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Cayden comes walking down the steps, his eyes on me and my dress before smiling. “You look beautiful in red.”
“So you’ve said,” I say guardedly. I’m on edge, and now I’m confused.
This is going to be a long night.
Cayden isn’t dressed like me and Bella. He’s in a hoodie and jeans, looking so casual while me and Bella look ready for a ball. I don’t like it. Wasn’t this supposed to be a fancy dinner?
“Don’t worry, love. You can change inside where you won’t be seen,” he says as if reading my thoughts, sending my mind into a spiral.
How does he always manage to do that? What if we are still being watched from inside?
Wolvrin said to be careful when we’re not alone, but does that mean I need to be careful of Marcus, too?
Just do the mission, Darlia. Make it through tonight.
I nod, picking up my dress and walking up the steps, our heels muffled on the cool stone. Cayden opens the door, letting us in, and instantly my jaw drops. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
I have been on thirty-eight missions for The Academy, but none of the places have been as stunning as this. The floors are marble, a word I’ve come to learn through missions. The walls are a complete contrast of dark wood. It’s beautiful, so beautiful.
“Come, darling. Let me show you something.”
Cayden takes my hand, leading me to an empty ballroom.
I take a moment, being more on edge than ever, searching for any obvious cameras, mics, anything The Academy would be able to use to see exactly what we’re doing, but Cayden doesn’t stop walking.
He just walks out the back doors, revealing a garden just as overwhelming as the front.
Much like a driveway, there is a large fountain in the middle. The path leading to it is laid with concrete, both sides filled with ever more flowers and plants. It’s so beautiful, so luxurious.
But then Cayden’s hands are on my cheeks, cupping my face and tilting my head up, looking at my neck and cheek.
“What happened? Are you okay?” His voice cracks slightly, and I watch as he takes in every detail.
“I’m fine, The Academy just reminded me who I was,” I say calmly, pushing his hands away from my face.
“No, no, don’t you do that. Don’t you push me away.”
“I’m just wanting my personal space, Cayden.”