“That’s what every single person in the underground forces strives for. Actually, I take that back. I think some of us like staying here in the shadows permanently, but most want their cards to freedom. A second chance at life and an opportunity to earn their way out of hell.”
A dry laugh bubbles up my throat, and I cover my lips to no avail. “Are you serious? If I get a stupid piece of paper, that’s it? I’m free?”
Nolan’s eyes are cold; his grin makes my skin crawl. “That’s it. Easy.”
I slide the paper to him and lean back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest. I’m not sure he’s telling me everything, but I don’t really have a choice in the matter. “What’s the catch?”
“There is no catch. You serve—then you’re set free if you earn your cards.”
If.
I assess him carefully. From the controlled malice in his gaze to the intricate way he gives information, he reminds me of Reed. The thought of not seeing him again is perhaps the only regret I have.
Every well-salted, misunderstood villain has a mentor, right? Well, Reed is mine. He was the prodigy at our small academy out of all the underworld families. While we’re the same age, he’s always been at least five years ahead in everything. Too smart and wicked for his own good.
But Reed taught me how to make peace with my fate as the executioner. He showed me how to craft the deaths into something lovely, to leave them with my own flare. Sometimes I wonder if it was just to see how far he could manipulate my mind. Reed always said he loved the monsters that live inside people. He liked bringing them out the most. Which is precisely why Greg made Reed his right-hand man.
“And how many Dark Forces soldiers have earned their cards?” My leg bounces anxiously. He unsettles me in a way that feels like stones are being placed inside my coat pockets and I’m about to be thrown into the sea.
“None so far.” Nolan tuts and leans forward onto his elbows in a taunting motion. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, though, Cadet Maves. You might not even make it past your first night.”
“That’s reassuring,” I say smoothly, slightly put off by his lack of explanation of where exactly I’m going for one night before boot camp.Don’t show him you’re worried.I force a smooth expression and tilt my chin up.
His cruel smile tells me that he enjoys giving out little promises of freedom. But I’m not sure I have much left in me to reach for the tendrils of hope. I’ve already given the world everything I have.
2
CAMERON
The isolation chamberisn’t so bad after thirty days. I actually kind of enjoy it. There’s nothing like sitting with your thoughts and talking to gray walls, gray ceilings, and gray barred doors. Left wondering if you’re still sane or if you ever were to begin with.
My back is against the cold floor, legs bent at the knees as I toss a rubber-band ball into the air repeatedly. It’s my only entertainment besides pacing around the room and waiting for my punishment to end. It’s not like I hate being alone—in fact, I prefer it—but imagining what’s taking place out there in my absence is driving me up a goddamn wall.
My squad needs me. I’ve let Lieutenant Erik down enough as it is.
I pound my palm to the side of my head a few times.I won’t kill my next partner. I won’t.I drill the words into my head.
It’s not like I mean to.
God, how many times is it now, though? Three? My hand freezes with the thought and the rubber ball smacks my forehead. I blink and exhale slowly.Fuck.
Last time I only had to be isolated for ten days, who knows how much longer this will take. I sit up and move to the sink,gripping both sides of the porcelain before looking at myself. My green eyes are duller than usual these days, and my skin has paled considerably without sunlight.
I adjust the bandage over my eyelid and check to see if the cut has healed any more since Lieutenant Erik slashed my eye. I didn’t lose my sight, thankfully, though it does still occasionally bleed from the sclera. It’s mostly healed now. I still can’t open it entirely, but I’m not much of one to complain. I toss the bandage into the garbage bin.
I feel pretty good despite the fact that I look like I’m dying. My ruffled pale blond hair has faded almost to white. That’s caused by the drugs the Dark Forces has me on; the natural light brown hue of my hair lightened remarkably. The dark circles beneath my eyes make me look merciless.Well, aren’t I?I shake my head and smack my palm against my temple again.
I’m going to change. I won’t kill the next one.
At some point as I’m lost in my self-motivational pep talk, the metal lock scrapes against the gears and the door to my cell opens. I tilt my head and expect to see Erik strolling in to retrieve me finally, but that’s not at all who comes through the door.
General Nolan?
He’s a few inches shorter than me, and I’m six foot four so he’s not small by any means, but what catches my eye is the small-framed woman standing beside him with pink hair. Not bubblegum pink. More like a pastel pink rose blooming in late spring, petals unraveling as the sun dawns on them. Her olive-toned skin is smooth and lovely; her eyes are unlike any I’ve ever known. They pierce me, as golden brown as a thunderstorm meeting a forest fire.
My breath stutters and a sinking sensation drops into the pit of my stomach. What is a creature as lithe and soft as her doinghere? I force my eyes back to the general, hoping he isn’t about to do something terribly irrational.
Nolan hates my guts. All I ever do is create more paperwork for him, so it makes sense that he despises me. He’s constantly having to recruit new people from the pool of criminals, but I’ve never known him to bethispetty.
