“What’s so wrong with that? At least you know she’s not going to try to terminate you.” Erik sounds annoyed with me. His hair is swept to the side, dark amid the snow around us. His golden brown eyes study me—they have a similar hue to Emery’s.
How does he know that, though? She’s too innocent and tender around me. I know the real her—the executioner that lives in her veins. I saw it for myself today. I have no doubt she’ll take her shot if the opportunity arises.
“Did you know she’s a Mavestelli?” My tone is low as I watch him, calculating his response.
Erik doesn’t even blink. He takes a deep inhale from his cigarette, blows it out, then sighs. “Yes. It changes nothing.” He flicks the cig into the snow before standing with a stiffened posture.
I match Erik’s irked temper and change the subject. “Why are you out here, Lieutenant? I thought the Fury Squad was gearing up for a mission?” I rub the back of my head to free snow from my hair, but find blood instead.Shit.I wonder how long I’ve been bleeding.
Erik shrugs. “It was a small mission. We’ve already been back for a few days, which is why I tagged along to watch the trials this term.”He’s been watching?I glower. “We can’t do much without your crazy ass. Don’t freak out over every little thing with the new squadmate. Use her like you use everyone else, just don’t kill her.” He stands and gives me one long, stern look. “We can’t afford more casualties on the level black missions, and we have a big one coming up, so don’t let me down. We need you, Mori.” He offers me his hand, and I take it. Erik pulls me up and pats me on the back once.
“I’m trying, Lieutenant. She’s witty, and I really do like her. I think she’ll be the one to survive me.” My voice is raspy. Something hot runs down my lips and chin. Erik’s eyes flick to my nose before I can wipe the blood away. “I’m fine,” I say. It feels robotic at this point.
Erik walks ahead of me, guiding us back to the bunker. “I wonder how long you will believe that,” he retorts.
I’m already starting to question it,I consider telling him.
Emery has made sure of that.
20
EMERY
The hot showersare greedily soaked up by everyone. Which is expected after all the cold ones we had to bear in the Under. I’m no exception. I wake earlier than most and thoroughly enjoy the heat and steam for as long as I can.
Cameron didn’t come back last night. It took me a long time to fall asleep, but I eventually did. The few hours I got don’t feel like much, but I doubt I’ll be able to get more rest, especially now that the others are rising from their cots and hurrying to the showers.
I make my way to the cafeteria, finding Cameron seated and eating a roll. The food here is so much better than what we had in the Under. It’s disturbing that we’re almost being rewarded for surviving such an awful first trial. I’m dreading what the second one will be.
Cameron gives me a gruff expression when I set down two cups of coffee. I push one toward him without bothering to see if he’s grateful or not. It’s just a kind gesture after how we left off last night.
He doesn’t say anything as we eat. His cup of coffee goes cold before Bree and Damian take a seat at our table.
“Good morning,” Bree chirps. After weeks of it being only me and Cameron, I’m shocked that the two of them are here. Bree’s eyes are clear and she seems excited for the day to start. Her limp is light for the wound she endured, so I’m hoping she found some pain meds in the infirmary. I wish I had the same mindset as her. Mine is trapped between dying at Wraith’s or Cameron’s hand.
I force a tight smile. “Morning.”
Damian yawns, and it causes me to as well. “You guys ready to die today?”
Cameron’s eyes remain impassive. His arms are crossed tightly over his chest.
Bree sighs as she sets down her plate. “Can’t you be positive for like two seconds?” she mutters before taking a sip of her tea.
Damian lifts his chin at me like he’s trying to decide what he wants to do. I take a piece of bacon from my plate and hand it to him, since the early birds had already scavenged all of it. “Here. You might as well have something good to eat before you kick the bucket,” I jest.
He considers me before smiling and taking the offering. “See? Emery gets it.” He winks at me. I’m hoping it means we’re at a truce for now.
Bree shakes her head and laughs. “As long as I can eat in peace, I don’t care.”
Cameron huffs, drawing my attention. His eyes are half open and shooting daggers at Damian. “Wink again at her and I’ll cut your fucking eye out.” He sarcastically winks at Damian as he says the latter to further his point.
Damian flinches and looks down at his food swiftly.At least he knows to be afraid of Cameron.If it came down to it, I’m not sure if I could kill either one of them, but Cameron wouldn’t hesitate. He doesn’t care for anything but his usefulness to the Dark Forces.
“When do you think they’ll announce the second trial?” Bree changes the topic as she slides her plate to the side.
I look at Cameron since he’d be the only one who’d have a sliver of an idea. He feels my eyes and glances up at me. “Depends on what the challenge is. Adams might announce it before lunch or minutes before the trial starts like last night.” He removes one of his black rings and spins it boredly on the table like a top spinner.
The vibrations that the ring makes send chills up my neck. “Will we get weapons this time other than combat knives?” I whisper, noticing that the tables closest to us can overhear and some are looking our way. It’s unfair that we have Mori to ask questions to. It only makes them angrier with us.
