While my heart is warmed because Wells made it abundantly clear that my wife is more important than KORT or anything else—she’s one of us, and they’ll risk everything for her—her pain is distressing. He can’t make the promises she wants to hear most. I shouldn’t either. But I won’t let her beat herself up, believing she didn’t do the right thing. Or wage the right fight for the people she loves.
Because while bloodline and last name aren’t an integral part of who Rena is—contrary to what she’s been fretting about—her brothers are at the core of everything she values. She would be shattered without them. Like how Jax stated that if I broke Rena’s heart, she’d never be the same, that applies to her connection with them too. And I’ll blitz every last motherfucker who’s ever even heard of KORT before I let anyone break her.
“You’re such a good sister,” I whisper, pressing her against me and speaking into her hair. “I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.” My eyes flit to Wells so that he understands the deeper meaning of what I’m spelling out here—family goes beyond those present in this room now. “I’ll figure it out, baby girl. Whatever it takes.”
RENA
My fingertips graze over the injection site behind my ear. It’s itchy, which is often my body’s initial reaction to a piercing, so I suppose a tracker is a similar intrusion in that regard.
Or maybe this coming-out-of-my-skin sensation is due to the awareness that I’m being watched. Even though it’s in my best interest, it still feels violating. Not so different from the reality I’m accustomed to, but more in my face—or in my neck.
It’s more disarming than lurking here in the shadows—my current position.
But I’m guessing the true culprit of the itch is due to the instructions Ty and I received this afternoon, via a KORT courier. Well, the first set of instructions. Let’s start there.
Rena and Tytan,
Your trials begin today. To be clear, while there have been exceptions, most are unawarethat they are undergoing a trial. This cognizance is a courtesy extended due to a request made by Tytan.
In response to said request, both of you will be evaluated. However, unlike many of our trials, these are not merely tests. You will be embarking on KORT business—jobs that will serve a greater purpose for the organization.
High risk. High stakes. High reward.
You will receive three tasks to conquer together. Should you succeed in all three of your endeavors—proving yourselves worthy of KORT-level clearance—you will both be invited to attend a final challenge in order to be welcomed into the organization.
The Rules:
Do not share the contents of your envelopes with anyone unless directed otherwise.
Do not investigate further than mandated.
All instructions must be carried out precisely. Should any of the orders be violated, the penalty is immediate failure.
A whole lot of fuckery was laced into that cordial invitation—more like a summons or death warrant. If I had any doubt about that, Ty’s response to my initial inquiry cleared it all up.
As soon as I finished reading, I shot him a quizzical glare. “This is fucking weird,” I murmured, to which he grunted in agreement while I probed further. “What happens if we fail?”
He huffed a repentant sigh, peering at me. “Neutralized.” The word tumbled from his lips with a heap of regret and guilt, as if he hadn’t been carrying enough of that already.
So, I did what I do.
Deflected.
“Chilling,” I quipped while mimicking the sentiment with a theatrical whole-body shiver, followed by a mocking curtsy to keep things light. Then, I assured him I was fucking ready. Born ready. He tried to encourage me to open up, but I was intent on avoidance.Stuffing all the questions I’d been harboring for the past three days since Wells, Ivy, and Celeste had left with Felicity into an I’ll-explore-it-later crevice of my mind.
But later is now. Because we’ve got twenty minutes of a boring-ass stakeout to go before the action, and the quiet makes me anxious.
