“All the more reason to keep you safe,” Gunnar stated.
“What he said,” Giles agreed.
“I won’t be a prisoner because of him,” Bryn said.“I don’t think any security, short of a locked cell, will deal with him.There are enough restrictions on my life already.”
“We can talk about appropriate measures,” Warden said.“Now sit, all of you.”He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk.
“Special Agent Bell called twenty minutes ago and gave me a preliminary report,” Warden began.“His story was similar to what you had already detailed, Giles.”His gaze fixed on Bryn.“Though Giles glossed over your little solo mission to confront Russo.”
“I was trying to…”
“You were trying to get yourself killed,” Warden cut him off.“Again.What possessed you to charge into that building without backup?”
“He was directing the operation.I thought if I could get to him…”
“You thought?”Warden’s voice rose.“You thought you could take on Russo and whoever was with him with cracked ribs and no backup?”
“I had backup,” Bryn protested.“Gunnar showed up.”
“Eventually.I was a little busy, if you recall,” Gunnar said.“Do you have any idea what I felt when I fought my way out of that van and realized you’d disappeared?”
“You did tell me to run.You didn’t specify where to.Besides, it worked out.”Bryn sulked.
“By sheer luck!”Warden slammed his hand on the desk.“You could have been killed, Bryn.Or worse, you could have been captured again.Do you understand what Russo would have done to you?”
Bryn shifted in his chair.“Yeah, well I think I annoyed him too much because he just wanted to kill me.I know the risks of this job.”
“No, you don’t,” Warden said.“Because if you understood the risks, you wouldn’t keep taking them.This isn’t the first time that you’ve gone off script and put yourself in unnecessary danger.”
“I’m not fragile.”
“No, you’re not.You’re essential,” Warden said.“Your abilities make you one of the most valuable assets we have.You’re also irreplaceable.We can’t train another augur, Bryn.There isn’t one.If something happens to you, that’s it.”
The room fell silent.Bryn stared at his gloved hands, feeling the weight of Warden’s words.“I’m not an asset,” he said.“I’m a person.And sometimes people have to make choices about what’s right, even if it’s dangerous.”
Warden’s expression softened.“I know you are.And I know your instincts are good.But your value to this organization means we can’t afford to lose you.”
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that from now on, you don’t go anywhere near active combat situations.”
“You’re benching me?”
“I’m protecting you.”
“From what?Doing my job?”
“From getting killed because you don’t value your own life,” Warden said.“Your job doesn’t need to involve combat operations.”
“My job,” Bryn said, his voice rising, “is using my abilities to help people.If that means taking risks, that’s what I’ll do.”
“It means taking calculated risks under controlled conditions,” Warden interrupted.“Not charging into buildings full of armed criminals.”
Gunnar cleared his throat.“With respect, sir, Bryn’s actions today prevented further casualties.If he hadn’t distracted Russo…”
“If he hadn’t been there, Giles could have handled Russo without risking an augur’s life,” Warden said.
The argument might have continued, but Emmett spoke up from his corner chair.“Actually,” he said, “Bryn’s right.”
