The receptionist waved me in as I approached President West’s office. When I stepped in and I saw co-president Saitothere, I knew something was going to happen. I just didn’t know if it was something I would like.
“Fawley,” President West greeted from his seat behind his desk, his office a mahogany lover’s dream. His eyes crinkled in a genuine smile, showing his age across his wrinkling skin.
Saito stood behind him looking more like a bodyguard, with her black hair cut short and her two silver swords crisscrossing over her back.
Standing before his desk, I laced my hands behind my back. “I’m here to report on tonight’s hunt.”
“Yes, yes.” West gestured for me to continue.
“All hostiles were killed, the building housing them destroyed.”
“That’s it?” West arched a brow. “No comment on Jack’s behavior tonight?”
I remained silent.
He drew in a breath and shifted in his seat, glancing at Saito. “Well, that’s a new one.”
“The job was completed. From what you’ve told me before, that’s all that matters.”
West threw his head back and laughed. “Spoken like a real leader.” He cleared his throat and flicked his gaze to Saito once more, making my skin start to prickle with awareness.
“We have a new mission for you, Fawley.” He adjusted some papers on his desk, not offering me a new folder like he would normally do for a new assignment.
“Whatever you need, sir.”
“There have been reports of rogues at the new supernatural academy,” West began, his gaze moving around the room, never quite looking at me. “We want you and a hunter to go undercover there to sniff out the rogues and report back. This is purely a reconnaissance mission. No going in and taking care ofthe problem, since we don’t know how many there are or their reach.”
“Of course, sir.” I nodded, waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. “And you want me to pose as a student?”
West chuckled. “No, of course not. You couldn’t pass as one of the human servants or even a witch. You’ll be teaching a class on Supernatural Law and Enforcement.”
I snorted before I could resist.
“I know teaching the supernaturals about hunters and how to avoid getting on our list is a bit pointless, but even the head of the vampire council thinks it’s a good idea.” West glanced over at Saito, who had barely moved from her spot behind him.
“If that’s your order, then I will do my best.” I paused. “While I’m gone, someone will need to take charge of my team. Durand—”
“Don’t worry about Jack,” West interrupted, a small smile on his lips. “She’s going with you.”
My brows lifted as my heart raced in my chest. Jack and me on a mission together? Alone? The last time that had happened…
I shoved the memory down, now not being the time or the place.
“Can you handle that, Fawley?” The accusation in President West’s tone reminded me that while he didn’t know what happened between Jack and me, he suspected. They allowed us to remain on the same team because I told them that our personal feelings wouldn’t get in the way of our jobs. And, for a year now, that had been true.
I wasn’t sure how true that would be after this mission.
Clearing my throat, I nodded. “Yes, of course. No problem.”
“Good.” West twisted in his chair, eyes on his computer. “You leave tomorrow. The academy has already been made aware of your arrival.”
Dismissed, I forced myself to walk slowly out of the room.
To say working alongside Jack this last year had been hard was putting it lightly. Keeping my distance, making sure not to treat her any differently than the others, watching her confusion and hurt at my every brush off and excuse, all while putting on a face of disinterest had been torture.
But this…
We wouldn’t be around other hunters. No one would be around to tell us to keep our distance — a reminder to be professional.
