She stared. “But your skills are infantry related.”
“I can hold my own in a fight. I agree. And, yes, I could be a major asset for the Corporate Army in the infantry.” I shrugged again. “But I like puzzles. When I pass these tests, I plan to test for the intelligence unit.”
Her lips twitched. “Whenyou pass these tests?”
I hesitated, remembering what that guard had said. “Respectfully, of course, ma’am.”
There. That sounded nice.
She smiled, but it wasn’t pleasant. “Do you really believe playing with puzzles qualifies you for our most elite unit?”
“I think it matters if I pass their exam.”
Shit. That was a little rude.
Eh… I was being myself.
Her smile reached her eyes now, though. “Ms. Carvene, you may go back to dinner.” She tapped her screen. “You’ve passed your first test.”
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
It was so early in the morning the sun hadn’t peeked over the horizon, but the sky was turning a beautiful pink at the edge. Early rising didn’t bother me. I was used to it living on military bases. But not everyone agreed with my living style.
The candidates near me were dragging their feet as we began our march down the walkway to the sidewalk. I’d finally showered, and I smelled decent. Everyone had been given uniforms consisting of black cargo pants, white t-shirts, and black boots. I wasn’t allowed to wear my ball cap, so I simply kept it in my left back pocket and pulled my hair up into a ponytail.
My hair swung back and forth brushing my shoulders with each bounce of my step. The girl next to me glowered at my perkiness. I smiled with cheerful delight to annoy her further.
None of the candidates had done anything horrid to me so far, so I had managed a full night’s sleep. The bed wasn’t big, but it was soft. I had fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
We turned right outside of the gate and walked as a group down the sidewalk. The five CA soldiers who had interviewed us, and who were clearly our instructors, were leading our little event. They hadn’t said where we were going, only banged on our doors for breakfast when it was still completely dark outside.
A flash of silver caught my eye.
I narrowed my gaze on one of the small trees planted for decoration on the opposite sidewalk. There was a silver furry tail sticking out behind the trunk. I blinked in astonishment as my train companion stuck his head around the tree, his silver eyes watching the parade of candidates.
I pointed to where he was. “That fox is following me. I swear it.”
The girl I had annoyed snorted. “You’re crazy.”
“You see it, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s following me.”
She watched as the fox darted from behind one tree to the next, his silver eyes watching my movement. “Okay, that is a little weird.”
“Exactly.”
Then I remembered I wasn’t supposed to make friends, and I shut my mouth. But I kept a wary eye on my silver stalker. I had no clue how he had found me amidst the masses in New City.
Two turns later, our group stopped.
In front of King Corporation.
I squinted at the building.
People were already entering, the sun now rising.
