“Retrieve? Not destroy?” Carver was surprised to hear Clara interject. When he knew her, she was shy, careful to never speak too loudly. And now she was questioning Command.
The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly behind the mask and Carver hoped for her own sake Clara wouldn’t continue questioning those who held full control over their lives. “We need to study it so we can understand their mechanics and begin developing antidotes. Anything else you wish toquestion, Operative Richards?”
“No ma’am,” Clara replied, her tone belying how she honestly felt about the decision.
The woman ignored her and moved on. “Their yearly celebration will begin in five days. Many people from other kingdoms visit for the celebration, and the two of you will enter with them. Once inside, you will meet with our contact. MarshHarris. She owns a bookstore named ‘The Midnight Quill’ on the edge of town square. She will give you the information she’s collected, and from there it is up to the two of you to get into the lab.
The train will take you within 20 miles of the gates, but you will have to walk the rest of the way, or find a caravan to join. There is no contingency. If you are captured, there will be no extraction.
Both of you have been here long enough to understand the cost of war. I don’t have to explain to you how dangerous this weapon will be if it stays in their hands. It must be retrieved at all costs.”
She finished, awaiting their response. Postures straight, they both saluted and replied, “Yes ma’am.”
“Excellent. You are dismissed to pack and ready yourselves for tomorrow.”
Carver turned towards the door, ignoring Clara at his heels.
“Operative Richards, please. Stay one more moment.”
Carver looked over his shoulder as Clara turned to face Command again. The woman did not speak again, clearly waiting until he exited. If they were to be partners, why wasn’t he receiving the same information she was?
He didn’t like it. He didn’t like any of this. Was this because of last time?
With no choice but to obey, he waited in the hallway until Clara was finished. He rolled his shoulders back and cracked his neck. The minutes ticked by like an eternity, but he knew it couldn’t have been more than five before she stepped into the hallway, a glare on her face before she even spotted him.
As much as he wanted to say something to her, he felt like Clara needed to be the one to break the silence. He was desperate to know what had been said, but he didn’t need to ask to know she wouldn’t share.
Eventually, after a moment of awkwardness, and with a deep sigh, she acknowledged him. “This is not what I expected from my summons today.” The frustration in her voice was clear.
“I’m doing great, Clara. Nice to see you’ve survived too.” Carver spit back with more venom than he intended or knew he had.
Her eyes widened, “Don’t pretend this is a picnic for you either. I’m certainly not the one who landed us here.”
“You’re the one who climbed the ranks enough to be awarded the nickname ‘Eclipse’ so yeah, you kind of are.”
Her face flushed, “I never asked for the name. And what was I supposed to do? I threw myself into training. They didn’t think I’d make it, and I provedeveryonewrong.”
Carver’s heart wrenched at the way she emphasized everyone. He knew without a doubt that he was included in that statement. He inhaled, exhaling slowly. They had to fulfill this assignment. And they had to do it together. Orders were orders. He couldn’t change the past, but maybe he could make this situation a little less volatile. And save the world. And keep them both alive at the same time. That was a long list.
Though the way Clara looked at him, he could survive this assignment and still lose his life. She was an assassin.
“Listen,” Carver attempted to slip into a different role, “I didn’t pick this,” he held his hands up quickly, “And clearly this wasn’t your idea either. I guess we should be proud of the fact that we’ve risen to the top in both of our fields.”Maybe our breakup was worth it,he wanted to add but wasn’t sure she would appreciate that, “We’re both here because we love our kingdom.” Clara nodded, nervously chewing her bottom lip. “And we both know the cost if we can’t accomplish this.”
Her face was calmer now, “We will accomplish this.”Success.Her first admission to a willingness to work with him.
“Yes,” he agreed quickly, “But we won’t be able to if we’re constantly at each other’s throats. We have to figure out how to work together and…” he paused, “dare I say trust each other?”
“I don’t trust you.” He knew the response was coming, still the cold tone felt like a knife plunged in his chest.
“I know,” he nodded, “And I share the same sentiments,” she looked ready to interject but he held up a hand continuing, “but we are partners for this assignment and must work as such or we—not just we, our kingdom—won’t survive.”
“So what do you suggest?” She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back onto one foot. It was a more relaxed position for her, but her eyes still scanned him waiting for a reason to fight.
Carver had expected far more of an argument at his suggestion, but maybe she had matured more than he was giving her credit for. “I suggest we do what they said and go pack.” She shifted and looked ready to lunge at him,maybe she hasn’t matured as much as I hoped,“And then, meet back here after everyone is asleep. That will give us time to process on our own and prepare for the assignment so we can figure out how to work together.”
“Fine.” Her tone remained curt, though it was at least civil. Carver nodded in response. It took immense effort and self-control to turn and walk away from her again. This wasn’t exactly the reunion he had hoped for. Actually, he hadn’t dared to hope for a reunion. He always assumed it was a matter of time before one of them ended up dead. And she wasn’t supposed to still be here.
Their break-up was a matter of protection. Yes, he had done it under a leader’s suggestion. In order to protect Clara. But he wouldn’t pretend it wasn’t partially self-serving. He couldn’t bear the thought of ever having to watch her die. Even now, fearslithered into his chest as he walked back to his room. What was he going to do with this?
