“Well crap.” The confession stunned Reese into silence, and though it only lasted a few minutes, it was the most silence their table ever had. “Why would Command do that to you? They have to know your history.”
“Maybe it’s another test,” Clara responded, but there was no conviction in her tone. “As if we haven’t proven ourselves enough already.”
“I can’t imagine that’s the reason. It must be because they think individually you’re both the best equipped for this. I’d ask you how you’re feeling abouthim, but I know you’re not exactly big on talking about feelings. Sooooo maybe I should just change the conversation?”
Clara shrugged, unwilling to share anything that could further the appearance of her weakness. She had become so strong, buthim.Him.
Reese hesitated before changing the conversation, and spoke animatedly about the interaction she had with one of the newer guys yesterday. She raised her eyebrows suggestively as she repeated their conversation, and Clara figured this was Reese’s newest conquest.
Reese had the bubbly personality of a cheerleader, combined with a decent amount of brain power and daddy issues. It was the perfect combination to find a new bed mate in this sector. Interesting enough to wrap them around her finger, but careless enough to end up in their sheets. Clara had too much melancholy and darkness hidden in her soul to go that route, but she would be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy hearing Reese’s stories.
All too soon, it was time for her to report. Reese wrapped her arms around Clara’s waist. She was significantly smaller, and Clara’s head practically rested on top of hers as Clara hugged Reese back. Clara missed Reese on these trips. Even if most days it seemed she suffered through the endless chatter, it was usually a welcome respite from the constant droning in her own head.
Reese pulled back, fixing Clara with a glare. “Come back alive. Okay? You have to come back alive. You aren’t allowedto die. You hear me?” She pulled a bracelet from her pocket, slipping it over Clara’s wrist.
Clara allowed a small smile to slip out from her mask, “Okay Reese. I promise. I’ll come back alive. And when I’m back, you’ll have to tell me all the progress you’ve made with the new kid. Garrett, right?”
Reese grinned, twirling one of her many braids around her finger. “Yep. Be safe.”
Reese pulled her into one last hug, “Oh, I almost forgot.” Clara handed Reese the folded drawing. Reese grinned, but didn’t open the page. Their tradition. Each exchanging small pieces. The reminder that neither was actually alone.
Clara walked out of the mess hall, heart pounding but footsteps sure. She stopped by her room to grab her bag, checking her appearance again to make sure everything was in place. She carefully replaced the book she read last night on the stack, making sure the three were perfectly aligned before she left.
She would never admit it to anyone, but the details helped her stay focused. Everything had to stay in place. Everything had to stay perfect. Otherwise her grip on reality might slip. Slowly at first, and then it all became chaos. She had developed routines. Tendencies that she hadn’t had before that were now a part of everyday life. Without conscious thought, her blankets were folded perfectly and the books were aligned. She just did it and looked around her room, satisfied with the returned order.
She threw her bag over her shoulder and began the trek to command. Her heart thundered, every beat trying to throw off the breathing rhythm she was determined to keep. This was what she had wanted. The recognition, the assignments. This is what she had worked for. The favor, the eventual power. This was who she was now. The Eclipse. This was just another assignment.
Liar.
6CARVER
He hadn’t slept at all. He had a feeling he wouldn’t. His dreams were rarely kind to him, and after the day he had, he knew they would be worse than usual. It wasn’t just the fear that kept him from slipping beneath the sheets, but the restless energy that surged through his veins as he tried to solve this problem.
Clara. The one problem he could never solve.
He thought he had solved it. He pushed her away, believing it was best for both of them. They could live their separate lives and she could stay alive. At least in his mind. She was never supposed to remain an operative. When she did, at least their sectors were separate enough he would never have known if she didn’t survive. He was okay with that. It was better to assume she was still alive than to know she wasn’t.
And now she was back in his life. On the most dangerous assignment he had ever been given and he had swornnotto protect her.Like hell I won’t.
This endless circle of thoughts landed him in the training room, sprinting until he couldn’t breathe anymore. He hoped the lack of oxygen would stifle the increasingly stressful thoughts, but instead it seemed to perpetuate them. His body’sdesperation for air, and his desperation for something to be different combined and left him feeling even more panicked.
“I thought I might find you here.” Carver snapped to attention as his mentor walked in. Nate shook his head, dismissing Carver’s posture. Carver slumped back against the wall as Nate approached.
“This isn’t a normal assignment.” Nate often received more information than Carver would receive from Command, and some form of friendship, loyalty or responsibility let him break the rules and share what he wasn’t supposed to.
“Just because of Clara?” Pain stabbed his chest at the feel of her name when he spoke, but he didn’t let it show.
Nate paused, “She received a different assignment.” His eyes skipped across the room as he stepped closer to Carver, “I’m not sure what she was given, but the two of you aren’t being sent because of a biological weapon.”
Carver wanted to ask more questions, but Nate silenced him with a look. “Command has a history of this. Most operatives don’t live long enough to understand the conniving behind the scenes, but you’re reaching that point.”
“They don’t want us to succeed?”
“Oh, they want you to succeed. They’re right in thinking you and Clara are the best equipped for this. They also want to see if you’ll break. You’ll either return victorious and be brought into leadership, or you won’t. They’re fine with either option.”
Nate shook his head. “I don’t know what you saw on your last assignment, but they weren’t thrilled about it.” Carver opened his mouth but Nate held up a hand, “I don’t want to know. I’m only here to give you a warning.”
He placed his hands on Carver’s shoulders, “Be smart.” A better benediction than most people’s be safe. Then Nate left, leaving Carver’s head spinning even more.
