“Don’t you want to know how your sister and I are getting along?” he asks. “Last time, we met, she nearly tore out my throat with her teeth?”
“You have a flair for the dramatics,” I say. “The worst thing she called you was Bender. And I thought that was funny.”
“Of course, you did,” he bites out. “You’d be surprised to know she’s been unnaturally obedient as of late.”
“Haven is a Saint. She can handle any situation with grace,” I say. “Her patience is unwave?—”
“So, that’s how you’re going to play it?” he asks. Eyes filled with disdain. “You’re going to deny it.”
“I’m not sure what you’re implying.”
He tucks his gun into the band of his trousers.
“Get your ass to the field, Warrick,” he orders. “Before I change my mind.”
A sigh escapes me when he steps aside. I couldn’t think straight with his proximity. He was intimidating me with his height and build. He has to be at least 6’4 and is packed with muscle.
I can hear the menacing thud of his boots behind me as I walk down the hallway.
It hits me then that he accessed my room when it was locked.
“How did you get into my room?”
“I’m the Commandant,” he says. “I can access any door in this place.”
“Isn’t it an abuse of power to enter a recruit’s room without permission and gawk at their naked behind?”
“Those bland, military-picked cotton undergarments wouldn’t tempt anyone under the age of sixty,” Ender says dryly. “Let alone me.”
I open my mouth, but he continues.
“Don’t worry, Warrick,” he adds. “I find youutterlyunappealing,”
“You didn’t need to say all that,” I mumble. “How does my sister deal with you? I’m starting to pity her.”
“My relationship with your sister is none of your concern.”
“Do you at least find Haven appealing?” I ask.
It’s a trick question. He can’t compliment Mercy without indirectly feeding my ego. Ha. I’m eager to see how he answers this one.
“No,” he responds. “I find her as intolerable as you.”
The smile that was tilting the corner of my mouth drops abruptly. He’s such an asshole. I can’t believe I was almost stuck with him in that house. It’s hard enough being around him a few hours a day; imagine living with him. I’d probably shoot myself in the head.
The doors slide open, and Ender heads towards the observatory deck. I suppose he doesn’t plan to lead today’s session.
Spider points at me and signals a couple of other recruits.
“You four. Over here,” he calls.
It’s me, Rei, a boy with curly, brown hair, and a tall girl with a crooked nose and auburn hair.
“Listen, you four are mine,” Spider says. “And I plan to ride you hard.”
“No, thanks,” I say. “I’m not into group sex.”
Spider laughs. “Good one.”
