I’m sorry, what the fuck?
Since when did The Academy take up dinner invitations? Our entire training relies on the surprise, the target not knowing we are coming. What the fuck is happening right now?
This place is falling apart, and I’m going down with it.
“Yes, sir.”
?
The elevator door closes behind us as Wolvrin stands in between me Bella and I; both of us chose the same style. Both long halter-neck dresses with flowy skirts, only I am in the crimson red dress from the first night of the auction, while Bella wears black.
The sun is in the west, but not yet setting, which tells me that it’s late afternoon as we get into the SUV, which quickly takes off. Wolvrin looks at my dress and smirks. “You want it to be any more obvious?” There’s humour in his voice.
“More obvious?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“An Academy agent would’ve chosen black, it’s standard uniform colours.”
“Maybe I like red.”
His face hardens in a way I didn’t expect, his eyes glaring into me as if trying to scold me without having to say the words, but his mouth opens anyway.
“They are testing you. They want to know if you’re still under their control, if they can still tell you to sit and obey. If you don’t want them to know you’re starting to question things, next time go with black.”
Well shit, that’s a warning.
“Thanks,” I respond, too shocked to say anything else. Suddenly things start to click into place; the new freedoms, the mission to the library, this mission to his house. They’re all tests, I knew it. I knew Cayden was a test.
I start to question every decision I’ve made. Was the library a test, too? To see if I would disobey and read? Clearly they knew I did, and then I remember Wolvrin’s warning before we got out. Be careful, watch your surroundings.
He warned us, and I was too dumb to see it.
I need to be more aware of everything. I always have been, but Cayden brings my guard down in a way I’ve never done before. That ends today.
“Should I be careful today?”
“When you’re not alone,” Wolvrin answers before sitting back in the seat, ending the conversation.
I nod, a silent thank you before we spend the rest of the drive in silence. Only the sound of the engine fills the car to break the tension. Before I manage to grasp what has just been said, we arrive.
Bella steps out first, and I follow behind her. The house is big, really big. It’s no wonder he’s at the elites’ events, he is an elite. Standing outside is Marcus with a cigarette between his lips, releasing a breath of smoke into the air.
For the first time, I have more than a second to look at him, and I memorise every detail. His warm, olive-toned skin, green eyes, and honestly, he’s quite muscular. Marcus’s hair is curlier than Cayden’s is; instead it’s tight, black curls styled neatly, while his eyebrows are bushy and full.
“He’s waiting for you inside. He’s not happy with you,” Marcus says dryly.
“What did I do?” He shrugs, not giving anything away as he motions for us to go inside, but I take a moment to admire the outside first.
There’s a large staircase leading up to the front door. Either side of the stairs are lined with flowers while the driveway centres around a large fountain in the middle.
“I don’t have all day, PX-3.” Immediately, my attention is on Marcus. My eyes go cold and for a moment, it’s like I’m back at The Academy.
“Sheesh, calm down. Don’t get your panties in a twist, I was only teasing.”
I soften slightly, but not completely. After Wolvrin’s warning, I’m on red alert and every sense is heightened right now. “Is that any way to stare at the guy who saved your life? And to think I expected a thank you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I snap, and his smile falls.
“I was the one who put you in the shower, Darlia.”
