Rolling my eyes, I thank Brylee with a nod before walking with the guard back to Madam’s office. By the time we get to the office, everyone is waiting for me.
“Finally, are you ready?” Madam asks, throwing her hands up like I’ve done something wrong as I walk through the doors.
Madam’s eyes trail up and down my body, making sure I am to her standard. Only once she’s satisfied does the tension in the room ease slightly.
Lauren is waiting in a chair in front of the desk, quickly standing up when she sees me. Lauren doesn’t even look at me as she stands beside me and prepares to leave, as if she’s been waiting for me to arrive.
“Right, your mission is to observe Target 106. You won’t be able to kill him tonight, and we do not want you to compromise this mission. That is an order, do not engage this target.”
What the fuck?
Every mission has had the same objective: kill. What makes this guy so special?
I nod anyway, walking out of the office and towards the lift where Commander Wolvrin is waiting, standing at the door to the lift in his normal commander uniform, which tells me he’s not expected to enter this ball.
We’re always on our own, the Commander never comes on the missions with us. But for some reason, the thought today unnerves me. I was right, though; this isn’t a normal mission, not when I cannot even kill the person threatening our safety, our citizens safety.
“PX-3 and PX-28, let’s go,” Wolvrin says sternly, his face showing no emotions.
He’s back to his normal uptight routine. It’s the same for everyone; pretend in front of the Madam and the Overseer, but when we are alone, we can let our guards down.
The Commander never has to the same extent as the girls, but I can tell he cares about us, even if he doesn’t show it often.
The lift begins with a creak, shaking to life as it moves up to the ground floor.
The Commander grabs my arm the second the lift gates open, pulling me towards the SUV that’s waiting and ushers us inside. Lining the gravel driveway is the set of SUVs specially made just for The Academy.
Only after I’ve stumbled in Wolvrin’s grip does he lift me into the car, practically throwing me down into the chair and giving me a glare that tells me he’s not impressed with me.
“You understand your mission?” He asks, looking to me for an answer, but I’m too busy looking out the window to see the sunset.
The sky is a beautiful mix of pink and orange that makes everything look golden.
“PX-3.” The Commander raises his voice in an attempt to get my attention, and I roll my eyes before looking at him.
Yeah, I understand. I am to watch someone with no information on who they are, because that’s classified. Yet I’m supposed to know this man’s weak points, where to push him into breaking.
Or at least, that’s what I wanted to say. Instead I nod and say, “Yes, Commander.”
Wolvrin looks to Lauren, knowing there is no use trying to talk to me. “Make sure she doesn’t try anything. We can’t afford another mistake, not like last time.”
I roll my eyes again, this time making sure he can see me. “I’m serious, Darlia, I can’t afford to cover for you again.”
“You’re not supposed to call me that here.”
“So, you prefer being called a number?” I glare at him, wondering how easily I could stick my knife into his throat, or maybe how long it would take for him to drown. I have always wanted to take a life that way.
“We will arrive in seven minutes. Prepare yourself; this will be unlike anything you have experienced before. This is an event for the elite of the city.”
The elite.
We are not permitted to know about the elite. I don’t even think Madam knows about them. They are powerful, maybe more powerful than The Academy. They fund the city alongside the government, using their wealth to help the common citizens and to keep the protection of The Academy when they need it.
The SUV comes to a stop, and the door slides open automatically.
“We’re here. Do not mess this up, Darlia.” I nod, stepping out of the car and walking onto the steps with Lauren. I don’t respond. If I did, I’m not going to say what Wolvrin wants me to say, and apparently I’m already not on his good side.
I’m not familiar with where we’ve been dropped, but I can’t say I mind.
