“Nice to meet you,” I lied.
His mouth twitched. “Let’s pretend that’s true.”
“Cora and her sisters are my sisters-by-mating,” I informed him. “You clearly hurt her, and I’m protective of her.”
Understanding flickered through his expression. “I see.”
A holographic screen flickered to life above the desk, lines of text I couldn’t read from this angle scrolling past.
I could make out my name glowing at the top, though.
“How are you feeling about your last year at Apex Elite Academy?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Good. I won my House the House Gauntlet last year.”
“You did.” He tilted his head as he read. “You also completed multiple real-world missions as a mentee. You survived a kidnapping by humans, during which they took your blood and DNA and are now using it to give themselves your power and inflict harm upon our kind.” He lifted his gaze to mine, expression infuriatingly calm. “Surely that stings.”
That fact hit something raw. I flinched before I could stop myself.
“Yeah,” I said, voice flat. “It stings. I hate humans now. So, there’s that.”
Atlas’s lips curved into a faint, amused smirk. “Don’t we all.”
I sighed. “I know it’s not all humans, but it usuallyisa human.”
“Valid point.” His gaze sharpened. “Are you still confident in your abilities as a spy?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes.”
He raised a brow. “It says here you’ve also been able to take on the role of an enforcer.”
“I have.” I sat back, crossing my arms loosely. “I’ve taken on an enforcer role a few times. Spies are supposed to step up when the enforcers can’t. Or won’t.”
He nodded, clearly satisfied. “Good answer.” His fingers tapped lightly against the desk. “Is there anything you needadvice on when it comes to graduating and moving into a squad?”
“Not unless you can get me onto my mate’s squad,” I said, only half joking.
His smirk returned, eyes flicking to another line of text. “Jesper Wyvernheart. Dragon. That is your mate, yes?”
“Yes.” The matebond with Jesper warmed.
“I can see that.” Atlas’s tone was thoughtful. “It is actually noted in your file, confidentially, of course, that you’re being considered for placement on his squad after graduation.”
My heart lurched. “Seriously?”
“I did not say that,” he said smoothly. “But your mother is the agent coordinator. Surely, you aren’t that surprised.”
I snorted. “Right.”
“How do you feel about making it to year four?”
“I’m excited. We survived long enough to get here. We lost a lot of students along the way,” I mentioned.
He skimmed his screen again. “You started with ten in House of Twilight. One human student, who I imagine you do not mourn.”
“Definitely not that one,” I said dryly, thinking about Kraig’s fatal allergic reaction that had outed him.
A corner of his mouth lifted. “There is another name you do not mourn.”
