When we weren’t working, I was supposed to befurthering my education with a homeschooling app Prefect had downloaded onto my visor. But I learned better on my own. If someone gave me an internet connection, a computer, and a new interest, I’d become an expert in about twelve hours. But the monotonous drone of the learning app just made me want to fall asleep.
“Go back to your cubicle,” said Prefect, glancing up at me. “Better yourself. I’ll come get you if I need you.”
I tilted my head. “Someone’s feeling paternal.”
“Education reduces recidivism rates,” he said. “Do you need me to use smaller words?Study.” He looked back down at his computer, smirking.
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re crabby. You need coffee?”
“I’m on my third cup.”
“Which means you’re desperately behind schedule,” I said, scooting off the desk. “I’ll get you another cup.”
“You’re just trying to avoid your schoolwork.”
“I can’t hear you, I’m too far away,” I said, walking out of his office.
I wound my way through the maze of cubicles. On a Saturday, the ISD offices were mostly empty. There were only a few other people: a handful of junior agents, a wraith handler called Centurion, and Leo the Intern.
Our floor had a small kitchen that held a fridge filled with all sorts of forgotten horrors, a coffee machine that refused to die, an electric kettle, and the snacks that people would occasionally bring to work.
Leo was in the kitchen. “Uh-oh,” I said. “You’re not having soup for lunch again, are you?”
Leo was ISD’s only intern. Typically, the Identity Security Division didn’t do interns. We were a highly secretive agency and those who worked here were subject to binding confidentiality. But Leo was the son of a senator. A senator we needed to keep happy in order to get more funding. Hence, a sudden intern position opening up. He had dark blond hair, light skin burnished gold by time spent in the sun, and a jawline that could have sliced bread. He was also… How do I put this politely? He was the stupidest person I had ever met. He didn’t need an NDA to keep our secrets. I was pretty sure Leo didn’t know what we did, how we did it, or even what day of the week it was.
“Augusta,” he said, holding up his hand for a high five. I always obliged him. It was easier that way. “You’ve been gone a while.”
“Assignments with Prefect,” I said. “You know how it is.”
He absolutely didnotknow, but he nodded eagerly.
“Someone brought in muffins this morning,” said Leo. “I made sure to save you one. It’s in the paper bag with your name on it.”
Sure enough, sitting on the counter was a small white bag with a chocolate chip muffin inside. “Thanks,” I said, a little touched. He beamed at me. With his connections, Leo would only ever fail up. That he was genuinely kindhearted made it harder to resent him.
I turned, ready to bully the coffee machine intomaking a cup. It was older than the president, produced coffee with the taste and texture of freshly churned concrete, and had stubbornly refused to die no matter how many people tried to sabotage it.4
But the old coffee maker was gone. In its place was something else. Something pristine, silvery, and high tech. Something that looked as though it belonged in an Italian café.
“What,” I said flatly, “is that?”
If Leo noticed my disappointment, he didn’t say. “It’s an espresso machine,” he said happily. “It came with the last supplies order. I was helping unpack stuff and there it was.”
This machine was the kind where all you had to do was press a button and it would produce a perfect shot of espresso, latte, macchiato, hot chocolate, or Americano. It even had a small pot for those who preferred drip coffee.
I scowled at it. “What else did I miss?”
He seemed to rack his brain for any memories of the last month. “Well, our floor has a new janitor. Oh, and Steve tried to ask out Marco but Marco gave him the whole ‘I don’t date coworkers and also we just had a six-hour sexual harassment remote seminar.’”
“Oh, Steve,” I said. “Yeah, I had to watch that seminar, too.”
“Oh, Steve,” agreed Leo. “Also Harold is retiring.”
I frowned. “Harold?”
“You know, the lady with the dark hair,” said Leo helpfully.
“Oh,Herald,” I said, understanding. Another wraith handler.
