Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Alec reached for my hand and a wave of calm overcame me. I smiled gratefully. As long as Alec was at my side, everything would be fine. I don’t know how he did it, but his presence alone always managed to soothe my worries.
“Sir, what exactly happened in Livingston?” I asked, but Major raised his palm. “In a second, once everyone is here. I don’t want to tell the same story twice.” He drummed his fingers against his desk, then stopped abruptly when he felt my eyes on him. Major never showed nerves. Ever.
A knock sounded at the door and a moment later Kate stepped in, freshly showered, blonde hair still wet and neatly dressed in clean clothes.
“Tanner briefed me on the situation,” she said in the same business-like voice that Alec had used earlier. She settled herself into the only vacant chair—beside Alec. Her strange coppery eyes met mine for a second before I dropped my gaze. I didn’t want to make eye contact and thus allow her to read my mind. But she must have gotten a glimpse of last night because her eyes narrowed slightly at me before she gave Alec a curt nod and smile and turned to Major.
“Now,” Major began. “As I said before, Agent Stevens has disappeared. All we know is that he didn’t give his usual status update and we couldn’t reach him by phone or email. Given our experiences with previous disappearances of FEA agents, and the similar patterns of all recent events, I think it’s safe to say that Abel’s Army is involved.”
“But sir, what makes you so sure? Do we know why Abel’s Army chose Agent Stevens? What is the deciding factor? What are the perceived reasons for the abductions?” Phil sounded like an analyst.
Kate’s eyes cut to me. I tensed. Why was she staring at me like that?
“Their main aim is to weaken us. FEA is, and always has been, the enemy. So far, they’ve abducted agents who weren’t living in headquarters and thus were an easy target. I believe, however, that their tactics might have changed. If they want to grow stronger as an organization, they’ll need reinforcement—Variants with useful talents. The mission in Livingston might have revealed five very interesting new Variations to them.” His gaze glided over us and I sank deeper into my chair. If Abel’s Army really knew all about our talents, and I was almost certain they knew about mine, then we were all in danger. Alec squeezed my hand and some of the tension left my chest.
Phil nodded, wide-eyed. His entire body was tense, the cup in his hand tipping precariously to the side. It was only a matter of time before he’d spill the hot liquid all over himself.
Devon’s fingers were turning white from their grip on the armrest. He hadn’t touched his tea yet. If his stomach felt anything like mine, he was probably afraid of regurgitating whatever he’d eaten for breakfast.
“I’ve been expecting their focus to shift, to target you. That’s why I made you join FEA a couple of weeks before the agreed date,” Major said with a nod toward Devon and Phil. They tilted their heads in understanding. As if they, or I, knew what the hell that meant, as if we had the slightest clue what Abel’s Army was capable of.
“But still, if they were after us, then why take Agent Stevens?” Devon asked.
“He’d been tasked with guarding you while you were still in Livingston. He knew details about your Variations and your personal lives. He can give away important information about all five of you. He’s the first abducted agent who has a certain degree of insider knowledge that could potentially hurt us.” Major pressed his lips together in disapproval as if he couldn’t believe Agent Stevens had dared to get caught.
“If he told them about your healing power” he nodded toward Devon—“and about your capability to produce toxin”—he looked at Phil—“I’m sure Abel’s interest will be piqued. Your Variations are quite useful, after all,” Major said with an appreciative look. I wondered if they’d noticed Major’s choice of words. Useful. It was a term he loved to use.
Phil looked miserable. “But I can’t control my glands.” He stretched out his arms, gloved palms upward. “It’s not like I’m a biological weapon or anything.”
Major emptied his cup with a grimace. “The dose usually isn’t enough to kill a human, you’re right. At least, not a grown-up. But with training and the right incentive, I’m quite sure that Abel’s Army could turn your Variation into something that’s worth being afraid of,” he said.
My face must have shown my shock. Major gave me a pointed look. “That’s the problem with Abel’s Army. They wouldn’t hesitate to use your talents to kill and maim, while the FEA wants to teach you to control your Variations.”