Queen's Shadow || Kingdom at the End of the World - Book II

[21.2] Devil's Own

Dimitri Radev had the devil's own luck.

This was less a humorous conjecture and more a hard fact, known to anyone who had the questionable pleasure of working with the young soldier. Kayla Starr had born witness to a number of improbable scenarios during her – thankfully short – training tenure with a team of cadets that included Dimitri in their ranks. Fortune favored the man, as it did most fools.

Kayla was at present lurking near a Zero training ground, a restless Rin at her side. The girl was nearly bouncing on her heels. She did well enough in keeping her surveillance of the passing Zero soldiers discreet, despite her eagerness. Kayla had been as thorough in her instructions of their subterfuge as she could without giving away anything that could put Rin in danger. The girl was following command commendably.

That was, until the target of their mission finally came into view.

Rin swayed forward. "That's him!" she exclaimed, only just managing to keep her voice down. "M'am – the boy up front, that's him!"

A tall, thin youth had just exited the hall. Kayla recognized him as the befuddled Zero soldier who had led her to Dimitri's cell some nights prior. She had suspected as much, given Rin's description of the boy. What was one more lucky coincidence when it came to Lightning?

"I see him," Kayla said. "Please cease pulling at my shirt."

Rin let her hand drop from where she had unconsciously grasped Kayla's uniform, cheeks flushing. She could not help darting another look at the boy. The happy smile on her lips faded.

"Why does he look like that?" the girl asked.

"As I said, Zero's training is unusual," Kayla reminded.

Rin pursed her lips. She did not press the issue, but her excitement at the prospect of meeting her friend was visibly reduced.

"You said that he may act as if he does not... recognize me," Rin said softly.

"Yes," Kayla agreed.

"I did not believe it possible," Rin admitted.

Kayla had suspected as much at the time. She had not divulged too much information on Zero, partially because the precise nature of Zero's training was not known to regular soldiers, but mostly so as not to scare the girl. Rin's doubt was warranted. "Do you believe me now?" she asked.

The boy turned in their direction. His eyes passed over Kayla and Rin without a moment of pause or any outward show of interest.

"What did they do to him?" Rin whispered, voice a quiver.

Kayla took a step forward. "Two-ten," she called, naming the boy by the code assigned to him, as customary for Zero. It was time to engage the target of their mission. The uncomfortable prickling in her chest in the face of Rin's distress did not factor in her sudden haste.

The boy's steps cut to a halt. "Captain Starr," he greeted, salute regulation-perfect. His eyes were shockingly blue and terribly vacant under a fringe of blonde hair.

"Your presence is required in the Hall of Mourning," Kayla said.

The boy did not respond. Kayla suppressed her instinctual irritation; speaking with Zero was always a trial of patience.

"The request was properly submitted and cleared by Administration. You may check with your immediate command for confirmation, but do make haste," she allowed.

The boy nodded once, turned on a heel, and went to do precisely as Kayla had suggested. Kayla let out an exasperated snort. Her word was apparently not worth much in Zero's ranks.