The Phoenix Society

Chapter 23

A loud pounding on my door pulled me out of my surprisingly soundless sleep. I rolled onto my back as my hand moved up to my eye, brushing the excess sleep away. The sun lit up my room causing me to squint, taking in my surroundings. The pounding grew louder the longer I stayed in bed.

"Dear lord please give me the strength to not strangle someone today." I groaned as I pulled myself up and sauntered over to the door.

"Kya!" Marley's voice yelled from outside the door. "Kyaaaaaaaa!"

I pulled open the door. My face must have been one of annoyance because as soon as Marley saw me, her large smile dropped.

"Oh sorry. Did I wake you?" She asked, eyeing my bed head and holy t-shirt.

"Its 7 am Marley, what do you think?" I grumbled. For someone like me, who does not get a lot of peaceful sleep, when I was sleeping, I did not want to be woken up. Especially not by someone pounding on the door.

Marley blushed, embarrassed.

"What is it, Marely?" I asked when she didn't continue. I was aching to curl back under my covers.

"Oh, right." Marley smiled. "Banks said to be ready in ten, we're going out."

"Going out?" I questioned with a yawn.

"Some sort of team bonding."

I scrunched my nose in slight disgust. There is nothing I would hate more than team bonding. "Thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

"He figured you might say that." Marley crossed her arms. "And he told me to tell you," She cleared her throat as she recalled Banks's information, "that it's mandatory. So, get your ass out of bed before I drag you out of here myself." She flashed me a smile.

I let out a small laugh as I crossed my arms. I don't think I've ever heard Marley curse before.

"I'm good." I told her again as I began shutting the door.

"Kya, you listen you me right now." Marley spoke affirmatively, shocking me slightly. I was surprised that a girl as small as she was, had it in her. Slowly, I reopened the door, facing Marley again. "You are going to get dressed and meet us down in the garage in ten minutes. I better not have to come up here again. Got it?"

I stared at her for a moment, still shocked at her ability to yell at me.

Marley looked at me with pleading eyes, "Please?"

"Fine." I mumbled throwing my head back as I turned back into my room. I heard Marley squeal in excitement behind me.

"Don't worry! Its going to be fun."

"Yay...team bonding." I made sure to make my voice as sarcastic as possible as I spoke, then shut my door.

I found my way through the Estate and into the PIT. Small groups were working, filling the room with quiet chatter, as I continued through the room. I yawned; I was still annoyed Marley had woken me up, a part of me was still hoping I could talk my way out of this. I passed by a table of computers, giving a small smile to an assassin typing away. I walked to the room at the far end of the PIT. As I neared, Marley and Elias's familiar voices filled my ears.

"Look who decided to join us." Elias said shooting me a crooked smile as I entered the room. I glared at him, my body and mind still not entirely awake yet.

"Bite me." I grumbled as my body slumped onto the cold metal benches lining the room.

"Well, isn't someone a ray of sunshine this morning." Elias chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. I rolled my eyes, resting my head in my hands and closing my eyes, willing myself to get a couple extra minutes of sleep.