Black Moon

Chapter 13: Mission Impossible

Kiera and I started for the door of the gym, but were stopped by Ian. His large figure towered over me and I was reminded once again of how small I was in comparison to these tall, fit, elite weres.

"Hello, Kiera, Caloua," he greeted rather formally with a smile. In a second though, his expression sobered. "Someone needs to speak to you," he said, gesturing to me.

Kiera glanced at me and shrugged before calling, "See you later!" over her shoulder as she strutted out of the gym as if she hadn't gone through a grueling 2 hour workout. I envied her.

Ian turned on his heel and walked towards the frosted glass door that held King Daemon's office. I started to panic when I thought of him seeing me a bedraggled mess like this. Immediately I slapped that little voice and decided that I'd look however I wanted around him. Hell, I'd wear my birthday suit if I wished.

Ian led me into the foyer where Mikaela the Twinkie was typing away at her computer. She shot a sickly sweet smile Ian's way before- get this- sticking her tongue out at me. I smirked at her.

We continued down the hall to King Daemon's office, me dragging my feet.
Once there, Ian knocked softly on the closed door. He was answered by a gruff, "Come in," from the King.

I padded softly in behind my trainer to see my ruler sprawled on the floor. Instantly, I stopped in my tracks. What else was I supposed to think when I saw the most powerful man on Earth lying on his stomach with papers and a laptop strewn about him? Not to mention that his shirt was hiked up, exposing half his powerful back of rippling muscle. I felt the corner of my mouth for drool.

"What do you want, Ian?" He asked.

"You called for Miss Bane," Ian replied, fidgeting with one of his fingernails. He seemed nervous, but I wasn't sure why.

Kind Daemon stood up, yanking down his shirt as he unfolded his long, lithe frame from the position it was in. "Thank you, Ian. You are dismissed." Ian bowed a little before scampering out the door.

Now giving his full attention to me, I was reminded yet again that this man was my King. He held a mantle of strength and silent power around him that you couldn't help but want to submit to.

King Daemon surveyed my sweaty, unkempt figure with those gorgeous stormy eyes. His mouth was set in a grim line, and his expression was flat.

"Remember yesterday when I told you that I wanted you to be part of my Guard?" He asked, his deep voice rumbling in his broad chest.

I nodded sheepishly, feeling rather intimidated. "Yeah..." I replied weakly.

"Now's your chance to go on your first solo mission. Most of the Guard go on group missions for a few years before being granted a solo mission, but something tells me that if you've managed to be a rogue with only your brother's help, then you can manage a solo just fine."

My heart clenched painfully at the mention of Svek, but I was determined not to cry this time.

As soon as I got past the careless mention of my beloved brother, I realized exactly what he was saying. The King was going to send me to accomplish something that only seasoned warriors were assigned to. Sure. Yeah. Put the girl with no experience and who doesn't even know the full extent of her power in the field with only a task. No specific instructions. Just a task.

"Are you insane?!" I challenged King Daemon. No way was I doing this alone. I didn't even know what the mission was, and I didn't want to find out, let alone do it!

Something flared in the King's eyes before it disappeared and he leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. "I happen to be quite sane," he said, "and the only reason you're doing this alone is because I want to test your limits. This is a legitimate mission and it needs to happen, but it will require with a lot of people or one incredibly powerful individual. I believe you are capable of it." He narrowed his eyes at me. "Unless you're too cowardly to accept, in which case I'll have to believe that you aren't worthy to be on my Guard." With that he raised one dark eyebrow, silently daring me to refuse.