Initiation

Chapter 25: Explanation

 At the League: Sam's Point of view

   The last few moments tumble around in my mind like a tennis ball in a dryer machine. Once that little monster is out of sight, I whip around to face Xavier. Both of my eyebrows are raised in shock.

"Have you- gone insane?" 

Xavier couldn't miss the combination of confusion and betrayal in my voice. He simply laughs, as if the matter is funny; which clearly is not.

"I assure you Samuel. I have not gone insane." He responds in a relaxed tone, with a small smile in his voice. "I assured you last night that I had a separate plan if she had not yet calmed down. Do you think blasting me against a wall is calmed down?" 

His vibrant violet eyes bore into mine- as if he is trying to sense my loyalty at this moment. He clearly does not want me to doubt his reasoning.

     I open my mouth to respond, but simply cannot find the words until I gather my thoughts. With a heavy sigh, I rub my eyes- trying my best to remember.

"Yes... yeah- you did tell me about having  a second plan... so what is it?" I ask, now curious, but also still hesitant. How could he think allowing her to reconnect with Argon was a smart plan?

"Agent Pierce is waiting for you in the garage. Once you are both together, I want you to follow Chloe straight to Argon." 

Now I am completely dumbfounded. She was long gone by now- in both senses of the word. 

"How can Agent Pierce and I follow her without knowing where she is...? Isn't he a rookie anyway?" I ask, my words echoing my thoughts.

     Xavier raises an eyebrow at me. "Kyle Pierce is no rookie Sam. You can trust him. Completely. Do not forget that he has level 4 clearance." A nineteen-year-old with a level four clearance?  Now I am truly shocked- especially because of his age. I manage to hold my tongue against the nagging curiosity to know more. 

"So, what is next?" I react, bringing our conversation back into focus. Xavier accepts this transition by finally answering one of my many unasked questions; how did he know his plan-whatever that was, would work. "The whiteboard- she left the message untouched." 

My nose scrunches- how did that pertain to anything.

     Xavier smiles as if he can read my thoughts; which could be possible. Aura endowed individuals had the ability, but few used the process- too invasive. 

"If Chloe truly believed there was no possibility of our relation- she would have destroyed the evidence pointed in that direction out of rage." He hints. 

Now everything made sense- as in terms to the reasoning behind his plan. 

"While she was distracted by your play of dominance back in her room, I placed one of our new tracking devices on her shirt. The tracker is barely noticeable to the naked eye." He explains- beating me to the punch... yet again.

     "That technology would not have been so easily given, if I had not been a leader. The device just got approved for field use by lab trials two days ago." 

"She has absolutely no idea we are following her then."

"Absolutely none." Xavier replies with a nod. 

I finally understand the depth of his plan. He wanted Chloe to go back to Argon- so she would see the truth. I am in deep thought when Xavier mentions, "not only that but she has had a specialized listening device on her shirt for the past week- ever since our first meeting." 

     I snap out of my daze, my eyes narrowing at the lack of privacy given to me- with no heads up. My eyes lock onto Xavier's. 

"I apologize Sam..." A gentle, knowing expression then forms on his face. "We'll talk about what happened with Cassidy later. As for now, I need you to keep my niece safe. Agent Pierce is waiting for you." He finishes, ending the topic that usually involved suspension- for both parties. 

Not that anything has happened between Cassidy and I- Xavier knows we are partners, and that romantic relationships are strictly forbidden. Thankfully Xavier is the leader I am dealing with- if it had been any other, I would have been worried. Xavier's demeanor is more laidback and lenient, as are his views of intimate relationships between partnering agents. 

    I hold Xavier's gaze for a moment longer before clearing my throat. "Right... I'll be off then." 

A smile forms on Xavier's lips before I turn to leave. 

"Please bring her back to safety." A longing whisper reaches my ear, just as I am about to exit the lobby. Xavier is putting a lot of risk into this operation. As for me... it was going to be a challenge keeping my personal emotions seperate from the task at hand. 

                                                                *******

     Once I reach the garage, it doesn't take me very long to pinpoint Agent Pierce's location. He is casually leaning agaisnt a dark grey car: a 2016 Audi a7 to be exact. The windows are slightly tinted and most likely bullet proof. I am finally able to assess him- in the past we had only passed each other in the hallway. Agent Pierce holds himself with confidence. He has an impressive physique that screams, 'I am not someone you want to mess with' - yet, he does not appear cocky; unlike most fire endowed.

     Agent Pierce's head turns in my direction at the sound of my nearing footsteps. Once he sees me, our eyes lock- sky blue versus dark brown. He nods his head down- unfolding his arms while pushing himself away from the car. 

     Meeting me halfway, he holds out his hand. "Agent Remington," his low, resonant voice greets. "It's nice to officially meet in person." 

I grab his hand. His grip is both solid and firm. I can already get a clear picture of his mature and respectful nature.

"No need for the formalities Agent Pierce, you may call me Sam." I respond with a short smile.

     Agent Pierce's rigid posture relaxes. "Okay Sam- likewise." 

"You ready to head out then?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. He nods in response, glancing down at his watch.

"Chloe has a twenty- minute head start- but I'm sure we can catch up in time." He informs while respectively walking to the passenger side of the vehicle. 

Once we are both buckled in, I flash him a smug grin. "The way I drive- we could pass her three times, and still not worry about losing her."

As the Audi's smooth engine hums to life, I swear I hear him chuckle before the car bolts forward, tires screeching.

     Hello everyone!!! How have your summers been? Fantastic, I hope! I first want to apologize for my lack of updating. I simply did not have the time to write. I was on an internship and did a lot of traveling and exploring, as well as working (of course). I am hoping to update a chapter every Sunday evening. So stay tuned for the next update. Hope you enjoyed this one. Things will only heat up from here.