Fury and Flame | 3

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A R L O

I had a bad feeling as we walked into the new location for the United Nations meeting. Though it was supposedly more secure than the last one, though our entire team was here, I felt uneasy.

Maybe it had something to do with the bombing of the last one three days ago in New York City. That attack had thankfully gone wrong, with the bombs only blowing up a parking structure next to the place with all the world leaders in it. It was even worse for us to know that Imperium was—without a doubt—the one behind it.

That brought up the question of whether this meeting would be safe enough or not. But I supposed that was why we were here.

      After our horrible first meeting with Marcella Krasowski, we'd all been surprised when she called us in for our first job with her: to guard the building in which the new meeting was being held. We needed to prevent any attacks that Imperium may be launching today.

I thought it would be interesting. I thought I'd be in the thick of a battle, fighting off terrorists. And yet here I was, standing guard of the front main doors of the massive skyscraper with Finn.

Admittedly, Finn wasn't exactly the worst partner to have. But simply standing around and waiting for the action to come to us was not ideal.

      I looked far off to my right, where Jake and Jaxon were stationed near another exit. Jaxon gave me a vulgar gesture when he saw me looking. As usual, Jake was doing his best impression of an iceberg. But I'd never say that to his face, especially now that he was worse than usual.

      The other two were out of sight, with Kane keeping an eye on the building next door and Riley patrolling outside the door of the meeting room. We weren't allowed inside. Go figure.

      Kicking a rock into the street, I slumped against the building and crossed my arms. "I don't even know why we're here. Surely Imperium isn't stupid enough to blow up this building too."

      "They didn't even blow up the last meeting place. Just next door," Finn reasoned, his voice calm compared to mine.

      "I'm sorry, was I not particular enough?" He gave me a look that told me he was annoyed with my mockery but too nice to do anything about it. He wore that look quite often around me.

      There was a silence between us, filled only by the sounds of the city—the meeting was in the center of New York City. The first one had been on the outskirts and had been more susceptible to attack. For someone to attack the heart of this city would be much harder.

      Then, Finn said, "Imperium is growing in numbers, weapons and power. It would make sense that they'd try to sabotage the talks, but it's strange that they failed. With so little opposition, they should have just exploded the entire building. But they didn't."

      I shrugged. "Despite whatever unstoppable power they claim to have, it can't be easy to approach a building that holds all the world leaders inside."

      "I don't know...I just think that if they wanted to do it, they wouldn't have half-assed it."

      He noticed me gaping at him. "What?"

      "You cursed." My slow smile widened as realization dawned on his face of what he'd said without thinking. "What was it you told me that one time? Something about not becoming like the rest of us?"

      "You're a horrible influence," he grumbled.

"Why do you choose to be around me then?"