Shadows and Steel | ✓

chapter thirty-four

-34-

To say that Tan was pissed would probably have been an understatement. She had heard rumours of a council meeting that day and saw Vhiena slipping off. No sooner had the assassin returned, she then received another letter and had run off again. This left Tan with nothing to do but glare at the scoreboard, at Vhiena's name one beneath her.

Above them were two other agents, then Rand retaining his prized place at the top.

She knew that Cerid was wrapped around her little finger. He was helping her cheat—she was sure of it. Rand sat beside her, arms crossed. He was the one she whispered her outrage to. With them also sat a red-head who had pushed off one of the final three agents in the last challenge, who had announced her name was Hana.

Too many people had been disgruntled by the arrogant agent, their places dislodged by her antics. Tan was the only assassin who deserved the place. She had worked for it, each year training and applying and clawing her way to the top. Last year she made it to the finals. This time, she wasn't going to let anything go to chance. Especially not a reckless, swaggering agent who could tip the balance.

A single thought throbbed in her mind, distracting her from anything else. A cruel sort of giddiness descended on her person as a sharp vision penetrated through her plotting. Her gaze slid to Rand and Hana, quirking a brow. Settling back, she smiled as pieces of her plan forged together in an iron grip. Vhiena needed to be eliminated, and eliminated she would be.

#

Another carrier thrust a small note in her hand as she walked into Section 6. In the lost language of Rau. The language every agent at the Order had learnt in their studies. It mentioned a meeting, in fact, a meeting Elle was already late for. With a huff, the assassin trudged out to follow the instructions in the note, cursing both DETRA and the Order under her breath.

She had to dodge Mather as he prowled back to recruitment quarters on her way to where Tristan's writing had ordered her to wait: outside one of the meeting halls. Leaning against the stone wall, the assassin didn't jump as Tristan materialised from the darkness of one of the alcoves. "Took you long enough." He eventually spoke.

Elle raised a brow, quipping back. "I'm never late."

"I see DETRA hasn't dampened your sharp wit."

"Life would be rather dull without it." Pushing off the wall, Elle tilted her head. "Lead the way."

Tristan beckoned her into a cramped passage in which he had to duck. For once, she was glad of her smaller frame. They popped out into a small room, abandoned and forgotten for decades. What was it with DETRA and all these secret places within their walls? The thick layer of dust settled on the tables and chairs reminded her of the makeup she used to see ladies in Eryan wear.

Whatever the purpose of this room had been, it had been boarded up years ago.

The rest of the team were perched on table corners or had drawn up a chair. Kath's eyes lit up as the pair entered, her pink hair unusually tousled. A pang of jealousy followed—despite weeks of gritty training and no sunlight, Kath's natural beauty was undeterred. Shaking off green scales from her skin, Elle embraced the girl.

Leo pulled her into a large hug, enveloping her in his burly figure. Playfully pushing him off her, Elle flashed a mischievous grin. Jax nodded to her, offering a small smile. That was as friendly as that relationship stretched to. Maybe, in later years they might call one another friends. Elle shuddered at the thought.