Fractured Legacy: Aicil Paranormal Files #1

Chapter 3

Kaylyn

When I turn to face Jonah, I can't tell if the look on his face is slightly befuddled or amused, but the throbbing vein along his temple indicates that the rest is undeniable anger.

I stare into his dark green eyes and drag my tongue over my teeth, wishing just once my mouth wouldn't cause so much trouble.

"I'm guessing you'd like to return to my office to continue your rant."

My stomach turns over as I shove my hands in my pockets to suppress my need to fidget. "Not really."

I lower my head, wondering how much he heard.

Jonah jerks his head back, indicating I should follow, and leads the way back to his office. I follow in silence, pausing to take a breath just before crossing the threshold. As he sits down at the desk, I close the door, hoping to get it over with, but his silent stare continues.

I shift my weight from foot to foot, biting the inside of my cheek.

"Did I not make myself clear?" he finally asks.

"Yes, sir." My voice squeaks, furthering my embarrassment. But to be fair, he'd never covered anything I'm currently in trouble for during our little meeting.

His eyebrows raise. "And that bit?" He nods toward the door.

My brain, which seconds ago wouldn't shut off, leaves me high and dry. When I open my mouth to speak, only a grunting sound escapes.

"Well?"

"I'm sorry, sir," I mutter and hope it doesn't sound too much like a question.

He leans forward in his chair and motions for me to sit as well. "You're familiar with the term insubordination?"

I have more than a sinking feeling as I slowly take a seat. "Yes, sir."

I can't remember the last time I've used the word "sir." Barely half a day of work has passed, and I feel like I've landed in an alternate universe.

"Then you're either brave, or you just don't care. Pleading ignorance would have at least made you look slightly excusable. But I understand that under Carlisle's guidance, the concept applied quite loosely." He pauses, rubbing his temple and staring at the mess on his desk. "You've been with Aicil three years, but you and Cole both became full-time investigators just three months ago, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Two months after you both graduated from college?"

"Yes," I reply slowly, unsure of where this is going.

"How is it that you both graduated from college at the same time, when you're a year older?"

Here we go again. I pull at my shirtsleeve, trying to gauge what he intends to gain from my answer. "I...,"—wasn't exactly a model student for the first couple years—"didn't really start college knowing what I wanted to do."

Jonah presses his lips together as if he knows exactly what I'm hiding, which makes me feel the need to fidget even more when he begins speaking again.

"You should be aware that your name, in particular, has come up in recent discussions," he pauses, probably just to watch me squirm in my seat. "The Council is beginning to wonder how much your sister is carrying you."

"Excuse me?!" I jump from my seat, realizing this is where he'd been going with the entire conversation. Sure, I hadn't taken college seriously until the latter half of my second year, but that had nothing to do with Cole.