I gave a pleasant nod, though my mind was spinning. New office? And the best resources possible to find her? I was pleased, of course. It seemed the organization had recognized my potential, but at the same time, I knew this was abnormal. Talon was huge; its reach spanned the globe, and it had countless other developments, mostly of the multimillion-dollar variety, to worry about. The disappearance of a single hatchling, rogue or not, was barely a blip on its radar. Why? Why are they going through all this trouble to find one hatchling? Ember, what have you done?
The office door clicked softly as it opened, and Mr. Roth raised a beckoning hand.
Ah, Ms. Anderson. Please come in. Have you met Mr. Hill?
Havent had the pleasure, said a lilting, musical voice. I turned to face the newcomer. My brows arched a bit, and I straightened quickly. Not a human; this was another dragon, and on top of that, a hatchling. Except for my sister, Id only ever met with adult and senior dragons, but this girl looked just a year or two older than me. She was fair and slender, wearing a light blue skirt and heels and looking faintly uncomfortable in them. Like shed rather be wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Her pale, almost silvery hair was styled atop her head, the sides pulled back to accent her high cheekbones, and the large, crystal-blue eyes stared straight ahead.
This is Mist, Mr. Roth introduced as she regarded me in silence, her gaze coolly remote. Ms. Anderson, this is Mr. Hill. I expect the pair of you will get along famously.
I hid my surprise. By introducing her by her first name, Roth was subtly informing herinforming all of usthat I was in charge. That, although she was slightly older and had probably been working here awhile, we were not equals. I hoped the other hatchling wouldnt challenge my position, but Mist held out her hand as if this meeting was nothing out of the ordinary. Nice to meet you, Mr. Hill, she said, her voice as cool as her face. I took the offered hand with a wide smile.
Mist. I smiled, holding her gaze. The pleasure is mine.
Ms. Anderson is one of our newer operatives, Mr. Roth continued, seemingly unaware, or uncaring, of the tension as we sized each other up. She comes highly recommended by her trainer, and we believe her skills are adequate for this situation. She will be aiding you in the search for our wayward Ember.
Ms. Anderson, Mr. Roth continued. Would you please introduce Mr. Hill to the rest of his team and then have someone show him his office? I would take him myself, but I have a meeting with your trainer in a few minutes. Mr. Hill He turned to me. You say you have your sisters best interests at heart? Now is your chance to prove it. Bring her back to Talon, where she belongs. We will be keeping an eye on your progress.
I nodded politely, though I knew the meaning behind those words. Well be watching you was the translation of that statement. Dont disappoint us.
I wont, I promised silently, and turned away.
As I followed Mist out of Mr. Roths office, I nearly ran into someone coming in, and I stepped aside with a hasty apology. The person Id almost hit barely gave me a second glance as she passed, but my stomach dropped as I met her familiar poison-green eyes. Lilith, Talons elite Viper assassin, gave a short nod, recognizing me as well, before continuing into Mr. Roths office and closing the door behind her.
Apprehension flickered. Why is Lilith here? I thought. Is she? I glanced at Mist, walking beside me with her eyes straight ahead. Is she Mists trainer? Is that why shes here?
Wary now, I followed Mist into the elevator, keeping her in my side view as she pressed a button, still not looking at me. The doors slid shut, and the box began to move.
So. Mists voice echoed in the tiny space, startling me. Id been expecting her to stay quiet and distant, not speaking unless absolutely necessary. Id been about to break the silence myself and was surprised that shed beat me to it. Youre Dante Hill.
Her voice was a challenge. It seemed we were going to butt heads after all, unless I could win her over. I couldve used my position to demand obedience; Roth had put me in charge, after all, but resentful employees did not produce fast results. If I was going to find Ember quickly, I needed her on my side.
Smiling, I leaned against the wall and put my hands in my pockets, adopting a pose of easy nonchalance. I am, I agreed pleasantly. Though you seem surprised, Mist. Let me guessyou expected me to be taller.
Mists expression remained neutral. A Chameleon in training, she remarked, raising a slender eyebrow, using humor to defuse a tense situation. Classic disarming technique.
I kept the smile on my face. Did it work?
She blinked, and the other corner of her mouth twitched. No, she replied, though her eyes said differently. But thank you for trying. I am, unfortunately, well versed in the various faction trainings and techniques. Your Chameleon charm is not going to work on me, Im afraid.
Give it time.
The elevator had passed the first floor. And still, we continued to descend. Past the basement, and the subbasement, going even deeper underground. Do you have something against Chameleons? I went on, wondering how many sublevels this place had. The glowing numbers above the door had stopped moving altogether.
Not at all, Mist replied. Chameleons are a vital part of Talon. We all have our place. Her piercing blue eyes remained brutally honest as she looked me over, assessing. What I dont like is having vital information kept from me, especially if I need it to do my job.
I gave her a puzzled frown. You think Im hiding something from you? Thats a rather hasty conclusion. We havent known each other very long.
Its not you, Mr. Hill. Mists tone remained coolly polite. But you must know that this situation with your sister is not normal. Why is Talon so interested in her? Cobalt I can
understandhes a dangerous fugitive who has caused real harm to the organization, and his actions cannot be ignored any longer. The rogue must be stopped, that is very clear. Her piercing blue gaze sharpened, cutting into me. But why is Talon so invested in bringing her back? Why go through all this trouble? Ember Hill is a hatchling who has done nothing for the organization. Mists eyes narrowed even further. Why is she so special?
Her words were eerily familiar, as I heard my own suspicions parroted back at me. The situation with Ember wasnt normal. Talon was expending considerable resources to return her to the organization when they could have sent out a Viper and been done with it. Even bringing me on was puzzling. Yes, I was her brother and the person who knew her best, but why bother? What made heroursituation so special?
However, I wasnt going to tell Mist that I shared her concerns. If I was going to bring Ember back, if I was going to make a future for us in Talon, then I had to appear fully in control of the situation at all times. I could not appear weak, or scared, or unsure, because Talon had no use for dragons who failed. I was not going to fail.
Im afraid I cant give you the details, I told Mist, who gave me a cold look but didnt seem surprised. Talon shared information only if they thought it was necessary; that much at least she understood. I would, I went on, if I were allowed. Just know that finding Ember is our top priority. The Elder Wyrm wishes that she be returned to the organization. The reasons are irrelevant.
Im afraid I cant give you the details, I told Mist, who gave me a cold look but didnt seem surprised. Talon shared information only if they thought it was necessary; that much at least she understood. I would, I went on, if I were allowed. Just know that finding Ember is our top priority. The Elder Wyrm wishes that she be returned to the organization. The reasons are irrelevant.
The elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. Mist watched me a moment longer, blue eyes appraising, then gave a tiny nod. Of course, she said, coolly professional once more, and motioned me into the hall. This way, Mr. Hill. Ill introduce you to the rest of the team.
Just call me Dante, I invited, a tactic to gain her loyalty, and followed her down a long, brightly lit corridor past several offices, until we came to a door at the very end. Without hesitation, Mist pushed it back, and we went through.
I gazed around, impressed. The room beyond was enormous, a sprawling floor of desks, computers, flashing screens, and people. Aisles of long counters snaked their way across the room, each holding numerous computers with glassy-eyed humans sitting in front of them. The entire back wall was one enormous screen divided into numerous parts that projected a dozen images of maps, satellite feeds, security cams and more. The murmur of voices, ringing phones, buzzing computers and clicking keyboards all blended into a general cacophony of noise that flowed over me as I stepped through the door.
This is our operating center, Mist explained, leading me across the floor. All around us, humans hurried by or typed feverishly at their desks, avoiding eye contact. Mist continued as if she didnt notice or care. Talon has dozens of these centers all around the world. Its where we monitor Talons assets, keep an eye on St. George movement and track persons of interest to the organization. Were mostly in charge of the western region of the US, which is where we think your sister is right now.
She stopped at a desk where two humans sat across from each other, a pair of large screens separating them. When Mists shadow fell over the desk, the overweight male and small bespectacled female looked up and gave her polite, fixed smiles, which she ignored.
Mr. Davids and Ms. Kimura have been tasked with locating your sister, Mist told me, not even looking at the two humans. Theyve been trying to pinpoint her location ever since she left Crescent Beach. Unfortunately, theyve been unable to find any trace of her, or Cobalt, unless something has changed in the time Ive been gone?
She looked down at the humans as she said this, and both of them went pale.
No, maam, the male said quickly. So far, there have been no leads on Ember Hill or the rogue dragon Cobalt. We know theyre still in California somewhere, but other than that, weve been unable to get a lock on them.
Where have you been looking? I asked, making all of them glance at me. Mist raised her eyebrows in amusedor annoyedsurprise, but I ignored her. The humans paused, obviously wondering who I was, some bossy kid in a business suit come strolling into their affairs. I kept the smile on my face and held their gazes with my own, polite but expectant, and after a moment, they looked away.
Weve been able to uncover a couple of Cobalts nests in the past, the male informed me, quickly turning back to the screen. His so-called safe houses for rogue dragons. Weve been monitoring those areas, hoping he might return to one of them to hide. Unfortunately, when one goes down, he often moves the rest, so we havent been able to pin him down.
What about his network? I asked. If he has so many safe houses, he has to be able to communicate with them somehow. Have you tried tracing messages back to his location?
Of course, the other human said. Weve been trying to breach his security for years. But weve never been able to crack it. Whoevers on the other side knows exactly what hes doing to keep us out.
What about St. George? I asked. Do you have ways of tracking them?
All three stared at me, varying degrees of confusion and doubt crossing their faces. Yes, the female human said slowly. Of course, we have extensive systems for monitoring any movement made by the Order. But we already determined that the cell in Crescent Beach returned to their chapterhouse. When Ms. Hill and Cobalt fled town, their trail went cold, and St. George abandoned the search. There hasnt been any movement from the Order for days, at least not in this region.
Do you know where this chapterhouse is?
More puzzled looks. We could probably find it, the male human said, furrowing his brow. But, like we said, St. George activity has been quiet the past few days. We believe trying to find Cobalts underground network is more important
Stop looking for the safe houses, I interrupted. Ember wont be there. If I know my sister at all, she wont be content to sit and hide. Youre wasting your time looking for them. I glanced at the huge screen on the far wall. Find St. George, I said, feeling Mists curious gaze on me. Start looking for the Order. The chapterhouse is a good place to begin. Find it, and tell me when you do.
The humans gaped at me, clearly dumbfounded but too polite to say anything. Mist, however, had no such reservations. Why? she asked is a low, cool voice. Youre telling us to abandon the search for the rogues network when we have clear orders from Talons VP to locate it, and your sister. Do you know something we dont, Mr. Hill?
No, I said, keeping my gaze on the far wall, on one of the many maps spread across the screen. I didnt have any concrete evidence. It was just a hunch, a suspicion, that had been plaguing me since before I left Crescent Beach. But my intuition was rarely wrong, and Id learned to trust my gut, especially when it came to my sister. I only wished I had listened to it earlier. Much, much earlier.
But there wasa human, I went on, as they all stared at me like Id gone insane. One of the people I met in Crescent Beach. He was a friend of my sisters. Really, I only saw him once or twice. Butthere was always something about him, something that I didnt like. I saw him fight, oncehe was definitely trained. And he just showed up out of nowhere one day, always hanging around my sister.
That is not enough reason to suspect someone, Mr. Hill, Mist said in her calm, logical voice. You cant expect us to drop everything and switch to a new plan of action simply because you have a hunch.
The night Ember left Crescent Beach, I continued, ignoring that last statement, she told me she was going to meet this human, alone. She said she wanted to tell him goodbye before she went rogue. I paused, my chest tightening with the memory. That was the last time I saw her.
I dont know if that human was part of the Order, I went on, looking back at Mist and the Talon employees. But I suspect that he was. And both Ember and Lilith were attacked that night by St. George. Ember was close to that human. Shemightve told him things, about us. About Talon. If you can find him, track the cell he belongs to, he might lead us to Ember.
And if he doesnt?
I narrowed my gaze. Then you can blame it on me. But its worth a shot. Better than searching for places where she might show up or trying to crack this impossible-to-breach network.