Page 3 of Legend

“Tivek.” I gave the Drexian a nod of my head. “Admiral Zoran summoned me.”

He returned the gesture as he moved aside to let me pass. “He is waiting for you.”

I squared my shoulders and walked into the long office flanked by black stone walls, with a single, tall slat of a window that overlooked the Restless Sea. The admiral sat at the desk in front of the window with his head down. Like me, he boasted silver in his hair, but unlike mine, his was only shot through the temples.

“Commander Vyk.” He glanced up as I strode forward. “Thank you for coming. I wished to discuss the security measures that have been put into place since the Kronock attack. I know you inherited a school riddled with security issues, but it seems that the added measures have been successful.”

I stood across from him and grasped my hands behind my back, well-aware that my predecessor had been a mole responsible for allowing the enemy access to our security codes. I had been brought on to enforce stricter security measures, but my original task had also included a directive from the Drexian High Command that I regretted. A directive to ensure that the humans at the academy failed.

“They have been, although I cannot take credit for much of it. You did an impressive job of rebuilding the school’s defenses before I arrived.”

Zoran shrugged one shoulder. “It was what had to be done.”

I nodded, understanding Drexian duty as well as anyone, and understanding that Zoran had also been Inferno Force. It was a brotherhood we shared, which was why I suspected he hadinsisted I remain in my position after the scandal of the trials. He had given me another chance. It was a chance I would not squander.

The admiral touched the flat panel of his desk and a holographic image appeared and hovered between us. He gestured to the scrolling text and rotating schematics of the academy. “Update me.”

I cleared my throat. “The shields have been fortified, there are patrols flown on a rotating schedule, and new sensors have been installed in the perimeter defenses around the school.”

He nodded. “Any indication that the Kronock will try again?”

I bit back a protective snarl. “No, but if they did, they would regret it. Our fortifications are secure, and our defensive weapons are the most advanced in the fleet. I have updated and modified them myself.”

Zoran grinned. “I knew I would not regret bringing on an Iron as my security chief.”

I flushed from the compliment, always proud to have come from the Academy’s School of Engineering, and I decided to take the opening. “We have not spoken directly about the trials, aside from when I was questioned with you present. I want to be sure I still have your confidence, Admiral.”

His smile slipped, and his expression turned solemn. “I am satisfied that you made all attempts to stop the trials when you discovered the true intent and the extent of the sabotage. I believe that you would have stopped them, if the High Commanders had not imprisoned you.”

My throat was tight as I gave him a curt nod, remembering the frustration of being thrown in the academy’s dungeons before I could stop the trials. “I could have stopped things sooner.”

“You could have.” He held my gaze. “We all make mistakes, even battle-hardened Inferno Force warriors. It is how we face them that defines us. You have done nothing but work to repair the damage and restore faith in our school’s traditions. I hope you have also realized the error of your belief regarding humans.”

My mouth went dry as my mind instantly went to Fiona. I had gone from being irritated by her presence to being haunted by thoughts of her. Then I remembered that Admiral Zoran’s wife was human. “My beliefs are wholly changed, Admiral.”

He held my gaze for a few more beats, the silence hanging heavy between us before he tapped his fingers on the desk and the holographic image vanished. “Then you have my complete trust to protect every cadet and every instructor at the academy.”

I puffed out my chest and lifted my chin. “I will defend them with my life.”

“I have no doubt.” Zoran thumped a fist across his chest in salute, which I recognized as an extreme sign of respect, since he outranked me.

I returned the salute before pivoting and striding from the room, allowing myself an exhale only when I was on the other side of the sliding door.

“You were summoned by the Admiral, as well?”

I turned to the sound of a familiar voice. Lieutenant Volten. The Drexian I’d enlisted to help me save the cadets in the mazebefore I had been thrown into the dungeons. We had never spoken about the night before the trials when I had confided in him, but there remained a bond between us.

“Lieutenant.” I tipped my head to the young flight instructor then noticed that his friend, Lieutenant Kann, a Blade instructor, was with him. I inclined my head to him as well. “Lieutenant.”

Kann stiffened slightly, even though he saluted me just as Volten did. It was not lost on me that many of the staff still eyed me with suspicion, even if Zoran trusted me.

“I was just leaving.” I stepped to one side so they could enter the Admiral’s office.

Volten cut a questioning look at Kann before he spoke. “Since the term is over and most of the cadets have gone, we were talking about getting a game of cards together with some of the staff. Can we count on you?”

I stared at him. He was inviting me to join them in a card game? From the way the Battle instructor’s eyes popped wide, Kann seemed just as startled. “A game?”

“Nothing serious, but we thought it could be a way for our staff to get to know each other better.”

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