Page 64 of Rage

“Yes. Well, things have opened up and trained soldiers can work for private companies too.”

Batya waited for her mother’s reply but the silence stretched on. Obviously, her mother had given up trying to steer her direction in life. Nodding slowly, she cleared her throat and touched Adelaide’s shoulder.

“They’re probably serving the refreshments now. Would you like to get something to eat?”

“Sure,” Adelaide replied with a smile.

Batya chose to ignore the ghost of worry plaguing her mother’s gaze. Everything would work out. It always did.

Chapter Four

The air vibrated briefly from a flash of movement. Spurred by instinct, Batya yanked her favourite knives from under her pillow and rolled quickly off the bed. The stadium lamp outside her window provided only spotty lighting.

“Good to see those certificates were well-earned.”

The voice was soft, but firm. It was also coming from across the room. Batya hadn’t even been close to her visitor. At least she was on the right side of the bed.

“They were.”

“Pack a small bag and get ready to go.”

“Are you with…him?”

In the darkness, the stranger scoffed.

“You can say his name, you know. He’s not a monster you can summon.”

But he was a monster. Batya was counting on that to be true. She needed the company.

“You won’t be needing that.”

Batya stared at the training uniform in her hands. She’d worn it for so long that it felt strange to leave it behind. And yet with everything she was about to give up, a uniform seemed to be the weirdest thing to be sentimental about.

“Right.”

With that in mind, Batya programmed her tablet to send a message to her mother in the morning. She was taking on a private assignment and would be in touch when she could.

Hopefully, that’s true.

She stuffed the uniform back into the drawer and focused on underwear and light clothes. When she slung the bag over her shoulder, the visitor stepped into view. It was none of the people she’d seen at her graduation.

A Hispanic woman clad in a form-fitting black suit stood before her. Short, wavy curls crowned her head. Batya noticed a few small scars flecked along her jawline. The recruiter’s lips twisted into a wry smile at her scrutiny.

“Not what you were expecting?”

Batya grinned.

“Better.”

She took Batya’s hand and tapped a button on her suit. In a whir of motion, they materialized somewhere else. Batya fought nausea to take in her surroundings.

Where on Earth am I?

Chapter Five

“Come. I’ll show you to your room.”

Batya swallowed in an attempt to settle her stomach. The last thing she wanted to do was splatter her dinner all over the gleaming silver floor. She settled for a nod and followed…why didn’t she know her name yet?

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