Page 65 of Rage

When they got to a sleek door, her guide made a point of putting in the code slowly so Batya could memorize it. The door slid open and Batya whistled. This luxury was not what she envisioned when she’d planned to join an elite squadron.

“This is really nice.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll earn it.”

As she turned, Batya grasped her hand.

“Wait, I don’t know your name.”

She raised an eyebrow and Batya dragged her hand away.

“Jimena. You’ll meet the rest of the team in two days when we brief for our next mission.”

Batya’s eyes widened.

A mission already?

Jimena’s lips curved into a small smile.

“What? You thought you’d have more time? We only take the best for a reason, Batya Capstone.”

With that, she walked away, leaving Batya alone to get used to her new quarters.

Chapter Six

Amere two hours later, Batya had familiarized herself with all the technological capabilities of her room and read the 400-page code of conduct. She was wondering what else to do when there was a knock on her door.

The soldier in her doorway was steel-faced and his close-cropped hair stood in tiny spikes. For some reason, the combination of light grey eyes and dark skin reminded her of a wolf.

“It’s time for your orientation session.”

“Okay.”

Batya was starving but she wasn’t ready to say anything. Food was a part of any decent orientation. With any luck, they didn’t floutallthe rules here. Nodding, she joined him in the hallway and kept up with his determined march.

After a few minutes of silent walking, he led her into a mid-sized room that was painted in shades of grey. A long white screen stretched from floor to ceiling at the farthest end.

In the middle of the room, there was a rectangular steel table with platters of food. Batya noticed four empty plates.

Ah, so I’ll have company from the other schools.

Her heart fluttered at the chance of besting even more competition. While she’d attended one of the best schools, it would be great to gauge what the others’ training was like.

“The other recruits will be with you shortly.”

He turned on his heel and strode away before Batya could ask any questions.

“I guess I should just dig in then,” she muttered to herself.

As she filled her plate with bread, cheese, vegetables, and an assortment of deli meats, two men and a woman burst through the door.

“Oh, good. I’m freaking starving,” the first man said, his bald head shining under the bright lights.

Batya sat in the chair closest to the door. While observing her new teammates she locked eyes with the other woman. Her cool green eyes appraised Batya.

Anyone else would have flinched under the intense stare but Batya only felt intrigued. The brain underneath that mess of red hair could be as cold and calculating as hers.

The redhead extended her hand when she took a seat.

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