Page 129 of Silver Elite

“What actions? I haven’t even done anything!”

His protests fall on deaf ears. Jayde nods at Hadley, who steps forward.

“Berghman, you’re dismissed from the Program,” Hadley barks.

Peter’s jaw drops. “That’s…crazy. I’m not killing anyone.”

Ignoring him, Hadley takes Peter by the arm, and we all watch in stunned silence as he escorts the poor kid away.

Jayde turns her steely eyes back to the rest of us. “The lives of our soldiers are too vital to risk. Whether intentional or not, that boy was going to get people killed. Be grateful he’s gone.”

After she leaves, everyone starts talking among themselves.

“He didn’t even do anything wrong.” Lyddie is incredulous.

“What if her vision is wrong?” demands a male recruit.

Another one is quick to disagree. “From what I’ve heard, Valence is known for her accuracy. She’s never had a false vision.”

Shit. That doesn’t sound good. For a second, I experience a twinge of fear, but I push it away, because I don’t have time to worry about whether Jayde may or may not have visions about me. There are far more pressing dangers in my life right now.

“Freaks like her shouldn’t even be allowed on this base,” Bryce mutters.

Several people glance at her in surprise. It’s rare to hear anyone criticize the Company.

When she notices the stares, her tone becomes defensive. “I would never question the General’s leadership, but this feels like a dangerous gamble to take. Trusting one of them.”

“She’s served him for ten years,” someone else points out.

A stubborn Bryce doesn’t back down. “That doesn’t make her any less dangerous.”

It’s funny to me how Jayde’s abilities are feared and respected in equal measure. Hadley just cut a guy from the Program based on her word alone, which speaks volumes. Yet at the same time, everyone here is terrified of this big, scary power she wields. I find that part even more interesting.

As far as gifts go, I don’t consider precognition much of a threat. Seeing the future isn’t something I’d personally enjoy, but the worst damage I could do with it is, what? Tell someone they’ll die in a horrible fashion? Shatter a recruit’s dreams of serving the Command?

There are far more dangerous abilities to have.

—

Jayde’s visit stays with me all night. I find myself climbing the stairs to the roof. It’s my first time up there since Betima was killed, and the memory tightens my throat. I stare at the dark stain in the gravel where her blood had pooled.

I can’t believe Roe is still here after killing another recruit.

I approach the edge of the roof. Today’s drills were tiring, but I feel wired now. Peter’s unexpected dismissal lingers in my mind. Everyone taking the word of a psychic who’d seen a grim fate awaiting him and made the decision to blindly trust that vision. I don’t know anyother precogs. I don’t know how accurate they are. What if she’s wrong?

And who’s to say that by telling him of his error, he couldn’t have corrected course?

I wish I could talk to Uncle Jim about this. Sometimes I still try to link with him, seeking out his energy signature only to find nothing but emptiness. I don’t know why I keep doing it. It’s a form of self-torture, but I can’t stop.

I link with Wolf instead, because the loneliness is gnawing at me. I miss Tana. I miss my life.

“Hey.”His voice surrounds me like a warm blanket.

“Hey. How’s the ocean looking tonight?”

“It’s always calm where I am.”

“Do you ever see any boats?”I’ve never been on a boat. Doesn’t sound too appealing if I’m being honest.

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