Page 56 of Green Ravens

He stayed still, but his mind was moving fast, not knowing if she was a threat.

Who are you, huh? What do you want?

She tiptoed onto the terrace, her breaths coming a bit quicker as if she knew she was being watched.

“Why are you looking for me?”

She whirled around as her heartbeat spiked.

“I’m Jo.” She searched the darkness for him.

She had no idea just how close he was.

“I’m an ally, Valor. Please don’t attack me.” Her voice was light but filled with urgency.

He didn’t speak again.

She seemed to try to slow her breathing before she continued, “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get to you. I’ve been trying since the first day they brought you here.”

“Who are you?” he growled.

“I’m a spy. I infiltrated the Ravens organization three years ago when my order was contacted by various government informants, telling us that they were turning men into weapons and using them for corrupt purposes.”

She paused as if waiting for him to acknowledge that, but when he didn’t speak, she kept talking. “You’re not who they said you are.” She glanced around the large terrace, still looking for him. “They took your name and gave you a new identity after your transformation.”

No shit.

“They chose to call you Valor because you were the worthiest and bravest of all the other candidates. And they plan to completely erase your past and mold you into a very powerful weapon at their control and disposal. Anassassin. But I came to tell you the truth.”

Truth. That word didn’t belong in this place. Conspiracies and deceit, yes, but not truth.

Still, he listened.

“You are… Well, you were Chief Aiken Torr Oakley of the US Navy.” Her eyes were shiny and wide. “You’re a hero, a leader, and a decorated chief. An officer who’s still considered MIA.”

Valor’s own heart began to race.

“You were ambushed in a rescue mission in Novo Aripuanã. You and your comrade Sawyer survived. You were lost in the Amazon rainforest for three nights before you stumbled upon the illegal animal poaching and experiments the Ravens were doing just outside of Borba.”

Sawyer.

The name pulsed in the back of his mind, a ghostly spirit hovering just beyond reach.

“They took your past, your name, and your identity, Valor. I only managed to skim a small amount of the recon the research team uncovered. There’s a lot more, but I couldn’t stay in the records department for long.” She glanced toward the door. “I have to go—”

“Who are you spying for?”

“For the Order of Imuma Aga Khan. I will explain more later butdo notrepeat that name hereever. I will explain more when—”

He didn’t know who or what that was, and he didn’t care.

“What’s been done to my body?” he demanded, his voice low and cutting.

He saw her shake her head, heard the sorrowful sigh.

“They merged your DNA with a puma—the apex predator of the Amazon jungle. That’s why you’re faster, stronger, your senses sharper.”

“How is that possible?” he gritted.

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