Page 27 of Resist

I turned, my eyes landing on a tall, lean-bodied woman that had to be a few years older than me. Twenty maybe? Her blonde hair was swept back in the most intense braided bun I had ever seen. Crisp green eyes, long lashes, high cheekbones, sharp pointed features, and a body I knew was stunning under the casual cadet uniform of green shirt and tan cargo pants. This girl was smoking hot.

“Move it, sunshine,” she bit out as she pulled back my sheets.

“Hey! I’m going, I’m going.” I narrowed my eyes at her as I climbed out of bed. A quick glance around showed me that the barrack was empty. All the other girls must have gone already. Only their beds remained with neatly tucked sheets, everything in its place.

“I’m not going to wait all day, soldier, so let’sgo.”

I shot a glare at her as I rummaged through my trunk at the foot of my bed and grabbed a clean shirt and pants. This girl might be beautiful, but her temperament did little to match. But, then again, everyone at this damn base had been kind of snippy, so I wasn’t that surprised. I rushed over to the bathroom, changed out of my clothes, ran a brush through my hair to tame the rat’s nest, and wrangled it all into as neat of a bun as I could. That’s how they liked it around here…always in a bun and out of the way. A quick look in the mirror showed me I looked like every other soldier on base—standard issued olive-green shirt, tan cargo pants, black boots, neat hair, and absolutely nothing that would make me stand out or unique. Just another face in the ranks.

“Your reflection hasn’t changed from yesterday, soldier,” she snapped. I poked my head out, catching her gaze. She was standing stiff as a board with arms locked behind her back. But her eyes looked…stabby.

I decided I didn’t like this girl. I left the bathroom, threw my pajamas into my trunk, and then began to make my bed. It was a big deal if you didn’t make your bed. You got all sorts of extra kitchen duty and yelled at a lot if you left your stuff all disorganized. And I didnotneed extra chores. As it was, I overslept. I could only imagine how much trouble I was going to be in with my sergeant.

“Leave it,” Blondie ordered as she turned on her heels and started walking away.

“But I’ll—”

“I saidleave it, soldier. Now let’s go.”

I could feel everything inside me bristle. What the hell was her problem? “If I leave it, I’m going to—”

She whipped around, casting me the coldest stare that sent ice running down my spine. “I don’t care if you get kitchen duty for a month. I said to move your ass and follow me, got that?”

My heart started thrumming in my chest. “Well,Icare, so I’m—”

Blondie rushed me, putting her face right up into mine, our noses almost touching. “You will leave it as instructed. I’ve got orders to bring you to President De’vor, so get your ass in gear and move it!”

I was filled with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, the urge to shove this girl into next week was incredibly tantalizing. And Isodid not want her to think that her dominatrix attitude could make me do anything that she wanted. But, on the other hand, she shared a tidbit of information that was way more intriguing than any urge to engage in a power play was. She was taking me to Sasha. And seeing Sasha was top on my priority list because it meant I was going to finally get some answers.

I took a step away from Blondie, forcing a smile. “After you,” I said, holding my arm out for her to lead the way.

Her eyes narrowed further, lips set in a thin line, but she moved forward, shoulder-checking me as she walked by and out the door. I resisted the urge to say anything, and instead, stayed focused on the fact that I was going to see Sasha.

We marched across the concrete jungle that was Fort Warren, passing airplane hangars, the men’s barracks, and a parking lot filled with Humvees, until we finally reached the administration building. Blondie led the way, marching us right in, passing the front desk, and down the hallway. And that’s when we arrived at a small conference room, very similar to the Situation Room I had been in earlier in the week. And when we walked in, I found Sasha and Fisher waiting for me.

“President De’vor, First Commander Fisher,” Blondie acknowledged as she saluted them.

Fisher beamed at her. “Thank you, Miss Haeflinger.” She gave him a warm smile and a quick tip of her head before turning, glaring at me, and stepping out of the room.

Relief swept through me knowing Blondie wasn’t staying for this meeting. I turned to look at Sasha and Fisher, both of whom had calm expressions. “What’s going on?” I wanted to get whatever this was going. I had a million questions, and I really wanted answers for each one of them.

“Good morning, Miss de la Puente,” Fisher said, the words coming out stiff and less than genuine. “So good of you to join us.”

The desire to roll my eyes and cross my arms was fierce but required way too much energy from me. Picking a silent fight with the North’s First in Command wasn’t going to earn me any brownie points. And in truth, I didn’t think it was worth my time. So I settled for a curt nod and smile before turning my attention to Sasha. “So, you going to tell me what this is all about?”

“Good morning to you too, child.” She sat in her chair, perfect posture as always. “I’m glad to see you could join us for our meeting.” I couldn’t help it this time. I did roll my eyes. The pomp and circumstance and pleasantries were delaying what I really wanted, and that was information. She cleared her throat softly. “Your manners will be something we’ll need to work on.”

I pinched my brows. “What do you want, Sasha? I’ve been living on a military base most of the summer. Add that to the fact that I haven’t heard from you in days with no updates on anything. Pardon me if my patience is wearing thin and my etiquette is a little rusty.”

She turned her gaze to the table, reaching for a teacup I hadn’t noticed, and drew it to her lips, sipping it painfully slow. It was all a show, making a point that she didn’t take orders from me.

I bit my cheek, trying so hard not to let my temper flare. “Good morning, Sasha. Would you please tell me why I’m here?” I tried my best to sound calm and polite, but I was pretty sure it came out tight and grating.

She took another sip before looking back at me. “That was better. Not perfect, but better.” She placed the cup back on its saucer. “I knew your father well, as well as his distasteful wife. I have no doubt that they held you to high standards in their household, and the Calvernons will expect the same. It would do you well to remember youretiquettewhile you’re there.”

There?“What do you mean? Where am I going?”

This time, Fisher answered. “Miss de la Puente, I’m here to escort you to the Calvernon Estate.”

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