Page 21 of Leda's Log

“Oh, come on,” I said as serenely as I could with my angry heart thumping in my chest. “Do I look like an angel fan girl?”

Henson looked me up and down, then declared, “Yes.”

“Please.” I pressed my hands together. “It’s very important. I need to see Nero.”

“ColonelWindstriker is very busy,” Henson snapped. “If you want to see him, you can fill out a petition, just like everyone else.”

She passed me a green sheet of paper fixed to a clipboard. All of the Legion’s paperwork was color-coded. Green was the color to petition the Legion of Angels for aid.

“You can fill it out over there,” Henson added, pointing at the very full waiting area.

She was brushing me off, and we both knew it. I wassotempted to punch the counter, but since it was made of marbleand I didn’t have my powers right now, I’d only end up breaking my hand.

So I changed tactics. I knew what day this was. I knew how to get Nero’s attention. And it wasn’t with a silly petition. Corporal Sourpuss Henson would just toss it to the bottom of the big stack of petitions, and no one would see it for months.

“No, not this one.” I waved the green clipboard away with an easy smile. “That one.” I pointed at a yellow clipboard.

Henson simpered. “That is an application form, Miss, not a petition.”

I nodded, still smiling. “Yes, I am aware of that.”

“You want to join the Legion of Angels?” She gave me another long, assessing look, and I just knew she was cataloging every rip in my shirt and the blood stains all over my pants. “You?”

I hastily pulled my messy hair up into a ponytail. “Yes, of course.” I tried to smooth out the wrinkles in my clothes, but of course it was hopeless. “I would make an excellent soldier, don’t you think?”

“No,” Henson replied coolly.

Someone chuckled behind me. I turned my head to find Alec Morrows. He hit me with a flirtatious wink, then circled around the desk to stand behind Henson.

“Just hand me the application form, Corporal Henson,” I said tightly.

“How do you know my name?” she demanded, her eyes squinting with suspicion.

Gods, this was taking far too long.

“It says so on your uniform jacket,” I said impatiently.

“I am not wearing my jacket.”

“No, you’re not.” I folded my arms over my chest. “And I doubt Colonel Windstriker will be impressed by your dereliction of duty.”

Corporal Henson glowered at me.

Alec snorted again. “I like her. She’s spunky.” And when he looked at me, I was pretty sure he was picturing me naked.

I ignored him. “So, are you going to give me that application form or not?” I asked Henson.

“Fine.” Henson extended the clipboard to me, but she kept a firm hold on it. “Fifty bucks says you don’t survive the initiation ceremony,” she added with an icy smile.

I snatched the clipboard out of her hands and, brows lifted, replied, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but tell me, Corporal, who exactly do you expect to pay you if you’re right and I don’t survive the ceremony?”

Henson frowned. A crinkle formed between her beady eyes.

Laughter echoed behind me. Familiar laughter. “She’s got you there, Henson.” Basanti slid smoothly up to the counter beside me, leaning her hands against the glossy marble top.

“Hey, Bas—uh, Major Somerset.” I stopped myself just in time. “Nice to see you.”

“Major?” Basanti laughed. “I’m a captain, blondie.”

---