Read After the Fact (Bookworms and Booya #2) Page 32

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  I scowled and re-read the paragraph, jotting notes on my steno. Studying was old hat to me because I had been doing it for longer than I should have had to. All because of my inability to pass the Fire Cavern exam the first or second time, like all the other candidates. But the one thing that loomed over my head as I studied this time was the fact I still didn't know whether or not I wanted to work in the security office.

  The security issues and clearance questions and ethics and whatnot were exciting, and very similar to the basic idea/principle behind all of Garden, but Seifer. That was the one thing which always kept me on the outside of the definite 'yes'. I hadn't ever had to work under someone as harsh a personality as he was. I wasn't sure if I could do it, to be honest. I didn't even know if I wanted to see if I could do it. Sure, catching bad guys would be great, but trying to stay sane while working for Seifer Almasy? I wasn't so sure I could.

  “Hey, Sal.”

  I looked up and smiled at the good-looking guy with the black hair and silver eyes. “Hi, Marshal.” I’d known him for a couple years as he’d enrolled late--at the age of 17--and been accepted because of his time at a university in Dollet. I had heard that Garden wanted him, specifically, because of his grades and curriculum. I don’t remember now how we met--with my luck I ran into him--but he had always been nice. A lot like Zell, too, but different. “What are you doing here?” I asked him.

  “As the Chief of Security at Galbadia Garden, I can go anywhere I damn well please and when I please to do it.” He sat down in the chair beside me and kicked his feet up on the table as he laced his hands behind his head. “That and Seifer ordered me to get my ass over here for a meeting.”

  I giggled.

  “I heard through the grapevine you might be joining the ranks of the security team. That the manual you studying there?”

  I nodded as I moved my gaze to the 'do's and 'don't's listed on the page. “Yep.”

  “You'll be a great addition, Sally. You proved that with the whole Trojan thing. And you know what? We found nearly half a dozen on our side of the street. Seifer's madder than Bahamut with his scales missing that we didn't button up this hole months ago.” Marshal scoffed. “Watch your step around him. He'll likely chew your ass because he blames himself. But how in Hyne’s Holy Ass was he supposed to know the security grid didn't prevent non-direct attacks?”

  I stared at Marshal wide-eyed. “He couldn't.”

  “That's what I said, but he tells me to ‘go to hell’ and quit coddling him.” Marshal snorted. “Me? Coddle?”

  I sniggered.

  Then Marshal shrugged. “Oh well. I guess there's no use trying to make him feel better.”

  Absently nodding, I changed my focus back to the manual. “His idea of networking the Gardens and implementing the security grid was wonderful,” I said softly. “There's no telling how many invasions it stopped.”

  “Actually, there is a main record. You wouldn’t believe how high it is. I don't want to even think about what our life would be like without his security measures.”

  I doodled thoughtfully in the margin of the manual. “He has a hard job.”

  “He has a damned hard job, but I've never seen anyone do it better.”

  Seifer did have a hard job, and the fact that any mistake could potentially hurt or kill someone finally clicked with me. No wonder he's always so harsh. He has a lot of responsibilities. People count on him for safety and security and--I looked over at Marshal and gave him a slight smile. “Can you help me study? The exam is tomorrow and Zell has class until tonight.”

  “Sure, Sally. No problem.” Marshal straightened in his chair. “Here. Give me the book.”

  I passed him the manual. Yes. I'd join the security team, and I would do my best to help Seifer do a very hard job. If I could put up with my brother growing up, I could put up with anyone.