She sounded more excited than I felt.
Lydia bent down and pulled out some boxes. “Almost.” She paused to take out black boots. “You can’t fight in the heels I’m wearing, but you can in these.”
“Wedge heels.” I stared in disbelief.
They were about two inches and squared. I supposed a real heel wouldn’t be practical.
“A wedge heel isn’t a real heel.” Justine clucked her tongue, as if she was the fashion icon. “ISAN takes the fun out of everything.”
Lydia handed a pair to me, and then to Brooke. “These are different. You’ll see. Put them on. I have your measurements, but let me know if they don’t fit right.”
I took off my comfortable flat shoe, slipped my toes through the boots, and then zipped up the sides.
“I love it.” Brooke admired her boots, staring at her reflection.
The wall with the beach scene had switched into a mirror. I wished my wall could project like hers.
“Here.” Lydia passed out a pair to Tamara and Justine.
After my team put them on, Lydia instructed us to spread out an arm distance apart. “Stomp on your heels and see what happens.”
“Whoa.” Brooke sat back down, examining the small, plastic knife that had slid out just enough so she could grab the handle.
Tamara mimicked Brooke’s action and held it out. “This is way too cool.”
“Mine’s not working.” Justine frowned.
“Try again,” Lydia said.
I touched the short blade. “Pretty ingenious. Plastic knives can’t be detected. How do you—?”
Lydia answered before I could finish my question. “The same way you got it open. Slide it back inside.”
“Why’re we dressing like this?” Tamara clicked her shoes to put the plastic knife back in.
“To answer your question, Tamara, Mr. Thomax Thorpe is single and likes to be entertained by beautiful women.”
“I don’t have to ... um ... um ...” Brooke tugged on the hem of her shirt.
“No, of course not. I’d never ask for more than flirting, but you won’t even get that far. As soon as you get inside, you start attacking the guards. You have to take them down before you can reach Mr. Thorpe.”
“What if he’s not home?” I asked.
“Wow.” Justine’s reaction was delayed. Her boots finally worked.
“We’ve been monitoring him. One of the guards inside is our source. He’s been keeping me informed of all Mr. Thorpe’s activities. He’s always home on Wednesday nights. Seems like Wednesday is his fun night. I’ve canceled his appointment with the service. There won’t be any confusion.”
Lydia rose and opened another level of the sliding drawer from her wall. “This is where the fun begins. Let’s pick out some sexy outfits. Though your outfits will be Taser and bullet proof, unfortunately because of the design, you’ll have some exposed area. Now ... I’m going to make you irresistible.” She tossed wigs at us. “I don’t want anyone to identify you.”
“Why are we all blondes?” I ran my fingers through my wig, engrossed with the silky-smooth texture.
“I’m already blonde.” Justine flipped her hair from side to side in exaggeration.
“Yes, you are, Justine.” Lydia laughed, but her humor quickly faded. “Your hair is about shoulder length, but it needs to go to your waist.” Lydia held up the extra wig, inspecting it as if she was seeing it for the first time. “I was informed Mr. Thorpe likes blondes. Then blondes you shall be.”
An assassin. That would forever be my life. But how huge was ISAN? I only knew they were a secret organization. I had no way out. Maybe they would let me go when I was no longer of any use. I hadn’t seen anyone much older than me; maybe they found other uses for older girls. Or I would be dead before then.
I woke my TAB with a wave of my hand to tune out what was to come in a couple of hours. No message appeared from Sniper—another mystery. Russ would’ve told me if they were running some kind of test. If Sniper had asked another question, I would’ve told him off, even if it meant getting caught.
Nothing on the net held my interest, so I paced about the small cramped space in my room. I paused when I caught my reflection in the long mirror attached to my closet.
I traced the curve of my hip. Dressed up and wearing makeup, the girl in the mirror seemed like a stranger. Blonde hair did nothing for me, but the black leather pants and tight corset top made me thin and sultry.
After I shoved the special lipsticks and earrings into the side pockets of my pants, I tossed my long wig over one shoulder, wondering how in the world I was supposed to fight with it on. Then I wondered what Mom would have thought if she had seen her only daughter wearing such an outfit to assassinate a political figure.
Thoughts of her seized my heart as the pain of losing her consumed me, and I felt as though she had just died.
Be brave, Ava. Be someone important. Mother’s words rang in my head. If being an assassin was the only way I could be someone important, then I would do it.
The hospital hadn’t let me see her when they’d told me she died from an illness they couldn’t explain. Being only thirteen, I had no rights. If I had been bolder then, maybe ...
I stopped thinking of her when something caught my eye. My heart leaped to the ceiling when Russ’s face materialized on my TAB.
“Russ.” My hand flew to my chest. “Give me a warning next time, will ya? What if I was changing?”
He rubbed his jaw and forced a hand down his face. “Sorry. I do this all the time. You must be doing something you weren’t supposed to do.” He flashed a grin.
I rolled my eyes. “I was looking at myself.”
He smashed his lips together, angling his eyebrows. “Don’t girls look at themselves all the time?”
“Ha, ha ... very funny.”
“You look very nice.” His tone softened.
Heat flushed through my face, and I craned my neck sideways. “Yeah ... well ... Lydia made me like this.”
I dropped my finger when I realized I had wound a strand of my fake blonde hair around it. For heaven’s sake, I couldn’t believe I acted like this.
“Lydia can’t make a person beautiful when she already is.” Russ’s words were laced with sincerity.
My cheeks burned, as I took in his unexpected flattery.
To change the subject, I asked in a respectful tone, “Why did you call me? Did you need something?”
Russ’s expression changed from earnest to stern. “It’s time.”
* * *
The cool draft made me shiver. I didn’t make eye contact when I whisked along the dim hallway where Lydia, Russ, and Mitch waited. Being literally dressed to kill left me uneasy. My team seemed to be fine with it, or they hid their fears well.
A wolf whistle from Mitch made me blush, but he wasn’t going to get a smile from me like he did from my team. Justine fidgeted with her wig. Brooke kept touching her clip-on earrings. Tamara played with her bustier zipper, most likely trying to decide how high or low it should stay.
“Nice suit,” I said to Mitch.
Mitch pressed his lips into a tight smile as color stained his cheeks.
No way. Mitch blushing. Now that’s a first.
Mitch sported a classy dark suit and blue tie. The suit conformed to his broad shoulders and every inch of his muscular frame. Then I remembered he would play the role of the handler.
Not a bad looking handler.
“Nice leather pants. They’re perfect with those killer boots.” Mitch spread his lips wide, keeping his eyes on me longer than necessary. “Nice choice of top, too.”
The black leather tops Lydia made us wear were smooth to the touch and beautiful, but showed a bit more skin than I was used to.
“How’s that shoulder?” Mitch asked.
I was surprised he’d remembered. “It’s good as new.” The pain had vanished shortly after and I had forgotten it had even bothered me in the first place.
“
Ladies, you are beautiful. You have been well trained, but keep in mind this isn’t a training mission. It is for this reason Mitch is going with you.” Lydia’s dimples became apparent when her lips spread. “Ava, you’re our map. I’ll have no contact with you, so make sure you stick to the plan. Roxy’s team and the bodyguards are already inside the ISAN sub-glider. Good luck. See you all back here soon.” Lydia shifted her attention to me. “You’re their leader. Everyone was told to listen to your directions. Mitch will help guide your team.”
“Everyone,” I murmured to no one in particular. No pressure there.
“What if something goes wrong?” Tamara gnawed on her bottom lip, her tone panicky. “I mean, what if one of us gets shot or injured and we can’t move?”
“Didn’t you read the handbook, newbie? We leave you behind.” Justine unzipped her top a little lower and clicked her tongue.
I wished I could have taken her zipper and zipped her mouth for good. The nerve of her. I glared at Justine for that asinine remark as I waited for my team to pass me. I could’ve said something, but I dismissed it. We didn’t have time for a discourse, one likely that would turn into a bitter argument. But I swear, one of these days I was going to lose my patience with her.
Tamara knew what to do. Diana had discussed the topic in class that morning. She had only asked because she was freaking out. I would remind her when I had the chance.
A chill seeped over my exposed skin when the sliding door opened. I shivered from the sharp breeze and anticipation. Just before I stepped in, someone yanked me back. I whirled. Russ had gripped my arm.
Russ leaned closer, his eyes filled with concern. “Be careful. I want you to come back in one piece, you hear? Don’t do anything foolish. If you don’t think it’s going well, get the hell out of there with your team. Stay close to Mitch. Understood?”
I nodded and left when Russ released me. He wouldn’t have said that unless he thought I might not come back. I’d been uneasy before, but Russ’s words shot a bigger dose of fear through me. I had no time to think, just do. Marching forward, I kept my ears open.
“Keep them safe,” Russ said to Mitch.
“Don’t worry, you know I will. Especially the one in front of me.”
In the sub-glider, Roxy and I locked eyes. She scowled until she saw Mitch coming in behind me, and then the other three from her team gave me half smiles. Carol sat next to Roxy, and Faya next to Carol. I had forgotten the fourth girl’s name. I didn’t bother to ask, so I just kept calling her redhead.
Roxy’s team wore all black, with black masks covering their faces like a second skin. They could pass for men with their hair tied up and bulky clothing.
Roxy concerned me. Would she watch my back? I didn’t know if I could trust her. But I trusted Russ, so I shut down that thought quickly. Too late, anyway.
“Sit down, please.” Mitched glanced behind his shoulder at me and turned back to the panel.
When a screen materialized in front of Mitch, he used his voice to command the location. Then the screen slid back down and the engine hummed softly. Still standing by my seat, I ran my hand against the expensive fine metal. Cool to the touch, it felt smooth and refined.
ISAN’s private glider was shaped like a saucer—One could mistake it for an alien ship. There were plenty of seats to transport at least two dozen of us if needed. Small backpacks, filled with medical and dry food supplies in case of emergency, hung above each seat.
Brooke gave me a side long glance. “What’re you doing? Sit down.”
I couldn’t help myself. Being inside the sub-glider thrilled me.
“Ava,” Mitch said. “I’m getting ready to take off. I need you to sit down now.”
When I sat, the straps from the metal wall behind me automatically secured my body. My stomach dropped and my muscles squeezed when we took off, the engine still quiet as if no motor existed. Holding onto the strap, I relaxed into the ride.
The sub-glider had no wheels. High-tech and super-fast, it traveled more than one hundred miles per hour. It emerged from underground and launched to the sky. Outside the tinted glass, the scenery stole my breath. The ocean came into view first, along with the destruction from the tsunami, damaged buildings and debris never cleared away.
The meteors had hit in my grandparents’ time. Hundred-foot tsunamis had devastated the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the United States. Many other countries suffered equally cataclysmic devastation. Massive atmospheric debris had led to decreased sunlight and profound weather changes caused crop failures, drought, and famine.
The old United States was now four quadrants: North, South, East, and West territories. An elected council, the Remnant Council of the Former United States, governed each sector. The councils chose secret representatives to meet at the national level. I was on my way to kill one of those representatives. My reality would have been unimaginable to people one hundred years before.
After passing the debris, which I assumed would eventually sink into the ocean, tall buildings blurred in my line of view. The bright blue, red, yellow, and green lights from the buildings at night created one long rainbow streak.
Enjoying the scenery and being out of the compound, I had forgotten where I was headed. A peaceful hush wavered through me, coaxing me into sleep. Reality came back when the sub-glider landed quietly and gracefully—not even a thump to shake us from the landing.
“What’s going on?” Roxy’s eyes shifted with concern when a soft vibration waved around us.
“Don’t worry. This baby is now invisible to the world.” Mitch stood when the belt around him slinked back in place.
“How will I find my way back?” the redhead asked.
Oh, this was so not good. Roxy’s team was asking questions they should already have the answers to. They were freaking out. I should have pushed and demanded Roxy’s team not be placed with my team.
Mitch handed Tasers to Roxy’s team. My team got nothing, but he gave me the small gun Kendrick had shown me.
“Don’t wander off. Stick with me. Let’s go.”
His serious, assertive tone stunned me.
My steady heart drummed as fast as the sub-glider’s speed. I needed to breathe, to focus. Damn, I needed to take a piss—a bad habit when I got nervous.
Mitch administered the Helix serum to us, but he shot me up twice. I wanted to ask why, but we didn’t have time to discuss it. As soon as I got my doses, my muscles relaxed and my heart eased to a steadier beat. My fears and my doubts vanished. Kill reverberated inside my mind. Nothing could stop me.
When I got off the transporter, the ocean wind enveloped me and the sting of salt assaulted my nose. The crashing of the waves on the shore sounded pleasant to my ears, but louder due to Helix. No stars graced us—only the dark—but ominous clouds bunched up together like black ghosts floating above us. Perhaps they were warning me about what was to come.
“Preston.” Mitch nodded a greeting.
The back-up group waited for us below. They came out of the second vehicle, their sub-glider, also invisible.
“We’re ready.” Preston slid on a solid black mask, matching his suit. “I’ll take Roxy’s team and we’ll head in from the back. The door to the balcony on the second floor is wide open.”
“Ava, what do you think?” Mitch dusted something off my hair.
I took a second to register his question, gazing at the guards and Roxy’s team blending as one, especially with their masks on—phantoms ready to kill.
“Since they can’t come in with us, I think that’s a good idea.” A stupid answer. I sucked at being a leader. Having super power to map out any premises didn’t warrant my ability to be a good guru.
“Perfect.” Mitch straightened his tie. “Preston, see you inside. Ladies, come with me.”
My team and I stood in front of the gate with purpose. While Mitch pressed a button on the box by the gate, I eyed the several men rotating on the rooftop with guns.
“What do you want
?” a manly voice asked.
So much for friendly greeting.
Mitch smiled. No doubt the men could see us through a camera attached to the monitor. “We have a meeting with Mr. Thomax Thorpe. Open the door. Mr. Thorpe doesn’t like us being late. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
The gate slid open. I exhaled; I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath. As I strode over the cobblestones, I patted all the gadgets on my body, ensuring they were in place.
The exquisite Spanish style villa had arched doorways and a red tile roof, reminding me of the expensive older homes I’d seen on the net. White lights strung on trees and the rose bushes near the front door permeated the air with a heavenly scent. Though they no longer built this kind of house, it was nice to see one. Most citizens lived in sleek skyscrapers, or towering concrete buildings.
The front door seemed to be made from dark oak, a rarity because of the scarcity of trees. In fact, having a wooden door was against the law, but for some reason he’d gotten away with it. I frowned and lost respect for him. Who was I kidding? I didn’t want to think of him. I didn’t want to know him. He was a target I needed to eliminate, and that was all.
Don’t think, Ava. Just get in and out as fast as you can. Russ’s words played in my mind. When the door opened, seven hulking men came into view.
“Come in,” one of the men with the biggest muscles said.
The first thing I set my eyes on was the scanning device held by each guard. Then I noted they had a Taser inside a holder belted to their waists. Since none of us had Tasers, we would be cleared.
The plan required us to steal one. Then I understood why Russ had us do a mental mission with no weapons. I hadn’t thought to steal one during the MM, but then again, we’d been short on time. But what about the gun inside my boot? I panicked, but only for a second. Helix had already circulated through my blood and it helped me suppress the anxiety.
Breathe, Ava. Mitch knows what he’s doing. You’ll be fine. Your team will be fine.
The crystal chandelier above caught my eyes as I waited for the bodyguards to give us the green light to move on ahead. While they examined Mitch, I did a quick survey: the decorative iron banister, the oil paintings adorning the walls, the beige marble floor, and the ornate furniture. They’d most likely be destroyed after we were done.