Santi reached for Livia’s card. She was curious about Soma, and she just might be brave enough this time.
Quickly dialing, Santi didn’t give herself time to back out. Within moments, she’d spoken with Livia’s assistant and scheduled an interview. It couldn’t hurt to find out more about the job. It didn’t mean she had to accept it.
Chapter Two
“Livia, it’s nice to see you again.” Santi extended her hand to the severe but undeniably beautiful woman behind the pristine glass desk.
“Have a seat. I’m pleased you decided to meet with me. I must say I was surprised to hear from you so quickly after our last meeting. You’ve been a difficult woman for my agents to recruit.”
“May I ask why you’ve pursued me with such determination?” Santi had often wondered how they even knew about her, and what had piqued their interest enough for the CEO to come looking for her.
“We are always eager for young, powerfully gifted Immortals to join us. Your gifts are certainly attractive to Soma, as well as your level of education. And your connection with the last remaining ancient Mayans doesn’t hurt either.”
“How so?” Santi grew wary. She didn’t want to involve her family in this.
“The ancient families are a valuable resource.” Livia shrugged, as if to say she had nothing to hide. “You’ve been trained in the old ways. You understand where we have been, but more importantly, you thrive in the modern world. You understand where we are going.” Livia leaned forward, eyeing her intently. “‘Soma’ was an ancient drink that was said to cause enlightenment and Immortality to those brave enough to consume it. Those brave enough to embrace a long life fraught with change. We as Immortals must embrace the future, Santi. The youngest generations we’ve recruited don’t have the kind of training you’ve had. I would like to groom you for a senior role within the agency.”
“And what exactly does a Soma agent do?” This was the answer that would sway her decision ... if she could bring herself to do what they would require.
“I’m sure you’ve heard all the rumors, but we are completely above board. We train our agents to work independently of the Senate. We keep abreast with current events within the Immortal world. We are not focused on the past like so many of our parents and grandparents are. We are focused on the future. And we help where we can in ways the Senate chooses not to.”
“Such as?” Santi asked.
“In a natural disaster situation, the Senate will send a team to manage the aftermath, focusing on helping the mortal population recover. We seek to help the Immortal families affected by such disasters. It takes a fortune to live forever and it is too easy for that fortune to slip away.”
Livia’s words struck a raw nerve with Santi. That was exactly what had happened to her family. In the years after the collapse of the Maya civilization, her family struggled to survive. They eventually found their footing again, but it had been a long and arduous journey. A struggle that still held them within its grip. That struggle was the reason she sat opposite Livia now.
“While that is admirable, I imagine that is not all you do,” Santi said.
“No, “ Livia continued. “One of our biggest priorities is to train our young recruits whose abilities are more ... contemporary.”
“The techies?” Santi nodded. One of her minor gifts completely confounded her parents. With just a touch, Santi could determine what kind of information was stored on a hard drive or a digital storage device. She was pretty sure if Livia knew about that, she’d be even more interested in recruiting Santi, but she’d always kept that gift a secret. Growing up, her parents didn’t really know how to help her learn what her gift could do, so Santi trained herself. It would have been nice to have a place like Soma to help her.
“We work with the brightest of your generation. You will begin working with some of our youngest recruits, training with them one-on-one.”
“You say that like I’ve already accepted,” Santi said.
“I’m aware of your family’s current financial situation,” Livia replied. “I know you want what’s best for them. You need only sign with us and they will be taken care of.”
Santi took a deep breath. She felt like she was at a crossroads and she wasn’t sure which way to go.
“You will receive a signing bonus of sixty thousand dollars as soon as the contract is signed. Your yearly salary will be an equivalent for the first year and will increase based on your performance.”
Sixty thousand would solve all their immediate problems. She could survive anything for that. A few years with Soma, then she could quit and look for something within the Senate.
“Let’s do it,” Santi said.
“Wonderful. I’m delighted to have you aboard. You will move into your quarters over the weekend and begin on Monday.”
“Move in?”
“Yes, I require my most promising agents to live on the premises—rent-free, of course.”
An apartment of her own wasn’t something Santi had anticipated having any time soon.
“Ryan, please join us.” Livia paged her assistant over the sleek wireless speaker on her desk.
A polished young man entered on cue, wielding Santi’s contract and a wooden box.
“You may review your contract now before you sign.” Livia placed the thick stack of paperwork in front of her, and set a pen beside her.
This was happening so quickly, Santi felt overwhelmed. She’d assumed she’d have the weekend to decide, but Livia stared at her expectantly. Santi scanned the documents quickly, looking for anything that stood out as unusual. It seemed pretty straightforward. She would work for the agency under complete confidentiality, and as long as she completed her training and followed the rules, she could expect to go far. It really was an ideal prospect for a young college graduate, but she still had to force herself to sign on the dotted line.
“Very good. Welcome, Santi.” Livia smiled. “I look forward to working with you myself.” She chatted on about all the perks that came with working for Soma, but Santi eyed her assistant, Ryan. He sat beside her removing several items from the wooden box. As he assembled the pieces, it looked strangely like a branding iron.
“What is this?” she finally asked, when Ryan used his gift to heat the iron to a white-hot blaze.
“Our agents bear the brand of Soma. It is a mark of solidarity and a means of identifying agents in the field.”
“Won’t it just heal?” Santi swallowed nervously.
“Not the way I do it,” Ryan said.
“Um, can’t I skip this part?”
“No,” Livia said.
Santi shivered at the authority in her voice. She wouldn’t dare defy her new boss.
“Where would you like it?” Ryan asked.
“Inside wrist?” She would be able to hide it with a chunky bracelet.
“You got it. Brace yourself.”
She heard the sizzle of her skin before she felt the pain. The blinding agony left her breathless. Santi felt an instant stab of regret. She sensed it in the throb of the unnatural brand, seared into her skin. She was one of them now. There was no going back.
Chapter Three
Santi drove across town Friday afternoon, her car loaded with her belongings. She had to admit, it felt good to hand her mother a check for thirty-five thousand dollars. Enough to catch them up on the mortgage with a little extra for savings.
Of course, her mother wanted to know where the money had come from, and she was none too pleased when Santi told her where she would be working. But in the end, she convinced her mother this was a good opportunity.
As she pulled into the front drive of Sterling Tower in Midtown, Santi felt completely out of her element.
Ryan met her in the lobby and helped her move all her belongings up to her new apartment on the eighteenth floor. The one-bedroom was more than Santi had anticipated. The expensive-looking white leather furniture and stainless steel appliances weren’t exactly her taste, but she w
asn’t about to complain. Besides, the sweeping view of Atlanta just across Peidmont Park was the cherry on top.
“Can I help you with anything else?” Ryan asked.
“Um … what do I do? I mean, what’s next?”
“Enjoy your weekend and get settled. You’ll report to Livia Monday morning at eight in her office on the top floor. Good luck, Santi. You’re going to need it.”
* * *
For much of her first week at Soma, Santi followed Ryan around, getting to know the rest of the building and its inhabitants. Most of the agents were older than Santi and not as friendly as Ryan. As Friday rolled around she grew frustrated. After a week, she still didn’t really know what Soma was all about.
“Livia wants you on the floor today,” Ryan said.
“The floor?”
“The gym.” He gestured for her to follow him upstairs. Santi hurried to match his quick gait and slipped into the elevator beside him. The doors slid open to reveal a state-of-the-art gymnasium below. She stood with Ryan on an observation deck behind a two-way glass wall that ran the length of the room. A dozen young recruits worked with their trainers, oblivious to those who might be watching.
“See the girl in the boxing ring with James?” Ryan asked.
“He’s the one with the mark on his neck?” Santi absently traced her fingers over the same symbol on her wrist. The figure of the snake coiled in a perfect O, eating its own tail, represented Immortality and the pursuit of knowledge. She didn’t care for it.
“Yes, James is one of our best trainers, although he tends to break the rules and likes to cause trouble for no good reason. He could be the best in Soma, but he chooses to stay where he is—at the bottom.”
Ryan turned to look at her. “The girl hasn’t been as responsive with James as we’d like. We think she may do better with a woman. She is nearing her Awakening and we are trying to determine what her gifts might be, but she is uncooperative. Livia would like you to use your gift to see what motivation that might give her.”
“My gift?” Santi’s eyes widened. “You do understand what I do is extremely painful?”
“Of course. Why do you think Livia wanted to bring you on board so badly?”
“But to use it on a child?”
“You can control how painful it is, yes?”
“When I touch a person’s soul, it is either excruciating or blissful. There is no in between.”
“But you can see things about a person when you touch them, correct?”
“Yes. It is possible I might see what she will be capable of, or I may see nothing at all. But it is not something I will ever do to a child.”
“You realize if you don’t do this, you’re out? This is why Livia wants you. If you say no now, you can go back to your apartment, pack up your things and return the money on your way out.”
The money was already spent. Santi didn’t have a choice but to torture the young girl.
“Is this a test?”
“This is your job. She will be waiting for you in the training room just down the hall. Livia will expect your report by the end of the day.” With that, Ryan turned on his heel and left her standing there.
It was do-or-die time and Santi wasn’t sure she was ready. She absently made her way down the hall and stared at the doorknob to the training room for a long time before she finally had enough courage to enter. Santi had no doubt this was a test and she was almost certain Livia was watching.
“Hi,” Santi said as she entered the sparse room. There was a padded floor for sparring and little else. The girl sat, waiting patiently. But when she heard Santi’s voice, she shot up to attention like a soldier.
“What’s your name?” Santi asked.
“Lennox.”
“Lennox what?”
“Just Lennox.” The girl shrugged.
“Let’s sit.” Santi dropped to the mat, gesturing for the girl to join her.
“You are fifteen?”
“Thirteen.” Lenox lowered her gaze.
“Do you have any idea what your gifts might be? Sometimes these things start making an appearance by your age.” Although in Santi’s opinion it was way too early for Lennox to realistically recognize anything that might become a potential gift once her power manifested at sixteen. It really wasn’t fair to push her so soon. Livia must have a hunch the girl would be talented. Santi could sense her power; it was subtle because she was still young, but by the time of her Awakening, Lennox would be rather impressive.
Santi refused to cause the girl pain. She could accomplish the same thing by giving her a pleasant experience. It would just take longer.
“Give me your hands.”
Lennox visibly cringed.
“I will not hurt you.”
Warily, she placed her hands in Santi’s.
“Take a deep breath and trust me. You’ll enjoy this.”
Santi’s defining gift allowed her to touch a person’s soul. It was a painful experience that left most feeling violated and betrayed. It took her a long time to learn how to use her gift with precision. With a little meditation and a soft, soothing voice, Santi could slowly work her way up to touching a soul in a way that brought pleasure, not pain. Most described it as a sensation of flying, and total freedom in complete exhilaration. When the person gave in to the sensation and let Santi in, she could see everything about them. Personal things. She could see the extent of their power. Sometimes she could even tell if they would manifest another gift.
She was prepared to work with Lennox all day if necessary. But she was not prepared for the girl’s reaction. Santi felt her give in almost right away and she opened her eyes to see the most beautiful smile on Lennox’s face, with the most heartbreaking sobs as tears trailed down her cheeks. Lennox had never experienced anything good. She grew up at Soma, so her life had always been cold and clinical.
Just as Santi began to feel the extent of Lennox’s power, the door behind them burst open and she caught the angry glower on Livia’s face.
“Len. Back to your room, now,” Livia ordered.
Lennox grabbed her things and sprinted for the door without a backward glance.
“Consider yourself suspended. I don’t want to see you until Monday morning.”
Santi stood slowly, meeting Livia’s furious gaze. Obviously, she’d failed the test.
* * *
“Fast-tracking you isn’t working,” Livia announced the moment Santi stepped into her office Monday morning. “I’ve had the weekend to reconsider your training. You need time to learn what Soma is all about before you can be expected––or trusted––to train the young recruits.”
“I apologize for deviating from your instructions,” Santi said. “Next time I will speak with you first.” She held her head high and met Livia’s steely gaze.
“Next time you will do as you are told. You are talented, Santi. You could go far. But willful stubbornness will be your downfall.”
“I couldn’t hurt the girl. There was no sense in it. I—”
“It is not for you to see sense in my orders. It is for you to follow my orders. Are we clear, or should we both just cut our losses and part ways?”
Santi wanted to walk away. She wanted to wash her hands of this now, before she got in deeper. But her family was running out of options.
“Understood,” Santi whispered.
“Report to me at seven sharp on the twentieth floor. We begin training tonight. Ryan will meet you there. Don’t be late.”
Chapter Four
Santi arrived early on the twentieth floor, eager to get the night off to a good start, but Ryan wasn’t waiting for her.
“Can’t we just let her go, sir…” Livia’s voice sounded faint to her ears, but Santi had an extremely sharp sense of hearing. Better than almost any other Immortal she’d ever met. She hadn’t disclosed that detail to Livia. One thing her abuelo taught her was to never show all of her cards. While Livia knew a lot about her, she did not know everything Santi was c
apable of. The door to Livia’s penthouse suite was closed, but Santi could still hear her side of the conversation.
“Yes, her gifts are valuable. I can break her. I just need a little more time…”
“Yes, father. Thank you. No I will not disappoint you again. Goodnight.”
“She will find a way to kill you if she knows you’ve been eavesdropping,” Ryan said as he stepped behind her.
“I didn’t mean… I-I—” Santi stammered. It wasn’t often someone was able to startle her, but she was so focused on Livia, she hadn’t heard Ryan arrive.
“Relax, I won’t tell her. Come on. Let’s get this over with.” He heaved a great sigh as they approached Livia’s door.
She had a terrible feeling she should have taken the out when Livia offered it.
* * *
Santi paced nervously around Livia’s pristine living room. She could hear her in the bedroom. It almost sounded like she was also pacing nervously, psyching herself up for what would come next.
“Let’s get started, shall we?” Livia said as she came bursting through the double doors.
“Sure,” Santi mumbled. “What will we be doing?”
“Follow me.”
She followed her down the wide marble hallway of her penthouse suite to the large, fully equipped gym.
Santi envisioned long, grueling workouts here and cringed at the thought of such rigorous training with the indomitable Livia as her instructor.
“I want you to touch me with your gift,” Livia said.
“What?” Santi couldn’t imagine doing such a thing. She didn’t want to know Livia that well.
“Touch my soul––the painful way. I want to see how your gift works.”
“Fine,” she said. “It will be more painful than you can imagine.”
“I doubt it. I have a high tolerance for pain.”
“Very well,” Santi said as she grasped Livia’s arm. She didn’t give her time to brace for it. She wanted her new boss to know how easily she could protect herself with just a touch.
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