Little Phoenix (The Census Book 1)

by Willow Dean

  I expected them to allow us to inform her once she was sworn in. Yet, we weren’t. Linc of course broke that rule spectacularly when he disclosed to Mila that we knew all along and made the promise not to withhold information from her anymore.

  It still saddens me that it took one of my team members, my family, to snap me out of my funk and make me realize just how absurd it was for them to force us to deny her request for information. Especially seen as she was a part of our team and at the center of Archanine’s focus. Or supposedly so.

  Adding salt to the wound, the information provided by the tips also seemed limited. At first, I thought that Trick and Lachlan had sorted through the information provided from the tips and only given us what they thought were verified facts. Deeming the rest as false leads.

  Now, I’m not so sure.

  Looking back, I can’t believe that I didn’t question their actions further. How did they know Archanine were the ones targeting Mila with so little intel and how did they know it was her specifically they were targeting?

  No evidence was found at the scene. Nothing was said to Mila when she came face to face with that barbarian. Likewise nothing was noted from the incident at her home. She is just the common denominator in everything so far.

  Yet, beside the incident at the party, the attack that killed Mila’s family was the first. That we were aware of anyway. Meaning, that Trick and Lachlan must have known something of interest before shit went down.

  Without prior knowledge, it would not have been possible to extrapolate and deduce who was gunning for her just from what happened to Mila and her family that day. There was no insignia, call card or apparent motive. Thus, leading me to believe that Lachlan and Trick already had knowledge of this group and their intentions towards Mila. They simply negated to tell us the details for the purpose of keeping us in the dark.

  There’s clearly something they desperately don’t want us catching onto. The question is, what?

  The only other possible explanation for the bogus and useless tips, is that Trick and Lachlan were purposefully misdirecting us.

  It’s an option I can’t even bear to think about, yet my instincts are screaming at me that my deductions are correct. I just have to hope that my instincts are wrong on this one. If they aren’t, then we’re all in for a bucket load of pain and heartache.

  Family keeping secrets from each other is never pleasant. Even if it is to protect the ones we love.

  The musty scent of the corridor brings me back to my senses as I inspect the cold, white walls on approach to Trick’s office. Not one spec of dirt sullies even an inch of the surfaces as the squeak of my boots echo with each step.

  Each of the grey tiles that line the floor reflect the harsh beams of the industrial lights that are scattered across the ceilings, creating a very clinical vibe. Not inviting in the slightest.

  The burgundy carpet cushions my boots and silences my steps as I step into the empty secretary’s office. Preparing to knock on the door, I pull up short when I hear hushed, strained voices. Intrigued, I place my ear to the cold wood of the door.

  Thankfully, I know Kaye is otherwise engaged and Trick’s secretary is on lunch, having passed me in the corridor by the canteen. Meaning I’m safe. For now.

  Turning my full attention to the voices beyond the door I hear Dr. Hunter’s calm cadence first.

  “…already showing signs of evolution of the DNA and cells we injected. Despite years of dormancy. We need to keep this on the down low and monitor them all.”

  “Trick you can’t honestly think of keeping this to yourself?!” Lachlan protests.

  “I can do what I damn well please, Lachy,” Trick growls.

  “Trick, I’m telling you this as your friend. If you choose to keep this between yourselves, there won’t be any good outcomes to this. Any relationship you try to build will come crumbling down twice as fast, and this time, you won’t be able to rebuild it. They need to know. They have a right to know!”

  Pausing for a second, it sounds as though Lachlan takes a deep shuddering breath before continuing.

  “You know as well I do that what happened to them wasn’t right, and we didn’t stop it. I know we didn’t know the extent of what was happening until it was too late, but we have a chance to make things right again, Trick. I won’t stand by and allow you to use them as pawns,” he emphasizes firmly.

  Sounds of a scuffle reach the door before it rattles on its hinges. Hastily taking a step back, I don’t need to move any closer to hear Trick’s next words. “You say anything and I will have you silenced Lachlan. I will tell them in my own time, but right now, we need that data,” he snarls.

  My blood boils at his threats. I don’t care whether he’s keeping information from us, Lachlan is family. What is so bad that he’s threatening Lachlan with his life?!

  I have to clench my fists at my sides to stop myself from throwing the door open and demanding Trick to explain himself.

  “What happened wasn’t right, but we can’t turn back time. What we can do is use this information to turn the tables on Archanine. We didn’t do any of the testing. Hell, we didn’t even know until it was too late!” Trick’s voice softens as a sliver of guilt starts to seep in.

  So they do know more about Archanine than they’re letting on. Maybe those rumours do have some amount of substance to them.

  “Don’t forget, Lachy, we were the ones who retrieved them from that hell hole. We aren’t harming anyone by simply collecting data. Once things settle down, I’ll tell them everything. But for now, this stays between us,” Trick commands with a note of finality.

  What testing? Testing on who? Was this a part of Census or was it Archanine?

  Maybe the testing of whatever it is they’re talking about was the catalyst for the development of the two opposing organizations. Which begs the question, what does he mean about turning the tables on them?

  They speak to us as though they don’t have a large amount of confirmed intel on Archanine, yet they converse with each other about the organization with familiarity. I knew they were withholding information from us, I just didn’t know that their secrecy ran this deep.

  Everything is silent for a minute until Lachlan speaks up. “You know it won’t ever calm down, Trick. They will hunt them to the ends of the earth just to get that code.”

  Movement sounds in the room and their voices get progressively quieter. Deducing they’ve moved away from the door, I retake my previous position. Straining to hear past the thick wood.

  “They don’t know about the others yet. Plus, we don’t even know if the genes have reactivated or taken hold. Currently, they only know about her. She’s the only one in danger at present and I would like to keep it that way. Even if I don’t like it,” Trick sighs in exhaustion.

  Dr. Hunter starts talking jargon about data collection and I find myself completely lost.

  At least now I know that my instincts weren’t on the fritz. They’re clearly hiding something and I think it’s high time that Alpha Race takes things into their own hands. God only knows the depths of the secrets they hold.

  Whatever they’ve been discussing, it relates to Archanine -whether past or present- which is obviously the reason they are so reluctant to offer any further information about the agency.

  Doing everything in their power to stop us from being aware of their involvement, only drives my need for answers. They don’t want us to know this part, but I’ll be damned if me and my team are kept in the dark.

  Although Lachlan isn’t onboard with the way that Trick is handling things, he won’t oppose Trick either. They’ve been thick as thieves since they were children. That won’t change now unless it becomes life or death, or the safety of Lachlan’s family is in jeopardy.

  Despite Lachlan not being candid with us, I know for a fact that he would never do anything to directly harm us. I let that thought appease me. For now.

  I toy with the idea of telling the others, but I know I can’t. No
t just yet. We need to focus on completing our first mission successfully before we start investigating Census’s involvement with Archanine further.

  Until then, I’ll just have to watch our steps and keep on full alert.

  Oh, the joys of being team leader.

  With a heavy sigh, I take a healthy step back and knock on the door. I don’t want to waste any more time here or else my composure is going to crack.

  The room descends into silence and I can hear their hushed whispers. Unfortunately, my distance muffles their voices so I can’t make them out.

  Eventually, the door opens to Dr. Hunter who nods his head to me in welcome before passing me by and strolling out into the corridor.

  “Come in, Rick,” Trick instructs formally. As always. With my temper already short from what I just overheard, it’s a miracle I don’t snap at him.

  Shutting the door quietly, I take a second and cast a glance at a resigned Lachlan. Leaning back against the desk, he absently rubs at his shoulder. His dulled eyes affixed on the bookcase in front of him not even acknowledging my presence.

  “Alpha Race is being pulled off all investigations related to Archanine. Now that Mila is in the group, you need to focus on helping her adjust,” Trick comments distractedly. Looking out the window, he strokes his face like some bond villain, giving me his back.

  My fists clench as I try to dispel some of the fury that his words instil in me. I was already struggling to contemplate how much they could hide from us and now he wants to practically cut us off from any means of getting answers?!

  I think not.

  All my reservations about them having been involved in something nefarious, that may or may not be linked to Archanine, have disappeared completely. They are hiding something big, and whatever it has to do with, Mila must be at the centre of it all. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

  “You know she won’t be happy with that,” I drawl.

  “She doesn’t get a choice,” he replies with distaste. Not a single note of understanding or affection in his voice.

  Trick turns to face me and I make eye contact with him. Straightening my shoulders, I try to quell the wrath that swirls in my chest. I just about manage to hold back the frustration that I want to violently unleash on him, holding on by a very, very thin thread.

  He doesn’t care about Mila at all. He doesn’t care about what his long-lost daughter wants. She’s just there to be used as another pawn in his never-ending game. Whatever that may be. Everything he does is about him and his goals. No matter the sacrifice.

  “With all due respect, sir. I can’t understand why this decision is being made now. It is not impeding any of our other work presently, nor prior to this meeting. Would you kindly inform me of the rationale behind this decision?” I enquire as diplomatically as I can.

  As tempting as it is, I force myself not to flinch as he invades my space. Stepping right up into my face, he thinks he can intimidate me.

  He doesn’t know how wrong he is.

  His beloved daughter intimidates me far more than he ever could. He is simply a superior who believes his word is law. Sure, every working organization or institution needs hierarchy and discipline, but they don’t need blind followers.

  For Mila’s sake, and my family’s, I will always make a stand for what I believe in. No matter the cost.

  “That is an order, cadet. Not a request. You will not pursue anything associated with that agency unless given the clearance. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?” He questions, making sure to enunciate each word carefully.

  I grit my teeth knowing full well that it’s impossible for me to go against his orders publicly. I’ll need to play the long game and make sure to play my cards right.

  “Clear as day, sir.”

  “Dismissed. Get ready for your mission and don’t fail. We need this ring shut down. If it moves again, we will lose our opportunity. Understood?”

  “Sir.” Casting a sidelong look at Lachlan before I leave, he never once wavers. His rapt attention remains on nothing other than the books standing at attention in front of him.

  I’ve never seen him so despondent. Whatever it is that Trick has prevented him from sharing must really be taking a toll on him.

  I leave the room, knowing that there is nothing I can do to help him or change our circumstances at this present second. Don’t mistake me. I don’t plan on taking any of this lying down. I’m done submitting to my superiors. They’ve shown they cannot be trusted, and although it pains me, I must include Lachlan in that group also.

  I have an awful feeling about all of this and I will be damned if I let my family get caught in the middle of it. Something needs to change, and soon.

  The house is quiet when I walk in. Shrugging my jacket off and laying it across the bannister, I head over to the kitchen to find everyone sitting around the coffee table. Each of them turning expectantly to me when I walk through the door.

  I can feel their eyes follow me as I go to the fridge and grab a bottle of water, ignoring the gigantic elephant in the room. They know something big has gone down, yet they wait patiently for me to fill them in. The silence is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

  Walking over to the seating area, I catch Mila’s eye. I did my best to disguise my emotions, or so I thought. Clearly, I didn’t do a good enough job.

  Missing nothing with her tendency to observe everything, Mila reads me like an open book and lays my emotions out as clear as day. Sensing the futility in my actions, I allow my mask to slip.

  Letting the tension of the last hour go, I sigh heavily and drop into the single armchair that faces both of the sofas. With one sofa in front of me and the other to my right, it provides me with a perfect view of my whole team.

  I’m so glad we decided to buy an armchair for this room. I hate those bean bags with a passion. They are great for small and nimble people like Mila, but for someone of my size, they are just so terribly uncomfortable.

  Besides, I prefer to be able to have my own space at times such as these. It’s nice being close to my team. But at the same time, I relish personal space when dealing with sensitive issues like today. I can distance myself slightly, allowing me to deal with everything that little bit better.

  Being the bearer of bad news is never an easy task. Actually, it’s a very unwanted burden that’s landed very heavily in my lap.

  Using the water bottle in my hands to help distract me, I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees, addressing the group.

  “Alpha Race has been ordered to stand down on all investigations that pertain to Archanine.” My voice comes out gruff and heavy with resignation. They know it wasn’t my choice, but that doesn’t make this any easier to take. Especially not for Mila.

  Waiting on their responses I observe each one of them carefully. Starting with Mila. Pulling away from Jax and Linc -their focus solely on her- she sits on the edge of the sofa, staring off into the distance contemplatively. Her chin rests on clenched fists that are propped up on her knees. Absent are any outwards signs of distress or surprise.

  Jax moves a hand to her thigh as Linc strokes her back in soft, languid movements. Micah plays with his bandana as Aus flicks his ring up and down his finger.

  None of them are content with this decision, and when one of our team is affected, we all are.

  “The mission is our priority at present. I’ll start investigating myself once it is successfully completed. Afterwards, I won’t stop. No matter what our orders are,” Mila declares resolutely.

  “We’ll join you, Sayuri. Right boss?” Micah checks, glancing my way.

  “Mila.” Her vivid amber eyes rise to meet mine at my call. “We won’t give up on this, I swear. No matter what our orders are, we will always be each other’s priority. Don’t forget that.” I declare solemnly.

  Speaking about this brings up memories of what else they discussed in secret. It takes everything in me to keep a straight face and not give anything away about what is being kept
from us.

  Having to keep secrets from your family is never easy, and it’s certainly not something I want to do, nor condone. But, I can’t share my concerns with them just yet. Not after delivering this news and most definitely not prior to our first mission.

  It will only serve as a distraction and I most certainly do not want it to be the reason for us having casualties on our first mission. Distractions come at a great price. One that I am not willing to pay. I will gladly soak up their anger and hurt afterwards, if only they are kept safe in the meantime.

  As a team leader, it’s my duty to make sure my team is protected and prepared at all times. Even though I’m pretty certain that my decision will come back to bite me in the ass, my protective instincts and the overwhelming need to keep my family safe, overrule everything else.

  My family’s safety will always come first, no matter what I have to do to ensure that.

  I wonder, does that make me the same as Trick and Lachlan?

  “Thanks, Rick,” she says, gracing me with a smile full of gratitude. “Did you guys get anything from the leads you investigated up until now? What happened to Chad? No one has mentioned him since the party.”

  The guys all look to me for an answer. Of course, they do. I sigh. Looks like it’s down to me to break bad news…again. Like there hasn’t been enough of that already!

  Sometimes, I enjoy my role as team lead. Other times, it’s just a heavy burden that sits on my shoulders and festers. One that I would rather not have. The responsibility of having to always be the one to make hard decisions and begin difficult conversations weighs heavily on a person.

  Snorting in disbelief, I come to the realization that this is probably exactly how my uncle was feeling earlier. “Chad is dead.”

  Mila’s eyes bug out of her head. She goes to speak but I hold a hand up to stop her.

  “He bit down on a cyanide pill before they even managed to get him back to the cells. Whoever he was working for doesn’t want any loose ends hanging around, that’s for sure. Just like the group that attacked you at home.”