Breed of Innocence (The Breed Chronicles, #01) (10 page)

Wasn’t stuff like that supposed to be private or something, though? Like, off-limits from the rest of the world? Probably. But not to Mrs. Gill. The only rules she’d ever followed were the ones that suited her and her wants.

“What I said at Orientation was true, Miss Hall. While you’re here, essentially, you will be an employee of the CGE. Your room, food, toiletries, etcetera, will be paid for. Since you came here with little more than the clothes on your back, I’ll arrange for you to be driven to the city this weekend to pick up a few things.”

“Do I have to wear a uniform or something like that?” If he said yes, that could be a deal breaker.

“No uniforms. Just dress comfortably. You’ll want to pick up some workout clothes and a decent pair of sneakers, since two of your classes involve physical training.”

“Workout clothes and sneakers. Check.”

“Each week, you’ll be given an allowance of money. It’s not a great deal, but it should be sufficient to pick up a few things you’d like to have.”

I stared at him. At this point, twenty a month would be twenty times the amount I got back at the Pond. He had to know that.

“There’s not much you don’t know about me or my life, is there?” I asked, thinking of all the things he knew about me.

“We specialize in research, Miss Hall. You, more than just becoming an employee, are also an investment. We take our investments very seriously.”

I stayed silent for a moment and, thinking about Linc’s earlier words, asked, “Why me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Linc said you don’t pick up all new Prospects personally. So, why me?”

I expected him to fidget or look uncomfortable, but instead he seemed glad I’d asked. “Because you’re unique, Jade, even among those who are already rare.”

“But we all have that DNA thing—”

“You do, yes.” He chuckled. “When you were in school before…well, before—you did excellent. In fact, I don’t recall seeing anything below an A+ on any of your reports. The only thing I ever noticed in your school records was a habit of acting out.”

I was the one who fidgeted. “I was bored.”

“I know. I also know you read faster than any of your classmates and your ability to retain information is…well, as I said, unique.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t really sure how to feel about that. Sure, I could read fast and I could usually memorize anything I saw one time, but did that really warrant special treatment? Did that really warrant having him—the director of a secret demon-hunting facility—come get me?

“Now,” he said, continuing on before I could decide to press the issue further, “since you’re missing most of your Orientation, there’s a file on the tablet I’d like you to read. It’s on our rules. As I said before, there aren’t that many and they aren’t Earth shattering, but please look through them, as well as our confidentiality statement.”

“Confidentiality statement?”

“Yes. Some of what we do here is widely known, but the majority of it is not. There’s a…cover story, of sorts, for you to memorize.”

“I will, and I won’t tell anyone about this place.”

He smiled. “Good. I’m sure Mr. Stone will be able to answer any other questions you may have, but if he can’t, feel free to ask me. The others who arrived today have two days yet before they’ll be asked to make a decision regarding their futures with the CGE. Since you’ve already decided, and because I don’t foresee you changing your mind, I figured you might as well get settled in.”

He pointed toward the bed. I hadn’t noticed it before, but my bag was sitting on the floor beside it. “Thanks,” I said. “And I won’t. Change my mind, I mean.”

“I don’t believe you will.” There was a pause. “Mr. Stone is already aware of your situation, or will be, I gather.” One side of his mouth rose in a semi-smile. “However, I ask that you not share this information with any of the other newcomers. It shouldn’t be too difficult as they’ll be staying at another facility during their probationary period, but…”

“If it comes up, don’t mention it. Got it. I won’t tell anyone.”

He gave a nod. “Since you’re skipping the probationary period, you have a choice to make. The Prospects who stay won’t start Phase One until the end of October, after their probationary period. Now, you can use this time to learn more about the CGE before your first Phase begins, or you can start now and try to catch up before the others begin Phase Two. Though, if you choose that option, I’m afraid it will mean not much of a summer break for you.”

Did I want to start now, or did I want to wait? The place was completely new to me and other than what he’d told me about it, I didn’t know anything. Some time to wander around would be nice.

But if I started early, that’d get me done five months sooner. I could actually do something now and start learning what I needed to know.

“Miss Hall?”

My head whipped around. “Yeah?”

“Are you thinking, or are you going into a coma?”

I felt my cheeks heat again. “Sorry. Thinking. But I’ll start now.”

Another one of those knowing smiles crossed his face. “Very well. You’ll have the weekend to relax or to pester Mr. Stone about things.” He indicated the tablet on my desk. “All of your textbooks are already downloaded to your tablet as well, so that’s the only thing you’ll need for your classes Monday.”

I let out a breath. “Okay.”

He started for the door then stopped. “Should you need anything else, or have a question Mr. Stone can’t answer for you, don’t hesitate to call. Just dial star-nine. That will put you through to my secretary or Assistant Director Barnes.”

“Okay.”

“Someone will bring you a permanent ID later this evening, so until it arrives, your door will remain unlocked. Just swipe it over the card reader when you get it and it’ll reset the lock again. You’ll need to keep it with you when you leave your room, or you’ll be forced to call someone to be let back in.”

“Keep ID on my person. Check.” I nodded. “Thanks, Director Greene.” My gaze fell to my jeans, to the blood spattered across them. “Oh! I do have a question. I don’t think Linc can answer it for me.”

“Yes?”

“Is there any news on Celina? The woman you had brought in earlier?”

“The doctors are looking after her. I’m afraid that’s all I know right now.”

“Oh.” I sighed. “Okay.”

“I’ll try to keep you apprised of her status.”

“Thanks.”

He nodded and offered a small smile. “I’ll leave you so can you can get your dinner. The café is at the back of the building, on the right side.”

“Thanks, again.”

“And Jade? One last thing. The weekend is your time and you’re free to do what you like, but I will ask that you not leave the grounds, and try to avoid starting any fights.” Despite the serious look he was probably going for, I saw the amusement in his eyes when I gaped at him.

He walked away before I could think of how to respond. Which was good, since it probably would have only been an argument. And contrary to Fishface’s beliefs, I didn’t go looking for trouble. What was the point when it found me without any effort? I didn’t mind fighting so much, but it wasn’t my style to start them. I had no problem finishing one, though. It was one of my mom’s rules, even as a kid.

“Okay,” I breathed as the door closed.

Letting out a harsh breath, I fell back on the bed. I bounced a few times before settling and put my arms under my head. I was…content. At least more content than I’d been in a long, long time. It’d been so long that it took me a full two minutes before I realized what I felt. And what I didn’t feel: weighed down.

I pushed up, resting on my elbows, and glanced around the room.
It’s not much
, I thought, quoting Greene’s earlier words. Yeah, right. It was still twice as big as my old,
shared
room.

And it was mine!

I was free of Fishface and the Tadpoles!

Freedom, food, clothes, spending cash. I got it all, just to be a guinea pig and have my blood poked at. Just to agree to let some secret organization train me to fight demons. And after today, after finding the proof I’d been looking for, it was something I would have done for free. Without the perks. “But they’re nice ones,” I said, grinning to myself.

I was happier than I could remember being in a long time, but I was still alone. My family was still gone, and regardless of where I was or how many people might be in this place, that wasn’t going to change. Not today, anyway. Maybe it would. Maybe this was the start I needed. Maybe joining the CGE was a step in that direction.

My heart hurt. It always did. But right now, it seemed a little lighter and a little less achy than it had yesterday, or even this morning.

I took a long, deep breath, released it slowly.
Mom, I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing or not, but I’m going to find the thing that took you from me, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t kill
— I let out a shuddered breath.
I’m going to make sure it doesn’t hurt anyone else’s family.
And I would. Even if it took four years, or however long Greene said it might take.

My stomach grumbled. I still hadn’t eaten.

And I was supposed to meet Linc!

I jumped up from the bed and ended up sliding across the floor as I rushed to the bathroom, narrowly avoiding running head-first into the doorjamb. I twisted around, went back for my bag.

Two minutes later, I ran back out wearing clean clothes and had hopefully managed to de-grass my hair. I pulled the door shut behind me as my stomach growled again.

I went left, to the nearest staircases and started down, taking them two at a time at breakneck speeds. When I reached the first floor, I slammed out of the doors and ran straight ahead.

Without warning, something blurry ran into me—or I ran into it—and sent me skidding across the floor. My head cracked against the linoleum, leaving stars dancing in my vision. The blur landed a few feet away with a muffled
oomph
.

Pushing up, I rubbed the back of my head and tried not to wince when my fingers touched a small, already-forming knot.

The blur was…still blurry. I tried focusing my eyes on the shape in front of me until, finally, it took form. A girl, with short, jet-black hair and a pissed off glare, stared at me. I recognized her from Orientation. She was the one who’d been sending me death-glares after my sparring match with Linc.

A girl with blonde hair ran up to her and squatted down beside her, offering to help her up. “Are you okay, Felecia?”

Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking about me
, I thought.

Blurry-girl, aka Felecia, let the other person help her to her feet, all the while using the death-glare on me. “Mind watching where the hell you’re going?” she snarled.

“You know,” I started, pushing off the ground and ignoring the crowd gathering around us as I dusted off the back of my pants, “you weren’t exactly all-eyes yourself.” Greene had wanted me to avoid starting fights.
Crap.
He probably wanted me to play nice. I exhaled, tried for a diplomatic smile. “Sorry, I was running late—”

The other girl snorted.

Biting down on my tongue to keep from saying something that would definitely get me in trouble, I tried my diplomacy act once more. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m starving and I’m supposed to meet someone.” Half a beat passed, then, “And I wasn’t the only one rushing.” At least I didn’t think I was.

Okay, so the last bit probably wouldn’t help make peace, but whatever. I was still starving, Linc was still waiting, and now my head was killing me.

The girl took a step forward. Her hands curled into fists at her side. As someone who fought—a lot—I knew the look well. To head her off, I said, “I’m not going to fight you.”

Felecia set her jaw. “That’s fine. You can just stand there while I kick your ass.”

C
HAPTER 06

I took a step back and kept my eyes on Felecia. “You really don’t want to do this.” Though anyone with a single brain cell could see that she did. And in a bad, bad way.

Felecia advanced on me with a nasty smile on her face. She craned her neck side to side. “Yeah, I think I do.”

I’d told Greene I wouldn’t start any fights, and I intended to keep my word. But he never said anything about ending one. If Felecia wanted to go a few rounds then we would. I wouldn’t throw the first punch, though. But against the rules or not, I wouldn’t stand by and let some girl with an angry bug up her ass pummel me.

When Felecia said nothing else, I shook my head and turned away. Did I have a ‘target me, target me!’ sign pinned to me somewhere? Some invisible-to-me tattoo? Greene calling on me for demonstrations, and now some crazy chick who wanted to fight over a stupid accident.

Maybe I really was a magnet for trouble.

A tingling on the back of my neck had me slowing and turning around. I dodged to the side half a second before Felecia’s fist would have plowed into my head. “What’s your deal? Do you really want to fight over something so stupid?”

In answer, she swung at me again. I twisted out of her way and, using her own momentum against her, shoved her down.