"We need to go through these today." Edna pats the stack of demon anatomy books on her left and another daunting stack of mission archives on her right.

　　She`s turned into a slave driver. Taking our upcoming mission as serious as if it`s her own. Which means cramming my head with as much knowledge as I can hold without exploding. I could save myself by reminding her I`m supposed to focus on political history and governing laws, but it`s boring. So, I stay quiet.

　　I eye the archives and wonder if the record of the attacks that killed my family is among them. I`ve searched the stacks for weeks and haven`t found it. She could have pulled it for our session. I`ve asked her as subtly as I can about past missions, but she`s yet to mention the attacks.

　　"You will be in the field soon and there is much to catch up on." She pulls a thick, black covered book and slides it in front of me.

　　I also want to tell her I won`t be on the mission, so she won`t worry so much, but I can`t.

　　"Theories of Demon Hierarchy and Sociology?"

　　"What?" She chuckles in her seat across from me pushing her silver framed glasses up her nose. "You don`t think demons organize?"

　　I think back to the Rex demon in the lab and chills creep down my back.

　　"Where do you want me to start?" I flip it open to the table of contents.

　　My eyes zero in on a section titled, Leadership Across Demon Species. I sit up straighter in my chair when some illustrations of the Rex are on the first page of the chapter.

　　"Perfect." Edna reaches over to point at a picture of the Rex standing before a mass of mixed species. "This one here is a recent discovery. He was found about twelve years ago right outside your home region`s wall."

　　She turns to the next page. "It`s said these types can communicate across species and command the others."

　　"One is in the science lab." I mumble as I read.

　　"Is there!?"

　　My head snaps up, and my amplified hearing checks if anyone else was listening to our conversation. Stupid. I just blurted out national secrets to a civilian. With a grip stronger than her thin bony arms should allow, she locks on to my forearms and leans across the table.

　　"Is the illustration accurate?" She whispers to me and darts her eyes around. "Can it really command others?"

　　The bright mischievous glint in her eyes is replaced with dark, blown out pupils. I lean all the way back in my chair and pull my arms free. She blinks a few times and her manic stare disappears. She fans her face, removes her glasses with one hand, and laughs.

　　"Oh, my boy, I`m sorry. I got a little excited, didn`t I?" She shakes herself off and slides her glasses back on.

　　"Edna—" I start to apologize.

　　Even though she`s my source for information, I can`t get into trouble volunteering any of my own. She holds up a wrinkled palm to stop me.

　　"No, I understand. All my long years, I`ve spent here in these books. Reading and learning about everything out there. And as a civilian, I can only experience what others share."

　　She eases into a smile that would make anyone else think she`s fine, but her heartbeat stutters and the clack and grind of her teeth say otherwise. She`s not a warrior born or a politician. She`ll never see all the evidence of the records she keeps or teaches others about.

　　"Yes."

　　I`ll be gone at the end of this week. I`ll never talk to her again, and she was one of the first to show me kindness. She`s never denied me an answer to my questions. If I wasn`t so cautious, I`d ask her straight up about my family and the attacks knowing she`d tell me. I had to give it to her.

　　"Yes?" She whispers leaning in. She`s lit up and her thin lips stretch into a secret smile.

　　I lean over the table to whisper back. "Yes, to both questions."

　　She shoots forward fast and wraps her soft hands over mine giving me a tight squeeze. "Thank you."

　　She sits back, elbows on the table, and clasps her hands together to rest her chin. "I knew it. You`re a good one."

　　"I don`t know what you`re talking about." I reply, dropping my smile.

　　She winks, and we dive into the chapter together. I pose what I observed with the Rex as questions, and she helps me find more information from the book.

　　"If these demons can command other species, would they be able to influence their powers as well?"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　"Yes, that`s one of the theories right here." Edna points to a paragraph. "It`s thought the Rex demons are a leadership class and can not only command but suppress the abilities of other demons."

　　"Can I take this book with me?"

　　Iva has the same questions I do about the Rex, and he`s been studying it longer.

　　"I`m glad you`re serious about your studies. But no, it`s the only copy and must be available for anyone, anytime. That`s why the library is open twenty-four hours a day, remember. It`s rare edition so I keep it behind my desk."

　　She pats my hand before leaving me to study. Thanks Edna, I`ll be in here tonight instead of Buckler`s office.

　　*****

　　I slip out of bed and put on a fresh training uniform. It`s still odd having fresh clothes appear in my pod every day but I`ll miss it. I exit the barracks, and head to the library. I`ll do another search for the archive of the attacks and grab the book with the Rex information to take to Iva. It`s a risk taking the book and trusting Iva won`t turn me in, but he`s as curious to find out what Centrum is up to as much as I am.

　　I pull open one of the heavy library doors and slid inside. The stacks are dimly lit and the table lamps are off giving the library a cozy, yellow glow. I`m always alone in the library after lights out, but I don`t linger in one section too long just in case. I`ve got a quick pace through the stacks and stumble when the steady thump of a heartbeat invades.

　　I go flat against the nearest row and still. A sweet honey scent hits my nose and I press my lips together to keep from cursing. I should leave but I only have three more nights before I`m sent home. I spin around to backtrack when she steps into my aisle. Her golden-brown braid falls heavy down the side of one shoulder. She`s bent over a ragged, oversized tome with a strange emblem on the cover. So engrossed in her reading, she might pass right by me.

　　"Oren, having trouble sleeping?" She says, head still down.

　　"No captain. Catching up on my studies"

　　She closes the book and pulls the cover tight against her chest to look up at me.

　　"You must be well rested with all this extra energy to stay up studying?"

　　That`s a loaded question. If I`m well rested, she may think my training is too lenient, which is far from the truth. I`m exhausted from endless drills, studying, and sneaking around every night. Running on my unnatural abilities. They`re the only thing keeping me going.

　　"I want to be sure I`m prepared."

　　"Hmm. You`ve prepared enough." She nods.

　　I nod back not thinking about what I`m agreeing with but wanting to leave.

　　"Enough for your final assessment."

　　Final assessment?

　　"I`ll inform the techs to prep for your final test tomorrow."

　　Tomorrow?

　　"Get to bed warrior. You have an important day. I`d hate to not see you at your best."

　　She walks to a reading table leaving me to figure out what happened. With my test tomorrow, I won`t have another night to research. And what about breaking into Buckler`s office? I`m out of time. I crane my neck in the opposite direction where the mission archives are and sigh. I`ve made my way through all the archives from ten years back with no luck and I doubt I`ll find it tonight.

　　The captain sits on one of the tables against the far side windows still reading, giving me a chance to exit unseen. I grab the Rex book behind Edna`s desk, and stuff it into the back of my uniform waistband. Even though I`ll be gone tomorrow, Iva will have the information he needs. If anyone can determine if the demons are capable of coordinate attacks and how to stop it, it`s him.

　　I turn towards the officer`s wing to check out Buckler`s office. If it`s clear, I`ve got to take a chance. Not sure if I`ll find anything, but he`s the only one I`ve ever met that admitted to a personal relationship with my father, my family. Hushed whispers hit my ears. Someone`s arguing at the entrance.

　　"Stop with your threats. I`ll take care of the new warrior, as planned." I can`t place the man`s voice.

　　I`m the only new warrior in Centrum. I`m a few steps away from the library doors and there aren`t a lot of places to hide to spy on who`s speaking.

　　"He`s assigned to the Elites now. It`s not as easy as we planned." Says the other male voice.

　　"Yes, yes. I`ve got it under control, don`t worry."

　　My ears buzz, and then there`s nothing but silence.

　　"Warrior Oren?" The captain`s stern clipped tone sounds from behind me.

　　I grit my teeth. I was so tuned in to identifying who the speakers were that I didn`t notice my senses shift directions. Of all the times for her to be around. I turn to face her so she can`t see the outline of the book in my pants.

　　"You`re still here. You must need an escort." She sweeps her arm out toward the barracks.

　　And there goes my chance to break into Buckler`s office. I walk beside her lost in my head. Who were the officers and what kind of attack do I need to prepare for? It`s well past time for someone to put me in my place. I`ve been sticking with the squad like the captain commanded which must be the reason I haven`t had trouble yet.

　　I side eye her steady strides. Her gaze is far away. She takes care of her squad and treats them with more respect than any officer I`ve encountered. I want to trust her but there`s something she`s hiding. The way she studies me and the fact she`s the only one my powers track is reason enough to stay cautious. I can`t trust her.

　　"I`m going to be honest with you Oren." The captain sounds tired. "I don`t trust you. You`re hiding something from me and from your team."

　　I want to laugh at thinking the same thing about her, but I stay quiet. Because I have a secret bigger than hers could ever be.

　　"You have to be able to rely on your team, and they have to be able to trust you." She says.

　　We round the corner to enter the barracks and the captain stops, putting herself between me and the entry. There are only a few inches of space between us as she peers up into my eyes. The amber stirs to green. She`s a chameleon. Her ease in switching identities is the main reason I don`t trust her. I never know who`ll speak to me next. Will it be the captain, Nugget, or the soft familiar version from last night?

　　"It`s my responsibility to keep you and the squad safe and successful. I expect you to do your part and give us your best. No holding back." Her brows lower and we stand in silence.

　　"I will do my job, despite your efforts." She lowers her voice. "Even at the expense of your secrets."

　　I`m frozen in her icy stare. If she`s waiting for me to comment on holding back or admit my secrets that`s not going to happen. My efforts of holding back are for their protection and mine. I nod my head to let her know I understand.

　　"Rest up, warrior. Tomorrow you will show me why you`re the best graduate in our nation`s history. You will show Centrum why we`re Elite warriors. The squad`s reputation is on the line, for you."

　　With that she heads into the barracks leaving me holding my breath outside. My chest squeezes tight as my sense come alive. She may not have wanted me here but Centrum put their best warriors on the line because of me. My gut gives a hallow churn. But why? Especially now with warrior lives in decline and the threat of the Rex`s capabilities. My brain is a kaleidoscope spinning with the twin`s easy acceptance, Kane`s patient instruction, Iva`s generous knowledge, and Luce`s debt. Shit, what am I going to show her tomorrow?