Page 63

I took the device, keeping my expression neutral. “Thank you.”

The officer gave another nod and departed without a word. I closed the door and turned the device over in my hand, already knowing what it was before I activated it.

The screen flickered to life, displaying a message encoded in a cipher that would appear as meaningless characters to anyone else. But to me, the Shadow communication was instantly clear. My handler was coming to debrief me.

I closed my eyes, the weight I'd just shed settling back onto my shoulders. He would want a full accounting of the mission, including details I wasn't sure I was prepared to share.

How much would I tell them about Morgan? About what had happened between us? About what I’d told her?

The Shadows had strict protocols about personal entanglements. They were discouraged, if not outright forbidden. Emotions clouded judgment. Attachments created vulnerabilities.

I moved to the balcony and stared out at the perfect, artificial horizon. I could report everything exactly as it had happened, jeopardizing my career and any future I might have with Morgan before it even began. Or I could conceal certain details, protecting what we might have but violating the code I'd sworn to uphold.

For the first time in my career as a Shadow, I found myself contemplating deception not in service to Drex, but in service to my own heart.

Chapter

Forty-One

Morgan

"And this will be your suite.” Serge ushered me through the doorway with a theatrical flourish of his arm.

If I'd thought Tivek's accommodations were impressive, mine were absolutely breathtaking. The space was easily twice the size of his, with an expansive open floor plan that flowed seamlessly from the sizable sleeping area to a sunken living space. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around 3/4 of the bungalow, offering a stunning view of the turquoise waters stretching to the horizon.

"This is..." I trailed off, as my attempt at speech gave way to gaping.

"Divine? Exquisite? A testament to my impeccable taste?" Serge offered, preening as if he’d personally constructed the suite.

I couldn’t help laughing. "All of the above."

After the spartan quarters at the academy and the cramped conditions aboard our rescue vessel, the luxury surroundingme now was almost overwhelming. The bed alone was almost bigger than my room at the academy, and it was piled high with dozens of fluffy throw pillows and draped in gauzy curtains that fluttered in the artificial breeze.

I ran my fingers over the smooth teak of a nearby table, marveling at the craftsmanship and reminding myself that it was all an illusion.

"This balcony has the best view in the entire South Pacific,” Serge said, gesturing toward glass doors that were slid partially open.

I stepped outside and my breath caught in my throat. From this vantage point, I could see not just the endless expanse of clear blue water but also the lush green peaks of a distant island, its tops shrouded in wisps of cloud

Even though I'd never been to the South Pacific on Earth—hell, I'd barely left my home state before joining the military—something about this place struck a chord deep within me. A sudden, unexpected wave of homesickness washed over me, and I had to blink rapidly to keep unwanted tears from falling.

To my surprise, instead of leaving me to my thoughts, Serge settled himself comfortably on one of the teak loungers on the deck, crossing his legs at the ankle and leaning back as if he had all the time in the world.

"So," he said, fixing me with an inquisitive gaze, "how is our dear Reina faring at that academy of yours?"

The abrupt change of subject caught me off guard. "Reina? She's good, I think. Usually busy, so I don’t see a lot of her.”

Serge sighed dramatically. "That sounds like her. We worked together for ages, you know. Then she up and left to escort Noora to the academy." He sniffed. “At the time, I understand. Poor Noora was practically abducted by the admiral, so it was only right that Reina joined her for a time. I thought she'd return quickly, but she's still there, and I've yet to find a suitable replacement. The other liaisons simply aren't as attuned to my needs."

There was something almost endearing about the way he spoke of Reina. It reminded me of a sibling who claimed to be annoyed by their sister but secretly missed her terribly. His large eyes glistened but he blinked rapidly before sitting up and giving his head a brusque shake.

He sniffed again. “Don't you dare tell her I said that. It would go straight to her head, and her hair is tall enough as it is."

I laughed, settling into the lounger next to his. "Your secret's safe with me. And for what it's worth, Reina seems to have found her place at the academy. She's become indispensable to the admiral's wife." I paused, remembering the recent crisis. "She was actually instrumental in saving two of my friends when they got trapped in a holochamber malfunction."

Serge's eyes popped wide. "Trapped in a simulation? How perfectly horrifying!" He glanced around at our surroundings with fresh wariness. "Is life at the academy always so dangerous?"

"It has its challenges," I admitted. "It's not nearly as luxurious as this station, that's for sure. My room is in a stone tower and has a single bed that I roll off if I turn too aggressively. We have one inclinator in the main hall, and the only holographic simulations are contained in the holochambers used for training."