Page 45 of Fractured Future

“Right. Of course.” Ember shakes her head like she’s trying to knock the cobwebs out. “It’s weird to think that life carried on while I’ve been trapped here.”

“That’s a stretch,” I quickly argue. “His life did not go on. I’m not gonna speak out of turn, but Tom made it his mission to bring you home.”

She smiles to herself. “Sounds like my big brother.”

“You’re lucky to have someone like that.”

After a pause, Ember blinks rapidly to pull herself back. She’s a little out of it. I faintly wonder what caused that bang. There’s no way I believe she tripped over the damn armchair.

“You don’t have any siblings?” she asks.

“Nah.”

“Family?”

“Orphan,” I volunteer. “Just little ole me.”

The pity that usually comes when I reveal a little about my past never arrives. She merely nods in acknowledgement but keeps her thoughts to herself.

I’m thankful. There’s nothing I hate more than talking about my screwed-up family or somehow being judged for what happened to them.

“I see. How old are you?”

Crossing my legs at the ankle, I get comfortable on her bed. “We’re the same age.”

“Huh. I thought you were younger.”

“I can find my birth certificate if that helps.”

Ember looks down at her bare legs, the cuts and scrapes now thoroughly cleaned. “Hilarious. I can see why you piss Hyland off.”

“He makes it too easy. The man can’t ever take a joke.”

“I noticed. When did you join the team?”

Grabbing a bag of unopened gummies on the nightstand, I rip the crackling plastic open to shove a few in my mouth. I love the way she gawps incredulously. It’s cute.

“About eighteen months ago. Got transferred in from MI-5.”

“I can see everything in your mouth.” Her lip curls in mock-disgust.

“You asked. Want some?”

Shaking her head, Ember watches me stuff another handful of sweets into my mouth. “You seriously worked for MI-5? Like James Bond, top-secret agent shit? That MI-5?”

“It’s a lot less glamorous, believe me. And not really a well-kept secret either. You can literally walk past the offices in London.”

“Right. So what did you do there?”

“I worked in the counterintelligence division for eight or so years.”

“Why leave?” Ember leans forward, appearing to be genuinely interested.

“That’s a story for another time. I don’t wanna scare you off too soon.”

“Come on.” She chuckles. “I can handle it.”

“Well, put it this way. Government policy didn’t necessarily align with mymethods.Sabre operates in much more of a legal grey area.”