Page 53 of Infiltrated

“Yup, you can say that.” He looked a bit uncomfortable.

“I always wondered about the all-black,” I joked. “Demon trainers or protectors of the people?”

“I stopped telling the difference a long time ago,” he murmured under his breath. Exchanging another look, Pixie and I stood up.

Seems like a genuinely nice guy, nothing nefarious coming from him. Time to dance the night away? I asked Pixie via our shared mind-link.

Yes, please! she responded with gusto, and I contained a chuckle.

“Well, Drew, it was a pleasure to meet you. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t meet your friends. Maybe later?”

He stood up with us and smiled warmly. “Yes, later, they should have been here by now. Shame. I think you would have hit it off with those four good men.” As we walked to the dance floor, we heard his voice ring out: “Luca, Etienne, Dimitri, Dante, took you lot long enough!”

We didn’t look back and we tore up the club with smiles on our faces.

Pixieand I mimicked his facial expression, the way we did months ago when we first met Drew. Another Elite Shadow Hunter, during one of our rare but enlightening nights out, in fact it was meeting Drew that set the cogs of my brain whirling.It looks like he still doesn’t like the way things are being run.

“Hmm.” Pixie looked at me. “I think we will decline to answer that question. I’m Pixie, this is Ellie. What's your name?” Oh, right, pretenses. It’s why she was my better half.

“Nice to meet you ladies, no seriously, very nice to meet you.” He winked at us exaggeratingly and looked us up and down slowly before he reached his hand out to shake our hands. “I’m Drew, one of the instructors.” We shook his hand, and nodded.

“Well then”—I pointed at the door—“ladies first,” I said. He barked out a laugh and shook his head.

“Yeah, I like you already, Ellie. This should be fun.” He smiled mischievously as he walked in and we followed behind him. He went to stand at what we assumed was the front of the class, as all the instructors were there and all the students looked like ducks out of water.

Ready for our grand entrance?I asked Pixie.

Baby, I’m always ready. Let's do this.She smiled.

24

“Your attitude may hurt me, but mine can kill you.” -Unknown

“It's like you know our women.”-Luca

Luca

All eyes snappedto Ellie and Pixie as they strutted into the room and walked right to the front of the room. There was no confusion on their faces, no worry, just cool indifference and confidence.

We had decided on no mental communication with them, in order to keep our faces schooled and our attention focused, but holy fuck, if it wasn’t for the other four women who walked in ten minutes ago, we would not believe what they were wearing for uniforms. Clearly, no one ever intended for Pix and Ellie to look like they walked out of Sir-Mix-a-Lot’s video set.

They stood with their legs apart, arms behind their back, hands clasped, very clearly at attention; and Benson and Drew smiled appreciatively as everyone else got the hint and mimicked their stance. Well, at least they knew how to command a room.

There was no need for us to raise our voices as the room was already quiet. We all had our little quirks that gave us the ability to lead, to be instructors. Other than being great fighters, Etienne’s ability to pick up on lies could easily toss out the weak links, and Dante’s ability to seamlessly blend into someone’s thoughts came in handy for anyone who wasn’t one hundred percent in the game.

I cleared my throat. “All right, baby shadows, looks like the council decided to surprise us this year. We have six female recruits this year. Two of them were personally invited by one of the top tier teams, and I look forward to seeing how they work with the group. Now to introduce ourselves, I am Luca, an Elite team leader, and I specialize in tracking and a couple of elements. So if any of you bitch out, I will find you.” A few nervous chuckles came from the group. I wasn’t joking.

“I am Dimitri, I will be your worst fucking nightmare. Let’s get that clear right now. I have speed as my advantage so I suggest if you don’t want to break a few bones, you learn how to shield effectively because I will make it my personal mission to sort of the weak links.” Dimitri’s low growl echoed throughout the room. I smiled internally, taking in the nerves in the room ramping up.

“Bonjour, petite Shadows. Je m’appelle, Etienne. I can pick up on all your lies and truth, for those who do not have that skill, that is fine. I will also be training in air manipulation. However, keep in mind we will all be training in combat in weaponry so there will be ample time for us to get well acquainted.” Etienne nodded his head, quiet and reserved.

Good job scaring them, big guy, I’m sure they will all want to butter your croissants after that smooth French introduction.Ellie’s voice trickled through the link, and we had to school our faces to stop from laughing.

“I’m Dante, and tsk tsk, baby shadows, I can read your minds, and I promise you none of your pick-up lines will work on the ladies in this room, do better, I’m ashamed already.” He shook his head as the room burst out in laughter. “I also have a few tricks up my sleeve you will all pick up on during combat, but I won't spoil the surprise.” He winked and went back to observing the room.

“Hello recruits, I am Drew. Also an elite team leader like Luca. I will be leading the hunt for deserters. We take this training seriously. We have cities to protect and we do not have to coddle insecurities. You are all here for a reason. This year, every person here was brought on by personal invitation from a shadow, which can either help or hinder you depending on the quality of shadow who recommended you.” He paused and smiled widely as a few recruits nervously shuffled their feet. “Oh no, don’t look nervous. I just suggest you all rise to the occasion and be the better version of yourselves. Or don’t”—he shrugged—“I haven’t had a good recruit tracker hunt in years.” He smirked.

“My name is Julian. I will be working with the water and fire elementals. I won’t bother getting to truly know you for at least a couple of weeks, unless you truly impress me. I do not have time nor patience for slackers.” He nodded curtly.

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