Page 46 of Warrior

When I opened the door, Officer Daniels stood there, his displeasure clear in the tight line of his lips.Impatience radiated off him, and as I took in his snotty demeanor, I realized he was older than I’d initially thought.Beneath the pimply face, his attitude added years, making him look closer to thirty.He wasn’t my friend and never had been, never would be.

“The Shadow Warrior’s leader refuses to deal with anyone but you,” Daniels said flatly.“The president wants this resolved immediately.”

It took every ounce of self-control not to snap my heels together and give him a sarcastic salute.Instead, I scrunched my nose and worked to look appropriately scared and concerned.

“Oh dear, this isn’t good,” I said, wringing my hands for effect.

Okay, maybe I was laying it on a bit thick, because I didn’t think the old Marinah would go this far.Oh well.

“I know I’ve been living with them, but they still make me nervous.It’s their size.”I wrapped my arms around my stomach and gave a little shiver before forcing a brave smile.“I’ll do what I can,” I added with another exaggerated shiver.

Who knew those college acting classes would come in handy after most of the world had been annihilated?

Labyrinth was playing his role to perfection as well.If I was taken out of the loop, his job was to insist on dealing with me directly, no exceptions.King had even brought one of his human men from Cuba to assist.The man’s sole job was to carry messages between King and Labyrinth.As a human, he could blend in and live on the outskirts of the city with the other humans who stayed close for protection.

President Barnes wasn’t waiting for me when I arrived at the Shadow Warrior quarters.Instead, I was greeted by General Smyth.He and my father had never been on good terms, and it had caused no small amount of trouble in my father’s career.

Smyth, now in his late sixties, was clean-shaven with piercing green eyes that saw far too much.His round face betrayed a life of indulgence, eating good food he clearly had no intention of sharing with his troops.Adding to his charm was a bulbous nose in desperate need of plucking.

His dislike for me was poorly concealed.His reaction to the braids was more visceral than the other men too.I didn’t bother hiding my own disdain.

Oh, goodie, this should be fun.

As if that wasn’t enough, I also took note of the twenty heavily armed soldiers stationed nearby to keep the Shadow Warriors safe.

What a joke.

If Smyth thought I’d fall for his nonsense, he was even more of an idiot than I’d imagined.

“Miss Church,” the general greeted me as I approached.

Not even the courtesy of a “Ms.”title.Classy.

“General, so good to see you again,” I lied, with a small bite to the words.

The last time I’d seen him was at my father’s funeral, where he’d barely managed to hide his glee.

I just might hate the man.

Kill.

Oh, how I wish we could.

The general wasted no time on pleasantries.

“The Shadow Warrior in charge is being difficult and refuses to deal with my authority.Straighten this out so I can do my job without interference,” he said, all but spitting the words.

It was clear he wasn’t thrilled about me being here, about needing me to handle this delicate situation.That thought alone nearly made me grin, but I bit my tongue, literally until I tasted blood, just to keep my expression neutral.

“I’ll do what I can, General,” I said, keeping my tone as light as possible.“But the Warriors don’t trust those they dealt with after the war.Maybe you’re the problem.”

There.Take that, you slimy strand of unplucked nose hair.

His expression said it all, and I was honestly surprised when the lightning bolt he seemed to be hoping for didn’t strike me dead on the spot.

He didn’t bother answering me, either.Instead, he opened the door in front of us and led me into the Shadow Warrior quarters.

The room was lined with military-style bunk beds, their frames bolted to the walls with an aisle running down the center.At the back of the room, I could make out what looked like bathrooms, and through an open door on the right, I saw an area with tables and chairs.

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