Into the Fire (Flame in the Shadows Trilogy #1)

19. Mel

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MEL

Sam and I sit in rickety wooden chairs in front of Lisa’s desk, her bright, cheery fire at odds with the tense atmosphere in the room.

I’ve spent the last thirty minutes spilling my guts to her. I told her everything, from the moment I learned of my parents’ deaths all the way through my encounter with Cait at the mystery door. Sam stayed beside me, holding one of my clammy hands in both of his own. The small reminder of his support has helped me stumble through, even when anxiety threatened to suffocate me.

Lisa hasn’t said one word. Hasn’t reacted at all. She only stood in front of us, arms crossed, and listened; impossible to read.

I force myself to meet her dark eyes. “I know it was stupid to try and get through that door. But I’m committed to the Resistance, to your cause, and to the people here. In fact, in order to prove it, I’d like to…”

Major gulp. Here goes nothing.

“… volunteer for tomorrow’s mission. I’ve been practicing, and I think I could be an asset to the team.”

Lisa’s mouth twists, the first hint of emotion I’ve seen from her since entering her office. The pressure to look away is overwhelming, but I hold her gaze.

After several long seconds, during which the tension in my chest builds almost to a breaking point, Lisa opens her mouth to speak. I brace myself.

“You’re so like Reyna.” She sighs, liquid eyes full of sorrow.

The words hit me like a punch to the stomach.

“Your mother was my best friend,” she goes on quietly. “I knew her very well. The Organization knows this, and so I must be on my guard. A well-trained spy could use my grief against me. You most of all.”

A mournful ache fills my heart. Mom’s best friend. I never realized, never thought about what the people here meant to my parents. What my parents meant to them.

Tommy and I aren’t the only ones who lost family that night.

“I loved my mom and dad. I would never dishonor them by working for their murderers.”

Lisa chews her lip as the silence stretches tight.

She thinks I’m lying. She thinks me capable of something so horrendous, so despicable, I can’t even stomach the idea of it.

“I believe you.”

Relief sweeps through my system, so strong it makes me woozy.

“I probably shouldn’t, but my gut says you’re genuine. And what you’ve done, what you’re doing… It’s what she would have done. Your mother.”

I drag in a ragged breath. Sam squeezes my hand, and I peek at him, drawing strength from his warmth.

Lisa’s eyes harden. “There are no second chances when it comes to the safety and security of my people. I understand why you are so determined to find answers to your questions, but know this. I will do whatever is necessary to protect the Resistance, no matter whose daughter you are. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Whatever is necessary. Like putting a bullet in my skull.

Good thing I’m trustworthy.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Good. If you ever do anything like this again, I will be forced to consider you our enemy, and I will react accordingly. That being said, I accept your offer to help on tomorrow’s mission.”

I sit up straighter, my pulse quickening as she continues.

“We know how Levett’s campus is laid out, but it’s been years since any of us have set foot in the admin building. You will not join us in the field. However, if you could fill in the gaps in our knowledge and give us more detail regarding records storage, it would help immensely. We will meet with Cait’s team tomorrow morning to go over your information, so I suggest you spend today writing down everything you can remember about the fourth floor.”

“I would be honored.”

Lisa considers me for a moment. “You should know, tomorrow’s assignment isn’t our standard outing. Missions normally range from routine supply runs and surveillance, to intercepting and destroying weapons shipments. These missions are sometimes quite dangerous, but tomorrow will be even more so. We are breaking into Levett Tech and attempting to secure paperwork related to a material called BioAgent 313. A bill of lading, to be specific.”

BioAgent 313. I think I’ve heard that name before. I quickly run through my brief time at Levett, but I can’t place the term.

Lisa’s still talking, pacing back and forth with her hands clasped behind her back. “We haven’t dared a break-in for years, but this paperwork is worth the risk. With the information held within, we can attempt to intercept the BioAgent shipment and stop the Organization from gaining control of it. If you can remember anything at all that will help us locate the bill of lading, you could mean the difference between life and death, not only for Cait’s team, but for many innocent people.”

My already worn nerves fray. I know I’ve heard of BioAgent 313. I rack my brain, trying to think, to remember…

The image of a young man in a filing room fills my mind, and my heart leaps.

I saw it myself, buried in a box of incoming shipment records. There were receipts for chemicals, explosives, fuels … and something biological. Something that sounded like it belonged in a spy movie.

The bill of lading for BioAgent 313. I know exactly where it is.

I swallow the dryness in my throat. “I’ve seen that bill of lading.”

Sam gasps. Lisa’s piercing gaze sharpens. “You have? Are you sure?”

I think so. It said Bill of Lading at the top.

“I am.”

Lisa sizes me up.

“New plan. I need your intimate knowledge on the front lines. With you guiding us, we’ll save precious minutes of searching. We can strike with precision, take what we need, and get out.”

I stare at the floor, fear razing my confidence to ash. I never expected to play such a vital role in this mission. It’s so much more than I bargained for.

“Mel, look at me. You don’t have to come to Levett Tech. I will never force you to risk your safety, but your knowledge could turn the tide for us. You can’t comprehend the importance of that bill of lading, or how much each second counts on a mission like this.”

Lisa adjusts her glasses. Takes a breath. “If the Organization gets their hands on the BioAgent, they will use it to harm others. Children. Help us secure the documents we need, and you will prove to me once and for all you are on our side. You will truly earn your place among us. Know this, though. If you betray us, if you alert the Organization to our presence, the rest of the team will have orders to end you. Immediately.”

I shiver.

When I first arrived, Lisa said I might earn the information I seek if I prove myself worthy. This is my chance, but I don’t know if I can take it.

I’m such a coward.

Shame wells up in my chest, its bitter sting coats my tongue. Mom and Dad died to help the Resistance, and I can’t do this? Families are counting on me. Children.

I will not run away. I will be brave, like my parents, and face this head-on. I will earn Lisa’s trust, like a true member of the Resistance.

And I’ll be back at Levett Tech, with a team of highly trained operatives to help me investigate. Perhaps while we’re there I’ll find more than the bill of lading. This is an unexpected opportunity to uncover the truth through a different avenue, if I’m strong, brave, and lucky.

Jerking my chin up, I meet Lisa’s eyes. “I accept.”

A small, almost wistful smile tugs at her lips. “Good. The team will meet in the lounge tomorrow morning at seven to hear your information and go over the plan. The mission will commence at ten in the evening. You are dismissed.”

With that, Lisa turns and strides around her desk, disappearing through a door behind it. I stare after her, the pop and crackle of the fire the only sounds in the room.

“Mel,” Sam whispers. “Are you sure?”

Slowly, I turn to him, conviction strong in my heart. “It’s the best way forward. And you’re right. I can do this.”

Though his brows pull together, he simply says, “Okay.”

The look on his face makes my insides squirm. Ugh. I don’t want to think about the enormity of what I just agreed to. Or what Tommy will say when he finds out.

I need a distraction, something so consuming I won’t have time or energy to waste on pointless nerves.

I need to train.

“Well, I’ll never get to sleep now.” I jump to my feet. “Want to grab an early breakfast? Squeeze in some sparring before our shift?”

Sam yawns as he stands. “Sounds good to me.”

After a quick bite of toast, Sam and I spend an hour in the gym, going over how to incapacitate an attacker should I find myself knocked to the ground. I still have much to learn, but Sam’s an excellent teacher, and I manage to pick up several new tricks in the short time we have.

Our shift in the kitchen drags. I’m dying to get back onto the mat, but I use my time as best I can. I run through fight sequences in my mind. Walking around the kitchen, I try to emulate the way Tommy moves—with liquid grace, smooth and silent.

After the dinner rush peters out, Chef Ari dismisses me, and I race back to my room to change. Dressed for a workout, I head straight to the gym, ignoring Sam’s pleas for me to eat something. I don’t have time to eat. I need to use every last second I have to prepare.

When tomorrow comes, I’ll be ready.