I’m not the only who’s excited. At the announcement, a current of anticipation travels through the room.
“This is a high-risk, high-priority mission,” Gray says, arms crossed to his chest. “One objective: to extract the Mods from the salt mine in Ice Canyon.”
He nods toward Saint, who pushes away from the wall and strides over.
“We’re assembling two teams,” Teriq says. “Saint and I will be the mission leads on the ground. Gray is our air lead. He and Luisa will handle transport.”
My pulse kicks up. I want to be chosen for this mission so fucking badly.
Teriq steps forward and asks, “Who wants in?”
Gray had mentioned that every operation is volunteer-only, and it’s fascinating to watch the process unfold. I’m not surprised when every single person in the mess hall flicks up their hand. I do, too.
“I need four for my team.” Teriq scans the crowd, then lists off several names. Mine isn’t among them.
Saint is next, those forest-green eyes sweeping over the group. “I need five. I’ll take…Henley, Neema…”
Each name that isn’t mine twists the knot of disappointment in my stomach tighter. I try to remind myself that they’re all more experienced than I am. They’ve been part of the network for years, some of them decades, whereas Uncle Jim kept me as far away from the Uprising as possible. Everyone here has worked together on numerous missions and built up trust that I haven’t earned yet.
“Orin…”
But I’m not some rookie, either. I’m a great shot. I can provide cover, backup. Maybe I’m not ready to lead my own mission, but I can certainly support one.
“Cillian.” The fourth slot goes to a man I’ve never heard of.
I can’t remember the last time I was this desperate to prove myself. All I need is one fucking person to give me a chance—
“And Darlington.”
I freeze, my gaze seeking out Saint’s. I’m worried I misheard him, but when he catches my eye, he raises a brow.
“Are you keen with that, Darlington?”
“Y-yes.” I’m stammering like a fool. I clear my throat. “Yes, sir.”
The room is silent.
“Saint,” Evlynne warns.
Even Teriq, who’s always been fairly neutral about me, turns to him. “You sure you want her? She’s green.”
“I need a gun,” Saint says. “She’s one of the best here.”
Pleasure floods my chest. At leastsomebodyhas noticed I can be an asset.
Teriq shrugs and addresses the operatives who were chosen. “Extraction team—report to the war room in an hour. We’ll brief then.”
As the group disperses, chatter once again filling the mess hall, I remain standing, still stunned that Saint is giving me a chance. For the first time since I got to the Dagger, I have a stamp of approval, recognition, from someone other than Gray or Xavier.
Before I can stop myself, I intercept Saint at the door. But I lose my nerve and end up standing in front of him, biting my lip.
“Yes?” He waits.
“Uh. Fuck.”
He doesn’t smile, but I swear I see the corners of his mouth twitch. “All right.”
“Sorry. I mean, thank you. I appreciate you giving me this chance.”
