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When everyone had runout of the suite, it felt immensely empty. I sat on a couch with Imogen. Her head lay in my lap as I combed my fingers through her hair. She’d been in shock since she realized what had happened and hadn’t said much.
“This is boring,” Pixel groaned. “Can we do something? That one guy is still here, right?” Pixel looked over her shoulder, but the menacing stare of Beau and Topher had her flopping back on the couch.
“We’re women; this is what we do,” Imogen mumbled.
“That’s not true,” Pixel said. “In my family, the women are the warriors.”
“Really?” Immy asked, sitting up with intrigue. “What’s that like?”
“Ask your cousin, or I guess we’re semi-cousins?” she mused, tapping her forehead in thought. “Your mother, was she a Costa?”
“No.”
“So, I guess through marriage, maybe we’re related. I was never good with how that stuff worked. But Enigma, she’s a Siren even if she pretends she isn’t anymore.”
“You?” Immy asked, a new look of appreciation on her face.
“I went to Siren camp. I didn’t graduate, so, therefore, I’m not a full Siren. It just wasn’t me.” I shrugged a shoulder, my hair moving at the gesture. Every time I saw the new color, it made me feel stronger. It had been a good choice.
“What’s Siren camp?”
“Well—” Pixel started, excitement filling her voice.
“I don’t think that’s an appropriate conversation,” Nat interrupted, eyeing me.
“I disagree.” Immy lifted her chin, some stubbornness coming to light. Smiling, I realized she was right. It was her choice. I hadn’t wanted it, but it didn’t mean it was a destructive path. Atticus might hate me later, but Immy needed to make her own choices as much as I had. She couldn’t be pushed into one life or another.
“I think Immy's mature enough to know.”
Nat glared at me but sat back, lifting her hands. “Fine. Your funeral, though.”
Pixel didn’t hesitate this time, jumping into the conversation. “So it’s like a boot camp and summer camp all combined. You come and learn skills of all kinds. They give you different tests to see where you would excel and then help you map out a path. I went tech, of course, and Enigma went seductress. Though, we all get some basic classes that are the same. Combat, seduction, tech, and spying 101.”
“What’s with the Enigma?”
“It was my code name,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Pixel’s one of the only ones who use them outside of missions. Her real name is Cleo.”
“Pixel just fits me better.”
“I think your hair is cool,” Immy said, smiling at her. “And your whole style. I don’t know if I’d ever have the guts to wear something so bold. I’m more of a blend into the background type of girl.”
“Oh, honey,” I said, pulling her close. “For one, you’re far from a forgettable girl. The dress you wore to the benefit was beautiful. I think it just takes time to find your style. Maybe our friend Stacy could do a session with you so you could figure out what you want?”
“Yeah? That would be awesome. I can’t wait to tell Jude.” She smiled, then remembered, her face falling. “Man, I suck. He’s been kidnapped, and I’m over here talking about fashion.” She threw herself back on the couch.
“Hey! None of that. I doubt he’d want you sitting here fretting over him. It’s easier to think of other things when you’re the one waiting. It doesn’t mean you don’t care. Okay?”
She nodded, but didn’t seem convinced. “Do you want to know why I didn’t become Enigma?”
Immy sat up, a curious expression on her face, and I let myself go back there, to memories long buried. “When I was about your age, maybe a little younger, I went to Siren camp. At first, I wanted to be a Siren to make my mom proud. But in my second year there, I realized it wasn’t for me. I was good at it, but I couldn't pull the trigger when it came time to do missions. Even when I knew they were fake, I couldn’t follow through with it. In the end, I knew I couldn’t be that person. Enigma was powerful, mysterious, and every man and woman’s dream.”
“So, basically, you became a version of that without having to combat people?” Nat asked, giving me a pointed look.
Scoffing, I shook my head. “You’re delusional.” A few throat clearings behind me had me turning. “Not you too!”
“Well, to be honest, Ms. Cami, I think you misjudge yourself. You’re a force to be reckoned with at Illusion. The customers love you, men and women alike. The staff enjoy working with you, and no one ever wants to deny anything you ask of them,” Topher admitted.
Biting my lip, I thought about what he said. Was that really true? Did I not see myself in the correct light? I’d always thought I had a good self-image, but maybe I’d been hiding the wrong things?
