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“So, you believe you should evaluate on a Scarlet mission?” Grey asked, setting the teapot back down before lifting a matching silver spoon to dunk in the sugar. “Hers, specifically?”
Kazu clenched his teeth together, pulling his eyes from the books to look back at Grey. Instead of responding to the bait, he held back.
“Then, I am unable to comprehend why she wouldn’t be a good fit for this particular mission,” Grey said, dunking five spoonfuls of sugar in the tea. “Embyrlyn is one of the top of her class academically and —“
“That doesn’t always translate to efficient field experience,” Kazu said.
“Now you’re saying Embyrlyn isn’t good at field work?” Grey asked. The more Kazu spoke, the more Master Grey’s voice filled with doubt as he questioned the validity of Kazu’s statements. “She was recruited at fourteen and assigned to you since then. Once she graduated to Elite status, she became your equal two years ago, at seventeen, Kazu. Yes, you’re her captain, but no longer are you her teacher. You’ve watched her grow into the woman she is, and now you’re telling me that the various missions your team went on did nothing for her? Is that what you’re telling me?”
Kazu continued to keep every part of his body loose and macabre, but inside, his mind warred with itself. On the one hand, he wanted nothing more than to tell Grey that Embyrlyn was fully capable of handling herself in particular situations. There was no denying her strength and her physical prowess. In fact, sometimes, when he watched her during a particularly grueling training session, he thought he saw darkness in her, something that threatened to overtake her and unleash the power he recognized she had.
But it always fizzled out, and, on more than one occasion, Kazu couldn’t help but wonder if he had made it up.
“Even Embyrlyn has a blindspot,” Kazu pointed out. “And hers is the shape of Dade. I worry her usual efficiency will be reduced to heart eyes and pining if she knows what you’re asking her to do. She won’t…think rationally on the choices she has to make because she believes she’s doing to it bring Dade back to the academy.”
“Hmm.” Grey set the spoon down and brought the tea to his lips. He didn’t slurp it down, and when he finished, he set it on the saucer of the cart before turning back to look at Kazu. “What I’m hearing is, you’re more concerned with Embyrlyn and the implications of the Scarlet Scroll than you are with the mission itself.”
“The missionisScarlet,” Kazu pointed out. “You can’t untangle one from the other.”
“You haven’t even asked about what it would require from her,” Grey pointed out, lifting his cup once again.
“I don’t have to,” he said. “Knowing it’s Scarlet is enough to know the expectations.”
“Remind me,” Grey said, the corner of his lip flicking up. Kazu narrowed his eyes; that was never a good sign. “Have you ever been sent out on a Scarlet mission?”
Kazu flared his nostrils, blowing out a breath. “It’s my understanding they’re assigned to females unless specifically noted,” he said.
“That doesn’t answer my question,” Grey pointed out before bringing the tea back to his lips. Instead of drinking it, he took in a deep breath and hummed a sigh. “May I offer you some tea, Kazu? It’s one of my best brews, if I do say so myself.”
Kazu glanced over at the tray. Part of him wanted to reject him, to emphasize his intention to reject everything offered until Embyrlyn was removed from consideration in regards to the Scarlet mission. But another part of him didn’t want to be that obviously petty. He nodded once, hoping it was enough to appease both sides of him.
“Splendid,” Grey said, setting his cup back down on the saucer and lifting the pot once more. “I always find that I’m in a much better mood after a good cup of tea.”
“Tea isn’t going to change my mind,” Kazu said gruffly, shifting his weight.
“No, I don’t think it will,” Grey agreed nonchalantly. “But I do think it will help quell the edge to your inner wolf. I feel it challenging mine even though you stand slouching there like you couldn’t care less about the decision I’ve made in regards to Embyrlyn and the mission.”
“Is there a reason why Dade needs to be brought back?” Kazu asked, eyes watching as the liquid filled the teacup. It was almost hypnotizing, in its own way, reminding Kazu to be fluid and calm and steady, like a stream. “How can we trust him after everything he did, after what he might have done that we don’t know about?”
“Why do you think I’ve put together this mission in the first place?” Grey asked, lifting his heavy brows to lock eyes with Kazu for but a moment before setting the pot down. “We’re gathering information –”
“In any way possible.” Kazu didn’t bother to hold back. He should have kept it in. He was good at refraining from saying things he didn’t want to articulate. Losing control over himself wasn’t an option, especially not in front of Master Grey.
“Information is the most powerful resource one can have,” Grey said. “You’re not fond of sweets, are you Kazu? Some cream for your tea, then?” He perked his brows.
“I’ll take it as it is, thanks,” he said, taking a step forward and extending his arm.
Grey set the saucer in Kazu’s palm carefully. “You know,” he said, “if this is more personal –”
“Personal?” Kazu couldn’t help but interrupt. Twice now. He had to stop himself, had to do a better job of controlling his emotions. “On what grounds –”
“Embyrlyn is your only female team member,” Grey said, retreating to his desk after topping off the tea before taking a seat at his desk. “It’s natural as an older male that you want to protect her. Anyone in your position would do the same, especially considering your relationship with her has deepened since she passed over to Elite status.”
Kazu forced himself to drink the tea. He didn’t want to correct Grey and bring attention to something that shouldn’t matter, but Grey’s description of his relationship with Embyrlyn wasn’t accurate, and Kazu thought the old man did it on purpose. Whether it was to rile him up or to ascertain what the true nature of his relationship with Embyrlyn was, Kazu didn’t know. It didn’t matter.
“It’s not about protecting her,” Kazu said after another long sip. He pushed back the frustration, the anger, and smoothed it out, washing it down with the tea. “You asked me a question. Did I think she was capable of a Scarlet mission? My answer is no. I think she’s emotional, quick tempered, and blinded by feelings she still has, despite Dade’s disappearance the last three years. I don’t think she can separate who she thought he was and who she wants him to be with who he actually is. Her fighting capabilities are lacking for this type of a mission, and her logic wouldn’t hold a candle to her feelings.”
“Hmm.” Grey dumped more sugar into his tea, pursing his lips. “Well, that’s unfortunate to hear. As usual, I appreciate your candor, Kazu. I hope I haven’t kept you too long from your duties.”
