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Inhaling as deeply as the binding around my breasts would allow, I realized not only had I dismissed his touch on my face, but I had leaned close in my attempt to suck more of that scent into my body.
It was him.
Something emanating fromhimthat I very much wanted to…
To what?
I was here to graduate. Shaking my head to clear it, I came back to my senses.
Once I collected my wits from God only knew where, it seemed he was willing to ignore my momentary lapse in judgment.
Not that he seemed intent on backing away. Instead, he grew conversational about his thoughts on my features. “It is rare for a hybrid to possess dark eyes. The majority of us possess the green shades of a vorec. You take after your mother. You could almost pass for human if not for these little secrets.”
The webbing, the scales, the lack of body hair, the talons.
But… what did my appearance have to do with any of this? Why was his voice so raspy?
Even more concerning, why did I feel a small tinge of warmth when he noticed how closely I resembled my birth mother? I had a secret pride that I shared features with the human: her straight, thick hair. Her dark eyes. The yellow undertone of her skin.
A way we were still connected, even if we could never be together.
Suddenly, it was as if the previous softness in his voice had never been between us. In his usual direct voice, he said, “Your medical records display an excellent adaptation to the vorec integration. You developed without fault.” My chin was set free, the general taking a measured step back. “Physically perfect.”
Wasn’t that the point of creating us? Physically perfect killing machines designed to keep the human population alive.
“However,” he continued, “you did not pass inspection.”
Because of the jacket?
I’d burn that damn jacket should it cost me the fog.
“But that is not why I am failing you. Private Lorieyn, your request for graduation has been denied.”
4
Astonishment crushing my composure to bits, I blurted out a high-pitched, “You’re failing me?”
No! I had done the math to perfection. There was no way my marks were not enough to skim by with a little wiggle room to spare.
Was it because I’d sniffed him? I might literally fling myself off the building if that was what ruined my life.
Before I could begin to babble, he expounded his brutal edict. “This farce of ineptitude ends today. You will repeat courses and submit to an extended syllabus of my choosing. Until you achieve top marks, I will not allow you to leave the academy.”
Devastated was not a strong enough description of what I felt.
Horror twisted my face into one of desperation, and I was ashamed to admit my eyes had grown wet. “Sir, I don’t understand. I passed every course. Completed every level of combat training. I have been defending humans against vorec since I turned sixteen. When on patrol, there has never been an incident or a casualty on my watch. Not one in six years. No other student in this school can boast such a record.”
There was no pity in that man. Instead, he sneered. “Your new duties will include assisting Weapons Instructor Dirum in training the youngest recruits. You clearly demonstrate more skill in the field than you’ve shown in your classes. There must be something to your technique”—he met my eye, daring me to object—“if a student of your lackluster marks has never let a human worker die on her watch.”
Damn it!
“And, did you not just admit that you enjoy the company of children?”
I did not offer a“yes, sir,” and it was noted by my superior, who waited… and watched.
Insubordination was not tolerated at the academy. But what did I have left to lose, when he had ruined everything I’d worked so hard to achieve?
Never argue with that man.
