The Tracker Hive Academy Year One - Avery Song Page 0,39
moment.
"He wanted more than just to bring you in," he declared.
"You really overanalyze," I complimented.
"Jade," he whispered.
"You shouldn't show emotion for a person you barely know," I whispered. "It can get you into a tricky situation."
"You're not one to pull a tactic like that. I think I've gotten a good enough feel for you to guess that much," he defended.
I pouted my lips in disappointment. "No fun."
He grinned then, giving me a playful wink. "I'll play your game next time."
"The man in question worked with some organization. Never got the details because I was too young. Needless to say, he's dead. Got killed in jail for grabbing the soap."
"Eww," Zackery mumbled.
"How?" Zion wondered.
"Can't fit two cocks into an asshole," Zeus predicted.
"Let's NOT picture that image, thank you very much," Zeke concluded, bringing his attention back to me. "Sorry."
"Hmm? Why are you apologizing? Wasn't the purpose of this exercise to test me?" I asked, glancing at the others, who didn't hide their discomfort.
"Yes, but we weren't given the whole context of the situation. The file given to us said you froze up when in pitch black scenarios, especially in change rooms. There was no mention of panic attacks or hallucinations," Zeus explained, his usual stern tone missing.
"I figured." I bobbed my head in understanding. "Seems as though the Council is testing both of us. Or should I say a particular Council member, one who really doesn't want me attending this school."
"If you listened to my story, I did state I'd been on the streets. That meant I was homeless, and Alaric is my foster dad. He took me in when I was eight. Another important piece of information they should have told you before sending four Trackers here to pretend to be students."
"How...did you..." Zion trailed off, glancing at the others.
"I warned you guys that those with a strong dark element were perceptive. You all laughed at me," Zeke revealed.
The others glanced away, and even Zeus was staring anywhere other than where we stood on the bench.
"Adult division?" I asked.
Zeke nodded. "Yup."
"Alaric hired you?" I wasn't sure about this part, but it was the most likely possibility.
"We're Trackers from the district in the next city over. Our boss is well acquainted with Alaric and the two have noticed some fishy activity going on behind the scenes. Sending us directly to track down the culprit would be difficult, so enrolling us in the very school that was being targeted was the smartest move."
"Hmm." I slipped my hands into my pockets. "So...whose stupid idea was it to try and persuade me to join?" I inquired. "I'm positive it must have at least sounded brilliant at the time."
Everyone looked at Zackery, who began to blush. "Why is everyone looking at me?!"
"Let me guess. Your original idea was to observe me from afar during the next four weeks, see what my purpose was, and determine whether I was truly an ally or playing double agent. However, you thought it would be faster to confront me on the first day, having encouraged the others to do some research, and thus leading you to privately ask for more information on me. After reading the small bit of information, you informed Bianca before your arrival that you'd need to investigate the change rooms, thus the reason why she asked me to bring you here."
"W-well, it was smart wasn't it?! We found out the truth, even though we kind of lost our cover," Zackery argued. "Okay, maybe it was a stupid idea..."
I grinned, hopping off the bench. Zeke followed, the two of us turning to look at the others.
"Seeing as we're all technically on the same team, why don't we partner up then? You guys weren't a part of my plans, but you’re fun to toy with."
"That sounds horrible," Zackery said.
"Bad idea," Zeus grumbled.
"Four Adult Trackers and a Junior Tracker," Zion summarized.
"Let's do it," Zeke approved.
"We didn't say that," the other three argued. Zeke shrugged. "You didn't say it with your lips, but I felt it." He tapped his chest.
"More like he's following his cock," Zeus snorted. "I'm going home."
"Wait for me," Zion called out. "Nice to meet you, Jade." His signature sweet grin returned, and he gave me a little wave before he followed Zeus out the door.
"Traitors! You guys sold me out like I was bait!" Zackery yelled out, then he looked back at me. "Glad we at least sorted this out. Have to admit, you're pretty cool in your own cynical