“I don’t think that’s the case. You have lots of friends; you just can’t keep taking advantage of them.”
She wasn’t sure what to say. Between the lightheadedness swirling in her mind and the pain in her heart, she couldn’t focus her logic. It was a jumbled mess.
Edison’s tone turned harsh. “This was the last straw, young lady.”
“You’re not going to kick me out, are you?”
“No. But that day is coming unless you change. And I mean right now.”
She nodded, wiping the tears on her face.
Edison continued after a pause, changing his tone to one of compassion. “Look, I know you’ve had it rough. It wasn’t easy growing up in a place like this, especially after what happened to your family.”
“No, it wasn’t. But I hope you know I owe you and June everything. I love you both so much.”
“Of course I know. And I love you, too. So did June. That’s why we took you in. But that’s all history now. It’s not just about you and me anymore. There are others who depend on us. Whole families, in fact. We have to think about the bigger picture.”
“No, you’re right Professor. I’m such a total screwup. I’m sorry. I’ll do better, I promise.”
Edison shook his head. “It’s good to hear you admit it, but in the end, without real change, those are just words, my dear. Words we’ve all heard a hundred times before.”
“But they are true. I said I was sorry.”
He didn’t seem to care. “It’s become abundantly clear to me that protecting you all these years hasn’t helped you find yourself like I’d hoped. In fact, I think I’ve become your enabler. That was my mistake. You’re old enough now to start taking responsibility. So there will be changes. Immediately.”
“What kind of changes?” she asked, praying he wasn’t going to take her Seeker status away. She needed those visits to her safehouse, where she could relax in privacy and read. It was the only thing keeping her from going insane.
“Krista pitched an idea last night about a new training program. And I agreed. We’re going to assign a partner to you. Someone you can get up to speed as a Seeker.”
“What?”
“We think it’s best if you have a wingman for a while.”
“You mean a spy.”
“No, a training partner.”
“Doesn’t that violate the rules, Professor?”
“It’s only temporary so I’m sure The Council will make an exception. We need someone to help keep you focused and provide a little backup.”
“That’s a spy in my book. Or you’re trying to replace me.”
“It’s not like that at all.”
“Yes, it is. I know Krista doesn’t trust me, and now you don’t either.”
“It’s not about trust, Summer. It’s about safety. Everyone’s safety. Everyone matters and everyone must follow the rules. No more leeway. You hear me?”
Summer sniffed but didn’t say anything. She knew his words were true, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
“Look, I’m not going to be around forever,” Edison said, his words sharp and to the point.
“What does that mean? Are you sick?”
“No, I’m just old. Things happen. You need to stand on your own two feet. It’s time, Summer. It really is. I hope that someday you’ll want to take over for me and continue what June and I started here.”
Her tears resumed, dripping into her lap. She didn’t know what to say.
Edison continued, using his fatherly voice. “I know there’s so much more to you just waiting to break out. You have greatness inside. I just don’t know how to help you see it.”
“Maybe I don’t want to see it. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with.”
“You can handle it. I know you can.”
“That’s easy for you to say. But I’m not like you.”
“Yes, you are. You’re smart, you’re capable, and you have a great big heart. Everyone knows that. Those are big components of what makes a great leader. You just need to apply yourself and stop being so selfish all the time.”
Her tears stopped. She pointed at the door. “I’m sure everyone out there thinks it’s easy being a Seeker, but it’s not. Between Frost’s men and those Scabs, people are always trying to hurt me. You can’t expect someone to make perfect decisions every time. Sometimes a girl just has to react or run. Usually, there’s no other choice.”
“That’s why you need backup.”
“Don’t I get a say in any of this?”
“Not anymore. The decision has been made. Changes are coming. For your own good as well as Nirvana’s.”
“Who’s the spy?” Summer asked, thinking it was going to be another asshole like Wicks. Some behemoth who wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her.
“A young man by the name of Simms. And for the last time, he’s not a spy.”
A flash of golden blonde hair filled her mind. “Nick? Seriously?”
“I take it you know him?”
“Uh, well, sort of. Think I bumped into him once or twice,” she answered, realizing Simmer stopped her in the hallway as a precursor to being assigned as her trainee.
What had started out as a possible romantic interest turned out to be nothing more than a ruse. A ruse that just drove a dagger of reality into her chest, slicing off a hunk of her heart in the process. She should have known she’d never get that lucky. Not with a boy as hot as Simmer. She’d let her guard down and gotten stung.
What was she thinking?
Edison sat back in his chair with a grimace on his face.
Summer got the impression that his spine was hurting by the way he moved. Or he’d just farted. Old people do that and never seem to claim it.
“I’m glad you’re already familiar with him because he’s the one you’re going to train. However, before then, I need you to start taking your role as Seeker a lot more seriously. It’s time to learn what’s at stake and why, firsthand. To that end, you will be accompanying me and Krista today so you can get a taste of how serious this all is.”
“To the Trading Post?”
“Yes. We have a scheduled meeting with Frost and his crew this morning. It’s serious business with serious men.”
Summer’s heart sank. Someone in Frost’s camp was bound to recognize her. Plus, they had her Seeker Map and might tell Edison they found it on their side of the No-Go Zone.
If that fact came out, she was history.
Edison would never take her side again, on anything.
CHAPTER 29
Rod Zimmer waited for Security Chief Krista Carr to finish addressing her men regarding how to cover the Trading Post meet. Their load-out was complete, every man wearing winter camos, helmets, goggles, boots, and tactical vests stuffed with magazines. Each held an assault rifle close to their chests, slung into place with a shoulder strap.
“I need everyone focused today,” she said to the soldiers standing before her. She walked the line, landing a closed fist on each of their chest rigs, getting a “Yes Ma’am” in return as part of their pre-deployment process.
She stopped her pacing at the far end of the men, focusing on the group assembled there. “Remember the rules, Team One. No concealed weapons at the inspection point. Oh, and don’t antagonize those damn dogs. Not like last time. That’s an order.”
The men in Team One answered in the affirmative, their tone sharp and jaws stiff.
Zimmer had seen this all before. Krista believed in tradition, just like she believed in the rules. Prepping her men was no different. There were steps to follow. Words to say. Adrenaline to spike.
Her ritual wasn’t only to foster good luck. It was about channeling the warrior mindset. If a soldier wasn’t in the proper headspace, he’d find himself on the losing end of a battle.