The four of us didn’t move.
We let half of our guards go in first, and only when one came out, giving us the all clear, did we move. Their job of a quick sweep was accomplished, shutting blinds, checking any food, yada, yada. We had been dealing with this for three months now. We knew the drill.
The other three went in before me, my steps slower, and I heard chairs squeaking as the occupants stood in greeting. My progress halted next to Pearl as I scanned the conference room where we were to converse and be stuck for an undefined amount of time.
First, my gaze went to the guards that weren’t ours. They looked professional, and overboard in number. Good to know we weren’t directly trusted. While we, at least, had an excuse for ours, having been previously attacked, they did not.
Second, I took a quick inventory of the individuals we were here to meet. I ignored the owners, identifying them by their pristine black suits, and their familiarity and proximity of one another. That left three men and two women, their ages seeming to range in the twenties.
The Mys Mage owner strolled forward with the Com owner, taking the reins, and held his hands out, stating, “Prodigies, it’s an honor to meet you and to have you here.” He bowed his head slightly, politely. “I’m Kris Terry and this is,” a pat on the Com owner’s shoulder, “Blake McMullen.” The Com dipped his head respectfully, saying much the same in welcome. Kris continued, ushering us farther into the room. “I’ll make the introductions, if that’s alright?” Yeah, like we were going to stop him.
He gestured toward the first woman. She looked like the youngest in the room. Brown hair, glasses, and a pencil suit, which appeared tailored so as to fit her small frame. She reminded me of a mouse. “This is Beatrice Brantley. Her father’s Senator Brantley. She’s currently enrolled at NYU and aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps once her schooling is complete.”
A hand wave to the next woman. She looked about twenty-eight. Auburn hair, regal features, and a lithe body. She reminded me of a giraffe. “This is Justice Francis. Her mother is Justice Avery Francis.” Ah. Explained her name. “She’s a lawyer, working toward judge.” Also following in Mommy’s footsteps.
The next individual was a man around twenty-eight, though when I saw his dark eyes I judged he could have been a little older. Black hair, handsome, and a muscular physique. He reminded me of a wolf. “This is Philip Masterson. Congressman.” No other words were needed.
An arm swing to the man standing farthest from us. Brown, curly hair, which looked like no matter how short he cut it, it would always have a tight curl. He appeared about twenty-five. He seemed really familiar and reminded me of a koala bear. I squinted at his slightly rounded face that had yet to lose all baby fat, which did not bode well for him. “This is Curtis Moore.” Oh. My. God! “The President’s son.” The newly elected, first-term President’s son.
The last guy was dark complected, had hawkish features — the animal he blatantly reminded me of — and was short for a Com man, but seemed to take up more space than he ought to. Dark hair, brown eyes, and slender. He looked around twenty-nine. “This is Arthur Lamar. He’s currently on leave from the Army, so he was able to attend today, but may leave early depending on how long we’re here for, since his wife just gave birth to their first child, Makalu, only yesterday. His father is General Lamar.” Oh. His daddy worked directly under the President. Any President.
Well. Dang. Furthermore, the most remarkable part was they appeared even more nervous than us. Guess we had better game faces. Either that, or I had too much Com in me, and I was the only Prodigy in awe. I kept it at bay, staying cool.
Kris introduced Pearl, Jack, and Ezra, but when he introduced me, I had their full and absolute attention. My picture still hadn’t been splashed over the news, only my name, so I was the new one they hadn’t seen before. Here I was, standing next to three extremely fine Mys specimens, and all the Coms could do was eye me, their shock poorly hidden. Perfect. Even Coms thought I was a freak.
Kris straightened his tie, hurriedly turning to Blake. Guess it was the other owner’s turn to take the lead. Blake nodded to Kris, and turned to all of us, saying, “Please, take a moment to talk amongst yourselves.” That was it.
It was enough, though. The Coms unfroze, moving around the table, professional enough in politics to quit gaping.
Justice went straight to Jack.
Beatrice straight to Ezra.
Arthur and Curtis beelined toward Pearl.