12
VALEK
As Onora threatened Janco with her knife, Ari stood, holding a dagger in each of his massive hands. Even though Janco was grinning, he’d palmed his switchblade.
“Save it for later,” Valek said, stopping the inevitable. “You can spar with Onora in the training yard tomorrow.” When no one moved, he banged a fist on his desk. “Weapons down. Now.”
Ari and Janco returned their knives to various hidden holders without hesitation. Onora waited a few heartbeats before slipping the weapon into her pocket. Valek noted a few other telltale bulges, indicating a number of hidden surprises. She wore the uniform Dilana had given her, but she yanked at the collar as if uncomfortable.
“Onora, you must learn to ignore Janco’s taunts. He’s testing you. Being quick to anger is not a desirable trait in my corps,” Valek said. He gestured to the empty chair. “Sit down.”
Ari remained on his feet until she sat. Then he settled next to Janco, who lounged back as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Except Valek knew better. Janco was far from relaxed.
“Ari, please update Onora on what we’ve learned so far,” Valek ordered. He studied the young woman’s body language as Ari detailed their investigation.
Onora perched on the edge of her seat. She listened with her head cocked slightly to the right and her hands clasped in her lap near another concealed knife. He hadn’t returned hers, yet she was well armed. Interesting.
When Ari finished, Valek asked, “What’s our next move?”
“Interrogate the smugglers, find out who their boss is and where their headquarters is located,” Janco said.
“Let one of them escape and follow him,” Ari suggested.
“Find another group selling black-market goods and infiltrate them,” Onora said.
All good suggestions. “It’s doubtful the location of their headquarters is still the same since the arrests. However, learning who is in charge will be a step in the right direction.”
Janco puffed out his chest.
“I also liked the other ideas. The three of you will work together as a team and implement them.”
Janco no longer looked so pleased. Ari frowned at Onora. They were going to be difficult about working with her.
“Your first team meeting is tomorrow after the morning exercises. We’ll meet in the training yard for a workout session. Then you can plan a timeline and task list for finding the smugglers. You’re dismissed.”
They stood. Ari and Janco left after shooting a couple of glares at Onora. She lingered behind.
“Yes?” he asked.
“You promised to return my weapons tonight.”
“I did.”
She didn’t flinch from his scrutiny. Cocky. He’d never been that cocky even in his prime. Then again...Valek had placed black statues he’d carved on his targets’ pillows, warning them just to make it more difficult to assassinate them. Very cocky.
“Well?” she asked.
“You actually want me to check my locked drawer and find it empty? So you can smirk over getting one over on me? Considering that you’ve already recovered your weapons, it seemed like a waste of time.”
Two small splotches reddened her cheeks.
Gotcha. “You shouldn’t have threatened Janco. That tipped me off that you were armed.”
Keeping her mouth shut, she nodded.
“Experience counts for more than you think.” Valek rubbed his chest, remembering when he’d hunted Ambrose, believing it would be an easy kill. “I know you don’t believe me. You won’t believe me until you’re standing here, facing some young hotshot determined to take your job.”
“Are you saying you’ve just realized this now?”
He laughed. “Oh no. I’ve been facing young hotshots since the takeover twenty-three years ago. You are not the first to challenge me.”
“No. I’ll be the last.”
“That has yet to be determined. Let’s see how you do working with Ari and Janco before I turn over my office keys.”
She moved to leave, then paused. “How...? What is the best way to work with them?”
Ah progress. “Listen to them. They’ve years of experience, but don’t be afraid to speak up if you have a better idea. They might not like it, but they know a good idea when they hear one. Even Janco. He’s used to listening to the voice of reason.”
“And that’s Ari’s voice.”
“Yes. Unless Ari’s being emotional. Then he can be very unreasonable.” Valek watched for a reaction.
Onora pressed her lips together. “Nothing wrong with emotion.”
He’d hit a nerve. “Only at the right time and place.” Yelena had taught him that. “But when Ari gets into his protective mode, he will rush into danger without a thought to his own survival.”
“Why is that bad?”
“Since you have to ask, I’m guessing that was part of the training you didn’t agree with Hedda about.”
“Emotion gives us strength.”
“At the right time and place.”
She shook her head as if he couldn’t possibly understand.
“It’s the reason you lost last night.”
“I lost because you cheated,” she said, anger stiffening her posture.
“Keep thinking that. Then I won’t have to worry about finding another job.”
Onora spun on her heel and left without another word.
Valek returned to his desk. Contemplating their conversation, he dug through the reports. Onora’s comment—emotion gives us strength—repeated in his mind.