“To become a Warrior, you will be going against other trainees and Warriors as individuals and as a four person team. Dillon is on his way back. I’m having him re-transferred here. The initiation will be exactly one month from now.” Sloan’s voice left no room for debate.
“We’re going against Warriors?” Jill frowned, glancing at Slade. “I mean is that really fair since they are going to be training us?”
“You won’t be going against any of the Warriors here.” Looking at each of them, Sloan leaned back in his chair. “But it will be against some seasoned Warriors.”
“But it’s just an initiation, right?” Steve finally spoke up.
Adam watched the look Sloan and Slade shared. “I’m thinking it’s more than an initiation.” His eyes found Sloan’s, and in that instant, he knew he was right.
Sloan sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. “Maybe they’re not ready.”
“Well, maybe we would be if we knew what was going on.” Jill stood, standing beside Adam. “I mean, exactly what is going on?”
“You are going to have to fight and survive against seasoned Warriors. If you are caught during the team competitions, you could be tortured to give up your team’s base camp, secrets or whatever else they want to know.” Sloan’s voice echoed in the silence of the room.
“Survive? Torture?” Steve leaned forward from his chair. “We could die?”
“That’s not going to happen.” Slade stepped up to the desk. “We are going to make sure you are the best. You’ve already proven yourselves worthy to be considered Warriors.”
“But it could happen?” Steve looked over his shoulder at Jill and Adam.
“Son, we don’t let anyone be Warriors,” Sloan replied to Steve without actually answering his question. “You will be tested to your limit.”
“So as long as we don’t die,” Steve’s voice held a tinge of sarcasm, “we are Warriors.”
“Not exactly,” Slade replied. “You will be scored. If you score below the percentage, you will be sent on your way.”
“What’s the percentage?” Jill’s voice clearly indicated she didn’t really want to hear the answer.
“Ninety-eight percent,” Sloan replied, crossing his arms across his large chest.
“Ha! Ninety-eight? Thank God, it’s not ninety-nine. I mean, what the hell.” Steve’s eyes bugged out of his head as he turned to stare in despair. “I’m toast, guys.”
“No, you’re not.” Jill frowned, but her eyes showed her own fear of failure. “Why are we just now finding out about this? With a percentage like that, I’d think we’d need more than a month to be prepared?”
“As a Warrior, you do not get any warning because you better be prepared for anything at all times. Out there is no percentage, just death. If we did not feel you were ready for this, you would not be participating in the initiation,” Slade replied, his eyes burning into Jill’s before looking away to stare down at Steve, then finally Adam. “If a percentage scares you, then you best head out that door right now because you are not Warrior material.”
“We got this.” Adam nodded, putting his hand on Jill’s shoulder, his eyes never leaving Slade’s. “When do we start training?”
“Meet at the warehouse at six sharp,” Slade ordered without a trace of concern. “You will not fail. I won’t allow it.”
“Now, get the hell out of my office.” Sloan sat up grabbing his phone, but as the half-breeds started out of his office, he stopped them. “If I didn’t have the confidence in this team, you would not be here.”
Adam followed Jill and Steve out of the room after nodding to Slade and Sloan.
“I don’t know about you two, but I need a beer,” Steve sighed once they cleared Sloan’s office. “You coming, Adam?”
“Yeah, right behind ya,” Adam answered not really paying attention, but grinned once Jill and Steve turned their backs to him. The excitement was building inside him. He was so ready for this and he’d make damn sure his teammates were just as ready. They would not fail. Since being turned, he was finally feeling alive again, and maybe this is what he needed to forget about her.
Chapter 4
Sid stood at the stove cooking up a huge pot of his famous chili, but his eyes were on Lana. Everyone sat around talking about the initiation except for Lana who kept fidgeting. His eyes met Nicole’s who had also been watching Lana.
“Okay, you pigs, it’s ready.” Sid stepped out of the way, as Damon and Jared about mowed him down.
“Is this your recipe or Rachel’s?” Jared grinned, spooning himself a big bowl of the steaming chili.
Walking up to Lana, Sid ignored Jared’s smartass remark. “You better grab a bowl before it’s gone.”
Lana jumped, her eyes flying to his. She then smiled the fakest smile he’d ever seen. “I’ll get some later.” She sniffed the air. “It smells delish, but I’m not hungry right now. I ate at Mom and Dad’s.”
“No, you didn’t.” Sid frowned at the lie. “Which I don’t blame you, that sandwich looked nasty as hell. Caroline needs to take lessons from me.”