Diplomatic Agent (The Empress' Spy Book 4)

by S. E. Weir

  Since then, he had grown very suspicious about any seemingly innocent agents. Agent Shaw had spoken of “obstacles” and other agents participating.

  He knew some of the other trainees had been caught already, including Jasper and Cade. He felt no sympathy for those men. They were honorless, self-focused, and lacking any concern for Justice and integrity.

  Kabaka was the youngest child of Bandile and Dova Annane and had been taught by both to value all people and act with care so he could be proud of his actions and be able to look at himself in the mirror every morning. It had been a struggle to convince them he could keep that integrity and join Spy Corps, but they had accepted that he knew his own mind. He wasn’t easily swayed by others.

  To Kabaka, those two trainees were reprehensible, and he had difficulty trusting that the agents in charge understood what sort of men they had allowed into the program.

  Still, it had given him great satisfaction to see them caught.

  Seeing the agents turn their heads as if searching while they talked also gave him great satisfaction in knowing he was right. They had to be involved somehow.

  Kabaka’s vision blurred suddenly. He closed his eyes against the sudden dizziness. The blur had tracked from right to left in his vision, almost as if…

  He opened his eyes and searched the room, noting that the blurriness was gone.

  Strange. It couldn’t have been an eye problem. He knew he had excellent vision. That would make it a problem imposed upon him by outside forces.

  Which led him to the fantastical conclusion he came to.

  The blur had been an unseen person moving from one side of the corridor to the other.

  But who—or what—could manage that?

  Felan leaned against the wall on the other side of the room, staring at Kabaka, who was staring at the agents. It amused him to see how wary the brilliant young man was.

  Of course, Kabaka’s wariness was justified. Having every agent participating in the task with a goal of distracting or waylaying the trainees was a tactic the sly agents who oversaw their training would use.

  Catching something out of the corner of his eye, Felan turned and saw a female-shaped blur that could have been Phina move along the corridor and stop behind Kabaka before moving on.

  He grinned. On the inside, of course.

  Phina’s movements and interactions since she had arrived on the base had been a source of interest and amusement to Felan. The young woman had spunk and a core of strength that drove her to find the answers she was clearly here searching for. What those answers were, Felan didn’t know, although he suspected it was serious and a matter of great secrecy since it was clear that not even the beta agents knew.

  Although... Both beta agents had altered their manner toward Phina recently, so perhaps one or both knew about her objective. Not that he would ask either of them.

  Felan was fine keeping his thoughts to himself, something his ex-wife had often mentioned to him with exasperation. Telling her he didn’t feel like sharing his thoughts with her so she could pass them off as gossip to her friends had probably been the final nail in the coffin for their marriage.

  That was all right with Felan. The woman had talked far too much for his liking. He couldn’t remember what about her had appealed to him, but perhaps the adage was true that opposites attract. More likely that they drove each other crazy in the long run, but that was his personal opinion.

  Sensing someone approach, Felan took his gaze off the wary dance Kabaka had entered into with the agents and turned to see Shaw.

  The trainer nodded in greeting and raised an amused eyebrow at the agents, who had been gradually spreading apart as they talked in an attempt to draw Kabaka in.

  “What’s going on there?”

  Felan shrugged. “An awkward dance between suspicion and futility.”

  “Huh. Sounds somewhat intriguing. Any particular reason you are not participating?” Shaw’s inquiry was curious but also friendly. They had known each other in the Guardian Marines before becoming involved in Spy Corps, and they had spent many hours over beers after training.

  The Wechselbalg gave the man a faint smile, which Shaw knew for him was the equivalent of a maddened grin. “Because I know how this exercise will end, so I might as well get my amusement in the meantime.”

  Shaw’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You have insider knowledge I haven’t given you?”

  Felan leaned back on his heels. “Let’s just say I’ve weighed the odds, and the odds are good that it will end how I think.”

  Shaw shook his head with a rueful smile. “And you know the odds because...”

  “Know the players, know the odds.” Felan offered his old mantra and glanced at Kabaka, who had turned his wary speculation in their direction.

  His old friend followed his gaze. “Think he’d stay if we walked over there? I’m assuming you’re accepting being caught.”

  “He’s too curious not to.” Felan nodded. “Told you, I know how this ends.”

  Shaw shook his head in amusement as they walked around the frustrated agents, who turned toward them and realized theirs was an exercise in futility. “This is why I recommended you, man. You have that uncanny knack of knowing what’s going to happen.”

  Felan shrugged. “It is what it is. Weighing the odds is a lot like predicting the future. Slippery as hell, but manageable if you know the players and the layers.”

  “Still remarkable.”

  The Wechselbalg remained silent as they approached Kabaka. The younger man glanced at the two of them uncertainly, ready to dash away at the slightest provocation.

  Felan gave him something else to think about.

  “Want to let yourself be caught so we can end this and finally see the show?”

  Kabaka was startled, then thoughtful, then he visibly relaxed. “Sure. Why the hell not?”

  Gaitune-67, Spy Corps Headquarters and Base, Office Area

  Jahlek gingerly opened the door and peeked out into the corridor. Not spotting anyone around, he slid out the door and down to the next one.

  He frowned when he met resistance and pushed a few more buttons on the device in his hand before trying again. The door slid open. Jahlek allowed himself a quick grin since his hands were too occupied for a fist pump before cautiously entering and closing the door behind him.

  He surveyed the office, which contained a large desk stacked with papers. Jahlek shook his head at the waste. He didn’t see any need for the human fascination with paper. Tablets and devices could do so much more in an easy to hold and store fashion. He gave the papers a cursory glance before slipping between the end of the desk and a potted plant.

  After a glance filled with envy at the beautiful katana and daggers displayed on the wall, Jahlek got down to the business of searching through the drawers. Not even a minute had passed before the quiet clearing of a throat came from the corner.

  Jahlek froze.

  He didn’t want to look but couldn’t help himself. As his gaze rose and met with the owner of the noise, Jahlek wished he had never gotten out of bed that morning.

  Alpha Agent Greyson Wells leaned against the wall in the corner staring at him expectantly.

  “Um...” Jahlek mumbled unintelligibly.

  “What was that, kid?”

  Jahlek’s skin flushed rosy pink under his fur. “Um...I...ah...I said I didn’t see you there.”

  The alpha agent flashed him a look that clearly said, “No kidding.” “Is that it?”

  “Uh, no?” Jahlek’s thoughts reeled as he searched his brain for a reason he would be going through the alpha agent’s belongings. “I didn’t know this was your office? I mean, uh...”

  “Well, at least you’re trying.” Greyson Wells sighed. “Lesson number seven: Always have a plausible reason for being where you are, kid. And lesson number eight: If you don’t have one, create the reason before you get there. Want to know why?”

  Jahlek blinked and scratched the back of his head.
“So I don’t freeze up?” he answered tentatively.

  Wells pointed at him. “Exactly right. The brains are oozing back now, aren’t they?”

  The Noel-ni had no chance to wonder if that was an insult before the man moved on. “Have your reason set in your head so that even if you do freeze up, you already have a handy reason to fall back on.”

  “Right.” That made sense and would have prevented him from looking like a moron.

  “Want to take your hands out of my drawer, kid? You won’t find what you’re searching for in there anyway.”

  Jahlek flushed again as he snatched his hand out and slammed the drawer shut. “I’m...uh, I’m trying to find those items with the symbol.”

  Alpha Agent Wells shook his head sadly. “Yeah, that’s not gonna cut the mustard. See, we know who comes through these doors and why.” He pursed his lips in distaste. “Well, someone missed Blayk, but he had his issues tucked down inside for the most part.”

  Jahlek’s ears perked up. That was something he hadn’t heard about Blayk’s unfortunate demise. Before he could wonder any more about it, the alpha agent’s next words caused his blood to freeze.

  “Rest assured, however, that our sources were very thorough where you’re concerned, my lad.”

  Deflect and distract. The actions that had been recently drilled into him thundered through his head.

  “I don’t know what you mean, sir.” Jahlek eased back, wishing he had a way to flee. Unfortunately, the alpha agent stood between him and the door.

  The man grinned. “Oh, I think you do, but don’t worry. You aren’t in trouble.” He paused, then spoke deliberately. “At the moment.” He stared at Jahlek to get his point across before continuing in a lighthearted tone, “We’ll have a little discussion later. Right now, I believe things are just about set for this evening’s show. Follow me.”

  Jahlek frowned as he hesitantly followed the man out of the door at his gesture. “Is something happening after the end of the exercise announcement? They haven’t said anything.”

  “Nope.” Greyson Wells spoke almost cheerfully. “That is the show.”

  “I’m not sure I’m following.”

  The human grinned, causing Jahlek to cringe. It still gave Jahlek the willies to see teeth bared that weren’t pointed and nicely sharp. Bared teeth were supposed to be a warning that the other was encroaching on your territory. These humans flashed their teeth at everything. Ugh.

  “Well.” Agent Wells unknowingly broke into his thoughts with another cringeworthy grin. “Phina’s undoubtedly going to be the last person caught. If I know my girl, she’s going to do something ballsy and clever.”

  Gaitune-67, Spy Corps Headquarters and Base, Assembly Room

  Savas fingered the hilts of his practice knives, wondering if he should fight Jack Kaiser and get away.

  “I wouldn’t do it.” The beta agent spoke calmly as he opened the double doors Savas hadn’t entered at the end of the dining room corridor.

  The large room beyond held the majority of the Spy Corps population currently on base. Murmurs and whispers combined buzzed around the room as Savas followed Jack up toward the dais at the front of the room.

  The trainees had been lined up in the middle of the platform to face the growing audience. They all had backpacks or bags on and had dressed in a variety of clothing between casual and what could be termed spy wear. As Savas scanned the line, he began to hope that he had been last.

  His hopes were dashed when he reached the end and realized that Phina was not among their number.

  Ah, well. He hadn’t really thought he would win, but it would have been nice. He stepped onto the dais at the beta agent's gesture and took his spot at the end of the line.

  Jack turned toward them and spoke so only trainees could hear. “Shaw and Masha are searching for Phina. Once they find her, we will continue.”

  Savas glanced at the door and was alarmed when his vision blurred for a few seconds. That had never happened before. Why was he having eye problems all of a sudden?

  He felt a slight tug on the bag on his back. Gripping his bag with firmer hands, Savas turned his head to see if Jahlek was messing with it. The Noel-ni glanced at him with a puzzled expression but didn’t appear to be interested in his bag, so Savas remained silent.

  After another minute or two, his right eye went blurry. He closed it, hoping no one would notice. Gingerly, Savas opened his eye again, but his vision seemed normal. Just in case, he decided to get checked out by Medical the next day.

  It hadn’t been long until Beta Agents Masha and Shaw came in the room, subtly shaking their heads when Jack sent a silent inquiry.

  The beta agent frowned and turned to Alpha Agent Greyson Wells, who sat in the front row, grinning like a fool.

  Not that he thought the man was a fool. No, no. Far from it.

  The three trainers glanced at the alpha agent occasionally as they talked, their voices low. Savas made out one phrase, a phrase he wondered if he had heard correctly.

  The EI can’t find her.

  Savas didn’t know everything EIs could do, but the thought that Shade couldn’t find one woman on the base was troubling.

  Jack Kaiser moved to the front of the platform and clapped his hands twice. The whispered conversations died as the agents turned to listen.

  “Seraphina Waters, if you are present, please show yourself. You have won the challenge for the last trainee caught.”

  Silence filled with anticipation fell in the room as everyone searched the room to see if she was there.

  After ten long seconds, a woman popped up in the back and stepped forward. Whispers began to grow again as the woman walked past the rows until she reached the front.

  It wasn’t until she stopped halfway between the audience and the dais that she spoke. “Present and accounted for, Beta Agent Kaiser.”

  Savas straightened his spine and craned his neck. It was Phina’s voice, but he hardly recognized her.

  He stared at the changes Phina had made to her appearance. She’d lightened the skin on her face and neck by several shades, and the contours of her face had been altered with makeup, making her face look entirely different. Her nose looked thinner, and her cheeks showed more sharply. Even the shape and color of her eyes was different. Her hair was pulled up in what Gina called a ponytail, a style he’d never seen Phina wear since she liked it either down or in a braid.

  Lastly, she wore the uniform of a full agent.

  Phina looked nothing like herself except for her height and hair color.

  Savas shook his head in wonder.

  She had already earned his respect since she had beat him in a fight several times. But now...

  Well, he didn’t feel quite so bad about coming in second place.

  Phina stood waiting in front of Beta Agent Jack. She could hear the whispers behind her, as well as the astonished gasps of surprise of the trainees in front of her.

  She heard the questions passing through everyone’s mind and put up a stronger mental shield that only let select thoughts through.

  Nice job, my dear. Shock and amazement are always the way to go.

  I don’t think your old pal Jack agrees with you, Link. Phina saw several fleeting emotions that confused her cross Jack’s face.

  He’ll get over it.

  The beta agent in question nodded and gestured for her to join the line onstage. “Beta Agent Masha will count your items.”

  Phina handed over her backpack. Masha set each item to the side as she counted, finally announcing the number. “Five.”

  Jack glanced at Phina and spoke softly, though she could still hear him easily. “Strange. I would have expected more.”

  She gave the agent an enigmatic smile and moved to stand at the spot next to Savas, who handed over his bag when Shaw held out his hand.

  “Five,” Masha called after counting and lining up the items on the table.

  Next was Jahlek.

  “Five.”

 
The Noel-ni was confused.

  The murmuring from the audience grew louder as the next few trainees handed over their items to be counted with the same result of five. The other trainees gradually became more intrigued and more surprised.

  Masha reached Jasper. “Two.”

  The room buzzed louder as Jasper protested, “Hey! I had more than two. I had at least six of those things before Gina took two for herself!”

  Gina and Nodin were pleased but confused with five apiece.

  Cade had only two, and his face showed both anger and confusion.

  Finally, Balehn had a total of five.

  Masha looked at Jack in confusion. “I don’t know how this could have happened, but they all are tied with five, save for Jasper and Cade who are tied at the bottom with two.”

  The whispers rose in volume, causing a buzzing within the room. Jack held up a hand and turned toward Phina, and the volume dropped again.

  Masha and Shaw watched from the side with curiosity and confusion.

  “How did you do it?” The beta agent’s voice was strident and demanding.

  Phina‘s expression gave nothing away. “Pardon?”

  “The items,” he responded impatiently, ignoring the agents’ astonished reaction to his harsh manner. “How did you redistribute them without anyone noticing?”

  She remained silent.

  He visibly took a deep breath and glanced along the row at the other trainees before turning back to Phina with a frown. “I know it was you.”

  Absolute silence fell in the room.

  Phina feigned sheepishness as she shrugged while turning her hands palms up.

  “Magic?”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Gaitune-67, Spy Corps Headquarters and Base

  Shaw slipped in between agents as they all talked together in groups. He felt the pulse of the music playing in the lounge spilling over into the library, a rare occurrence on the base.

  A hand grabbed his arm, and he swung around at the interruption. Jack stood to his right, tense with impatience and anger. “What the hell was that about, Shaw?”