8:27pm, Thursday

HU: “Not all doctors are like that, and sometimes people other than doctors are like that. We are all human. Yet, sometimes, we view each other based on not who they are as a person, but what they are associated with. Which bracket they come from, who their friends are…even what Qui Duty they were born into…”

I re-read over the message. I still haven’t replied to it yet. To be honest, I don’t know what to say. Well, actually I have so much I want to say but I don’t know where to begin.

TU: “I have once again found myself in yet another doctor’s office.”

…No, I can’t say that. Like who cares about that?

TU: “I hurt my wrist today, so I’m back in the doctor’s office.”

Great Qui, that’s just as superfluous. I’m not even responding to what HU said… Claws for anger and a face for hate, Merged together in an ugly fate, For one so hideous, you cannot overlook, That there inside of you, it has its hook. The poem suddenly came back to me as if it were still on my neck. I started typing:

TU:

“Claws for anger and a ace for hate,

Merged together in an ugly fate,

For one so hideous, you cannot overlook,

That there inside of you, it has its hook.”

This was on my neck today just before I got the EPC removed. At first I thought it was disgusting and horrible, but maybe it’s not so far off from the truth…

To be me is to be fear,

To be me is to be hate,

So I hide,

I hide inside,

Don’t let it free,

Don’t let them see...

…see what it means to be me…

I paused, my hand hovering over the delete button. No one cares about this eith—

“Tash?”

My hand jerked to close my HOL as my head whipped up. “Kirosh..”

“Hey, what’re you doing down here?”

“I fell and hurt my wrist.” I held up my arm. “I wanted to make sure it was alright since we begin training tomorrow.”

“Oh…how is it?” He came closer to look at my wrapped wrist.

“Just a sprain.”

“Cool…”

“What are you doing here?” Still trying to calm down from being startled.

“I’m waiting for Roshcar to finish his work, and then we’re going over to Lena’s party. Want to join us?”

“Sure.” I hopped up from my chair. “Let me go get ready.”

“Alright. Let’s meet in the front of the Akademy at…9:30? That’s in about an hour.”

“Sounds good to me.” I hurried out of the room. Once I was safe in the elevator, I opened my HOL…

Message sent. Are you kidding me!

9:33pm, Thursday

Alright, time to go…

I quickly looked at my HOL. Still no message yet. Whatever, it’s better if HU doesn’t respond to that one. I look at my mirror for one last make-up check. Alright, looks good—

A light knock interrupted my last minute preparations.

“Coming,” I called as picked up my jacket and hurried to the door. “I was just ab—” I froze. There in the hallway was none other than Gary Hartfield. Behind him were the two other men I had seen with him before.

“Hello Tash, do you remember me? We met after you got your EPC removed I think.”

“How did you know that?”

Gary smiled thinly. “It was very rude of you to not tell me your name, you know. I would have gotten here much sooner if you had.”

“Let me go cry for you. Oh wait, I don’t care.”

“You should.”

“And why is that?”

Gary leaned in close. “Because I can get your Qui Duty changed to actually be in the Elite Bracket.”

“I already told you I—”

“Now, Tash, we both know you are from the Hanra Mistress House.”

I took a slight step back as a shiver ran through me.

“Now don’t look at me like that. I just want to talk to you.” Gary easily brushing past me and entered the room uninvited. “Falcon, Arko, see that we are undisturbed.” The two men nodded and closed the door.

“What do you want?” I asked, putting as much distance between me and Gary in this small room.

“Well, to be honest, I was hoping that we could come to some sort of arrangement.”

I stiffened. The word ‘arrangement’ to a Mistress carried a certain weight, and I was well aware of what it meant.

“This arrangement is not what you are thinking, don’t worry. If I wanted that, I would go to an actual Mistress, not one in training.”

“Then what’s the arrangement?”

“It’s quite simple actually: I will switch your Qui Duty to whatever your cousin tricked the system into believing if you do something for me in return, of course.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about…but just out of curiosity, what do you want me to do?”

“I want you…” Gary paused to sit elegantly in my chair. “To help me make Garett, your cousin, the next General of Gavi Quintar.”

I looked at Gary stunned. “General?”

“Yes.” There is was again, that strange affirmation that was similar to what was used today, but just not quite right. “Now—”

A shrill ring sounded, interrupting Gary. “What?” He snapped into his HOL. “Ah…I see. This is very good actually, saves me the trip. Yes, send him in.”

Garett entered the room cautiously. First looking over me, his eyes hard and wary, as if inspecting me. Looking for something. Finally, he turned to look at Gary.

“Good evening.” Gary rose and held out his hand. “My name is Gary Hartfield.”

Garett’s face broke into a congenial smile as he shook Gary’s hand. “It is an honor to meet you, sir. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“I came to talk with Tash about getting her Qui Duty changed.”

“Oh? To what?”

“To match what you’ve put into the Akademy system before anyone finds out what her real Qui Duty is.”

To his credit, Garett didn’t look phased at all. He just smiled. “You are very generous, sir, but I’m afraid I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Perhaps not. But the offer still stands. And, since you are here, I will let you know the terms of the agreement. I will switch Tash’s Qui Duty in the Qui Database if she helps me make you the next General of Gavi Quintar.”

“Me? A General?”

“Yes. As you know, the elections are coming within the next year, and if General Shaw is elected President, we will need to elect a new General.”

“True. However, I am still a Youngling. Only certified Jackals have the option to become Generals.”

“That is why this Training Program is extremely crucial for your continued candidacy.”

“I don’t follow.”

“As long as you complete the first year of the Top Six Training Program, which is specifically geared toward understanding the Government Sector, you can apply for the Jackal test. If you pass the test, you will become a Gavi Quintar Jackal, and, therefore, will be eligible to be elected the next General of Gavi Quintar.”

“So how does Tash factor into this?”

“Behind every powerful man is a powerful woman. All eyes will be on you as you go through the program. Other nations may try to recruit you. You will be limited in how much you can do. tash, however, can do the things you cannot.”

“Such as?”

“Gather information on your opponents.”

Garett’s eye raised slowly. “I can do that fine by myself. She doesn’t need to be dragged into that.”

“But she will if you want to beat Kirosh Trivar.” Gary’s eyes never left Garett’s. they never even blinked.

“…What does Kira have to do with this? He isn’t from Gavi Quint—”

“Actually, he was born in Gavi Quintar, which makes him a Gavi Quintar citizen. Birth nation trumps childhood memory nation.”

Garett’s eyebrows shot up. “Then that…”

“Then that would make Kirosh a General candidate as well, yes. And frankly, he looks better on paper since he came in first in the tournament and he has an established childhood in a respected town…You, on the other hand, have questionable origins.”

Garett narrowed his eyes.

“Don’t be alarmed. I am also willing to permanently change your record if you agree to become the Gavi Quintar candidate.”

“Again, I have no idea what you are talking about.” Garett smiled. “But, what information would you need Tash to collect?”

“The information would be on Kirosh, of course. But specifically, I will need her to collect some sample DNA for me.”

“Sample DNA? Like hair?”

“I was thinking more like blood.”

“What?” I asked outright. “How in all of Qui do you expect me to do that?…not that I’m agreeing to do it.”

“Who cares about that.” Gave me a perfunctory wave, but his eyes pierced into mine telling me: “Shut up. Let me do the talking.”

“No, she is right. It is a bit much to ask of a Youngling—”

“She can get it.” Garett interrupted Gary. “Why do you need blood?”

“That is not important at the moment. But I think perhaps we should start with an easier task.”

“Like what?” I blurted out before Garett could challenge Gary.

“I need access to his personal files.”

“So? Can’t you get them?”

“No, because on paper, he is still a Zuashi citizen.”

“And only I can get his password?” I asked unconvinced. Out of everyone in Qui, only I am able to get this information? You’ve got to be joking.

“No, but you are the fastest and least expensive option available at the moment.”

“Why do you need his family records?” I crossed my arms.

“Reasons that I cannot discuss with you as you are not a part of the Government Sector…you’re not even part of the Elite Sector.

A shudder ran through me. The sneer behind that comment was obvious even if Gary’s face was still smiling pleasantly. “I—”

“Can we have some time to think over things?” Garett cut me off.

“Yes, of course, of course. Just know that you are our first choice but not our only choice to be the candidate for General. However, if you decide to become the official General candidate, all this information will be shared with you, by the way.” Gary stood and straightened his coat. “If you need to speak with me, call this number.” Gary handed both Garett and I a small business card before walking to the door. “Either I, or my two sons outside will answer…Boys, come in here for a moment.”

Then two men entered.

“The dark haired one is Falcon, and the other one is Arko. When I am not around, they take care of things. You can trust them.”

“Thank you sir.” Gary bowed his head politely.

“It was all my pleasure. Have a good night to both of you.” Gary also bowed his head, although not as low. And then they were gone. Leaving the room in utter silence.

Neither one of us moved.

Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. “Um…

Suddenly, my HOL buzzed in my pocket. I fumbled to take it out.

KT: “Hey, where are you? We are at the front waiting.

Ishnik!...9:50 already?... “Um...Garett, I—”

“…This. Is. Great.” Garett almost shouted the last word making me jump. He broke into the biggest laugh I had ever heard from him. “This is so great Tash. Did you hear him? Did you? We can both get our Qui Duties changed. You won’t have to be a Mistress anymore!—”

“Garett…”

“—We can both be free.” He grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. “I thought for sure I had to wait four years…” he muffled voice tickled my neck. Then he suddenly took my shoulders and looked me straight in the eye. “But now it’s only one year. We only have one more year to go—”

“Garett…”

“—And I will be General…”

“Garett!”

“What? What’s wrong? We should celebra—”

“I-I have to go meet Kirosh. I told him I would go with him and Roshcar to the party.”

“Oh…this is good. No this is great.” He let go of me and took a step back. “Go, go.”

I didn’t move.

“What?” Garett asked, his eyebrow raising slightly.

“I…I don’t want to spy on Kirosh.”

“Why not?”

“…He’s a nice person, Garett. Anyone but him, please.”

“No is ever a nice person. Stop being so naive. Besides you don’t have a choice.”

“But what if Kirosh gets kicked off the team? Isn’t he the best option for gaining contacts?”

“Tash, you won’t need contacts if I become General. We won’t need any of them. Not Lena. Not Vera. Not Rena. Not Kirosh…none of them. We won’t have to do things to make them like us anymore either. Oh I can’t wait, Tash” Garett rubbed his hands together. “As soon as I become General, I will ruin them until they know what it means to—”

“What about Arina?”

“What? Oh, we won’t need her either.”

“What about me? Will you get rid of me too?”

Garett frowned. “Stop being ridiculous. You’re different.”

“Because of our contract?”

Garett took a step forward and lifted my chin to look him in the eyes. I could feel just how small I was compared to him when he did that.

“I promised you I would get you out of your Duty, and I will. So, if you don’t get Gary the information, I will. Your choice.”

“…Fine.” I scowled. “But I don’t like it.”

“As long as it gets you out of your Duty, I don’t really care.”