Ava and Marc arrived at the Command Center in a matter of seconds. Bright lights reflected off the duplicate doors, lining up and down the corridor. It forced Ava’s eyes to re-adjust to this maze-like design. Some architects thought it would be a good preventative measure in case Primordial infiltrated the building during a ground attack.

Not a very useful one as the Prims could easily blow the building to smithereens.

Marc inputted the passcode. Few people were scouring the area, which meant all their attention was on the public parts of this building. Maybe they were having a last-minute celebration. Ava wouldn’t put it past the Council when they should be concentrating on the war.

The Council seemed to forget the abilities they had today originated from Primordial’s own DNA. How Earth’s scientists could only extract the lesser abilities from the Prim’s ground troops and not the upper class of their world since they didn’t enter the battlefield. At least they obtained immortality. The only reason the Council sat on their high horses, thinking they’d never die.

But even immortals could die. They were just harder to kill.

Heavy deadbolts unlocked one at a time, gliding out of their sockets without a sound as their tail ends swirled back into place. The door slid into the wall, replacing the silence of the hallway with the loud chorus of chatter and movements.

Everyone bustled about, shifting from one monitor to the next. Reports were being typed on their tablets, while giant screens displayed the remaining ten City Bases and communicators for those stationed in space. Their glass edges touched each other, making the room come together in a tight-knit quarter.

In the back of the hexagonal room sat a round desk, completely swept clean with only a tablet resting on the oak slate. Painted on by hand, the Earth stretched across the front with the words, The United Federation of Earth, circling it.

Gregori sat back in his black leather chair fit for the Chief Commander, gloved hands twined together in contemplation. His salt and pepper hair blended with the background, his dark uniform hid him in the shadows and the dimmed lighting above.

He was the closest Ava had to a father figure. Caterina, Ava and Gio’s mom, only filled so many roles, and the places she couldn’t, Gregori stepped in. At a young age, he trained Ava, taught her how to use a sword and how to kill. Most said she was lucky to have him in her life, others pitied her because sometimes he could be a heartless man.

As she approached, Gregori stood from the desk and grinned. Aged wrinkles formed around his face from the melancholy eyes to the corners of his scarred top lip. Ava forgot how old he was sometimes, especially when he smiled. He always had this youthful facade of a silver fox nearing his fifties.

“It seems like every time we meet lately, you’re always getting into trouble with the Council,” he said, having that savory whiskey feel to it.

Placing both hands on her hips, Ava tried appearing confident. “I get in trouble just for leaving the city. Being the General, I shouldn’t have this limitation set on me.”

His large hand cupped her face. It was gentle, callused, and made her feel like a child. “Give it time, my dear. In a few more years, you won’t have to worry about such a thing.”

She never let her thoughts wander on his statements. Questioning the Commander was an emotion she learned to control over the years. Sometimes it was better to remain ignorant with these kinds of dealings.

“Where’s Joshua?” he asked both of them, more so towards Marc.

Marc side eyed Ava. “He’s training Gio out in the Ruins.”

Gregori hummed, rubbing his chin in contemplation. “I’d hoped he would attend today’s summoning, but I should’ve known this was asking too much from him.”

Like everyone else in this war, Josh had lost loved ones. He grew up an orphan, living in the dorms with his older sister. But when she was sent on a mission to sneak onto a Primordial Warship, her whole unit was killed. The Prims sent body parts back one after the other as proof of their failure.

Josh always blamed the Council for her death.

Gregori directed Ava and Marc through the only door leading further into a dark tunnel. Dim lights flickered on overhead. It was too quiet as they walked down the hallway. Every time Ava came through here, it brought back memories of her tests. When the scientists tried to find out why her body was so special and what was wrong with her.

No matter how much they poked and prodded her, they found nothing.

Another door opened, screams filled the corridor—traitors of the UFE. The room smelled of sweat and bleach. Ava could taste the chemical on her tongue. An interrogator injected more serum into a struggling man’s arm. His eyes bulged, drool dribbled over his chin. Blood splattered on a two-way glass as they passed by. Every inch they made towards the next room over was like watching rats being tested—they might as well be.

Three abilities. That was all the human body could sustain before going catatonic.

For Ava, it was different. She was created from scratch and born in a laboratory. The scientists chose her abilities carefully, picked ones that enhanced her combat skills and didn’t interfere with her weapon. If they’d lived through the rebellion, then maybe there’d be more Ava’s. One that wasn’t broken.

Her hand tightened to a fist. She needed to find her birth record before the Council got a wild idea and dissected her.

The traitors’ screams died as they entered the main room. Gregori stopped at a set of iron doors, fastened with impenetrable metal that weighed far more than any door should, and as high as the ceiling could withstand. As if they weren’t heavy enough to paralyze Ava, the groans and harsh grinding metal penetrated her ears when they opened.

The Council believed these doors would protect them from the outside world, forgetting their enemies came from space and within.

Marc knocked Ava’s hand with his, an encouraging gesture, trying to keep her out of her head. Giving him a small smile, her pinky finger wrapped around his. It was so slender, matching the feminine appeal of his looks, and felt rebellious, touching him this close when Gregori could catch them.

They were greeted by darkness. A cold chill wafted from the black abyss. Ava let Marc’s finger go to step around Gregori. Back when she was a child, she tripped the first time she entered this room, but today, she entered with confidence, knowing exactly where to step and stand on the center stage.

Beams of soft light flashed up from the floor, encircling Ava around a sunken podium. They created a barrier between her and them, blocking out her abilities to make sure they were safe. They may not bleed Ava in this room, but it might as well be considered another form of interrogation.

One by one, their faces became undisguised by the darkness and illuminated from their personal high thrones. As Gregori and Marc stood off to the side, the Councilor who sat on the center throne struck down three times on his armrest. The mallet shook as he spoke Ava’s title with crude distaste. “Earth’s General, do you hold truth to the pledge of the UFE?”

She could barely make out his white hair and wrinkles, but the gown of the Head Councilor showed enough. He prided himself in mimicking a king’s attire from when monarchy existed in his British realm.

“And to the Council of Seven, I do.” Ava gave a modest bow, too modest in her opinion.

They were only on the Council because they were in political high power at the time of Earth’s collapse and the beginning of the Interstellar War. Gregori said they’ve been around too long and should just retire. Ava couldn't agree more.

“How have you fared, Earth’s General?” The voice of an older woman with a tinge of sophistication came from the left second pew. The times Ava had seen her, she reminded her of a venomous snake, slinking around under medieval clothing a queen would wear.

Ava held her head high. Show no weaknesses, as her mom always said. “I’m great. Could be warmer, but great.”

A lower voice softly chuckled off to the right, sounding more like a young man in his late thirties than a wise elder who has been around for over a hundred years. “Don't try playing us for fools, girl. You know why we’ve summoned you here.”

“I believe I don’t, sir.” It was better to lie, then get into trouble for something else.

He took the tablet out from his side. Light glowed up his youthful face, his dirty brown eyes appeared cold and dead. They were nearly as black as the turban wrapped around his head and the UFE military uniform he wore.

With the swipe of an index finger, a list visibly scrolled through the screen. “Recklessly endangering your guardian. Using your guardian for personal gains. Attempting to break into an abandoned facility deemed unsafe. Killing demons outside jurisdiction. Using your weapon on said demons without notice. Leaving the city without authorization.”

The young man stopped, resting his eyes on Ava. “These demerits are just for today. Would you like me to read more?” he asked, his challenging smile tempted her to do so.

“I think we get the picture,” the Head Councilor murmured, waving the air with disinterest. “What say you, Earth’s General?”

They knew why she went. They knew Ava was searching for her birth record. But they didn’t care. They just wanted to watch her quiver under their hands, and she wouldn’t let them have that satisfaction. “I say Gio is also my brother, so that shouldn’t count against me.”

“Don't mock us, girl!”

“She won’t even attempt to apologize for her wrongdoings anymore.”

“She lacks discipline. Traitorous. Failure of this nation!”

“When is she not failing?”

“With discipline comes perfection, and with perfection comes the key to great success.”

“If you wanted perfection, then we should have created a robot instead.”

“It would have been much more resourceful to use robots like the Martians.”

“That name is forbidden from this room!”

“Oh, get over yourself.”

“Silence!” The older woman stood tall with regalia emitting from her confident posture. She slinked over towards the lights, her gown dragged across the cracked tile flooring. She gazed down with such menace, Ava swallowed when their eyes met.

“Since it seems our punishments have gone for naught, we have taken a different route with things and assigned you two new guardians to replace the first one. Maybe this will finally teach you what discipline really means.”

A monitor clicked on. The Council members were finally exposed, showing their various shades of skin as they washed out from the blinding light above. Ava’s instincts told her not to turn around, but out of curiosity, she did.

She shouldn’t have looked.

A pair of brown eyes stared back at her. Their black hair, their sunless skin, and the way their mouths curved up the corner of their sharp cheekbones into a mischievous smile; everything about these two pictures were identical in every way possible. Ava almost believed it was a fake. That maybe the Council was trying to play a joke on her because there was just no way this could be true.

Her new guardians were identical twins. Worse, they were Marc’s cousins.

“We have renegotiated terms with Amaranthine and have come to an agreement. These two boys, Prince Samyr and Prince Mikaela, will be your new guardians. We hope for the safety of our planet and our continued alliance, you will cooperate.”

After Mars abandoned Earth, Amaranthine was the only planet who came to their aid during their time of war. They were an old race, older than Earth’s creation, which held many traditional values and conservative views, including a royal bloodline.

The Ama also had the ability to use koto, a magical ability humans could only see and never possess, which they made efforts to keep secluded to their gene pool. It was a distinct trait that would help Earth win the war against Primordial. So Ava could understand why they wanted them as her guardians, but even so, this didn’t change her opinion.

This was absurd.

She tightened her fist, trying to ease away the painful memories wanting to resurface. “I refuse. I don’t need any more guardians. I especially don’t need any Ama princes as my guardians. Gio is enough.”

“You say this when Marc is their Crown Prince.”

That didn’t matter. They grew up together. Marc was there when she lost control. He had more combat experience to deal with the situation if it happened again. They couldn’t bring in new guardians and expect it to all go away. There had to be a way to stop this.

“Unless there’s perhaps another reason for turning them away,” the snake woman said, knowing full well there was. They all did.

Ava stared each of them down, finding the look of anticipation on their faces. They were expecting her to rebel, to throw a fit or lose control. Anything to be rid of her.

“Tell us why you don’t want them here.” The Head Councilor leaned forward in his chair, staring Ava down with those eyes full of hate. “Say it!”

Her body flinched. She’d rather be beaten and drained of her blood, then be in this room right now. They wanted to see her break. They wanted her to cower. So she stood tall, and they didn’t like her confidence.

“Because I killed my first guardian, what if I lose control of my abilities and kill them, too?” Ava said, meeting every Council members’ filthy brown eyes.

“But that’s not the reason you’re being punished,” the young man said, drumming his fingers on the armrest. “What you mean to say is: what if I disobey my orders—again?”

The older woman chuckled. “We have discussed those possibilities during our meeting, and agreed that since they’re at a lower ranking for the throne, there will be no repercussions.”

“And,” the Head Councilor drawled, “they're sixteen. Adults on their planet already. They are perfectly capable of making their own decisions. If they decide not to help you, then so be it. They will receive no punishment for it. Now is there anything else we can answer or are we done here?”

If they haven't turned seventeen yet, then they didn’t have the ability to heal. They haven’t started their transition into immortality. That was even worse. Damn. It didn’t matter what Ava threw at these old geezers, they’ve already had a meeting with Amaranthine. They settled everything before she could have a say in the decision. Typical.

The Head Councilor cleared his throat, a grimy cough. “If there are no other further questions, then you are dismissed. Gregori will update you on all your guardians’ information and prepare you for their arrival tomorrow afternoon.”

Ava’s hands shot out. All manners were out the door at this point. “If they're not seventeen, then they don’t have healing abilities, yet. They will be killed in an instant. How are these boys going to be my guardians when they could easily die!”

“Then you'll just have to protect them.”

“But that contradicts everything I’ve just said. I'm not supposed to be protecting anyone. Especially not my guardians. I'm supposed to be protecting the Earth!”

“And you have nothing to show for it!”

He slammed the mallet on the armrest. Ava jumped and showed a glimpse of weakness. “Don't forget who brought you into this world, Earth’s General. We could easily take you out. We own your life. You have no say in the matter. This decision is set and will be effective immediately tomorrow. Do not tempt me to add to your punishment!”

“Maybe she needs a reminder of what happens when you disobey.” The snake woman leered with her blood painted lips. Just those mere words sent cold shivers through Ava’s body and fists at her side.

She sucked in her pride and bowed for them once more. “That won’t be necessary.”

Their eyes stared Ava down, judging her for everything she was worth. An object. A broken piece of property, that was all she ever heard. They ignored the good and only focused on the bad. And no matter how much she told herself their opinions didn’t matter, it still got to her more than she’d like to admit.

“Good. You are dismissed.”

Ava left before waiting for Gregori or Marc to follow behind. They sealed her fate. Two new guardians. Two more princes. Twins just made it worse.

The snake woman said these twins would replace Ava’s first guardian, but no one could replace him. Junipea was Ava’s best friend and now his death weighed heavily on her shoulders. She’d never forget it. The day he died in her arms. The moment life left his eyes.

Junipea’s death would always haunt Ava.

“Ava! Wait up,” Marc yelled from outside the Council’s doorway. She was already heading out of the interrogation room and into the dark hallway. Ava just needed to get away from that room, away from here, away from those people, and clear her mind. She built her walls back up.

He caught her wrist, gentle yet hesitant. “I never knew.”

Ava took a deep, steady breath.

“I know. You would’ve told me right?” she asked, but she wasn’t sure if he would. Sometimes Marc liked keeping secrets because it gave him the upper hand.

His grip tightened like he was afraid of letting her go. He gave her a pitiful expression. She hated that look. “Ava, if I had known, they wouldn’t be coming here. It’s too dangerous for them. They shouldn’t be a part of this war.” He sighed. “I don’t know what my grandfather is thinking.”

This need to hug Marc overwhelmed her. She wrapped her arms around his torso, embracing him as he held her close. His warmth was relaxing. The idea this would eventually end had tears welling up in the corner of her eyes. She kept them back. Crying wouldn’t change anything. It wouldn’t bring Junipea back.

Marc rested his chin on Ava’s head, pressing his lips into her hair. “I’ll go home and have a talk with my grandfather, but it might take me more than a day. You know he isn’t one to be easily persuaded.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just lock myself in my room until you get back,” Ava mumbled against his chest, attempting to laugh. It came out forced.

His soft chuckles eased away her pain. “You should at least try to get along with them. They’re my cousins after all.”

She wanted to agree, but she couldn’t. It was hard to even think along those lines because they shouldn’t be coming here. They could get hurt and she didn’t want to lose another guardian from the choices she made. Ava couldn’t let that happen, again. She had to find that birth record and fast.

“Take me home.”