13 Chapter 12

My feet reluctantly found their way to the Head Instructors quarters, and I knocked lightly on the dark wooden doors to his office.

"Come in," he bellowed.

I breathed a sigh, pushed the door forward, and found my way to his desk.

"Good morning Head Instructor Einar," I feigned a smile, and he replied with a similar smile, giving Caeden a quick nod as he entered the room behind me.

Einar was a bold looking man, with dark features and sharp cheekbones. His eyes were deep set, and were a dark brown color to match his perfectly styled hair. He was straightforward and borderline cruel, he refused to wander around the point and preferred nothing but the truth. This made him a strong leader, but his lack of empathy caused people to remain loyal strictly out of fear.

But it wasn't just his looks and his attitude that made Einar frightening. He also happened to have the power of manipulation, and could make others do as he pleased with a simple touch of his hand. I made sure to never get close to him, in order to ensure that I would never be controlled by his motives. As soon as he lost contact with the person whom he controlled, their will would be returned to them. However, all he had to do was make them not want to stop touching him, and they would be a slave to his mind. With abilities as unpredictable as mine, being controlled by someone who didn't have the faintest idea of how to use them would surely be trouble. Not to mention someone who I had now officially categorized as an evil villain.

"I have a job for you, miss Acacia. Scouting team 7 has been having trouble moving a boulder that is blocking a large sum of resources, and I believe your skills may be able to aid them. How would you like to leave the compound?"

Leave the compound? I had never imagined I would receive this chance, and glee bubbled up inside of me as I hurried to find the correct response. I would have the chance to escape, and maybe even find my parents. I glanced at Caeden, but his eyes were fixed on the marble floor.

"Y-Yes Instructor. I would be honored." I replied.

My mind traveled to all of the conversations Dany and I had in the past about leaving the compound. This may have been my dream, but it was just as much hers as well. I couldn't go without her, and she was the only person I could trust fully at this point. I had to convince Einar that I needed her there with me.

"Instructor, I will need Danyra by my side. Without her, my abilities will not be nearly as manageable." I explained.

"Very well. You are to leave in one hour," he replied. "Ah, I almost forgot."

He beckoned me forward, and held a black, shiny tracking bracelet up, the same bracelet that Caeden wears every day. I made a point to avoid contact with his hand, and took the bracelet from him. At the click of a button, the bracelet fitted itself around my wrist, and sank its teeth into the underside of my wrist. I winced at the pain, but grew used to the bracelet within an instant. Great - now I would have to figure out how to get this thing off without tearing my artery out with it. I faked a smile, and thanked him for the opportunity.

"Is something wrong, Caeden?" Einar questioned.

My eyes shot in Caedens direction, and my heart slammed against my rib cage. This was it. The moment of truth. Caeden looked Einar right in the eyes, assurance supplanting his prior expression of unease.

"Nothing is wrong. I didn't sleep well last night." He stated.

"I expect you'll work on that?" Einar's eyes narrowed.

"Yes sir," he replied.

We shared a mutual look of understanding. Whether or not I could trust Caeden, he still had my back.

Head Instructor Einar dismissed me, but held Caeden back, most likely to present him with his next assignment. I rushed to tell Dany about our expedition, and about all the new information I had heard.