GREY

It was quiet amongst the team as we walked back into Society Headquarters. The flight back had me exhausted and jet lagged. I knew soon as my head hit my pillow, a deep sleep would instantly fall upon me.

I had to head to Vera's wing to discuss Mission Eleven's outcome and I tried to let that feat soak up my thoughts. Anything really, anything that wouldn't let me be reminded of what happened between Xander and I.

It was too dangerous for me to reminisce.

After he kissed me, our darkened silhouettes stumbled across my room, until my back was against a wall.

However it was short lived, because my conscience kicked in and I realized what was happening. I pushed him off of me and covered my mouth in shock.

We vowed to each other that it never happened, it was a one time thing. We have to forget. I'd be lying if I said it was easy. I couldn't forget the stupid light fluttery feeling in my stomach when his lips touched mine.

But I have to, and I know I will eventually.

"Grey," Vera called my name with a soft evil tone when I entered her office.

"Your Highness," I grumbled.

"You just can't do anything according to my wishes hm?" She sat back in her chair.

"Well you should've thought of that before you put me in charge of a mission," I shrugged.

She nodded slowly, shaking off her annoyance toward my defiance, "You're sister wants to see you . . . make it quick."

I walked toward her desk, planted both hands at either side and leaned in slowly, "You're not gonna put a restriction on how much time I get to see my little sister, who you just keep in her room all day!"

"Keep testing my patience Grey," She shook her head. "Keep testing me and see where that gets you, because I know you don't wanna go back."

Solitary Confinement.

"Now get out," She barked. I slammed my hand on her desk and stalked out of her office.

I lightly knocked on Violet's door and she opened it with a radiant smile.

"Rey! You're here!"

I bent down and pulled her into an embrace, "I'm here."

She pulled from my hug and took my hand, "Come on I wanna show you something."

She took a folded piece of paper from under her pillow and handed it to me. I unfolded it to see a large number written in pencil.

"What's this number mean?"

"It's the number of days I have left until I can train!" She threw her hands up excitedly. I pressed my lips in a thin line and stared at the number with an intense, concerned frown.

"Rey, I can't wait until I start to train and become an Agent . . . just like you and Jett," Violet was innocently inspired.

It broke my heart to how much our twisted Aunt got into her head. How much influence Society has had on her, on all of us really.

I bent down and gave her another hug. I stroked her long silky brown hair. We're going to be out of here well before she turns eighteen.

And that's a promise.

*

3:42 AM

"You're late," Slight annoyance was intwined into Kimber's voice as I sauntered into the layer.

"When is she not," Grant breathed in a sing song voice, eyes focused on his computer screen.

I laughed lightly. Coming down here was always the highlight of my day.

"Ok," Grant got up from his seat enthusiastically. He rolled the transparent writing board closer to Kimber and I.

"Vera updated the Project X file," Grant told us. He uncapped the marker resting on the little ledge of the board, "Here's what we know."

Kimber came to my side, handing me a cup of tea with her eyes trained on the board.

PROJECT X : STATE CODE OF HONOR, is what Grant underlined in the vibrant white marker.

Kimber and I exchanged puzzled expressions. Grant continued to write :

1. Trackers installed in every person with mandatory barcode.

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

As Grant wrote I walked to his open laptop and skimmed over the updated Project X file. There were so many components to it. She's had to have been working on it for years. 

Grant capped the market and spun to face Kimber and I, "Now to what I surmise, these are going to be the new laws."

"So it's basically an updated version of the Honor Code we have now," Kimber concluded with folded arms.

"Exactly," Grant replied. I got up from my seat and walked to the board.

"Lemme see this," I mumbled, taking the marker from Grant's hand. "There's something called Silver Protocol."

"Oh yeah I saw in the file too," Grant said.

"What is it?" Kimber asked. "Isn't that a movie?"

"That's Mission Impossible's Ghost Protocol you dummy," I corrected in a huff.

Grant snorted.

"Oooh," Kimber drawled. I shook my head with a growing smile. I underlined Silver Protocol  adjacent from Grant's writings on the board.

Silver Protocol

assassinator - A.V
date - tba

I faced Grant and Kimber. "So Silver Protocol is phase one of Project X, which is the-"

"Assassination of the President," Kimber finished.

"Right."

"So we need the specifics of the protocol so us and the rogues can stop it," Grant added. Kimber departed from the group and went to her laptop on the table.

"Yeah, but here's where we hit a wall. We don't know who A.V is or when it's gonna happen," I said.

"Oh you're right," Grant agreed. " A.V is the variable."

"The missing x," I nodded.

"Guys," Kimber called. Grant and I walked over. Pierre was on her computer screen, smiling at our appearance.

"Well the gangs all here," He applauded slowly. 

"All here," I confirmed, switching my eyes from Grant to Kimber.

"Let's get down to business," Kimber sat down and Grant pulled over a chair to sit in as well.

"Vera updated her file on Project X," I began. "It's her plan to . . . take U.S into her power using Society's standards."

"Phase one is called Silver Protocol," Kimber continued. "Which is the assassination of the President."

Pierre lifted his brows in surprise.

"And she plans on using Society Agents as reinforcements so to speak, to keep the citizens from rebelling on that day. Anyone who tries  . . . dead," Grant added.

I frowned and swiveled my head to him, "You never mentioned that."

"I  thought you saw it in the file."

"Quel gachis," Pierre sighed, running a hand over his face. "One of you need to send me that file."

"I can send it and make sure the transfer is untraceable," Grant assured.

"Good," Pierre nodded. The screen began to glitch a little, making his words choppy and difficult to understand, "So . . . what do you guys have in mind as far as a plan?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out," Kimber answered. "We don't know who or when she's going to initiate the protocol."

"Alls we have is a pair of initials, A.V," I told him.

Pierre sighed, "Ah man."

Grant clucked his tongue, "Pretty much."

"I think you guys should come down to the Rouge House here," Pierre proposed. "That way we can all put our heads together."

"Yeah because we can walk right out door like 'bye Vera, we're going to France to scheme against you we'll be back before dark!" I deadpanned with sarcasm.

"Well just one of you come down here then, how bout the princesse," He mocked.

I held up my hand, "Ok don't call me that."

"Really?" He questioned in a challenging voice, "Bec-"

"Focus please!" Kimber cut in. "How is one of us supposed to get to the other side of the world without Vera finding out?"

"Fake your death," Pierre shrugged. Kimber, Grant and I exchanged skeptical expressions.

"How are we gonna do that?" I asked.

" . . . Well I have a serum that drops your heart rate to an undetectable beat so it seems like you're dead. Usually kicks in when there's an injury to the body," Grant seemed to have reluctance saying that sentence. "If we were to do that."

"See," Pierre gestured toward Grant. "There you go."

"But there's an easier way," I pointed out.

"And what is that?" Pierre queried.

"Take me as hostage. Just like you did with Xander."

"Grey. No," Grant disapproved.

"Why? It's perfect. It'll look like another act of retaliation toward Vera. I mean I know I can only be there for a limited time, but we can start getting some planning done as a team."

"She has a point," Kimber titled her head with a shrug.

"I have to go but I'll . . . think about that," Pierre hung up before anyone one of us could reply. The three of us were in silence for a few moments.

Even though we were stumped on creating a plan, my confidence still stood tall. Once we fully unite with the rogues in France, there will be no stopping us.

"Welp. I'm callin' it a night," Kimber yawned as she stood from her seat.

"Not much time for any shut eye," Grant glanced at his watch as he stood up.

"Goodnight y'all," Kimber bid us a good bye. Grant and I offered her a goodnight as well, in our soft sounding fatigued voices.

"I don't like that plan," Grant shook his head.

"Why? That's the easiest way."

"And potentially the most dangerous, what if something goes wrong," He replied with concern.

"Then I'll handle it. You know I can," A smile pulled at the corner of my lips. "I'm Grey Liara."

"Yeah because I didn't know that," He sassed playfully. I swatted at his arm and he laughed.

"You totally ruined that iconic line," I shook my head.

He laughed at the ground, sliding a hand to the back of his neck, "You sound like Candice."

My smiled slowly melted away, and so did his.

" . . . Do you ever think about her?" I asked hesitantly.

"Everyday."

"Well maybe one day after Society is gone forever . . . you'll see her again," I consoled.

"I know I will," He said determinedly.

____________________________

A/N - is anyone catching something here? Grant . . . Candice 👀👀😂😂😂😂.

hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! votes/comments are greatly appreciated ❤️.

- kya h. ♡