Prologue

I walked into the office with my messenger bag. It had a steel desk right in front. There was a girl with blond hair behind it. She was talking on the phone and writing things down. I walked up and waited for her. She glanced up at me with hazel eyes and hung up the phone. "Can I help you?"1

"I'm Ayanna Sky. I'm here for my appoint-"2

"Up the stairs second door on your left. Mr. Adams will be there. Knock before you enter and don't speak unless you're spoken to. Oh, and no compacts in the room." She shot off in a buisness tone and gave me an artifical smile. "Questions?"3

I hesitated then dug in my bag. It took a second before I took my compact out. I checked myself before I handed it over. She took it and put it on the desk. "Good luck." She turned to her computer and started typing on it. 4

I turned and looked at the stairs. They were steel too. There were gaps between each step. It looked like I could've fallen on them. That wouldn't be good. If I fell and ended up twisting something I could kiss my future job here goodbye. There'd be no chance of becoming an assisstant to a spy. Well, not like a 007 spy but like that. I'd be learning the hand-to-hand combat and how to fight like you see on TV. Even though I was only sixteen I'd become an apprentice to someone that kicked ass. So, if I fell on a simple flight of stairs that would show that I'm weak. I am NOT weak. It was that simple.5

"You're suppose to walk up them," the girl said in a sarcastic tone.6

I looked at her and she was smiling like I was an idiot. There was a big urge in me to stick my tongue out at her. I wasn't going to do it though; I wasn't going to show how immature I was. No need to lower myself to that level. I turned back to the stairs and started walking up them. It was kinda hard since the stairs were slippery and I was in heels. I gripped the rail with my life. Normally, I wasn't clumsy, but I just wanted to make sure that there was no chance of falling down the stairs.7

My mind was racing with thoughts. What if I got the job? Who would I get for a mentor? Would I get a kickass female trainer or a super tough chick? What if they didn't put me with a mentor first? Would they put me under the chick at the desk? Or would I get some other low job? What if I got rejected? I mean the only way I got here was because I dropped a letter at the desk with my contact. It was an obvious desperate attempt to get a job. I just needed to get a job and this was the only one that I would've loved to do. Hell, I didn't even know this place existed. I was just walking past and saw a guy walking in with a bloody arm. He also had a small badge on his chest but walked to fast for me to see it. So, I jumped to the conclusion that this was a place that involved guns and being kickass and might require an attitude once in a while.8

Perfect job for me.9

I walked to the office and took a deep breath. Normally, I wouldn't be nervous. I mean I've had interviews before but something told me this job was different. It was different and I had to have it! I had to be accepted. There was no option of being rejected. It was either get this job or die. And quite frankly I loved living so I had to get that job.10

My knock sounded like a little girl's knock. You know those girls who walk up to your door and ask if you want to buy a cookie box. I winced at it and started twisting my black hair around my fingers. It took a while before I heard a short and crisp, "Come in."11

I grasped the handle and opened the door. There was a huge black chair that had the back to me. I hesitated at the door watching the chair. A hand stuck out and motioned me to move forward. Apparently he was on the phone. So, I shut the door and sank in the chair across the desk, it was another steel desk. They must love steel here.12

The office was filled with pictures. Peoples' faces were on them and had a plaque under them. There was one with a brunette girl holding a gun in a Charlie's Angels position. I hoped that she was my mentor. She looked beautiful and dangerous at the same time. That's what I wanted to be and that's what I would be-at least I'd look dangerous, not so much beautiful. Maybe cute but not beautiful. I had long black hair and dark blue eyes and pale skin. My eyes had dark make up around them along with a lot of eyeliner. It made me look edgy and cold. Perfect for the job. The downside was that I was only five foot. I also had a body that people said should be used for modeling for swim suits, or prostitution. Big rack and big ass but tiny waist.13

As I looked at the pictures on the wall I saw one with a guy on it. He had black hair with red streaks that covered half his face and a shocking blue eye was visible. His arms were crossed and he was glaring at the camera. I shuddered. He looked like he would tear his apprentice up and chuck them into a trashcan without breaking a sweat. Maybe I'd work with him when I'm dead.14

Or hopefully never.15

The person behind the chair finally said goodbye and hung up the phone. He turned to me and I almost fell backwards off my chair. Why did everyone in that place have to look so amazing? They were kind of scary but still looked great. Did they get like that after working there for a long time? 16

Mr. Adams had jet black hair and it fell into his eyes in a slightly messy way but made him look really young and really badass. He had the same blue eyes as the guy on his wall and pale skin. He must stay in the office a lot and not see the sun. His arms were muscular but hidden under his buisness suit. He looked so professional and mature. And here I was in a pair of jeans with a slightly low cut top and heels. Great first impression to this guy. I felt a little heat crawl into my face.17

"So, Miss Sky, I called you here after reading your letter." He pulled out a paper and looked at it as he spoke. "I must say for as young as you are, this is incredibly well written." He set it down and leaned forward. "Let's start off easy okay? Your full name?"18

"Ayanna Christine Sky."19

"Beautiful name. Any experience with weapons? Guns? Knives?"20

"Um. Not with knives but I have experience with paintball guns." Shit! Stupid thing to say! Ugh. Not going well.21

He smiled and scratched his chin. "How about fighting? Any martial arts?"22

"I have about ten years in karate. Made it to a black belt then I moved here."23

"Where were you before?"24

"Florida."25

"How long ago did you move?" He took out a piece of paper and a pen and started writing things down.26

"Two months."27

"How did you find out about this place?"28

"I saw a guy walk in here with blood all over and I kinda jumped to a conclusion that you handled something like SVU and stuff with guns. I got intrested and dropped a letter here." A full on blush hit my face. Damn it! Blushing shows weakness too. Ugh! Couldn't anything go right?29

"Well, that's an interesting conclusion to jump to but you're right. We do deal with things like the SVU but we're different. We don't deal with police work. Here we deal with things like spy work but we are our own type of police work. We go into things and face a life-or-death case every minute of every day. There are no sick days or days off. We have mentors that are intense and strict. They work people to the ground and will tear you up. They will yell you will feel like you want to die but they're here to toughen you up and make you into something." He looked at me and folded his hands and put them under his chin. "Are you ready for something like that?"30

I was lingering on his every word and sitting on the edge of my seat. My eyes were wide and I had a huge smile on my face. This was exactly what I was looking for! "Yes!"31

"Great. Only one more thing. How old are you?" He started writing on his paper again.32

Shit. "Sixteen."33

He paused and looked at me. "Sixteen?"34

"Yes." Not a good reaction.35

"I thought you were older. Well, it won't make a difference. You start training tomorrow. My son, Damian, will be your mentor and trainer. Report here tomorrow morning at nine and we'll see how good your aim is and find you the right gun."36

I nodded and stood up. He stood up and shook my hand. Wow. It was colder than usual. Then again I was also cold in this office and he'd been in there the whole morning. I smiled and walked out. He sat in his chair and was on the phone.37

My heart kind of sank when I found out I'd be training with a guy but at least it was something. I wanted a kickass chick to be my trainer but at least I got a mentor. How bad could that guy be? I glanced at the picture of the guy with the black hair and red streaks and read the plaque. 38

Damian Adams 39

Head of Enforcment and Interrogations40

Son of Chief41

"Tough guy on murderers42

even tougher on apprentices"43

I stared at the plaque. Oh shit. Damian Adams. The Damian Adams that would be my trainer person? Are you fucking serious? Why didn't Mr.Adams just shoot me now?