Kiah had searched for Eden all day yesterday and turned up nothing. She'd scoured half the base — even checked Eden's room — but it was like the girl had vanished.
Most of the Wardens and Vanguards had returned from their missions. So where the hell was she?
So when Kiah opened her door the next morning, still groggy and on her way to the cafeteria, she stopped dead at the sight of Eden standing right outside.
She leaned casually against the wall, dressed in black combat shorts and a sleek, fitted top. Her sword wasn't in sight, but a couple of daggers peeked from her bootstraps. Her skin, as usual, glowed like she had access to better soap than anyone else in the building.
"You're back," Kiah blurted, more excited than she expected to sound. She cleared her throat and tried again, more composed. "How was your mission?"
"I didn't pick up any stray cats this time, thank God," Eden said dryly.
Kiah pointed at herself, scandalized. "Me? I'm the stray cat?"
"Yes, you."
Kiah scowled but moved on. "Next time, you can just knock and come in, you know. Instead of standing out here."
"I prefer to wait."
Kiah shrugged. It was her choice.
"How did your training go?"
Kiah shivered slightly, remembering the last weeks. Then she smiled and waved it off like it was nothing.
"Training was brutal. Warden Gregory broke us. And then reassembled us just to break us again. No big deal."
She was about to go into details when she felt her stomach rumble. It was time for some soggy vegetables.
Her eyes locked with Eden's, and suddenly, a bright idea came into her mind. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as Eden's eyes narrowed warily.
Kiah suddenly latched onto her arm like they were long-lost best friends. With a grin, she started pulling her toward the cafeteria.
"Tell you what, I'll give all the details… if you buy me breakfast. I want the spicy beef."
Eden raised a brow, trying to pry her off.
"Are you using me for food privileges, you glutton?"
"Glutton? I ate apples, tasteless vegetables, and synthetic blobs for two weeks. Sometimes, Warden Gregory starved us for fun. I've earned this, isn't that what friends her for?"
"I'm not sure we're friends," Eden muttered.
Kiah rolled her eyes.
"You're my guardian. That's even more important."
"I'm not interested in your training anymore. Who knew you were this shrewd?"
"You're protesting a lot for someone not fighting back."
Eden could have easily kicked her away the moment she got too close. But the fact that she didn't prove that the girl was also looking forward to a meal together.
Eden huffed but let herself be dragged along.
When they entered the cafeteria, Kiah instantly felt the energy shift. The cafeteria was packed.
Initiates lined up in a slow-moving queue, trays in hand. While Wardens and Vanguards walked straight to the front and ordered whatever the hell they wanted.
The system was unfair, and on a normal day, Kiah would have been pissed. But today, it benefited her.
Kiah followed Eden proudly to the front, basking in the sew of envious glares tossed her way.
That is, until she spotted Naya, Wayne, and Kira halfway down the line. She paused briefly.
"Psst! Where are you going? I saved you a spot in line. You can cut in front of me." Naya waved excitedly, pointing at the spot between her and Wayne.
Kiah felt no sliver of hesitation. She didn't even glance back.
Without hesitation, she shook her head and hastily ran to Eden like her life depended on it.
Behind her, three faces contorted in betrayal.
"D-Did we just get abandoned?" Wayne asked, stunned, as they watched Kiah get served a tray of steaming spicy beef.
"I honestly thought I would be the one to bail first. She beat me to it. I'm annoyed." Kira muttered, staring grimly at the bland mountain of vegetables that awaited her.
"I even saved her a spot." Naya looked heartbroken. "She chose food over friendship. Unbelievable."
At the far end of the cafeteria, Kiah shot them one last sympathetic glance before swiftly looking away and taking her seat beside Eden.
"Thank you." She muttered, then took a bit of the beef — and immediately closed her eyes in bliss.
It was warm, spicy, and flavourful. After two weeks of the blob of despair and boiled leaves, this was pure heaven. Her betrayal was worth it. Everyone deserved a little Eden in their life.
Between bites, she spoke. "Thorne is in charge of our combat training."
Eden nodded without much surprise.
"Makes sense. He's one of the best fighters I know. Ella, too."
Kiah perked up. "His sister."
"Yeah," Eden said, her voice lowering. "She was a combat prodigy. She taught Thorne everything he knows."
"Any news about her?"
There was a brief silence. Eden hesitated before answering, her jaw tight.
"No. We haven't been able to track down the traffickers who abducted her. Thorne almost went berserk on his last mission against some mercenaries. Training you guys was sort of a punishment for his slip-up."
She paused.
"The general is also worried. Ella's disappearance was strange. A little too convenient for someone that strong. We might be getting targ—"
She stopped when she noticed Kiah watching her intently.
Eden shook her head.
"Never mind. It's not something you should stress about."
Kiah didn't push. But she got the message.
If rebels were being targeted, that meant the traffickers were finally striking back.
And Ella's kidnapping, if it was a setup, was proof that the enemy knew exactly when and where to strike. They probably had spies now on the lookout.
That explained Thorne's hostility. His sister disappeared under suspicious circumstances, and then Kiah conveniently shows up with no memory, right after?
She didn't blame him for being wary.
But it still stung.
She hadn't done anything wrong. She was innocent and just trying to survive.
Eden must have sensed her silence because she added, her voice firm.
"Don't worry about Thorne. He might come off cold, but he's fair. He wouldn't treat you badly because of his personal vendetta."
Kiah didn't feel even a sliver of reassurance.
"He has a personal vendetta against me. You're way too casual. What if he snaps my neck and calls it an accident?"
"He won't," Eden said simply.
"Are you sure?"
Eden shrugged.
"Eat fast and rejoin your friends. I can't sense any malice, or else I would have already poked their eyes out. I can feel them burning holes in the back of my head."
Kiah's brows lifted. She tilted her head slightly, peeking past Eden's shoulder. Just as Eden said, Naya, Wayne, and Kira were staring directly at them. The moment Kiah met their eyes, they jerked their heads down and suddenly became interested in their food.
'Eden's senses are scary. She felt that without even turning to look.' Kiah thought, quietly impressed.
"They aren't my friends. We are just victims of the same circumstances," she muttered.
"Keep telling yourself that. Admitting to having friends isn't a sign of weakness. Don't be shy."
As Eden grabbed her tray and stood, Kiah looked up quickly, defensive. "I'm not shy!"
Eden waved her dismissively before leaving.
"I'm really not shy," Kiah mumbled under her breath as Eden walked away.
Before she could wallow in awkwardness, the automated voice rang through the speakers.
"All initiates. Make your way to the training room."
Kiah sighed, pushing herself up.
'I guess the break is over.'