Dark Empathy by Archibald Bradford (inspiring books for teens TXT) 📕

The headmistress nodded, looking to Booker, who remained unspeaking.

“And the rest?”

Holbrooke continued to rifle through his notes.

“Well, I’m certainly not in any position to judge the Valkyrie. She’s likely forgotten more than I’ll ever know about any given subject, and has more combat experience then the entire Aegis combined. Point of fact, if rumours are to be believed our emblem is based on her shield.”

Like everyone else he had been awestruck by the angel... right up until she had somehow swapped his uniform pants out with a pair two sizes too small.

He was more than a little tired of people calling him ‘Theo Tight-Pants’.

“The Minotaur likewise has excellent combat skills, but needs to work on the more delicate aspects of the job, she’s a bit too… earnest, if that makes any sense. The two of them also really stand out in a crowd, so subtlety is out for them.”

More paper rustling.

“As for the Flutterby, she’s whip-smart and already has a ton of experience with grief counseling and the like, she actually has a degree in the subject from the university in Algrade, though it’s over twenty years old. She just completed her certification to work as a third-tier medic, and Merlot tells me she fully intends to continue her training all the way up to first.” He shifted his weight onto one leg as both Booker and Bloom nodded their heads for him to continue; “Combined with her counseling experience she’ll be excellent in dealing with trauma victims after the dust settles. Hell, just being in a room with that woman makes me want to talk about my marriage!”

He chuckled briefly at his own joke, but neither councilor blinked and so his mirth was short-lived.

Then Booker spoke for the first time.

“The giant?”

The man let out a heavy breath.

“There is the biggest problem with this team as I see it. She is a Gigas! She’s not built to follow orders! She hasn’t participated in any of the training, beyond the work she’s done with the Minotaur. And getting her to pay attention to the most basic lesson has been an exercise in futility. Teamwork is another major issue, since most of the cadets are terrified of her. You’re no doubt aware she put one of the other examiners through a wall on her first day here. Poor woman was just trying to take her measurements. She’s made a full recovery but still…”

The one-eyed councilor snorted.

“I figured as much. She’s a blunt instrument, but the fact that she has the strength by herself to match any one of our tac-teams makes her a valuable asset, provided her master can keep her from killing the people they’re trying to detain.”

Instructor Holbrooke hesitated as he lowered his clipboard to one side; his eyes flicked to Margaret Bloom, who’s expression had soured somewhat, before looking back to Booker.

“Sir? Are you really considering putting this bunch into the field? We all know the cadet’s value, and if I may say so, I don’t see this as being worth the risk.”

But it was Margaret Bloom that responded in a stern voice.

“As I told the council: I have the final say in the matter.”

Now it was Booker’s turn to adopt a sour expression.

The one-eyed man stood and turned to the window of his office, taking a moment to look out over the city of Garland.

“Having an Empath on the payroll is a major win for the Aegis. Lady Essig has never hesitated to step up when needed, but ultimately she’ll always do what she thinks is best. And technically we’ve been squatting in her bond-mate’s house for the last few centuries, so it’s not like we could ever press the issue. We considered recruiting Jonathan way back before he turned out to be a fuck-head, so that’s obviously not going to happen now. But this boy, Nameless, even if we set aside the things he’s already done…”

He trailed off as he had to take a second to compose himself: he would be forever grateful for the young Empath helping his bond-mate overcome her fear of fire.

He got back on track quickly enough though.

“Sadie as much as told us that he’s more powerful than her or even Jonathan ever was. And I know this much for sure: he doesn’t want any special treatment, just as with the other cadets, he has earned his place in the field. We take that away from him, how is he going to react?”

The instructor was shaking his head long before Booker finished talking.

“But still, setting aside the Valkyrie, this bunch is the very definition of a ‘rag-tag band of misfits’ how do we know that sending them into field training won’t be a major blunder?”

Booker turned from the concerned examiner and stared at the scar-faced councilwoman.

Margaret sighed as she gave in to the pressure from the one-eyed man.

“Only one way to find out. Pair them up with Semper, he’s got the right temperament for this, not to mention firsthand experience with Tenebrae, in the unlikely event that should come up.”

“I would suggest someone more-” Booker began but was cut off immediately.

“The council may be ignoring my wishes to keep him out of the field, but who he partners with is still my call. Grant is cautious, and patient. Two traits you could stand to have more of. He remains third class by choice, because some people are better suited to teaching.”

She said the last part rather pointedly.

Feeling decidedly uncomfortable in the tense moment between his seniors, Holbrooke subconsciously held his breath.

Eventually, perhaps inevitably, the frowning Booker soon gave a nod of acquiescence and the headmistress repeated her orders.

“Pair him up with Semper. You’re dismissed, thank you Theo.”

“I... Yes ma’am.”

After the door closed behind the retreating instructor, Booker took a