Isaias and Marco were huddled together against the masses. There were hundreds of Guerreros everywhere! The noise level was astounding. They were the only trainees there and that made them even more uncomfortable as people turned to glare at them. Beside him, Marco had gone stock still. He knew that his partner hated to be touched but in this case, it couldn’t be avoided.

The best thing would be to lean against the cerulean wall at the back and hope no one stepped on them. He grabbed Marco by the shoulders and steered him against the walls of the packed room making sure to take the brunt of the masses since his partner couldn’t handle such. After elbowing some Guerreros out of the way, Isaias led Marco toward the back. The room was a large, circular, ballroom.

It had a small fountain with ornamental horses kicking up while their riders let out water from ornamental jugs. It too was made of glass and went well with the large chandelier in the center of the ceiling. This room was made to impress so why were a thousand Guerreros in battle gear assembled here?

Likely there was nowhere bigger to host us as a group.

Isaias turned to Marco who had gained some of his coloring and wasn’t breathing as hard.

Yeah. I bet this is where the guards are assigned for the mission I was telling you about.

Do you think they would pick trainees on such a critical mission?

They tested us for something, Marco. I bet this was it.

“Isaias? Marco? What are you boys doing here?” A male of slight stature asked. Isaias turned around to meet the caramel eyes of the one guy who was perhaps even more peculiar than them. Coming from the Pionero Familia, Alejandro Pionero had made lieutenant of his specialty before his second year. Some speculated that he had cheated his way in but Isaias knew it was all skill. Right now Alejandro’s hawk eyes took in the way Isaias was standing protectively over a shuddering Marco. He knew about Marco’s inflection. Who didn’t know about the guy who preferred to not be touched, nicknamed the princess because of it? But he didn’t know it was so bad! What was a guy like that doing in an Army? Although Alejandro had to give it to Marco, he was really good most days.

“Don’t you boy me. I’m only three years younger than you! One in Marco’s case,” Isaias replied. Alejandro shrugged grinning and hoisted his gun strap further up his shoulder. He never went anywhere without his Guardian. It was a sleeker model than the Destroyers and easier to use. Alejandro’s foot tapped the floor. Despite his style, assassination, he always jumped the gun except on missions. He was a sniper and that required a butt load of patience. Maybe he didn’t have much left for other circumstances such as this for instance.

“What do you think this is about?” Alejandro asked as he shifted his weight to accommodate the large gun.

“My sister has been telling me of some guard duty. This is probably it,” replied Isaias as he shooed off some wiley Guerreros from Marco’s side. The grand crystal doors burst open and in stepped his uncle and a dripping Zen. She was wet from top to bottom and was shivering in the cool air while Bernado strode ahead not a speck of water on him. Isaias clenched his fists. The bastard had time to dry but didn’t give the same courtesy to his sister? Zen dutifully trodded after Bernado, head high but eyesight pinned on her uncle’s wet footprints. Her heels made click-clack noises on the beautiful mosaic tile. They stopped at the front of the room just before the spiraling staircase that would have taken them down to the Guerreros. Instead, Bernado leaned against the veranda and made the signal for silence. The Guerreros stopped talking and paid attention to their Don.

“Welcome! All of you are here for a mission. Two boats will set sail to Argentina by morning. You shall be split into two groups. One will guard the cargo on one boat the other shall guard the cargo and me on that boat. I have brought my niece. She will need a guard so she has come to know and mingle with you. She’s a Low so treat her as you must,” he finished grinning, and pulled Zen forward almost pushing her down the stairs. For a second Zen glared at him and shoved his hand back so as not to lose her balance, then she descended the stairs head-high.

If he was going to announce my rank then why did he have me dress up?

Her feet touched the bottom stair and she headed for the Guerreros. As she thought, they either ignored her or made her defer to them. No way was she passing the mission this way! She searched for her brother who she knew had made it past the exams and would be in this room. His big head was near the back of the room. She shoved her way there since most Guerreros didn’t want to let a Low pass them without her deferring herself to them. Screw this!

“Isaias!” She screamed, catching his attention. He smiled and walked over to her glaring at a Guerrero who wouldn’t let her pass.

“Buddy, mind letting my sister through,” he asked.

“Oh, this is your sister? I should’ve known. You are the only Brownie trainee,” the man laughed along with his friends and not budging an inch.

“She only has to defer to me once,” sneered the man.

“Really Juan? Then you only have to defer to me once too,” said Alejandro as he stood beside Isaias and watched the scandal.

“I’m from the same class as you,” cried the man.

“I’m a lieutenant,” replied Alejandro smirking.

The man growled and let Zen through.

“Thank you,” she said as Isaias took her arm and led her to the back of the room. Alejandro saluted and moved back with them. Isaias came to stand beside a blue-haired male who looked one step away from apoplexy.

“Is he ok,” she asked, turning to the blue-haired male. He had smokey gray eyes. Unusual eyes. Eyes that reminded her of someone with their clear gaze.

“Hi I’m Zen,” she said, extending her hand.

Surprisingly he took it and breathed easy. “Marco Marques.Nice to meet you.”

“You remind me of a guy that I made acquaintances with during my previous job,” she said smiling. “Although he had copper hair and crystal blue eyes. Your eyes hold that same clarity to them.”

Copper hair? Crystal blue eyes? Stephan? She met Stephan?

“Where did you say you met him?” Marco asked.

“At my work. I used to work for some Elites. Now I work for Don Rodriguez. Actually, he’s part of the reason I was fired. His sister was kidnapped and I helped locate the kidnappers,” she said.

Edline has been kidnapped! What happened since I left there?

“He’s a real charmer but he couldn’t get my name from me,” she chuckled.

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“Did this little girl have auburn hair and citrine eyes?” he asked gripping her shoulders, hard. It couldn’t be her. It could not be his sister!

Zen startled. “Yes, she did. Why? Do you know her too?”

“Yes, she’s my youngest sibling. Stephan is the middle child and I’m the oldest. Do you know who has her or where I can contact Stephan and ask?”

Zen sighed and ran her fingers through her ponytail. “The picture I identified her in had a GAA goon. They might probably have her. Stephan was on the lookout when we parted but I don’t know if he’s found her or not. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, Marco! Let go of my sister,” Isaias grumbled.

Why does he touch her and not me? Does he like Zen?

Marco turned to stare at Isaias for a minute.

Are you jealous? Of your sister? Because I touched her?Really Isaias!

What! I’m allowed to mope occasionally so I’ll mope! Um, do you like my sister?

What do you mean by like? She’s a nice person. Amicable.

Nevermind!

Oh! Is that what this is about? It’s none of your business but no I don’t like your sister like that!

Alejandro stood inches from the bubbling cauldron that was Marco. He could see the different colors racing against his cheeks. I wonder if he can turn any redder. What is making him turn so red?

Marco lifted his arms in frustration. “Isaias! That has got to be the most masochistic thing I’ve ever heard!”

Isaias shrugged. “It’s true though.”

Zen looked confused. “I didn’t hear a thing.”

Before Isaias could explain, Bernado walked to them.

“Are these your guards? Two trainees in training wheels?” He chuckled.

Isaias clenched his fists but did nothing. He could do nothing. Neither could Marco.

“ Sir, they also have me,” Alejandro said grinning. “I’m sure I’m more than capable.”

Bernado frowned. “You are much too valuable to spend on a Low…”

“Uncle, remember what I’m guarding for you?” Zen said pulling out the necklace from her dress.

“Put that away!” Bernado hissed and Zen did just that with a smile on her face. She didn’t know what it truly was still but it was very valuable to her uncle and her bargaining tool for now. She wanted Alejandro on her guard team now that he had volunteered.

“Very well! Alejandro, you are in charge of team Zen,” her uncle announced, smirking. Zen clenched her teeth. He knew that naming a team after her but not giving her charge of anything would rankle her and it did but she smiled and acted cordially. She would not make a fuss about this in front of all these Guerreros. If that was what he was looking for, he better look elsewhere! After making the official announcement of her guards, the Guerreeros were allowed to leave and so was Zen. It was almost curfew again. She bade Isaias. Marco and Alejandro goodbye and left the same way she came.

It had stopped raining by the time Zen was home. She took a shower of nice hot water, the only real thing that had improved upon Isaias’s leaving. Then she started the beef stew Carmelo had given them the last time they were at his home. She worked there now with her mom and she had eaten there once. Her artistic talents were also noticed and she was put in charge of decorating as long as she left the Rodriguez symbol and motto alone. She was very excited about her new job. Finally, her talents were being used! She made herself a bowl of stew and went to sit down at the table. Her mother arrived and served herself, sitting down beside her.

“How was your meeting with your uncle, Zen?” She asked cutting to the chase.

“He humiliated me in front of the Guerreros and then said I was to pick some as my guards. I picked Isaias and his friends instead since they wouldn’t have me defer to them the whole mission.”

“Bernado forgets how easy it is to fall from grace,” her mother muttered chewing on some beef.

Zen nodded blowing on her stew.”Alejandro is a lieutenant. I got lucky there.”

“Alejandro?”

“One of Isaias’s friends. The other is Marco. He’s also a trainee but a damn good one Isaias said.”

Rosalinda put down her fork and stared at her daughter. “Zen promise me you’ll be careful on this trip.”

Zen nodded. “I will mama. I have to leave before dawn tomorrow.”

“Before curfew ends? Why so soon?”

“Uncle is impatient. I think there is more to this than moving furniture, Mama.”

“More reason to be careful then,” Rosa said picking up the plates and washing them. She went to take a bath while Zen took out her latest drawing and sketched.

Rosalinda was scared for her daughter. Bernardo was making her go out before curfew again and she knew that one day Zen would be caught. But how could I minimize the risks? She made a comm to Carmelo.

Click

“Rosa?”

“Carmelo, my idiot brother is making Zen go out before curfew tomorrow to get on the boat. I’m afraid for her!”

“Rosa calm down. We can work something out. When does he need her there?”

“Sometime before sunrise was all he would say. He didn’t even grace her with a time! How...what a bastard!”

“Hmm, I’ll be arriving soon then. We can talk this out.”

“It’s almost lights out here.

“Rosa, I’m the Don.”

“Oh, right, well then hurry up! My baby’s on the line...again.”

He chuckled. “I’ll be there soon.”

Click

Rosa sighed in relief and decided he had earned the right to see her in her nightgown. It was form-fitting but not revealing. It would do. She combed her hair then she went to warn Zen who most definitely would not like to be caught in her jammies by her boss.

Twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door and Rosa went to open it.

Carmelo stood in his usual suit.

“Impeccable as always sir,” she said leading him in. Zen was busy boiling their leftover water for some tea. Green. It was the only kind they were allowed to have and by some miracle, they had a box left in the back corner of their small kitchen cabinet. Isaias swore by the stuff. She preferred water. She served the tea and brought out two plastic cups full of Green tea. She handed one to Carmelo and the other to her mom. She took the little bit of lukewarm water for herself and sat down on a chair brought from the dinner table. Carmelo and her mom had the couch.

“I’m aware of your predicament for tomorrow, Zen,” Carmelo said glancing over at Rosa who blushed.

“Zen sighed. “Mama, I told you I could handle myself.”

Rosa glanced at her daughter and nodded. “You did, but it’s a mother’s prerogative to worry, and Bernado is not screwing you over again if I can help it.”

Zen took a sip of her water. “Then what are we going to do? Don Rodriguez can’t drive me there and neither can you.”

“I may not be able to drive you to the boat but I can leave you at your cousin's or somewhere close and your mother can drive to where I live on a work excuse from me.”

Zen perked up. Maybe she wouldn’t have to sneak into Villa Arco Iris tomorrow.

“Okay, say that this works. I still need to sneak to the boathouse and knowing uncle he’ll have hired extra Enforcers just to screw with me,” she said.

“I can write a pass from one Don to another claiming you carry something of value to us and are to go directly to him. No Enforcer can go against a Don.”

“I’d love to see my brother’s face when Zen waltzes up to his door,” Rosa muttered sipping the last of her tea. Carmelo agreed.

“I’ll take pictures,” Zen snickered.

In house 76 a shadow shifted as Zen walked sure-footed through the house, checking her dimensional pocket for everything. She would have to stop at Marie Elena’s for some Elite clothes but her apartment was on the way to the boathouse. She’s going to kill me for waking her up so early!

It wasn’t so unusual to see a Brownie up before daylight. Her mother was already waiting before the small cube Px Memory they were lucky to have. Rosa slipped into the driver’s seat where a neural cable hooked to her neck and slithered up her brain. The cube transformed into a brown sedan of the standard mark. It was big enough to fit them both at least. She wouldn’t need the minivan that looked more like a turd on the road than a car. She sat in the passenger seat and Rosalinda pulled out from the drive and onto the muddy roads of Villa de Marron. She drove through the first gate guard. He gave no problems. It was the second gate guard that put a wrench into their plans.