A slow, tight smile cracks across Cain’s face. “I’m sure you’re aware of Commander Savior’s importance to my team.” Commander Bastian Savior, my father, is one of four commanders Elite Cain has at his disposal. They carry out all manner of orders—orders that take them away from their families more often than not. “Your excellence in training has been noted, and I assume you will prove an asset like Commander Savior, which is why I’m entrusting you with an assignment.”

I look for a reaction from my father, but he’s vacant, like a human after death.

“An assignment, Elite Cain?”

“Your first to prove if you’re ready to be a knight of the Order.”

I offer a nervous laugh and quickly shut my mouth. Part of training is learning to hide emotion—emotion means enemies finding weaknesses, and weaknesses mean death. “It’s an honor for you to say, Elite Cain, but I haven’t graduated yet. I still have nine months of training.”

“Do you wish to challenge my judgment?”

“No, Elite Cain.”

“You are at the head of your class, far more advanced than any knight-in-training your age. I know your father has given you no unfair advantage. This is in your soul.”

I keep his gaze, even though his words make me feel uncomfortable. He twists on his heels, hands behind his back, and starts to make a circle around me. I flex my fingers, ignoring the instinctual pull to reach for my weapon.

“It is a simple enough task. Think of it as…a test of your loyalty.”

That feeling of discomfort intensifies, raising the hair on the back of my neck.

Loyalty.

That word has been used a lot recently, especially with my family, and I don’t like it.

“Successor Roth has requested Council and will lead in his father’s stead. He’s asked our best knights to attend.”

My heart beats faster.

“I’m appointing you as his guard for the duration of his stay. That means seeing to his safe arrival and return to and from the airport and anywhere in between.”

I deflate, punctured by the blow.

You have to be kidding me.

I hate Roth DuPont. And this may sound like an honor, but basically it’s being his glorified gofer.

He’s arrogant and self-serving, and he cheats in battle, though he claims otherwise; it’s the only way he can beat me. I’m not the best choice for this job, seeing as how I’d like to shove his face into concrete. I want to say as much, but my honesty wouldn’t be appreciated, especially by Elite Cain, who sees this as a lofty assignment. Who wouldn’t want to protect our luminary-in-training?

Me.