Read Online Salvaged Soul (The Ignited Series Book 3) by Desni Dantone - Free Book Online Page A

. .”
    A wave of audible grumbles swept through the room. No one liked going into a mission not knowing what they were heading into. Myself included.
    “We’ll be leaving the dock in three hours,” Jared continued, unfazed.
    A thick manila envelope with my name scribbled across the top was tossed onto the table in front of me. I stared at it numbly while everyone else ripped into their own envelopes.
    “A recommended packing list is in your packets. Take the next few hours to pack, say your goodbyes, and learn your new identities. Know them well before we hit the mainland. We’ll be splitting up there immediately,” Jared concluded.
    He glanced at the Kala leaders, and Supervisor Jeffries stood to address us. “As you all know, every mission we handle is important in the war we are fighting against the forces of evil. Though you do not know the specifics yet, I want you all to know that this mission is of the utmost importance. I expect you all to give us your best.”
    I snorted quietly. As if we had any other options.
    Jared beamed me with a look as he cleared his throat. “See you all at the docks at noon.”
    Chairs scraped across the floor in an ear-splitting chorus, accentuated by the grumble of voices around me. No one openly complained. Every person in this room was a seasoned Kala warrior. We knew better than to openly question orders, especially in front of our superiors.
    I hesitated in my seat, staring at the envelope in my hands, reluctant to open it. My concern wasn’t over the mission itself, but over leaving the island. Worse than being separated from Kris was the deeply rooted fear I had of being in a position that rendered me helpless in the event that she needed me. Though she wouldn’t be left completely alone, I didn’t feel comfortable leaving her. Especially now. 
    “What a load of shit, huh?”
    My head swiveled toward the quiet voice beside me. I was met by smiling green eyes that looked at me like they knew me. I squinted, trying to place the brunette. I knew her. From somewhere.
    Her hand thrust out in front of me. “Kira Johns, class seven-oh-three.”
    Kira? Her name sounded familiar. Recent familiar, like it hadn’t been years since I last heard it. No . . . wait. Kira was the name of the girl Kris had been in a tizzy about the other day. 
    I took her hand to shake it and opened my mouth to introduce myself though, apparently, an introduction wasn’t necessary.
    “Nathan Young,” she said for me. “Top five in our class, and if I remember correctly, I believe even the top fighter.”
    Despite not being able to place her, she obviously knew me well. I shook her hand and withdrew quickly before the situation crept any further into awkward territory.
    “That’s me,” I said diplomatically as I stood, the words ‘walk, don’t run’ repeating in my head.
    She laughed, a flirty, seductive laugh that kicked my defenses into high alert. A few years ago, I would have happily flirted back to see where it would go. Things were different now. I disliked shallow girls, hated when they played games, and had one hell of a good girl unknowingly encouraging me to be a good boy. Especially after the conversation I’d had with Micah that morning . . . hell, yeah, my defenses shot up.
    She was saying something, but I was too busy plotting my escape to catch on right away.
    “. . . this time we’re going to be spending together, it could be just like before . . .”
    I stared at her dumbly. “What?”
    She winked, pulling out all the stops. “I’m really looking forward to this mission, honey.”
    Honey? Who in the hell was this girl? Either I’d lost my touch, or I had missed some important part of this conversation. I shook my head. “Seriously, what?”
    She lifted the envelope in her hand, with her name across the front. “The mission? Our identities?” She must have realized from my blank stare that I had yet to look at my identity. She looked all too pleased to clue me in,