Blaze of Secrets (Asylums for Magical Threats 1)

She wanted to protest and say that two sentences didn’t really constitute an overview, but Kiarra didn’t want to push her luck.

Still, this wasn’t going to be easy. Each first-born was required to keep their experiment-related experiences private or risk being carted away to a secret room, never to be seen again.

Kiarra took a deep breath, the smell of clean laundry soap filling her nose, reminding her that she was no longer a prisoner. No one was going to cart her away for more tests. Or enforce compliance

Meeting Jaxton’s gaze, Kiarra found the strength to say what needed to be said. “Within the first year of entering the AMT, first-borns are put in front of a panel and assigned to one of three types of experiments.”

Everyone remembered their sorting day. Even now, she couldn’t block out her memory as a young teen.

She’d stood up in front of a panel of men and women while they’d discussed her as if she wasn’t there. While afraid, Kiarra hadn’t yet morphed into a compliant inmate. She’d kept her chin up, unafraid of punishment, looking for ways to challenge them.

Eventually, her refusal to answer the panel’s questions had cost her. Within the hour, they’d whisked her away to her first compliance session.

After a full day of verbal abuse and conditioning, she’d experienced firsthand that the AMT wasn’t a compound created for first-borns’ safety; it was a prison, where first-borns had no rights.

She’d only been thirteen years old.

“Earth to Kiarra.”

Jaxton’s gentle yet firm voice brought her back to the present. She looked up at his face, surprised to find a lack of pity, only interest, and that encouraged her to keep going. “Each experiment track has its own pros and cons. Once assigned, the inmate goes through weekly sessions, unique to each individual.”

“But what are the three tracks?”

“They refer to them officially as the psychological, breeding, and gene therapy tracks.”

Jaxton clenched the edge of the dresser, his eyes dangerous. But as quickly as it appeared, his expression cleared. “Which one do you think Garrett went through?”

“Who’s Garrett?”

“My brother.”

So F-840’s name was Garrett.

She opened her mouth to explain, but snapped it shut as she realized that this was supposed to be an information exchange and right now the scales were tipped in Jaxton’s favor. She wanted to even it out, but after that flare of danger a minute ago in Jaxton’s eyes, withholding information about his older brother might set him off.

/> She heard a tapping sound and looked up. Jaxton’s expression was still unreadable. “Don’t hold back with me, Kiarra. Always tell me what you’re thinking.”

She’d better seize that offer before she lost her nerve. She raised her chin a few inches and said, “I’ve given you more information than you’ve given me, and I think that I should be able to ask another question.”

His lips twitched, confusing Kiarra. She hadn’t said anything funny.

Jaxton stood up and took a step toward her, but she found it easier to hold her ground compared to twenty minutes ago.

“Then ask me something,” he said.

He’d told her to say what she was thinking, so she jumped in with both feet. “What’s going to happen to me once I finish your training?”

“Honestly?” He shrugged. “I don’t know. But, after we figure out your strengths and weaknesses, Neena, or Aislinn—the other DEFEND co-leader—will probably give you an assignment. Whatever it is, you’ll have DEFEND’s network at your disposal. Someone will always have your back.”

Neena deciding her fate was a scary prospect, but maybe the other person, Aislinn, would be more normal.

From her experience, people only helped others for personal gain. Jaxton’s words were probably meant to comfort her, but Kiarra wouldn’t fall into his trap, hoping and wishing someone would give a damn about her.

Jaxton glanced at his watch and straightened from leaning against the dresser. “I know this is a lot to take in and that you’re probably tired, but I need you to answer my questions about Garrett. Tell me and you’ll have the rest of the night free.”

“Do I have to stay inside this room?”

He shook his head. “Just stay inside the house. Don’t open doors without knocking, or you might not like what you see.”