Chapter Ninety Four

*Ivan*


I did as we planned and left to go report to Boss. I wasn’t completely sure where he would be but while I was speaking to him, Ariya would talk to Drake. As I left the room I felt my memories begin to fade. I hardened my expression and went to Boss’s office.
His office was on the opposite end of where Ariya was, which meant he was also near the front of the building. It allowed him to leave quickly when needed but also allowed him to be the last level of defense if someone tried to escape. No one ever even bothered to try escaping. Part of me wished they did. I liked the chase of trying to find someone.
I knocked on Boss’s door and heard him tell me to come in. I opened the door and saw other people there. It looked like it was everyone from the original assignment for going after Drake. Adam, Jess, Leo, Link, and Mya were all there. When I walked in I could clearly see Jess go pale. Boss caught my eye and had an amused expression on his face.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” I said to Boss.
“You’re not. Actually it’s good you’re here. I was just about to talk to them about our little Navi we have.” Boss cooed.
I smirked at him. I had a pretty good idea where this was going. Boss and I had worked together for a long time and there were moments like these where we would talk in code to each other. Boss didn’t actually need me here but I added an element of fear.
“I’ve been hearing that some of you are upset about the treatment that the little Navi has been getting.” Boss started.
All 5 of them visibly stiffened from Boss’s words. None of them said anything. They wouldn’t dare. I watched as Boss scanned each of their faces. He wanted them to talk so he could shut it down. Boss didn’t take betrayal lightly. Regardless of their thoughts and feelings, they shouldn’t say anything to anyone other than Boss. Jess was as pale as a ghost and looked like she could throw up at any moment.
“This is your chance to voice your concerns. You won’t get another chance.” Boss warned them.
To my surprise it was Link that spoke, “Are we going to do anything about her?”
“At some point the 5 of you will fight her. Though I’m not sure any of you stand a chance.” Boss laughed.
“What can we do to stand a chance?” Mya asked.
“Nothing. You all forget that Justin and I were the ones that trained her.” Boss said.
“Is that why Justin is the only one allowed in the room outside of you?” Leo asked.
“Let me make something clear. No one and I mean no one will step within 30 feet of that room without my say so. If they do, Justin will kill them without hesitation. Ariya is off limits. I have plans for her which is why she’s getting treated the way she is. Any questions?” Boss threatened them.
“What’s your plans for her?” Adam asked.
Boss nodded so slightly that I knew no one but me would catch it. I jumped across the room, ripping Adam from his chair, and I pinned him against the wall. Adam’s eyes were wide with fear and he coughed as I had my hand around his throat.
“My plans are none of your business right now. When I choose to share information you will know. Until then forget that Ariya ever even existed. Especially if you want to live. Justin is under direct orders from me and if you all know what’s good for you, you’ll stay far away from him as well.” Boss threatened.
I released Adam and he dropped to the ground coughing. All of them looked at me with fear in their eyes. Jess was the only one that didn’t ask anything. She’d already had this conversation with Boss and she knew that no good would come from asking anything. Ariya was off limits to them. Boss had his plans and he hadn’t even shared most of them with me. He was playing a very tight strategic match and had to make sure he made his moves in the right way. He wasn’t willing to risk anything. Not when it came to the possibility of catching Drake.
Boss dismissed them and had me close the door after the last one left. Like the room Ariya was in, his office was also sound proof. He didn’t want his conversation overheard.
“I hadn’t planned on calling you but I’m glad you showed up. Tell me what it is you needed to tell me.” Boss started.
“She had another memory last night. Whatever it was, she didn’t seem to want to get up when I got here this morning. I’m pretty sure if I give her enough food she’ll sleep all day.”
“She’s living through all her emotions from each memory. You need to be careful, she might wake up and attack.”
“I will. Do you want me to try to get her to sleep most of the day?”
“Yes. Let’s go talk to her first. See if she learned anything new that can be useful.” Boss said.
Boss and I went to the room that Ariya was in. The light was off when we got there and I looked at Boss, unsure if he’d change his mind about going in.
“If she’s sleeping we can wait to see if she’s dreaming. If she’s not we’ll wake her up. I want to know about this new memory.” Boss said.
We walked into the room and Ariya sat up immediately.
“I’m gonna turn the lights on, Ariya.” Boss said, flipping them on.
Ariya flinched at the light for a moment but adjusted quickly. She looked at Boss concerned.
“I’m sorry. I’m just really tired today. It’s easier to sleep with the lights off.” Ariya apologized.
“That’s understandable. You can turn them off again, I wanted to talk to you about your most recent memory first.” Boss said.
Ariya nodded, “Ivan and Caleb came to live with us when Keo and I were 5 years old.”
“Why did they go to live with you guys?” Boss asked her.
“Their parents were killed. I think Ivan was 10 and Caleb was 9 when it happened.”
“So they’re 4 and 5 years older than you?” Boss asked.
“No, 5 and 6. Their birthdays were only a couple months after everything happened.” Ariya said.
“So that makes Caleb 28 and Ivan 29 if their birthdays have passed.” Boss said.
It was like I could see the wheels turning in Boss’s head as he was putting things together. Caleb and Ivan were the only 2 that could hide in plain sight. Boss had never met either of them face to face that he knew of. So that made them a lot harder to find.
Ariya seemed to want to ask something but hesitated.
“You can ask, Ariya.” Boss told her.
“Do you know why their parents were killed?” Ariya asked him.