41. Peter

41

PETER

P eter leaned against one of the desks in the classroom that Onegus had chosen for this interview, trying to find a diplomatic way to tell Kian that he was out of his mind.

Drova? On his team? The same Drova who had used her compulsion ability to manipulate others for her own amusement, who was wearing a location cuff because they had to restrict her movement so she couldn't compel anyone else?

Furthermore, ever since becoming the victim of Emmett's compulsion, Peter had preferred to stay away from compellers. He'd made his peace with Emmett, but that didn't mean that he liked spending time with the guy.

He watched as the young Kra-ell sat ramrod straight in her chair, dressed in tactical-style black clothing that made her look like she was cosplaying as a Guardian.

There was a hardness to her and a determination that showed potential, but she had only recently turned seventeen, which was too young to even enter the Guardian training program, let alone go on missions.

"Let's be clear about what we're discussing," he said carefully, making sure that he sounded measured and respectful. "You want me to consider adding an untrained seventeen-year-old to a team that's going after some of the vilest predators on Earth?"

Kian met his gaze steadily. "Her ability to compel immortals could be invaluable if we encounter Doomers."

"If," Peter emphasized. "And that's assuming she can control her ability under pressure and direct it at the enemy instead of targeting her teammates. Assuming she can follow orders. Assuming she has the maturity to handle what we're going to encounter and not fall apart." He shook his head. "That's a lot of assumptions to risk Guardian lives on."

Jade shifted in her chair but remained silent.

Peter could read the conflict in her expression—pride in her daughter's potential being acknowledged by Kian and Onegus warring with concern for her safety.

Onegus, who had been quietly observing from where he was leaning against another desk, folded his arms over his chest. "Drova's compulsion ability is stronger than Toven's. If properly directed, it could be an indispensable asset. I understand your reservations but try to imagine for a moment that you could take Toven with you on every mission. Wouldn't you be thrilled to have such a weapon in your arsenal? We couldn't have taken Igor's compound down without him."

It was probably not smart to contradict the chief, but as a newly minted Head Guardian, Peter was allowed more leeway than the rest of the rank and file. "I agree that Toven was invaluable to that mission, but his role was to infiltrate and gather information. He wasn't needed for the actual attack on the compound. Compulsion, unless it can be used as a blanket over the enemy, is not a good tactical weapon."

Kian shook his head. "You forget that the Kra-ell are resistant to all types of mind manipulation, which was why Toven's compulsion was useless in the attack on the compound. But if those were Doomers, he would have been a great help. Except for the rare immune, whoever heard Toven's voice would have been compelled to obey his commands."

Peter would have liked to forget how it felt to be the victim of compulsion, and he would have preferred not to work with the vile power if he didn't have to.

"We're going on our first mission Tuesday night. I can't risk taking an inexperienced girl."

He was getting married on Sunday, and he planned on taking Monday off to celebrate with his bride. He didn't have time to train a greenhorn.

A knock at the door signaled Pavel's arrival. Peter had asked the young Kra-ell to join the discussion because he was assigned to the backup team of the first Avenger mission, and he knew Drova well.

After she'd compelled him to eat dirt, he shouldn't have the best opinion about her.

"Come in, Pavel," Peter called out.

"Did you invite him to come?" Jade asked.

He nodded. "Pavel is going out on the first Avenger mission. I wanted his opinion on Drova."

When Pavel entered, he took up a position near Drova but maintained a professional distance, or maybe he was just still wary of her.

"Hi," he said to her.

To Peter's surprise, the girl blushed and smiled. "Hi."

"I invited you to hear your opinion of Drova," Peter said. "Onegus and Kian think that her compulsion ability might be useful on our missions because we suspect Doomers are involved in this vile trade. Personally, I think she is much too young and lacks experience."

Hopefully, the young Kra-ell would understand what Peter wanted him to say and not try to be a wise guy.

"Drova is one of the best fighters I've ever trained with," Pavel said. "She was trained by Jade since she was old enough to hold a stick, and her combat skills are exceptional, even by Kra-ell standards. I have no problem with her joining our team."

Damn. That wasn't what Peter had wanted him to say.

"Combat skills aren't the issue." Peter shifted on the desk. "This isn't just about fighting ability. We're going to be dealing with situations that would challenge even experienced warriors psychologically, and Drova has lived a sheltered life. I know it wasn't easy in Igor's compound, but as his daughter, I'm sure she didn't suffer as much as the others."

"I didn't get any preferential treatment, sir," Drova interjected. "I'm tough, and I can handle myself."

Peter studied her for a moment. The girl had spirit. He'd give her that. But spirit without discipline was dangerous. "You lack the discipline this kind of work requires. I cannot and will not put my team in jeopardy by adding a loose cannon to the mix."

"I'm not—" Drova started to protest, but Peter cut her off.

"You need training."

"Despite the pranks she pulled, I think that Drova has a lot of self-control, and she's a good person, and her heart is in the right place." Pavel paused. "Still, we should probably tell her what we are going up against first."

After Peter nodded, Pavel told Drova about the pedophile rings, and he didn't mince words. He gave her an unedited version that would have turned the stomachs of most adults.

At first, Drova's eyes flashed red, and then her fangs elongated. "I'll tear them apart with my bare fangs and drain their blood."

The vehemence in her voice was scary, and everyone in the room, save for Jade and Pavel, was taken aback.

Jade beamed with pride, and Pavel smiled as if his best friend had just proven herself to be a badass.

Well, she had.

These Kra-ell were wonderfully vicious, which made them the perfect Avengers. Perhaps Peter needed to rethink future team compositions and make them mostly Kra-ell.

"I appreciate the sentiment," he said. "Still, Tuesday's operation is too soon. Everyone on the team knows their roles, their positions, and their responsibilities. I can't introduce a new variable at this stage."

"What if she observes only?" Kian suggested. "No direct involvement, just surveillance from a safe distance, let's say, the surveillance equipment van. It would give her a chance to see how the team operates, expose her to the filth, and give you a chance to evaluate her potential under real conditions."

Peter considered this. Having Drova observe wouldn't compromise the operation, and it would give him a chance to see how she handled herself in a high-stress situation, even if it was from a distance.

"She would need a Guardian to watch over her and ensure she stays in position and doesn't try to involve herself if things go wrong."

"I'll do it," Pavel volunteered.

"No." Peter shook his head. "You're needed on the perimeter team. The Guardian manning the surveillance will suffice."

"I don't need a babysitter," Drova protested.

"You need to be observed and evaluated," Peter said bluntly. "This is a test to see how you handle taking orders, staying in position, and dealing with the stress of watching without acting. All of that will factor into whether I consider you for future operations."

Kian nodded. "Agreed." He looked at Drova. "Those terms are non-negotiable."

"I accept the terms, sir." The girl was practically vibrating with barely contained energy, but she was making a visible effort to appear professional.

Maybe the idea of putting Drova on an Avengers team wasn't as crazy as Peter had initially thought.

Nevertheless, he still wasn't happy about it.