Free Web NovelChapter 11: Spy On The Beast
Aria was nervous at first, a lot of unpleasant scenarios running through her head.
What if they were taking her somewhere private to finish her off? Then again, wouldn’t she have needed to do something wrong first?
That thought was quickly replaced by another.
What if they had finally realized she was some sort of defective candidate and wanted one of those blue-blooded girls instead? No offense to Brittney, Alek, and Trisha.
Well. Maybe a little offense.
Aria comforted herself with the fact that it was already too late to find a replacement. Deployment was tomorrow morning. Surely they only wanted to ask her a few questions.
The problem was, questions about what?
Aria simply settled for putting on a brave face while her thoughts ran wild.
Eventually, Abigail stopped in front of a door.
"You may enter."
Aria was suspicious. "That’s it?"
"That’s it." The woman reached for the handle. "She’s waiting for you."
Aria’s eyebrows climbed toward her hairline. She?
Before she could ask another question, Abigail opened the door and gently shoved her inside. The door clicked shut behind her.
Aria blinked in surprise at what she saw. This was not what she had been expecting.
The room looked more like a luxurious office suite than an interrogation chamber. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Nova City while bookshelves lined one wall and expensive artwork decorated another. The scent of coffee lingered in the air. Everything about the room screamed wealth.
Then a soft voice spoke.
"Hello, Aria."
The sound startled her. She turned.
A beautiful dark-haired woman sat behind an enormous desk. She looked to be in her late thirties, dressed in an elegant navy suit that probably cost more than Aria’s entire house. Despite that, there was something warm about her smile. Dangerously warm.
Rich people always smiled before asking for something.
The woman rose gracefully to her feet, extending a hand.
"My name is Dr. Eniola Moore," she introduced herself. "Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Moore Biotech Industries, and Senior Scientific Advisor to the Novara Regional Council."
Aria stared at her. That was an absurd number of titles for one person. Her gaze shifted to the offered hand. She ignored it. Aria didn’t know the woman’s intentions yet and wasn’t about to get cozy with her.
To Eniola’s credit, she didn’t seem offended by the rejection. If anything, her smile deepened a little as she withdrew her hand.
"You may sit."
Aria did. The chair was so comfortable it annoyed her. For a moment neither spoke.
Then Eniola folded her hands neatly atop her desk. "I watched your interview." freewēbnoveℓ.com
Aria groaned internally.
"My condolences."
To her surprise, the woman laughed.
"I liked you."
Aria instantly grew more suspicious. People like Eniola Moore didn’t notice people like her unless they wanted something.
"So," Aria said cautiously, "Why am I here?"
Eniola leaned back in her chair.
"I simply wanted to meet you."
That was all? Nah, she wasn’t falling for that bullshit.
So Aria waited.
The woman continued studying her.
Aria waited some more. Eventually she sighed. "What do you want?" she went straight to the point.
Eniola seemed amused. "What makes you think that?"
Aria retorted. "Because people in your position don’t invite disposable girls into fancy offices just to admire the scenery."
Interest flashed across Eniola’s face.
"There it is."
"There what is?"
"The reason I chose you."
Aria immediately stilled. She knew she shouldn’t have let her guard down.
Eniola must have noticed the girl looked seconds away from bolting because she quickly added, "I’m interested in the beasts."
"Most people are," Aria pointed out.
"Not in the same way, Aria. I’m a renowned xenobiologist, and I’ve been interested in the beast shifters ever since they stumbled into our world. The wolves are already documented. We understand them better than any other non-human species. But the dragons, the serpent clans, and the dozens of other creatures in Bestial City..." She paused. "There is still so much we don’t know."
Understanding dawned on Aria.
She said bluntly, "You need someone to spy for you."
"Straight to the point," Eniola breathed. "I prefer calling it information gathering."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, lady," Aria retorted.
Eniola sighed as though she had dealt with stubborn teenagers her entire life.
"Fine. Spying."
At least she was honest.
Aria crossed her arms. "And why exactly would I help you?"
The answer came immediately.
"Davina."
Just like that, every trace of humor left Aria’s face.
Eniola offered immediately. "I can help her."
"I already helped her."
"Did you?"
The question immediately irritated Aria.
"I made sure she’ll be taken care of."
Eniola nodded.
"You mean with money?"
"That’s generally how being taken care of works," Aria snapped.
The moment Eniola brought Davina into the conversation, that was where her manners ended.
"What if you die?"
The words landed harder than Aria expected.
The woman continued gently.
"What if you die tomorrow, Aria? Or next week? Or a month from now? Do you think that money will last forever?"
Aria said nothing. She didn’t want to give Eniola the illusion that she held all the cards here.
Eniola leaned forward.
"I’m talking about a future here. A real future. My company funds educational programs throughout Nova City. Your sister would receive the best education available. Housing. Healthcare. Career opportunities. Connections. Just think about it."
She paused. "Your mother too."
Aria’s voice was taut. "My mother?"
"I know about your mother’s tendency to choose the wrong men." Eniola spoke carefully, aware she was stepping into sensitive territory. "Environment shapes people, Aria."
Aria remained silent.
"Nova City provides opportunities that many provinces simply cannot. She’d meet different people. Other women who could influence her for the better. Better jobs. Better support systems. Better opportunities."
Aria hated how convincing she sounded.
Unfortunately, this kind of speech always had a catch to it.
Eniola noticed her expression.
"You’re skeptical."
"I’m not stupid."
"Good," the woman said. "Because I don’t have much use for stupid people."
"And what if I die early?" Aria held her gaze. "That doesn’t exactly profit you, does it? All these promises disappear the moment I’m gone."
Unexpectedly, Eniola beamed at her.
"Then I suppose you’ll have to keep yourself alive." She tilted her head slightly. "And I have a feeling you know exactly how to do that, Aria Aspen."
Silence settled between them as Aria was left speechless. She scrutinized the woman carefully.
Aria didn’t owe the beasts anything. Unlike some of the girls downstairs, she wasn’t chasing a romantic fantasy of catching the eye of some deranged beast shifter.
Survival and her family were all that mattered. And if helping Eniola Moore achieved both goals, then she was in.
Besides, if she turned the offer down, the woman would simply recruit someone else.
Aria wasn’t about to throw away a golden opportunity.
"Fine. I’ll consider it."
Eniola didn’t look surprised by her answer. If anything, she seemed to have expected it all along.
"Good. Now—"
"But before that, I need something from you." Aria cut her off.
Now Eniola looked interested.
"What is it?"
Aria didn’t hesitate.
"I need a map of Bestiaris Academy."
For the first time, Eniola looked genuinely impressed. A proud smile curved her lips.
"I knew I made the right choice."
That reaction unsettled Aria. It was the same look corporations got whenever they stumbled upon valuable talent. It felt like she had just passed some invisible test.
Eniola folded her hands.
"As you wish. I’ll provide a map of the main campus and all documented surrounding zones. You do not want to wander beyond those boundaries."
"Why?"
"Because many who ventured beyond them never returned."
A shudder crawled down Aria’s spine. She ignored it.
"One more thing."
"What is it?"
Surprisingly, Eniola didn’t seem bothered by the growing list of demands.
"I want information on the previous candidates."
That made the woman pause.
Aria clarified. "Especially the girl who lasted the longest."
For a brief moment, approval flashed through Eniola’s eyes.
Aria immediately wondered if she had made a mistake. Perhaps she had shown too much of her hand too soon.
"I’ll provide that too. However, you should know that this arrangement remains confidential," Eniola reminded her.
"I figured."
"Like every candidate, you’ll receive a device before deployment tomorrow. My contact information will already be added. I’ll also send over the agreement."
Aria immediately raised a finger.
"Add one clause."
Eniola arched a brow.
"What is it now?"
"I reserve the right to back out of this deal whenever I want."
This time, the woman looked genuinely taken aback.
"And don’t try slipping some clever legal nonsense into the contract either," Aria added. "I’ll read every line before signing."
Eniola’s smile became all teeth.
"Smart ass."
She rose and extended her hand.
"So, do we have a deal?"
Aria looked at the offered hand. Unlike before, she reached out and shook it.
"I guess." fгeewebnovёl.com
Eniola’s grip tightened briefly before releasing hers.
"I can’t wait for tomorrow," she said. "I have a feeling things are about to become very interesting."
