“Good afternoon, ladies.” Kendrick stood from his chair behind his desk when I entered his office.

I’d imagined someone older, but he appeared young and amicable.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Tamara’s eyes rounded.

Justine lifted an eyebrow and surveyed him silently while Brooke offered a quick smile.

“Hi, Kendrick.” My nose crinkled from the scent of burnt metal and something else I couldn’t detect. No doubt he had a lot going on.

I’d marveled at the various inventions filling the room. The open cabinet on the back wall shelved steel, iron, bronze, wires, and tools. Bright light from the ceiling concentrated on the tables, strewn with half built or dismantled objects, varied in size.

Kendrick took his hand out of his white lab coat pocket and adjusted his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. “Come. Let me show you my designs.”

I followed behind Kendrick and weaved around some chairs and standing gadgets with wires and metal dangling.

“Here they are.” Kendrick’s tone matched the excitement in his eyes, but Justine squashed it.

“What the hell are these? It’s a lipstick, a compact mirror, necklace, hair clips, and earrings. What am I going to do? Kill them with a makeover?”

Justine had a way with words, and most of the time it was the way of pain. She needed to be taught manners, or maybe she needed extra classes with Diana. I probably should have said something, but I didn’t want to make a scene, and I didn’t want to cause a rift between us with a mission around the corner. Besides, Kendrick seemed like he could put her in place.

Kendrick’s smile froze. He ruffled his dark curly hair and pressed his lips together tight. With his level of intelligence, probably no one spoke to him that way.

“You didn’t let me explain.” He held up the lipstick. “After you apply it, blow out air. The carbon dioxide and the chemicals from the lipstick will bond together. It will put the person facing you to sleep.”

Justine’s eyes grew wider. She clamped her mouth shut and gave him her full attention. As did the rest of us. Russ had mentioned gadgets, but I had no idea they were one of a kind.

Kendrick picked up a fake—I assumed—solitaire diamond necklace from the table and continued. “If you press the center, it will disperse a toxic chemical reaction into the air. They will feel intense pain and will wish for a quick death.” He pointed to the compact mirror and the brush. “Use the brush to grab the powder. When you dust it off, you’ll be able to see any hidden laser beams.”

“Is that all we get?” Brooke asked. “What are we supposed to protect ourselves with?”

Her concern was warranted.

Kendrick pointed to the shelf behind him. “You’ll each get a Taser. Remember, these Tasers incapacitate the person for thirty minutes or so. You’ll either have to tase them again or make sure you’re out of there.” Kendrick shifted his attention solely to me. “You get the gun, too.” He took it out of his drawer. “It’s small, and it will fit inside your pocket or wherever you’d like to keep it safe. Keep in mind, this will do the job. I was told to show it to you, but Mitch will give it to you on your mission. Nothing like assassinating someone the good old-fashioned way with one bullet to the head.”

“You make it sound so simple,” Brooke chimed in. “Have you ever—?”

“No, I haven’t. I would suck at it. At least you’ve got HelixB77. It doesn’t work on me.”

It doesn’t work on me. His statement, as if it was conclusive, piqued my interest. “Why?” My gut instinct told me there was more to tell.

“You should know that answer. I don’t have special genes like you.” He busied his hands by adjusting a pen inside his front pocket, as if to distract me.

I sighed in disappointment. I should have known if there was information to hide, he would keep it to himself.

“What if I’m locked with my hands behind me and I can’t get to the lipstick, or the necklace, or any other gadgets?” Tamara asked. “Do you have something for that?”

“Good question,” I said.

“What would you do, Ava?” Kendrick’s eyes met mine.

I wasn’t expecting that. Glancing at the items on the table, I thought of the possibilities. “Well, according to my morning training class, I guess I could throw my head back and hit his chest or his nose. It would be better if it were the nose. He’ll let go, and then I can swipe my leg to knock him down, or punch him where it would hurt him the most.” I raised my chin with the confidence of my answer.

Tamara gawked. “It sounds like you’ve done it before.”

I went around Tamara to Brooke. “Brooke and I were on a couple of assignments before, but we never assassinated anyone. Unfortunately, I didn’t have these gadgets with me. Our assignment was to bring our subject in, not to kill.” I picked up several pairs of the clip-on earrings and handed them to my team.

“Be careful with those.” Kendrick flickered his hand as if to stop me, nearly hitting me in the process. “Do you know what they’re used for?”

I gave Kendrick an evil stare and almost shoved him into the wall. Steady, Ava. I did not appreciate his condescending tone. And I was sure he read my expression well when he cleared his throat and twisted away from me.

After Justine put them on, she picked up the small hand mirror from the table, admiring her reflection. “I don’t know, but these fake diamonds are gorgeous on me.”

Tamara placed a finger in her mouth, pretending to gag. I spat out a laugh and blocked Tamara from Justine’s view so she wouldn’t get caught.

“Anyway ...” Kendrick coughed lightly. “You can communicate with each other using these earrings, even if you’re in the next room. They also double as small bombs, so don’t drop one in front of you. You won’t be able to blow up a house, but you can knock out a door.”

I bared my teeth, blood draining to my toes. “You should have warned us first.”

Kendrick shrugged, schooling his face into a portrait of innocence, and turned his back to me. Brooke took them off her ears immediately and placed them gingerly on the table with shaky hands.

“That’s pretty clever and dangerous, Ken.” Justine carefully handed hers to Kendrick and headed to the next table. Not an ounce of fear in her blood. “What are those?”

Kendrick bolted to Justine, bumping into her in the process. “My name is Kendrick and don’t touch anything.” He grabbed hold of Justine’s arm, and some kind of metal wire came out from his watch and coiled around her wrist.

Justine arched her eyebrows, and leaned into her hip. “Trying to get kinky with me, Ken? You don’t need to tie me up. Just tell me it’s none of my business.”

Oh, please. Her sultry tone made me nauseous.

“Awesome,” Brooke exclaimed. “I want one.”

“Me too,” Tamara added.

Kendrick pushed a button on his watch. The wires flew back inside. “You’ll each get one when I’m done making them. Now, take the things you think you’ll need. You’ll be seeing Lydia next.”

“Why?” I asked. “Russ didn’t tell me about Lydia.”

Kendrick moved his glasses back up into place and touched his mini TAB screen on his desk. “Those were my instructions. I guess Russ forgot to tell you.”

“Why Lydia?”

Brooke must have had the same reservations I did.

“To get dolled up, ladies. You’re not going to catch anyone’s attention looking like that.” Kendrick lowered his glasses again, gawking at each of us. “But she”—he glanced at Justine—“might need more makeup.”

Yup, I knew it. Kendrick could hold his own, and he’d made sure to insult Justine when offered the opportunity.

Justine’s eyes darkened. She curled her fingers, no doubt ready to punch him.

I grabbed Justine’s arm. “Don’t. You’ll get suspended and won’t be able to join us for Friday night.”

Kendrick pressed a button on his desk before Justine could lunge at him. A sliding door opened in front of us. For a second, I considered letting her punch Kendrick, just so she could experience what it would be like to be reprimanded. Maybe it would do her some good. And also, because I wanted to do it myself. But I needed her for the mission. Replacing her in such a short time would be out of the question.

“Lydia will see you now.” Kendrick flashed a grin fake. His narrowed eyes said, get the hell out.

* * *

“Ladies.” Lydia smiled warmly, her dimples deepening.

She wore a silky lavender blouse and tight black pencil skirt. Her hair surrounded her face with soft curls. Earthy makeup complemented her brown eyes. If I hadn’t known I was going to her office, I wouldn’t have recognized her.

“Hello, Lydia,” we all greeted in unison.

“Come in and have a seat.”

Lydia’s office was three times larger than my bedroom. Two brown leather sofas faced each other, separated by a small steel table. A clear vase set to the left of her desk held peonies of varying colors, filling her room with a sweet scent. As I sat and waited for her instructions, I admired the beautiful flowers and wished my room smelled and looked like hers.

I also admired her back wall. It projected a garden with various types of colorful flowers with a fountain in the middle. Then it switched to a white sandy beach and a rowboat softly rocked near the shore. Quite different from Russ’s office.

Locked up in the compound, I didn’t have the opportunity to be surrounded by Mother Nature or breathe in the fresh air, though perhaps not so fresh ever since meteors had struck the world. Ironically, the meteors had enhanced technology and medicine, helping humanity advance centuries ahead of schedule.

“You’re probably wondering why you’re here.” A wall slid open at the touch of Lydia’s hand, revealing a rack of clothes. “We’re sending you on an assignment full of men. We can’t have you dressed like that.”

I gazed down to the comfortable workout clothes I wore every day, which were branded with the ISAN symbol. The four of us wore the same outfit—black jersey pants and white T-shirts. Yeah, not attractive—at least not compared to what Lydia wore.

“I get to dress like you?” Tamara’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

She sounded more excited than I felt.

Lydia bent down and pulled out some boxes. “Almost.” She paused to take out black boots. “You can’t fight in the heels I’m wearing, but you can in these.”

“Wedge heels.” I stared in disbelief.

They were about two inches and squared. I supposed a real heel wouldn’t be practical.

“A wedge heel isn’t a real heel.” Justine clucked her tongue, as if she was the fashion icon. “ISAN takes the fun out of everything.”

Lydia handed a pair to me, and then to Brooke. “These are different. You’ll see. Put them on. I have your measurements, but let me know if they don’t fit right.”

I took off my comfortable flat shoe, slipped my toes through the boots, and then zipped up the sides.

“I love it.” Brooke admired her boots, staring at her reflection.

The wall with the beach scene had switched into a mirror. I wished my wall could project like hers.

“Here.” Lydia passed out a pair to Tamara and Justine.

After my team put them on, Lydia instructed us to spread out an arm distance apart. “Stomp on your heels and see what happens.”

“Whoa.” Brooke sat back down, examining the small, plastic knife that had slid out just enough so she could grab the handle.

Tamara mimicked Brooke’s action and held it out. “This is way too cool.”

“Mine’s not working.” Justine frowned.

“Try again,” Lydia said.

I touched the short blade. “Pretty ingenious. Plastic knives can’t be detected. How do you—?”

Lydia answered before I could finish my question. “The same way you got it open. Slide it back inside.”

“Why’re we dressing like this?” Tamara clicked her shoes to put the plastic knife back in.

“To answer your question, Tamara, Mr. Thomax Thorpe is single and likes to be entertained by beautiful women.”

“I don’t have to ... um ... um ...” Brooke tugged on the hem of her shirt.

“No, of course not. I’d never ask for more than flirting, but you won’t even get that far. As soon as you get inside, you start attacking the guards. You have to take them down before you can reach Mr. Thorpe.”

“What if he’s not home?” I asked.

“Wow.” Justine’s reaction was delayed. Her boots finally worked.

“We’ve been monitoring him. One of the guards inside is our source. He’s been keeping me informed of all Mr. Thorpe’s activities. He’s always home on Wednesday nights. Seems like Wednesday is his fun night. I’ve canceled his appointment with the service. There won’t be any confusion.”

Lydia rose and opened another level of the sliding drawer from her wall. “This is where the fun begins. Let’s pick out some sexy outfits. Though your outfits will be Taser and bullet proof, unfortunately because of the design, you’ll have some exposed area. Now ... I’m going to make you irresistible.” She tossed wigs at us. “I don’t want anyone to identify you.”

“Why are we all blondes?” I ran my fingers through my wig, engrossed with the silky-smooth texture.

“I’m already blonde.” Justine flipped her hair from side to side in exaggeration.

“Yes, you are, Justine.” Lydia laughed, but her humor quickly faded. “Your hair is about shoulder length, but it needs to go to your waist.” Lydia held up the extra wig, inspecting it as if she was seeing it for the first time. “I was informed Mr. Thorpe likes blondes. Then blondes you shall be.”