rived at the Vanguard top fl

aged the blisters on her heels, forcing her feet back into the cheap pu

g into her computer, a s

Kenya wore a designer skirt suit and a smile that looked like a wea

ing with fake sweetness. "Alexis wants you to handl

e opened it. Inside was a list o

fee run," Arne

ssistant has to prove they can handle the pressure. The e

, soy milk, exactly three pumps of sugar-free vanilla at 14

esignated coffee shop. It was a bo

t," Arnetta said, ke

l. "And Arnetta? They expect it on the

y what this was. A hazing ritual designed to make her fail,

to the lobby and pushed t

financial district. Arnetta pulled her thin coat tighter around her body and started walking.

ue coffee shop. The li

er teeth chattering. When she finally reached the co

ory, the very skill that made her the legendary 'Aura

ut a single stutter. The barista stared at her,

carrying four massive cardboard drink carriers.

walk back t

her elbows against her ribs, using her core to stabilize the load

bicycle messenger blew through the r

g the drinks. She planted her feet, twisted her torso violentl

dlebars missing her shoulder by inche

sloshed violently inside the cups, but

est of the way to the Vanguard building. Sweat b

using the mirrored walls to quickly smooth

ator doo

te. Her arms were trembling from the

a filing cabinet, holdin

ing down each specific drink with absolute precision. She had used a blac

a black, single-origin po

ya was staring at the empty carrier

ly, looking directly into Kenya's eyes

y red. She opened her mouth to s

ress

drinks, then looked at Arnetta. Her expression was unreadable, the over

desk and dropped a blue personne

know how you survived the boardroom yesterday, and I don't know how you pulled this off without a singl

ned to loo

ary duties regarding Mr. Kirkland's

lexis, you can't be se

turned back to Arnetta, her eyes narrowing into a warning glare. "Arnetta reports directly to Brennan for

d radiating from her eyes. She spun

a's desk. "Your new security clearance

walke

r. Inside was a black, heavy-

looked at the heavy walnut doors of Brennan's office. Sh

urvive another dinner