Agent 004

2

My parents live in the countryside, which means I’m alone most of the time. Still, they never miss a day calling to ask how I’m doing.

I’m halfway up the path to my porch when I stop cold. The front door is ajar—just enough for the wind to nudge it open and make it creak. My heart stills.

I glance over my shoulder, scanning the quiet neighborhood. Not a soul in sight. The stillness almost feels heavier than usual. I slide a hand behind my back, fingers closing around the handle of the knife tucked into my waistband. Better safe than sorry.

A cold breeze slips through the gap in the doorway, brushing across my face as I step closer. The hallway inside is dark and silent, but a thin strip of white light glows under the kitchen door. My footsteps are slow, deliberate. I grip the knife tighter and push the door open—

Only to almost stab Axeyl Jett Parker, who’s standing there wide-eyed, mid-bite into a carrot.

“Woah!” he yelps, jerking back. “Chill, El. It’s just me.” He swats the knife from my hand, and it lands with a dull thud on the carpet.

I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. A fraction more and I could’ve sliced his neck. The thought sends a sharp shiver down my spine.

We just stand there for a moment, staring at each other in silence. Then Axeyl, as if nothing happened, says, “I’m hungry. Let’s go get some lamb skewers and pizza.”

Axeyl’s a dorky boy who barely stays home. His parents are business people who travel constantly. He’s an only child—and my best friend.

It’s not long before we end up at a small 24/7 diner. Axeyl heads to the counter to order while I search for a vacant booth. At this hour, the place is almost empty, which makes sense—it’s already way past midnight.

I met Axeyl five years ago at a friend’s birthday party. I thought he was a p*****t and shoved him toward the backyard pool. Turns out, someone had actually pushed him, and he’d accidentally landed a hand on my hip. Somehow, that was the start of our friendship.

“A bucket of chicken for you, and one for me,” he says, sliding into the booth with our food.

“Didn’t you say you wanted lamb skewers?”

“I did,” he mutters, coughing into his fist. “But they serve chicken way faster.”

I just shrug and take a bite. For a while, we eat in silence—until he notices the faraway look on my face.

He snaps his fingers in the air, but I don’t react. So he scoots closer and smacks a chicken wing against my forehead.

“What was that for?” I frown.

“I know that look. What is it? Work stuff? Boy problem?”

I almost snort. “I don’t have time for those.”

“Which reminds me…” He squints, pointing a drumstick at me. “Where were you? You got home way past your curfew.”

“I don’t have a curfew.”

“Yeah, you do.” He sets down the bone and sighs. “Your mom made me in charge of you, remember? Do you know how guilty I feel every time I leave you alone?”

I stay quiet, wishing I could tell him he doesn’t have to worry. That I’m more than capable of watching out for myself. But I can’t.

“I’m fine,” I finally say, taking another bite.

He gives me a look—the kind that says, Yeah, right. I ignore it.

From the corner of my eye, I notice a group of girls at another table taking pictures of him, but as usual, Axeyl pretends not to notice.

“I won’t be here next week,” he says. “Don’t do anything crazy while I’m gone.”

“Where are you going this time?” I don’t bother looking at him when I ask.

When I said Axeyl wasn’t an indoor person, I meant it. He’s always leaving, disappearing for a few days, then coming back like nothing happened. I’ve never asked for details. Privacy matters.

“Somewhere,” he says with a small smile. “But I’ll be back soon. Anyway—are you done? Let’s head home.”

“Let’s.”

A while ago…

“Agent 001’s currently surveying the coast of Great Britain,” June says. “He suspects the next shipment will be loaded during the solar eclipse.”

I straighten in my chair. “Okay… but where do I come in? And why?”

June loosens his tie, his expression tight. “That rascal got himself shot and refuses to take a few days off to heal. The next eclipse isn’t for months, so it doesn’t mess with the mission’s timing. But until then, our spies need him in top shape. And he’s not cooperating.”

“So you want me to babysit him?”

“Yes—well, no.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“You won’t be babysitting,” he says, placing his tie on the desk. “Just observe him. Protect him if necessary. And report back to me—personally.”

“Oh.”

My fingers spin a pen between them—a habit when I’m nervous. Not scared, just… wary. Agent 001 is known to kill without thinking twice. He’s the best of the best. Pretty much like me.

An agent spying on another agent? That’s new. But I have to admit, I’m curious about the man behind the reputation.

Either I’m going to find out who he really is… or I’ve just signed myself up for an early grave.

“When do I start?”

June’s lips curve into a smile, dimples showing. My fingers itch to poke them.

“Not too soon. Next week.”

Which is… two days away. Crap.

“And remember, Agent 004,” his tone hardens, “he can’t know we sent you.”

“Noted.”