"Harlow, do you remember when Bell talked to you about your gymnastics?" Knix's voice was soothing as though he was trying to keep mecalm.
"Yes, but how doesthat–"
"Every person has a set of skills that make up their talents," he continued. "Sometimes those skills may seem innocuous or even unoriginal, but they can be twisted and molded into tools used for bigger purposes. We want to do that with you if you'll agree to be a part of ourprogram."
"Why me?" I stared back into Knix’ eyes and tried to fathom why they would want to mold me. What had I done that was so great it had caught theirattention?
"Do you remember when you jumped out in the middle of the road to save a cat that wasn't even yours?" Marvasked.
Knix never took his eyes away from me even as I shifted to lookaway.
"She's mine now," Idefended.
"I assumed you'd keep her." Marv smirked. Knix reached up and smoothed back a lock of my hair that had fallen in front of my face and I blinked, distracted, even as Marv continued. "The point I'm trying to make is that you're different. You're different because of your decisions and actions. It's not the talents and skills that people have that make them unique. It's what they do withthem."
Marv folded a hand down his chest and smoothed his dress shirt. "Most people would have ignored that little kitten and kept walking. You didn't. The inherent qualities of you as a person, your character, define who you are. It's what makes you so valuable to us. It's why we chose to recruit you. We take on some pretty rough jobs as a team and we're looking for a softer piece in our box oftricks."
"Why?" I asked as Knix straightened and pulled away from me. Despite the distance, I still felt hiswarmth.
"Pure force is not always the best way to get a job done," Bellamyanswered.
The room fell silent as I took in their expressions. They watched me with unreserved interest andhope.
"What do your instincts say?" Texas prodded. "Does your gut tell you that we're bad guys? That we're going to hurtyou?"
"I don't believe most people get hurt because someone planned it," I replied quietly. "But..." They held a collective breath. "No. I don't think you want to hurtme."
"So, will you give it – give us – a chance, LittleBit?"
I closed my eyes and counted to three before I opened them again. "Okay."
All eyes were onme.
"Okay?" Marvclarified.
Texas' lipsquirked.
I nodded. "I'm not saying I'm trusting you indefinitely. I'm not saying I'll do whatever you ask of me. I'm just saying I'll try whatever it is that you'reoffering."
"That's all we ask," Bellamysaid.
"But I do find it curious," I continued. Marv arched one brow. "What would a group of guys like you need with a girl likeme?"
"We–" Knixbegan.
I touched the wrist closest to me, stopping him. "You explained that you need someone willing to be trained, but what will I be trainedfor?"
I released his hand, pulling into the thoughts swirling in my head. Words began to form on my lips almost as fast as they appeared in mymind.
"Iris," I said. "That was on the black card that Bellamy gave me. It's the name of your organization, right? If Bellamy has a tattoo of the flower, he's been in it for at least a few years. Iris is the name of a Goddess, isn't it? The Greek Goddess of theRainbow–"
I stopped when Bellamy slapped a palm on his thigh. His face was red as he held back what was quite obviously laughter. When he opened his mouth to take a breath, as it looked like he had been holding it in, he released a hoot of unbridled amusement. It wasn't long before Texas, Knix, and even Marv were chuckling along withhim.
"I told you." Bellamy gasped. "I told you she wasperfect."
"She's damn smart, Bell," Knix replied. "I'll give youthat."
I waited for them to finish laughing. It dragged on for some time even as I frowned at them in confusion. What was so funny? Knix collapsed onto the couch next tome.