Single Lady Spy 01 - The End of Me

genius. The kid speaks fake languages.”
    I laughed weakly, “I know.”
    “You four are going to have to do something, that no one has done before.” His eyes sparkled.
    He turned and dragged me up the short hill. We entered a small building that became huge inside.
    I saw everyone else in there. Jack laughed, “It’s like the Harry Potter tents, way bigger inside.”
    I sighed, “Let’s face the music.”
    Dad led the way into another room.
    We stepped into an elevator. It went down.
    I started to get nervous. We stopped and got out into an intense-looking laboratory or tech building. He brought us to a door. He put his hand on it, “Say yes to everything,” he whispered.
    Coop glanced at me and grinned.
    Dad pushed on the door and when we entered I nearly had a heart attack. The room was bright and huge, and set up like a senate. It was filled with people from everywhere.
    We walked into the middle and voices started from all sides of the room.
    My palms started to sweat. We followed my dad to the center of the circle. He put his hands in the air.
    A woman with dark hair, and an evil sort of sparkle in her eyes, spoke, “You have a choice. You will end the threat to the Burrow, or you will forfeit your lives. We have hidden you and your families long enough.”
    Jack and Luce looked a bit surprised, but Coop seemed like he was expecting it.
    “Our countries will offer you support, financing, and intel , but you will have to do the work and clean up the mess. You must stop whoever is looking for the Burrow and get whatever information they have gathered.”
    I looked at my dad, “Aren’t we fugitives as of now?”
    He shook his head, “No, something is being done to make it look like Servario took you all captive and hurt you. You will walk from this still unaware and clear of any suspicions.” I didn’t understand how that was possible at all.”
    The woman looked at my father, “You and Servario know your jobs?”
    He nodded once firmly and turned to me, “I love you more than anything on this planet. There is a custom here on this island.” He kissed my forehead, “I give you all my hope and love and strength.” He lifted the locket and smiled, “I gave it to you a long time ago.”
    He kissed the locket and my cheek and turned on his heel in true, military fashion, walking away from me.
    I knew then, whatever he and Servario were going to do, he wasn’t planning on coming back.
    I didn’t let myself have the second I needed. I shut it off and looked back at the lady. Her eyes shone when she spoke, “I am sorry for your loss.”
    My face was strong and brave, and I didn’t let the tears flowing down my cheeks affect that.
    “You will leave here tomorrow. You will begin something incredible and intense. We are doing something we have never done before. The world is a different place, than it was when we started, and we feel like this is the best way to keep up with the change.”
    I looked at Coop. He looked lost. That was a bad sign.
    She cleared her throat, “Welcome the new Master Keys! Commence the swear-in ceremony.”
    My stomach dropped. Coop took my hand in his, squeezing it hard.
    I wanted to protest. I had kids. I was a single mom. It wasn’t fair. Just as I opened my lips, I noticed a man in the background. He was incredibly old. He smiled at me and waved. He had no fingers on his hand. He looked at me with an awe and respect I didn’t deserve. Not yet. But I imagined I would one day.
    I just needed to figure out how to do it all.
    I smiled at the man and looked down at the floor, when I felt my heart attempting to leave my chest.
    I put my right hand in the air and spoke the words, but my heartbeat distracted me.
    The lady came down and hugged me, “They have made such a sacrifice for you to be able to leave here and live normally; well, to the outside world you will be normal. Even to your own military operation you will be innocent. For that they died.”
    I looked at her, “They?”
    She nodded, “They both had to die. They had to clear the suspicions from your name and the temptation to harm you. Servario will not be suspected as the Master Key or linked to the Burrow. He will look like another greedy arms dealer looking for another weapon. Your father’s remains will be found in Mexico and Servario’s in Boston. That will be where you lot escaped from. The true Master Key will kill him and help you escape the madness and torture. You must be grateful for the