Nemesis by Emma L. Adams

changed too, from a subtle presence to a persistent buzz. I didn’t know the specifics of level difference between worlds. But suddenly, I wanted to know. Everything.
    If anything would make this tedious mission worthwhile, it would be that.
    Yeah. I was playing a dangerous game, all right. Next time we came here, it looked like I’d have to talk to the mage again. True, some people distrusted magic-wielders. Looked at them differently, warily. But I was used to that already.
    Magic-wielder. Maybe it was about time I owned the title.

CHAPTER SIX
    ADA
     
    “You passed,” said Ms Weston.
    As she spoke the two words I’d most needed to hear, the knot in my chest loosened.
    “I did?” I tried not to sound too surprised. Aside from my freak-out in the simulation chamber, my grades from school were laughable and I’d almost accidentally mentioned that time I’d illegally taken Delta for a tour of London.
    Note to self: don’t mention illegal excursions in front of the boss.
    “Yes, you did. You’ll start work properly on Monday, and report to me. I’ll contact you if anything changes—you might hear from Carl, too. He’s the head of the guards, and it’s him you’ll have to speak to if you lose or break your communicator.”
    Excuse me? Did she really think me that careless? It wasn’t as though fancy electronics fell into my lap every week.
    Apparently reading my expression, she said, “It happens more often than you might think, especially when guards run into trouble in the Passages.”
    “Insurance against monster damage?” I tried a smile, but she didn’t return it.
    “Meanwhile, all communication devices are fitted with a tracker for emergencies so they can be found anywhere within the neighbouring worlds.”
    She went through the Alliance’s rules again, and handed me a proper key card. It even had my name on it–Ada, not Adamantine, thankfully, though I knew she was well aware of my real name.
    Ada Fletcher. Novice Alliance guard and admin staff. It seemed so surreal.
    “As for patrols, we’re putting you on the rota… with conditions. You’ll be supervised, of course. Though the odds of running into trouble are low at the current time, we want to make sure you’re ready.”
    Ready to go back into the Passages. My chest knotted again at the thought. Stop it, Ada. I’d walked those Passages most of my life. I could play my new role as guard. It was the key to seeing the worlds I’d always dreamed of.
    The smile on my face was genuine as I flew downstairs to the entrance hall. Jeth was already there, and before he had the chance to ask, I said, “Good news. I’m in.”
    “You go, Ada,” he said, and we high fived.
    “I start on Monday.” As we approached the doors, I couldn’t help scanning the car park in case Kay showed up, but I wasn’t holding out much hope. I hadn’t seen him since I’d made such a spectacular idiot of myself the other day, and I gathered from overhearing Ms Weston’s conversations with others in the office that he’d been roped into some kind of offworld crisis involving centaurs. It sounded a million times more exciting than paperwork, but I was one step closer to the Multiverse. I practically skipped out the door–just as Kay walked in.
    I managed not to stop, but it was close. Kay now wore a different black jacket to the guard uniform, one with silver edges to the sleeves and a badge marking him as an Ambassador. I turned my eyes away before my gaze wandered further. To my own annoyance, my face heated up.
    “I got the job,” I said lamely, as he walked by without stopping.
    His blank expression didn’t change. “Knew you would.”
    No “congratulations”, then? Though it didn’t help that Jeth still hovered at my side.
    “Um, I guess I’ll see you next week?” I said over my shoulder.
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    Please. Kill me. Now.
    “Wow,” said Jeth as we left him behind. “Friendly, isn’t he?”
    “He’s just… I have no idea.” I shook