Chapter 40
Max leads us into a conference room, and the ten new initiates sit down around the dark wood conference table. Lauren stands in front of the list of rankings and Tobias leans against the wall, looking bored.
"Here in Dauntless, you pick your job based on your rank. Highest ranked pick first." Max steps aside, revealing a board with potential jobs written on it. I quickly scan it and find ambassador. Only one position open! "Pick carefully. It's possible to switch later, but it's very difficult and often there aren't many jobs open. Tris picks first."
"Ambassador. And training initiates next year," I say.
"Alright. Next, Uriah," Max says, writing my choice down.
"Leader's assistant! And training initiates," Uriah says, clearly pleased he got his first choice.
"No more positions training initiate now. Lynn, our choice?" Max says.
Lynn chooses to be a trainer. The trainers here are well-respected, much more than initiate instructors are. Member's trainers work with full-fledged Dauntless members to keep up our strength, work on combat skills, and help us recover from injuries. They're like a mix of initiate trainer and nurse.
Marlene chooses to be a nurse, Christina gets her wish of being a tattoo artist, Will looks slightly less miserable when he gets to be a control room operator, and Peter, surprisingly, chooses to be a fence guard and spend most of his life away from Dauntless. I guess he won't be a problem anymore. Things are shaping up.
When everyone has chosen, Eric steps forward, holding a clipboard. "Housing. Living with a roommate costs less points, so give that some thought. You can live on your own, though. Pack your things from the initiate's dorm, you'll move into new apartments tonight, shortly after dinner. That's when you'll sign up for an apartment, with or without a roommate. Dismissed until tonight."
Tobias catches my eye and inclines his head, asking me to wait. He must want to talk to me. I pause and let everyone file out in front of me. Peter doesn't look up as he passes me. Tobias walks next to me, keeping pace. He looks like he's about to ask me something when Max yells down the hall, telling us to wait. Oh god. Does he know I'm Divergent?
Tobias turns and backtracks. I follow him, my feet suddenly like lead. Max lets us into a room marked "Leader's Office" in bold black letters. I settle into a stiff chair next to Tobias, my heart pounding. Getting called into a leader's office is no small deal.
"It's come to my attention that you two are involved," Max begins. That's what this is about? "I do not usually care one way or another who is involved with who, but Tris, seeing as you finished first in your class, some might wonder."
"You know that's not true, Max. You saw her in her fear landscape. Tris only had seven fears, and she got through them quickly. And if you want proof she's physically tough enough to be Dauntless, you can watch her throw knives or stand in front of the target without flinching while I throw them." Tobias says, his voice hard.
Max's eyes narrow. "I'm well aware of how talented Tris is. She definitely deserved first. It's funny that you mention her fear landscape. Are you aware you were in it?"
"Yes. She mentioned it," Tobias replies, his face tensing.
"And her ranking and her fear of sex with you are not connected?" Max asks. Oh. My. God. He thinks Tobias threatened my ranking to get sex.
"No. They're not. I don't know why she's scared of intimacy, but I respect that. And her ranking has nothing to do with our relationship," Tobias says, visibly irritated.
"She is right here. And I can speak for myself," I say to Tobias, then turn to Max, "T-I mean Four never mentioned my ranking to me and definitely never threatened it to coerce me. He and I are actually dating now. Thank you for caring, though."
Max relaxes, then says, "You almost called him Tobias. Not many people know that's his given name. Certainly not many initiates. I'm sorry I had to even bring the subject up, but the other leaders were concerned."
Tobias nods. He seems less angry now, so I put a hand on his arm. He smiles at me and laces his fingers with mine.
"Now, there's one other thing. You've heard about what's happening with Erudite and information leaks, right?" Max directs the question at Tobias.
"Of course. They must be getting Dauntless information somehow, from some insider. Someone high up, too," Tobias replies.
"Yes, and I think I know who it is. Eric was Erudite and seems to have retained some loyalty to Jeanine. We've recorded him meeting with her several times," Max says. Accusing another Dauntless leader of treachery. Wow.
"What can I do to help?" Tobias asks.
"Step up and be a leader. Take his spot, so he's in a less dangerous position. He'll be angry, he'll get sloppy, and it'll give me time to catch him passing information," Max says.
"I'll have to think about it…" Tobias says hesitantly.
"I'd like an answer by tomorrow morning. And obviously, say nothing to anyone about this."
Tobias nods, then stands and with a final goodbye walks out the door. I get up to follow and Max says, "Tris. If Tobias takes the leader position, it'll put you in danger. Eric will want revenge and all the leaders know you two are dating now. Be careful."
I thank Max and slip out, carefully shutting the door behind me.