Tactical (Para-Military Recruiter Book 7) by Renée Jaggér & Michael Anderle

Author:Renée Jaggér & Michael Anderle [Jaggér, Renée & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2023-05-02T16:00:00+00:00

The new portal between Avalon HQ and NYHQ had been built in the inner ward near the front doors of the keep.

With the rest of the NCOs, Julie waited in the bright summer sunshine, shifting from foot to foot as she stared at the portal. It swirled faintly, revealing nothing but dusky gloom on the other side. The door to the NYHQ portal room had to be closed.

Easy, Julie, Hat soothed. They’re not due for another few minutes.

They’re the first regiment. Maybe they’ll be early. Julie sucked in a breath.

Hat’s voice was gentle. It’s not their timing that worries you, though.

No. Julie bit her lip. I haven’t seen my old unit since I told them I was going to take the officer exams. They were my family, Hat. I ate with them, slept in the same room as them, and worked with them every day. We fought battles together. We lost Chester together. She paused. What if everything’s different now that I’m giving orders?

Different or not, your unit still looks up to you and loves you. Hat’s crown squeezed her head gently.

What if they don’t treat me differently than they used to? What if I’m still just one of them? Julie rubbed her sweaty palms on her pants. I’d hate to have to enforce my orders. Bossing them around would be weird.

You won’t be bossing them around. You’ll be their leader, Julie, Hat reminded her. You’ll find a balance, and a professional distance will develop now that you outrank them. It’s normal.

Julie’s gut clenched at the thought. Professional distance? A raindrop fell on her head out of the bright blue sky, and she took a deep breath, trying to clear the sorrow that weighed down her chest. No more smuggled sandwiches from Jae. No more mocking Raven for her Malcolm Nox obsession or taste in nail polish.

She let out a sigh, and the portal sputtered. Jumping to attention, Julie held her breath, and her chest tightened when a familiar silhouette appeared in the portal. A dwarf, short and stumpy, with red hair and two giant magical war hammers slung on the belt.

Korin. Julie swallowed.

The dwarf stumped through the portal. Her keen eyes found Julie, and she hesitated.

Julie took a deep breath and strode forward, holding out a hand. “Private Frydenlund. Welcome.” She smiled. “Ariadne’s thread will guide you to the barracks.”

Korin froze, staring at Julie’s outstretched hand, then “Corporal Meadows.”

The air quivered with tension. Julie felt a shudder deep in the earth.

Then Korin’s lips twitched into an approximation of a smile. She gripped Julie’s hand heartily. “I know everything will be ready for us.”

Julie let out the breath she’d been holding. “Everything is.”

Korin gave her a firm nod. The rest of the Griffin Regiment was pouring through the portal. Raven waved, and Jae slapped her hand down. The Weres, in wolf form, wagged their tails. The faeries were too busy trying to gouge one another’s eyes out to notice much else, so nothing new there.

“Make your way to the barracks.” Julie released Korin’s hand.

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