Page 94 of Forcing Fate

“Avyanna.” Determination clenched his jaw. “This is unacceptable for any soldier. Had a Corporal found a soldier ‘visiting’ another in the barracks, you’d never find the offender’s body.”

“I know! But I’ve already been granted an exclusion by having a room. I don’t want to cause more of an upheaval. Let me handle this, I beg of you.” I put every ounce of pleading into my gaze.

His dark brown eyes flashed angrily. “One night. You have tonight and that’s it. Then I’m informing a Corporal.”

I sighed as he started walking again, and I took two strides for his one, trying to keep up.

We traveled the short distance to the recruit bunkhouse, now home to the first year cadets like me. He led me in and nodded to the secretary before crossing the space to my storage closet. He stopped, surveying the larger bunk room. I mimicked his movements, wondering what exactly he was searching for.

Just as I was about to ask, he grunted and walked to a bunk along the far wall. He grabbed a chair and dragged it over to me. I stood there as he frowned at the floor, still upset, and firmly set the chair in front of the door.

“Go on then,” he said, taking a seat and crossing his arms. He spread his legs wide, settling in, and glared off into the distance.

“Go where?”

Was he telling me to go to my room? Was I grounded? This would be one of the first times he treated me like a child, and I wouldn’t let him get away with it.

“Avyanna,” exasperation drew out my name as he peered up at me, “sleep, lass. You’re no good to anyone, especially yourself, if you don’t get some shuteye.”

“Oh.” I looked at the door to the storage closet, and back to him.

“I’ve nothing to occupy my time right now. Go, sleep.”

All my fight melted away. If there was one man on this side of the wall I could trust, it was him.

“Thank you.” I gave him a tired smile and stepped into my room.

I was thankful the uniform was clean, because as I fell onto my cot, I drifted into sleep faster than I ever had.

Willhelm woke me at the fifth chime with a sharp rap on my door. I rose, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and followed him to the dining hall. He had sent word to Niehm and Elenor that I would wash after eating, allowing me precious moments to sleep.

I stood in line as the servers piled food onto my plate and glanced at the corner table where the bounty hunter sat. As I scanned the room, I spotted Victyr, who stared at me with a harsh glower.

“You know him?” Willhelm asked, nodding to the bounty hunter, pulling my attention off of Victyr.

“He’s… an acquaintance.” I clutched my plate as my stomach rumbled. I was starving, and for once, felt like I could finish my ration.

I turned to take a step, following Willhelm, and nearly ran into Sergeant Briggs.

“Double rations, soldier.”

Taking a deep breath, I dipped my head. “Yes, sir.”

I faced the server who looked between me and Sergeant Briggs before ladling more stew over my potato. I flashed an annoyed smile at the Sergeant before stepping around him to find Willhelm. As I neared, I noted Rory, Corporal Bane, and Sergeant Greyson. I placed my plate on the table and took a seat, listening to their conversation.

“–I don’t like it, but we cannot impede him,” Sergeant Greyson was saying.

I settled beside Willhelm and was taken aback to see Corporal Bane staring at me. His face was expressionless and I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed, curious, or angry that I sat with them.

“Ah, I see our girl has taken to the uniform!” Sergeant Greyson stated, changing the subject. He gave me an appraising nod.

I was glad my trouser-clad legs were under the table, out of sight. “Am I allowed to tailor it?” I asked, glancing at Willhelm.

“Nothing wrong with that,” he replied, deferring to Corporal Bane.

The Corporal grunted in reply. He steepled his hands in front of him and tapped his lip with his index fingers. I avoided his intense stare and took a bite of food.

Rory leaned around Willhelm, face beaming with pride. “A full soldier now! First year cadet! My, how she’s grown!”

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