Page 41 of My Salvation

Aiden rubbed his chin. “He’s actually put on some definition. I’ll up his training regimen.”

Brie, Izzy, Zoe, Anne, Meryn, and Amelia were all calling Pip’s name.

Cas gave a piercing whistle in support.

With his cheeks flushed, Pip turned toward Meryn. “Did I win?”

“Fuck yeah, you did!” she yelled.

Nigel and Neil floated him down, but he was immediately lifted to the shoulders of the men and passed around in celebration.

Once the men had calmed down and put their shirts back on, Aiden stood on the bar overlooking the large crowd of warriors.

“First off. Meryn is my mate, you can die for her, but that’s it.”

“Aiden!” she yelled from the back of the room.

“Don’t worry commander, I don’t think anyone would have a problem sacrificing themselves for such an amazing actress,” one of the Vanguard called out, causing all the men to laugh.

Blushing, Meryn chuckled. “Busted.”

Aiden nodded. “Good. Now, before we go any further. Are there any squads that want to rotate to inactive status?”

No one spoke up.

Aiden smiled approvingly. “I didn’t think so. Normally, when a Vanguard comes back into active status, they would rotate out with a unit warrior, but unfortunately, we need every warrior we have, given current events.”

All the men nodded as they agreed with Aiden.

“That being said, I’d like to create an active Vanguard status that would work hand in hand with the units in the pillar cities,” Aiden began. “Six squads will be assigned to Lycaonia with the designations Alpha, Beta, Delta, Epsilon, Gamma etc…” Aiden looked out at the men. “These assignments will not be based on rank. I’m looking for volunteers based on need.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “One squad will be staying here as one of their members lost a brother in the wave of fae murders. If anyone has family in the pillar cities, I’d like to take that into consideration. Now, who would like to head to Lycaonia?”

Immediately three hands went up.

Aiden nodded. “Do those serving with those men agree with the Lycaonia assignment?” The men nodded.

“I need three more squads for Lycaonia.”

The men looked at one another, and three other squads stepped forward.

“Who needs to go to Noctem Falls?” Aiden asked.

This time five squads stepped forward. Aiden smiled. “You’ll be reporting to Adriel. One more?”

In the corner two squads squared off to do rock, paper, scissors. The winning squad joined the other five.

“We have one squad already assigned to Éire Danu. I need five more,” Aiden looked around the room.

Cas looked on, feeling impressed. Aiden was making sure the men were where they wanted to be. He wasn’t being high-handed and putting them wherever he wanted.

“Sir, we’d like to stay and continue to keep an eye on Cas,” Reston said, stepping forward.

She felt tears prick her eyes. “You guys,” she said softly.

Behind him, four other squads walked over to stand behind Reston.

Aiden nodded. “Good.” He turned and eyed the remaining two squads. “Men, you’ll be first reporting to Kendrick Ashwood and Thane Ashleigh tomorrow morning.”

The two remaining squads nodded toward Kendrick.

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