Page 3 of Wrath

“Hello, Wrath. Thank you! Please, come in,” she said with a welcoming smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Although the hovercart could have fit in through the door and small hallway to her living area, I picked up the bags and issued a simple vocal command to send the cart back to one of the storage locations.

“Wow, they weren’t kidding about the Xian Warriors’ strength,” Kwan said as I carried her bag inside.

“We do all right,” I said with a little chuckle.

Although I appreciated this chance at showing off a bit, I hadn’t done it with that specific intention. I wasn’t OCD like Chaos, but I hated clutter. The hovercart just ate up too much space inside an apartment.

“Where would you like me to put them?” I asked.

“In the bedroom would be nice, thank you,” Kwan said, rushing ahead to open the bedroom’s door at the back of the apartment.

She stood outside as I went in and placed the two heavier bags on top of the king bed and the three lighter ones on the floor. I walked right out and gave the living area a cursory glance. Pride swelled in my hearts. The Vanguard only hired the best and offered them the best in return. These quarters were spacious, with high end finishing and furnishing. The open plan kitchen, dining area, and living area had been professionally decorated. The large windows not only allowed plenty of light to flood in, but also gave a stunning view of the plaza outside the Residence.

“I hope you find your accommodations to your liking,” I said kindly. “If you need anything or wish to redecorate, you only have to ask.”

“Everything is beyond amazing. This feels more like a posh condo than a new recruit’s quarters,” Kwan said.

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. We aim to please,” I replied. Looking over my shoulder, I cast a glance at the white leather couch in her living area before facing her again. “If you have a moment, I would like to discuss a few things with you, and then I’ll leave you to unpack your things.”

“Of course,” Kwan said, a sliver of worry flashing through her beautiful dark brown eyes.

She gestured for me to take a seat on the couch. To my chagrin, she settled in front of me in the matching leather chair rather than sitting next to me.

“First, as you are aware, you have been assigned to my team,” I said, falling into my team leader role while trying to ignore the throbbing in my throat. “You already know Linette and have met Varnog and Myriam. You will later meet Myriam’s husband Dread, and our medical officer, Nathalie.”

She nodded, her shoulders still stiff with a slight tension.

“Normally, as a new recruit, you should spend the next month undergoing the final qualification training,” I continued. “As you had already begun that process in the past, and in light of your significant experience acquired during your military career, you will receive accelerated training, focused on your psychic abilities.”

“That’s awesome! Thank you,” Kwan said.

“Don’t thank me too soon,” I cautioned. “We are going to work you really hard so that you can be ready for our upcoming mission. We will be heading out in two weeks’ time, right after you’ve completed your psychic training. As the Shield on our team, we need to make sure you are comfortable interacting with our Soulcatcher Linette and our Portal Nathalie. The three of you working in perfect symbiosis is a matter of life and death.”

Even as I spoke those words, I mentally kicked myself. This wasn’t necessarily a topic I wanted to bring up. At the same time, it needed to be discussed. In the end, her ability to perform under highly stressful situations, including the potential death of one of her teammates, was primordial. Kwan nodded and swallowed hard. To my relief, she didn’t seem distraught by the topic.

“You will be working with Raven and the women of our team not only on your psychic role, but also on how to revive and care for a Shell—our replacement bodies,” I explained.

“Okay,” she said.

I stared intensely at Kwan, studying her features before peeking at her aura. She squirmed, but her gaze didn’t stray from mine—a reassuring display of strength.

“You do not have to tiptoe around the topic of death with me,” Kwan suddenly said. “I may be mourning my fiancé, but death is a reality of life. I have been in the army long enough to have seen my share of it.”

“I am relieved to hear it,” I said softly. “But I want to make sure that you can perform at optimal level. The strength of the Vanguard relies mainly on the knowledge that each teammate will be able to stand when the going gets tough. Your military record is beyond stellar, and you couldn’t have a greater recommendation than from Linette herself. However, you have faced a severe trauma. We want this to be a great experience for you. I want you to genuinely assess over the next two weeks how you feel about embarking on a mission with us. If you need more time, do not hesitate to say as much. It will not reflect badly on you.”

Kwan lifted her chin defiantly, her face taking on a stubborn expression that made me want to smile.

“I appreciate the offer,” Kwan said in a slightly clipped tone, “but I assure you, I am ready and able to be a full member of your team. A year has gone by since Kevin’s death. I have served after his passing without problem. You do not have to worry about me. If I was still a basket case, I wouldn’t come here to attend someone else’s wedding. Yes, I still ache over his loss, but life goes on.”

“Excellent. Linette is beyond thrilled to have you. Just so you know, no one in the team is aware of your situation. It is not for me to reveal,” I added. “It is up to you to tell them how much or how little you wish. For the time being, you want to take the next couple of days to relax and enjoy Linette’s wedding. After that, your training will begin in earnest. I would suggest you keep a bag packed for our mission.”

“Do you know what the mission will be?” she asked.

I grinned. “Such eagerness,” I said approvingly. The prettiest blush creeped on her cheeks. “I do not have the details yet. I will update the team once that is sorted out. As you know, the war with the Kryptids just ended. We have been informed of the location of many abandoned bases that need to be investigated as soon as possible. Doom and Steele will lead the first teams heading out next week. Most of the others, ours included, should take flight in the week after that. For now, focus on becoming the best Shield of the Vanguard.”

“I can do that,” she said while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

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