Page 105 of (Mostly) Human Resources

Alexys couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“So what does this mean?” Alexys was desperate for things to just go back to the way they were. To keep her head down and try to make up for everything that’d happened. Kristin opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a new voice.

“You’re being transferred, Miss Keane.”

Alexys whipped around in her chair. The woman standing in the doorway was the most intimidating individual Alexys had ever seen. Her severe features and stiff posture reminded her of a captain ready to give orders. She commanded respect, expected it, and would accept nothing less.

“Delaney,” Kristin said by way of greeting, “you’re here early.”

“Time is precious, which I’m sure you can both appreciate.” She made a point of looking right at Alexys when she said it. Delaney’s eyes were the most unsettling shade of hazel that shifted in the soft office lighting, unable to choose a color. They were probably the only indecisive thing about her.

“Sorry, but what’s going on? I’m being transferred?” Alexys asked.

“My name is Delaney Rourke. You can call me Rourke.” It wasn’t an introduction, it was an announcement. “And yes, that’s correct, you’re being transferred out of Human Resources.”

“Where?” Alexys blurted. Delaney grinned.

“To the Wardens department. Congratulations, Miss Keane.”

CHAPTER 56

“Our Wardens do the job because they want to. Because they love it, and because they want to protect people. We know without a doubt that they’re the best people for the job.”

Frontline Newsinterview with Drew Harlowe (Entity CEO)

Alexys couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move.

“I will be your Warden Team Leader. My assignments within this company have only resulted in the greatest success, and your cases will be no different.” Alexys just stared at her, mouth ajar. “You have pretty big shoes to fill, Keane. Let’s hope you can live up to your father’s legacy.” Rourke raised an expectant brow. “You have a week for transitional purposes, and then you’ll have your induction and training schedule.”

“But …” Alexys managed.

“Be sure everything’s wrapped up here before sending her, Kristin, we don’t want any loose ends.” It sounded like a threat. Kristin mumbled something, and Rourke gave Kristin a stiff nod before she left.

Alexys stared after her. Her brain was working overtime, trying to make sense of what just happened.

Transfer. Wardens.

“What just happened?” Alexys turned back to Kristin. “Who the hell was that?”

“That was Delaney Rourke, a Reaper,” Kristin said. It sent a chill down Alexys’s spine. “She’s been reassigned to the Warden Team Leader position for our region.”

“But we don’t have Warden Team Leaders?”

“We do now.” Kristin sighed. She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “Entity is restructuring. There has been a decrease in creature activity over the last three quarters, and the company is unable to support certain roles, so things have to change. ‘Pivoting’ they called it.”

Alexys knew Kristin well enough to know she didn’t agree with said changes, but she, much like Alexys, held little power. “The truth is, corporate is closing most of the HR positions to make way for new Warden Team Leaders. The remaining HR team will support their Regional Directors with paperwork and fielding phone calls—their usual jobs but on a smaller scale. The Warden Team Leaders will work as the go-betweens for the Wardens and the HR office, cutting down on cross-department communication and freeing up the HR office for …otherthings.”

“What other things?” Alexys felt her heart hammering away in her chest. “Why do they want less Human Resources? That doesn’t make any sense.”

Kristin shrugged. “You know they never give us specific reasons, Alexys.”

“But it sounds like they’re just renaming the HR leadership positions.”

“I’m giving you all of the information they’ve given me.”

“Yeah, of course. I know you are.” Alexys pressed her hand to her eyes and willed her brain to focus. It was too much too soon. “But what does this mean for me?”

“It means, Alexys,” Kristin declared, “Delaney will be your new boss, and that you’ll officially report to her.”