Page 106 of (Mostly) Human Resources

Alexys knew it was coming, but it didn’t lessen the shock. Her head snapped up. “Why?”

“Your position won’t exist anymore, they’re keeping Natalie and Chase, although their remit will change slightly.” Natalie shook her head. “I know this is a lot to take in, and given what you’ve just been through, I know this can’t be easy to hear, but you’re getting a lateral shift.”

And that was it, that was the end of her career in HR.

Just like that.

Alexys could either accept a new position, one she absolutelydid not want, or start job hunting. She nearly choked on her swiftly rising panic. “But I’ve been with Entity for three years.”

“Which is why they don’t want to lose you.”

“But I’ve only ever done HR. Why would they think I can move into a new position in an entirely different department, in thefield?”

Kristin tried to smile, but it was weak. Trembling. “Because you’ve already proven youcando another job.”

Realization crystalized in Alexys’s mind. Kristin wasn’t wrong, she had, in fact, done another job. She’s demonstrated that she was perfectly capable of doing it. Her death-defying, rule-breaking excursion had been twisted into an impromptu job interview. She’d sabotaged herself without even knowing it.

“This could be a good opportunity for you,” Kristin said quietly. “It doesn’t have to be a bad thing.” Alexys knew she was trying to comfort her, but it still hurt. Kristin probably tried to fight for her, at least Alexys hoped she had, but there was little a person like Kristin could do. They were all beholden to the corporate chain.

“I don’t have another choice, then?”

Kristin lifted her shoulders in quiet concession. “I’m afraid not. They want the transfer processed by the end of the week. You’regoing to be assigned to District 13’s Third Quadrant. You’ll have your induction next week.”

Alexys blanched. “They’re giving meElliot’sQuadrant?” She felt like she was going to vomit. Or faint. Possibly both. “They can’t, I can’t just …” She wasn’t breathing. “I can’t gobackthere, and what, I’m just …” The room felt like a freezer. A cold sweat broke out along her spine. “That’s not—”

“Breathe, Alexys.” Kristin rounded her desk and crouched beside her. She squeezed Alexys’s knees. “You have to breathe. Come on now, slowly, in and out.”

Alexys tried to match the rhythm she set, but her chest was too tight. She closed her eyes and willed her breathing to slow. Five things she could see: nothing with her eyes closed, but that was good. Four things she could touch, three things she could barely hear over her own breathing …

Her heartbeat hurt a little less, and the ringing in her ears began to fade.

Kristin rubbed her back patiently.

“This is, and excuse me for saying it, but this isfucked,” Alexys whispered. She pressed her hands to her eyes and tried to keep the tears at bay. “I should quit.”

“Maybe,” Kristin said, “but you’ll never know what it’s like unless you give it a try.”

Alexys groaned. “We both know I care too much about my job performance to admit that quitting is anything but failure for me.” She pinched her lips together. “Okay, I’ll take the job, but I’m not going to pretend to be happy about it.”

Kristin rose up and leaned against the desk, arms folded firmly across her chest.

“I think that’s very fair, Alexys.”

“This is such a shock, I just …” Her voice trailed off. Kristin nodded, she understood.

“I’ll go ahead and start your transfer paperwork. I’ll give you the rest of the day to think it over, how does that sound?” Kristin moved back to the other side of her desk, refocusing her attention on her computer screen.

“Okay,” Alexys mumbled.

“Take the day. I want to be sure that you’re sure, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Alexys wiped at her wet cheeks and loosed a heavy breath. “What do I need to do? Move files, send emails, anything?”

Kristin paused in her typing and considered. “Most of the files should already be in the shared drive, so don’t worry about that. Just make sure all of your stuff is in the right folders and wrap up any loose ends. Oh, and write up some handover notes for your Wardens—what they’re currently working on, things like that.” She gave her a pointed look. “Make sure you copy Delaney on everything as well.”

Alexys rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

“Thank you.” Kristin smiled at her, and Alexys knew this wasn’t the news she’d wanted to deliver to Alexys today. “If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to come to me, okay? Anything, anytime. I mean it.”