Natalie took a seat next to Kendra Morton, Thor’s fiancée, and glanced at the large three-ring binder that lay open on the table. “More wedding planning?”
Kendra looked up at her. “I swear- – getting through the training academy wasn’t this stressful.”
Navida, seated on the other side of Kendra, glanced at the binder and shook her head. “We have nothing like this on Torlin. There, once you find your life-mate, you move in together. It’s so much simpler.”
Natalie didn’t miss the sorrow in Navida’s eyes. “Did you have a life-mate?”
Navida looked away and Natalie wondered if she would answer. Navida was nice and helpful, but seldom talked about her life before coming to Earth.
Navida turned back to them with a shimmer of tears in her eyes. “Once, a long time ago and it didn’t end well.”
Before Natalie could come up with a response, Cord Conrad joined them at the table. Cord was a local police officer assigned to a task force to monitor and round–up those traveling illegally through the portals. His workload was the heaviest during and right after a full–moon. So when his work slowed down, he often supported their team by filling in empty spots.
Cord took the vacant space next to Navida. “Afternoon, ladies.”
“I don’t remember seeing you on the schedule for tonight,” Navida snapped.
Cord smiled. “Don’t go getting all testy. Erik called and asked if I would fill the empty spot on your team.”
Navida always seemed to spit fire when the man was around; the two mixed like oil and water, so Natalie spoke up before Navida could rip into poor Cord. “I’m sure Navida is thrilled to have the spot filled.”
Navida glared at her as Cord laughed. “I can tell. She’s overjoyed.”
“We need to talk.” Midnight’s voice intruded on the conversation. “Now.”
Natalie looked up and pointed to the empty chair next to her. “I’ve got the file right here. Have a seat and we can talk.”
“We need to speak alone. There’s a table beside the windows.” He didn’t wait on a response.
“The man is impossible, pigheaded, bossy, and stubborn beyond words,” Natalie fumed. “I never knew so many appalling adjectives could be applied to one person.” She snatched up the folder and tray holding her salad and drink.