Julia wrapped her arms around Jasper and drank in the moment, thinking that even though it was only Tuesday, the week couldn’t possibly get better than this. At the end of it all, today had been perfect.
* * *
While nothing could top making love with Jasper, Julia had been wrong to think the week couldn’t get any better. When she got to work the next day, she had another surprise waiting for her. Noah Mohler, the senior Wizard Advocate who had given her and Jasper the tour of the advanced Advocate training facilities, summoned her to his office. Nervously, Julia went to talk to him. She wasn’t sure what to expect, after everything that had happened since the last time she was in the office. But Noah met her with a big smile.
“Come in, come in!” he said, gesturing to a guest chair in his office. “I have a few pieces of news for you. First of all, though, how are you feeling?”
“I’m great,” Julia said. “Thanks to Jasper and Dr. Pasko, I’ve made a full recovery.”
“I’m so glad to hear it,” Noah said. “And I’m really sorry that the breach in security with the cursed balls caused all this trouble for you. I would have never forgiven myself if you’d lost your magic.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Julia said.
Noah shrugged. “Not exactly, but I was still the most senior Advocate with you on that tour. I should have sensed that something was wrong. It was a lesson for me, that’s for sure. But all’s well that ends well, I suppose.”
“Agreed.”
“I wanted to let you know that we’ve sent Kai to a magical rehab facility. We found that he was infected with a very rare magical curse that is difficult to detect but causes severe lapses in judgment and anger issues, among other things. Thankfully, there is a cure, although it will probably take several months to get him back to full health. The good news though is that there is a cure.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I don’t wish him any ill will, especially since he was acting under the influence of a curse.”
“That’s very kind of you to say, and only proves further that you deserve the promotion I’m about to give you.”
Julia sat up straight, her eyes widening. “Promotion?”
Noah smiled at her. “Yes, promotion. Don’t get too excited—it’s not to an Advocate Defender position, at least not yet. We don’t have any of those open at the moment. But after the showdown in Lost Garden, Head Councilor Morgan called to tell me that he’s very impressed with your skills. I’ve reviewed your files and your training notes, and couldn’t agree more. Which is why, effective immediately, we’re promoting you to Chief Advocacy Support Specialist. You’ll be in charge of the entire team of support specialists, which will give you the chance to develop your leadership skills further. Additionally, you’ve been placed next in line for an Advocate Defender position. As soon as one opens up, you’ll be promoted into it immediately. I expect that will be soon, since we have several new classes of Advocates graduating soon, and we’ll be needing new Advocate Defenders to work with them. Of course, you’ll still have to pass the practical exam showing that you can perform all the necessary advanced defense spells, but Councilor Morgan assures me that after seeing you fight in Lost Garden, he’s sure that will be a piece of cake for you.”
Julia’s jaw dropped. “I don’t know what to say.”
Noah smiled. “How about saying that you accept the position of Chief Advocacy Support Specialist? We’d be thrilled to have a wizard as talented as you leading that team.”
Julia nodded enthusiastically. “Of course. I’m honored. Thank you so much. I’ll serve to the best of my ability.”
“Excellent,” Noah said. “Someone will be by your office later today to give you a rundown of the new responsibilities that the position will entail. Congratulations, Julia. You deserve it.”
Julia thanked Noah and then walked back to her office in a daze. She could hardly believe what a good week this was turning out to be. She had her life, her health, and her magic. She had a promotion. And, best of all, she had Jasper. She was a lucky girl.
When she got back to her office, she had to laugh. Jasper was sitting at her desk, grinning from ear to ear and obviously waiting for her. On her desk was a huge bouquet of flowers, even larger than the last one.
“What’s this all about?” she asked. “I thought I told you I didn’t like cheesy bouquets of flowers.”
“Nonsense,” Jasper said. “Every girl loves flowers. I saw how your eyes lit up when you saw them.”
Julia rolled her eyes at him, but she had to admit she was pleased. The flowers were beautiful, and they smelled amazing. And just the fact that they were from Jasper made them special. “What’s the occasion?” she asked.
He huffed. “I don’t need an occasion to give you flowers, do I? But, anyway, it just so happens that these are for a special occasion. Read the tag.”
She rolled her eyes at him again, then went to read the tag. In elegant script, it read, Congratulations on becoming Chief ASS.
“Really, Jasper? How old are you?” she tried to act mad, but she couldn’t help but crack a smile. The card was kind of funny. Jasper was laughing so hard now that he had doubled over in the desk chair.
“Get it? Chief Ass? Chief Advocate Support Specialist.”
“Yes, I get it. You’re a rascal.”
“But a cute one,” he said, getting up to come around the desk and give her a kiss. “And I really do mean the congratulations. I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you. And you are cute. Even if you’re also a rascal.”
Jasper flashed her a huge smile. “Does that mean I can get away with addressing you as Chief Ass?”
“Not on your life, buddy,” Julia replied giving him a playful shove.
He started laughing again. “What can I say? Life with me is always gonna be a little bit…different.”
Julia laughed too. It was true. Life was different with him. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank You for Reading
Book Eight in the Torch Lake Shifters series will be coming in late February 2018!
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There are shifters walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.
Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane brings you hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.
When she’s not busy crafting shifter tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading (duh!) and spending time in the great outdoors.
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