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He nodded, giving me a too cute grin. “Mum always says that all containers are refillable as long as returned. I swear that’s the only way Mum hates people. She says those who are so cheap to steal containers aren’t redeemable.”

I laughed. She was like an Asian auntie I’d known when I’d been young and fled my family. “That sounds about right, and your mother is a gem. I’ll return the containers washed to you and with your own bag of trail mix. Don’t take Dr. Tai’s. She needs it since it’s the only way she eats some days.”

He frowned. “Yeah, I had to drag her down to the cafeteria—which is amazing by the way. I didn’t know hospital food could actually be good.”

“It’s because Ellie’s amazing,” Joyce bragged for me. “She changed it to be a set menu each meal to save money instead of a huge list of what we could order. That money goes into paying better chefs and—”

“Code 17 orange level,” the PA system announced. “All department heads meet at the emergency services conference room immediately. Code 17 orange level. All overtime approved and additional personnel requested.”

I was out the door before the announcement even finished. I had to yell at a few people to move out of my way as I was already on my phone.

“What’s the word, Ellie?” Dr. Alan Carpenter asked me as I reached the conference room. He was one of the few who could get away with talking to me like that.

Mostly because he’d been with me every step of the way making this hospital what it was.

“Earthquake hit in Asia. Not too bad but a heavily populated area and we have the most blood. The president gave permission to use us as their trauma center,” I told everyone gathered.

“And he’ll win big political points for it,” someone drawled.

Yes, of course, but Asia had been there for the US a lot over the years and this was how thingsshouldwork.

“The administration is sending warlocks to open portals on both sides and military personnel to help EMTs and triage,” I continued. “I asked for anyone they could spare here to belackeys. We can always use more runners to get more supplies from storage—the normal deal.”

“Did the president grant it?” he asked, knowing that had been a problem in the past.

“Yes, he’s seen the error of his ways,” I drawled. I glanced around the room. “Call in whoever you can. Get your schedules to the administrators’ offices. I want the next five days of non-pressing appointments rescheduled just to be safe.”

“I know it’s not normal, but I want Dr. Clark assessing any shifters coming in that they’re safe to be in the building,” Dr. James interjected, shocking all of us. “I’ll explain his specialty more later, but our biggest problem the last trauma situation like this was too many shifters changing forms in the ER or surgical ward.”

Dr. Carpenter and I shared a look, both of us vampires. It had been a problem last time for sure, but it always was. If there was a way to reduce that... I nodded. “If you think that’s the best use of his skills, do it.”

Everyone jumped to it, and I went to the main trauma entrance right as military vehicles appeared. I introduced myself and made it clear that I was the general on our side, so they needed to make sure to check anything with me.

The guy with the highest rank nodded. “The president was clear that you’re the boss, Ms. Reed. We’re not here for a pissing match but to complete the mission. Tell us how we can help and we’ll do it.”

“I want your best trained to be in charge of securing the portals. Last time, we had some problems sneak through and think this was a great way to get into North America,” I explained. “And my people are not trained for that, nor do I want them to deal with it.”

“The president was concerned as well which is why he only allowed this if our people were triaging on the other side,” he assured me.

“I knew there was a reason I voted for that man,” I said, relief filling me. “We also need runners. I can send them with the right people to get more of everything out of storage, but the campus is huge. So whoever you can spare that doesn’t mind taking orders from paper pushers and even janitors.”

“As long as you feed us along the way and they know where the bathroom is, my people behave well, Ms. Reed.”

Even better.

“We’ll handle the food,” I promised. “We have protocols for all of that.”

I couldfeelthe powerful warlocks arrive which was when I fell into the background a bit. Dr. Carpenter arrived just in time to take over and work with them. The trauma bay was still getting ready to receive when we ran out of time. The moment the portal was opened, we had patients coming through.

I heard the PA announce that the portal was open and everyone basically needed to brace for impact. Dr. Clark arrived and accepted his role from Dr. Carpenter. The first trauma teams came out to receive and I caught a glance from Tommy.

“We called in everyone. Most already heard the news and were changing their days or heading right back,” he assured me.

“Thanks.”

Emergency services on the other side of the portal seemed to really have their act together too because most of what came through was ready to go right into trauma bays. Nothing was minor or anything that couldn’t be handled in the field for later.

Everyone who came through the portal immediately received a magical band. It was protocol for these sorts of instances or guests in North America who didn’t have time to apply for the correct visas and passes to visit. It came off themoment they were checked out and verified—basically got their paperwork in order.