Everyone noticed the tattoo before they saw her face.
A simple black insignia, crescent crossed with a broken arrow, inked sharply on her forearm.
It drew glances, curious but meaningless to anyone who didn’t understand.
Everyone, that is, except one man. Only one person in that sunlit, chaotic field at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island knew exactly what it meant. And the instant Admiral Thomas Ror recognized it, the entire graduation seemed to pause. Even the wind felt like it stopped, holding its breath with the crowd.
The morning was perfect for celebration.
