Page 20 of Second Shooter

Juno smiled. “Thank you.”

“It’s just some privacy.”

“No, I mean, thank you for coming for Cori. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here now. They muttered something about saving me for later.”

“I doubt they even knew why. They just knew that you were a good target.” She looked at Juno. “Are you ready to face the others?”

“Yeah, how did you get so pretty?”

“Oh, it’s my skincare regimen. I just rub in the blood of ten Elite, and I look ten years younger.”

“They are all dead?”

“Oh. Very.” She smiled.

Juno hugged her, and Win made the fog dissipate. “Thanks for that. It will help the nightmares. What do I do now? Everybody knows.”

A soft voice said, “I believe I can help with that.”

Win smiled. “Hello, Keres. I wondered when you would show up.”

“Win, it was only a few hours ago that you were saying you couldn’t take on this form.”

“I just needed motivation.” She smiled, and Cori came over to hug her from the other side.

Cori whispered, “The fight has gone viral. You are all over the internet.”

“Oh. Oops.”

Keres chuckled. “One of ours is coming to get you. She and hers have a large home with an expansive yard. You four can use their home to regroup and plan your next steps.”

Win snorted. “Or wait for a mate?”

“That is a possibility for you or possibly the other omega.”

“Hm. I don’t think so. Mine is still at the Stronghold, or at least, they were when I was at the Stronghold years ago.” Win shrugged.

Keres’ eyes widened. “You’ve seen them?”

“No, but I heard them freaking out below, and then I fought my way out, and together, we cracked the Stronghold.” Win shrugged.

“Holy hell. You...”

Wren spoke up. “Blood witch. She’s the blood witch.”

“Well, I am not the Scourge or the Memory, but I do what I can.”

Keres whispered, “How do you know those names?”

“One of the men who attacked me survived my revenge. What he knows, I know.” She smiled. “Of course, he can’t say anything, but his keepers like to gossip. When I have what I need, I will let him die if he wants to.”

Keres said, “What if he doesn’t?”

“Well, he wasn’t one of my attackers, so I guess I can let him live. He hasn’t enjoyed my occupation. Omegas deserve more in his opinion.”

Keres blinked. “What did you do to him?”

“Nothing. He was at the door while they attacked me. He was the caretaker. When the stone cracked, he got hit with magical whiplash, and it stunned him. It cut off his ability to interact with the world around him, and he is now under the care of the elder concubines. They clean him and bathe him. The elder Elite try and break our tie now and then, but he is hanging on.”

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