Page 32 of Second Shooter

Cori’s voice came from behind Ymer. “She doesn’t have anywhere to live. She broke her car. She’s pretty sure the Elite have broken into her apartment and destroyed her stuff. And she’s a foot taller than she was this morning. She doesn’t have clothing. She doesn’t even have shoes.”

Ymer had stepped aside as she spoke.

Win flushed in mortification and stood up. “Cori. Your candour is ill-timed.”

“They think you are rejecting them. They don’t seem to get that you don’t think you have anything to offer.”

Win walked to her sister, put her hand on her shoulder, and headed downstairs. She passed the group in the kitchen and walked out onto the lawn, heading for the woods. She got deep into the woods, climbed a tree, and kept climbing until she was forty feet up and had anchored herself against the trunk and a branch.

She curled into a ball and tried to figure out how much money she had and how expensive it would be to clothe her new figure.

The tree trembled with her nightmares.

Chapter Seven

Win woke up as the tree bent, and she was slid into warm arms.

Wellyn held her, and Draven released the tree. Atil stroked her hair, and Cori spoke. “Is she okay?”

Wellyn said, “She’s a little cold but not too bad.”

“If she’s cold, she’s hungry.” Cori was walking with them.

“Thank you, little sister. You are good to stay here?”

“Yes. Megan has spoken with her parents, and they are urging her to stay where it’s safe. The Elite have hired people to keep an eye on their house.”

Win opened her eyes and looked at Wellyn. “Where are we going?”

“Atil’s place. It is quiet, in the woods, and has a large gym. You and Draven can get on your feet there.”

Atil said, “It is also easy to secure.”

Cori was walking next to them. “Iris and the guys have breakfast ready. Me and Megan and May will stay here until other accommodations are arranged. Keres is going to teach us a projected glamour that will let us return to school or even go to college if we want.”

“Good. How long was I up there?”

“Fourteen hours. Your guys kept an eye on you. Are they going to be my brothers-in-law?”

Win looked at her. “I don’t know how much law will be involved.”

Cori chuckled. “Cool. I am willing to be bribed to tell you what she likes, eats, and wears. Also, what her dream camera is, the type of computer she needs to work with photographs, and her favourite kind of hard drive.”

Win looked at her. “Cori.”

“What? We have been talking all night, and Wellyn has already said he will design a motorcycle for me.”

Win looked at Wellyn. He grinned. “As long as she can provide me with a valid license and sit through endless safety lectures and checks.”

Cori nodded. “That, too.”

“Why did you give her that?”

“So she would tell us where you were hiding. You go up high.”

“It is easy to make that spot safe. Fewer birds, no foot traffic, and few look up.”

There was a truck approaching the house, and it made Win smile. “Oh, look. Erik is here.”

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