Page 21 of Second Shooter

Win paused. “Where are my manners? Dragons, thank you for your healing. Mates of the dragons, thank you for allowing it.”

The women inclined their heads, and Erik rubbed the back of his head. “It was the least we could do.”

“The least you could do was nothing. You did more. I haven’t been able to take this form in over a decade. So, accept my thanks.”

Erik nodded and inclined his head. “I accept your thanks.”

Cori moved to her side and held on. “Where are we going? Mom and Dad aren’t answering their phones.”

Win looked at her and smiled. “Three minutes on the clock.”

She focused and found their parents. This next part would be fun.

Chapter Five

Win raised her hands and said, “Bring what is mine to me.”

The gathered folk stared as her parents were seated in front of her. Win stared as she saw two dark Elite and an unconscious Stronghold Elite. “Oh, that can’t be right.”

Keres snorted. “Sorry, guys. She was just doing a summoning, and you got caught in it.”

A new arrival walked up. “Hey, I am Iris, and you just made my mates sprint to get here, and those dudes hate cardio.”

Win looked at the two dark Elite in suits that were staring at her. “I am so sorry to have caught you in that. I have no idea how that dude got here.” She pointed to the Elite on the ground.

Cori whispered, “What did you do?”

“Untie the parents. I am trying to figure it out.” She bit her thumbnail and frowned.

The broader of the two dark Elite walked toward her. “Do I know you, lady?”

“Nope.”

“How do you know?”

“I avoid dark Elite like the plague.” She looked at him and smiled.

Cori had finished untying their parents, and her mother sobbed and hugged her. “It’s okay, Mom. Win saved me.”

Their dad looked at them. “You are both all right?”

Win nodded. “Yeah, Dad. We are fine. I have to spend money on my new wardrobe but, otherwise, fine.”

He nodded and hugged her. “I am glad you are you, Win.”

She paused and hugged him back.

His hand touched her shoulder and froze. “The scars.”

“Uh, gone. Some of the folks here are healers of a sort, and they took care of it. So, now I am whole, but I am down one sister.”

Her dad backed away. “What do you mean?”

“Well, they couldn’t get Cori, so they will come for Mags.”

Their mother went white. “What? She said she was safe because she was married.”

Win giggled, and it wasn’t a nice sound. “Oh, no. They are losing mates left and right. No more are coming in, and they don’t take good care of their pregnant mates, so many die birthing. Then, the babies aren’t sturdy, so they die without their mothers, and the Stronghold Elite are going extinct. In about two centuries, they are going to be gone.” She paused and said, “Oh, right. Mags. She’s in a beta marriage, which is just like having a roommate to the Stronghold. She will be taken, any child she has with Thomas will be purged, and then she will be trained to be a concubine for the Elite.”

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