Page 24 of Second Shooter

She grunted when she found the video she knew about. It started when the bus stopped due to the lineup of Elite in front of it. They surrounded the bus and did something at all four corners. Then, Miss Norelic got up and tried to stop them from entering while the coaches and parents remained silent. The Elite had moved fast, and then there was a thud and laughter. It wasn’t good laughter, and they could hear it along with slithering and thuds from the roof of the bus.

Knowing what had happened made it so much worse.

Cori wiped tears away and continued to look through the files until someone caught Win’s car on video sliding in through a portal of shadow and smashing through a bunch of Elite.

The next view was out a window as Win stood straight, and blood bloomed on her shirt and jeans. The sword formed in one hand and the chain in the other, both made of blood, andthen she started to move while Lyric tried to push the bus back through the barrier. She had moved it, but the Elite rounded on her and then came the moment that Cori had been looking for.

Win carrying a crossbow had formed between Lyric and the others, and she had taken out knees, elbows, and one got it in the neck. But the wounds didn’t bleed, and Win was also across the field doing battle.

“Holy shit. There she is.”

Iris looked at the screen. “What are you seeing?”

Cori backed it up and caught the moment when both of Win were in the same frame. “That is my sister’s second shooter. She used to joke about having a second shooter or personal backup. I thought it was just something silly, but here it is.” She pointed. “She’s in two places at the same time.”

Iris blinked. “Play it.”

Both of the Wins were moving independently, and they were battling as if the lives of thirty kids and chaperones were at stake.

“You knew she was coming?”

“I called her. We had lunch on Sunday, and she said that if anything happened, call her and start the clock. I just had to hold out for three minutes. I called her when I saw them, and three minutes later, she was there.”

“You are sisters but...”

“We were both adopted. Mom and Dad collected half-Elite kids and taught them to hide themselves. My other sister sold my location, and Megan and May were collateral damage.”

Iris paused. “What are your parents’ names?”

Cori smiled confidently, but her confidence failed as her mind scrambled around and said, “Why can’t I remember it?”

Iris touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I am guessing they were mages. Mages are slippery.”

Ymer chuckled. “Flatterer.”

Iris rolled her eyes. “All of my mates are dark Elite mages. Basically, they were content to be akin to monks, and then I stumbled in. What did your sister say before she brought in your parents?”

Cori blinked. “Uh, she said she was summoning what was hers. I think it was supposed to be Mom and Dad, but those other two guys and the light Elite were there, too. I could tell by Win’s face that she was confused.”

Iris smiled. “They are hers. They knew it the moment they got over their shock. The light Elite is breathing on his own, but he isn’t awake.”

“She said she has to wake him. I don’t know if she will.”

Iris asked, “How long was she at the Stronghold?”

“I remember her being gone for a week or two, but when we got the call from the hospital, she looked so worn and thin. It took her quite a while to get back to herself.”

Iris nodded. “I know it’s hard to remember. Would you like to remember?”

Cori swallowed. “Yes, and no. I don’t want to remember her like that. I want to remember her like she was today. A warrior.”

“Even warriors get wounded. It took four dragons at full blast to heal her. That isn’t normal, but Wren said it had to be the dragon fire, and it seemed to work.”

Cori nodded. “Those dragons were... dragons.”

“Yes, all but Erik. He’s young.”

“How young?” Cori covered her mouth the moment she blurted it out.

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