Page 27 of Second Shooter

“That was direct.”

Keres shrugged. “I am nosy.”

“No. I haven’t wondered. She was obviously either in physical or social pain, so I don’t want to add to it.”

“Fine, but know that at least two members of the crowd we were in today took hair samples and a lot of photos.”

Win shrugged. “Not my concern.”

“Yeah, but you might have family claiming you.”

“I have family. Well, I did. I still have Cori until she’s old enough to formalize a union.”

“What about your mates?”

“What about them?” Win raised a brow.

“They are in the big house.”

“I am not sure they are for me.” Win shrugged.

Keres’ mouth opened. “You summoned them!”

“Yeah, I am trying to find the spell to put them back. Maybe something involving a ride-share.”

Keres laughed. “Go to the big house and bring May back some cookies. Iris was baking. I will stay here with May.”

May smiled. “Thanks. I am feeling better.”

Win smiled. “If you are feeling better, come to the big house. How many cookies do you want?”

May sniffled. “Six?”

“Milk?”

“Yes, please.”

Win grinned and headed off. Keres called out, “Don’t you want to know how many cookies I want?”

“No. You have mates who can make your own.” Win stuck her tongue out as she left to head for the house across the lush green yard.

Her feet were happy to walk across the grass, and she spun over and over on her way to the house. The sunlight made her feel relaxed. She was safe, Cori was safe, and their parents were safe. Any Elite grabbing hold of them would burst into flame.

She hummed and walked to the house, petting Juno when she was greeted at the door. Win carefully wiped her feet and looked at the folks gathered in the kitchen. “Is there a chance for cookies?”

Iris smiled as the oven binged and went to pull another tray out to put it on the hot spot. “How many did you want?”

“May wants six, and Keres wants three.”

Cori’s voice mumbled around a cookie. “She really doesn’t do dessert. She eats for calorie count, not for flavour.”

Win walked over and hugged her. “Squealer.” She explained to Iris and Ymer, “I don’t actually have a sense of taste. I think it tanked with my sex drive when they were scrubbing all the marks.”

Ymer blinked. “That’s terrifying but usually fixable.”

She shrugged. “It is what it is.”

Iris blinked. “Damn. That’s... damn.”

---