Page 33 of Second Shooter

Cori turned bright pink. “Erik? Like the dragon Erik?”

“The very same. I guess we will meet him inside.”

There was a low black vehicle that glided up behind the truck, and Win cocked her head. “I don’t know who that is.”

Wellyn walked into the house, and Cori was sort of hiding behind them while looking around them.

Erik was talking to Brexel with a folder in his hand. He looked at her. “Miss Win, I have a genetic match for a parent for you, and I had to get here first because your great-grandmother is aggressive. Here.” He shoved the paperwork at her, and Wellyn moved her close so she could take it.

She grumbled, “I didn’t want to do this.”

Erik nodded. “I understand, but you look remarkably like one of the local families. They took samples from the blood you were dripping and lost hairs. The sampling was a rush, but they were insistent.”

Win looked at Atil and said, “Can you help Oren stall them at the door, please?”

He nodded and went. She pulled the documents out and sighed. She nodded and said, “That is what I thought.”

Wellyn asked, “Who are you related to?”

A shrill voice snapped from around the corner. “Get out of my way, you enormous brick!”

Win pointed at the tiny omega who stormed around the corner. “Oh. My little granddaughter.”

“Good morning, Lady Fen. Wellyn, please set me on my feet.”

He sighed and put her down.

She stood and walked toward Lady Fen. “Hello. I have not been little since I was six. I accept that one of your granddaughters was my mother.”

“I called her. She broke into sobs. I will deal with her later.”

Win was outraged. “Lady Fen, shut your mouth. Whether consent was engaged, and I doubt it was, my birth would have been traumatic, and she was alone in a strange city having a baby that she knew her family wouldn’t want. She was a beta and not an omega, and she was alone.”

Lady Fen opened her mouth, and regret surged into her expression. “I need to make another call. Quickly.”

Win took her hand and pulled her outside onto the patio. “Here. Less prying eyes. Call her.”

Lady Fen lifted her phone to her ear and said, “I am sorry, little treasure. I was surprised. I did not mean what I said.”

Win sat and watched.

There was a pause, and Lady Fen teared up. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

There was another pause, and Fen’s expression turned to horror.

Win walked to the edge of the stone and looked out over the yard as Lady Fen gave her granddaughter an outlet that she had never had before.

“The baby? Oh, she’s a woman now. A very powerful woman.”

Win turned to meet Lady Fen’s gaze.

Lady Fen said, “Yes, I have met her. No, she didn’t seek us out. Feng noticed the resemblance to his mother and grandmother. He got samples and sent them for testing. You were the only child out of sight thirty-two years ago.”

Win nodded. Their research had gotten the age right. Her parents must have been forthcoming with details.

“No. She is here with me now. She pointed out the error in my temper. I am sorry you were alone.”

Win smiled. That was the right phrasing.

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