Page 3 of Second Shooter

Wren and the others froze.

Wren asked, “What do you mean?”

“Well, I am older than most of you, except Luna, no offense.”

Luna laughed. “None taken.”

“Right. So, the club was starting up and collecting people who had been attacked and helping them out, but when I was assaulted, no one came. There was a bigger issue with someone else, and I was out on my own to heal and regroup. I have tried to make it to a meeting or two, but all the work I could get was evening work. Moving inventory, restocking, that kind of thing. Anyway. No chance for me to join. I hear it’s nice.”

The bride asked, “What happened to you?”

“Something unpleasant, and unpleasant isn’t for wedding days. Emma, you had some gifts for the bride?”

Emma got up and brought the hair stylist for the bride a set of jewelled pins. “My mother wore these and my grandmother, so aside from me being the something old at this wedding, I thought these would sparkle like stars in your hair.”

Zara smiled, and her eyes sparkled as Win took shot after shot of Emma’s hand setting the pins in Zara’s hair.

Zara ate, and then Agatha came back and let them know that they had thirty minutes to get in place.

The dress went on slowly, and Win took the photos, capturing the moment for those who were not in the room and for Zara, who was humming with excited happiness and would not recall details.

She whispered soft instructions as the gown went on, and then she eased forward to get her in a twist with her legion marks, and with a whisper, they glowed.

Win grinned and said, “All right. Ready to travel.”

There was one last snap of the ladies getting ready to head to the staging space before the walk, and Win got the picture of all of them together. It seemed important.

They headed out. Win put her battery on the charger and kept the first card in a pocket on her dress collar.

The camera was set up, and she was ready for the next run; the lens changed while she walked.

The women picking up flowers was a lovely set of images. Luna and Wren duelling with bouquets was a laugh. They were all in good spirits before she said, “See you up there.”

Zara smiled and said, “Thank you for showing up, Win. This is becoming fun.”

There was a soft knock, and Win looked out at what she recognized as the groom. “Waiting for Emma?”

He nodded. “You are the new photographer?”

“Yes. I am Win. And here is Emma. Wait a moment.” She slithered out and aimed at the door as Emma eased out with her corsage in place. She beamed up at Randolph, and he beamed back.

It was a glorious photo. Randolph began to walk his grandmother to the front of the ceremony space.

She got to the front and tucked herself alongside the groomsmen but had a full view down the aisle. Her second shooter was ready at the start of the walk.

Win took images from every available angle and kept herself as invisible as she could.

The ceremony was sweet, but she focused on things like Randolph and his legion’s expressions as Zara began her walk down the aisle.

That shot was worth the entire day; their expressions of joy, lust, and wonder all blended together.

From there, it was the couple’s photos, legion photos, and family photos. Friends, buddies, and, of course, family countedRandolph, Nikolai, and Alexi, with Alita and the new baby, and Zara, of course.

Alexi was watching her closely, and he had his camera with him. He walked up to her after she had finished with his family and said, “Do you mind if I take a few?”

She smiled at him. “Please, enjoy yourself.”

His eyes lit up as he realized that she understood, or that was her guess. He began to relax as he took photos after she finished with the shot list.

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