Page 63 of Battling Bright
“The girls?”
As Neekil drove, he explained it all: the trafficking operation, Elida getting the kids and convincing them to get on her back, and then the streak of white fur covered with red blood as the agent formally known as Elida got the kids to safety while the rest of the agents mopped up.
Hannah blinked.“The tiger run?”
He grinned.“You remember it?”
“I heard of it.Nylora’s flight is an echo of the tiger run.”
“Same destination, too.Danforth General.Same reason, too.Elida had been shot, and all four of the girls had dark fae bloodlines.They needed transfusions and specific medical care.”
“Wow.This area is fancy.”
“Yup.Elida used to have chickens.I don’t know if she still does.”
“Wait.She has chickens.Here?”
“Yup.She owns the block.”
“Elida Danforth.Oh, wow.”Hannah looked at the manicured lawns and the immaculate mini mansions.
Neekil turned down a drive and parked at the edge of the concrete.He grinned.“Come on.”
“How old are her kids?”
“The youngest would be eighteen, or she wouldn’t be here.”
The house looked warm and friendly, and as soon as Hannah left the car, she heard the soft sounds of chickens with the occasional rooster crow.
Neekil took her by the hand and hauled her around the corner, where three dozen chickens were running around and seeking bugs.
“Elida!”Neekil called out, and a woman in a gazebo looked up and got to her feet.
“Cousin Jackass!”The woman, with pale skin, red and black eyes, and waves of white hair with a thick black streak, got up, wearing a loose sundress and putting her phone down.She walked over, barefoot and stunning.Her features were pure elf, as were her ears, but the smirk on her face was Neekil’s.
Elida glided up to Hannah and extended her hand.“Miss Hannah Lee, I am pleased to meet you.Congratulations on your engagement.”
Hannah shook the super soft hand and smiled.“Thank you.You are his cousin?”
“Technically.I also call him uncle as he is old and decrepit.”She smirked.
Neekil was fidgeting.
Hannah whispered, “What is going on with him?”
“He wants to hug me but doesn’t want to insult or offend you.”
Hannah pointed at Elida.“Hug.”
The young woman laughed, and Neekil squeezed her hard, spinning her over and over.“I forgot you.”
“I know.And then you got dislodged by the mansion.”
“Yeah.But then the brave and intrepid real estate agent came and rescued my pretty self, and now she’s mine and I am hers.”
Elida cupped his face.“As is right and proper.”She gave him a smacking kiss on his cheek and said, “Now, put me down.Shit’s getting weird.”
Hannah heard cars pulling up, and Elida smiled.“Miika notified everybody.”
