Page 5 of Flying Blind (Betas in Waiting #27)

A lita finished tying up her corset, and Zara inhaled sharply, giving her space to yank it in again. Does it have to be so tight?

Your body warms it up, and it flexes a little. Also, your body compresses, so I will have to tighten it up in a few hours. Alita chuckled wickedly. Now, get the girls into the appropriate position, and we can be on our way.

I beg your pardon. When they are this size, they are ladies. Zara reached into the bodice; she fluffed her breasts up to rest just inside the edge so the nipples weren t on display.

Well, your ladies look great. Rayd s tongue is going to be hanging out.

I am more interested in hearing what our second sounds like. She smiled toward Alita. I already know what Rayd s tongue can do.

Alita laughed, and they went downstairs. Boots and wench outfits of silk and boning wrapped them, and Alita had helped with her hair. It was up off her face with some bone spikes that Alita had produced. Her three braids were not needed today, so her hair got a day of freedom.

The grey smoke that she identified as Rayd came to her and touched her, clearing into the black, grey, and white of the view her senses afforded. You look lovely, Zara.

I will take your word for it. She touched his sleeve and smiled. Leather?

He chuckled. It is sturdy and comfortable. It also matches your corset and the belt and pouch that Alita put on you.

Oh, nice, so if I get lost, I can point to the corset and ask them to find a man dressed like it?

You are not going to get lost. I am going to be with you the whole time.

If you say so. As they walked, they approached a vehicle that would drive them the twenty minutes to the faire.

Alita had the tickets, and when their hands were stamped and a cuff was wrapped around their wrists, Zara was led into the faire, where the sounds and smells created a very specific picture for her.

Rayd took her to different vendors, fed her snacks, and got her samples of lemonade. Finally, he sighed. He should be busy right now. Let s go see him. So to speak.

She chuckled. Fine. And don t forget I am supposed to have a sister around here somewhere.

Which do you want first? Mate or sister?

Mate, I suppose.

He laughed. Thank you for your enthusiasm.

She chuckled.

They walked through the crowds, and a rhythmic sound began getting louder. When she smelled heat, coals, and wood, she blinked. Wait. Is he a blacksmith?

Armourer. So, yes. Rayd chuckled.

She snorted. Why all the secrecy?

You are associating with a bunch of very clever ladies, and they could have easily found him once they knew what they were looking for. The good news is the arrival of your last mate has been moved up.

What? Why?

He finished the project he was assigned to and has gotten his family s authorization to come home.

He needs authorization?

Yeah, he does. We crave chaos, but we love rules.

She snorted, and the sounds of a hammer on metal rang in her ears. She stood to one side with Rayd as he kept the crowd away from her.

She got warm, and the sound of the hammer slowed. She could sense the fire and beyond that was the same crackling fog that she associated with Rayd.

The banging slowed, and a harsh voice growled. You could have warned me, Rayd.

Rayd chuckled. She was insistent, and until we are all together, the link can t form, so since he shows up next week, I thought I would bring her here to see what you do in your off time.

Her growl was from the frustration that was riding her. Show s over for now, folks. I am taking thirty minutes.

A cheerful female voice said, Come this way as I draw the curtain, dear patrons. I shall provide you with the cleverest mead that was ever served in this fine demesne.

A curtain enclosed the workshop and kept the fairegoers from watching them.

The man moved away and washed his head and arms in a bucket. His heat signature was strong as he turned to her. Well, are you going to make introductions?

Rayd walked her close. Zara, can you sense him?

The other swirling vortex of entropy in the space? Yes. Does the cloud have a name?

Lykon, my lady. Professional blacksmith to stage and screen. And these faires when my sister nags me into it.

So, you get bossed around by women?

Just Lyric. She s a force of nature, and since I am single-minded, it is easy just to change my direction, and I head in a straight line. He shrugged. I am easy to manage for what I am.

Rayd took her hand and extended it to Lykon. Her fingers were wrapped in a warm, damp hand with plenty of callouses. She shivered, but the corset covered a lot of reaction.

Pleased to meet you, Lykon. I m Zara.

Yes, I gathered as much. I am a little damp and half-dressed, or I would give you a proper kiss.

Well, Rayd has explained what an improper kiss is, and his proper ones are no better, so I will thank you for the thought and leave it at that.

He laughed. I like you. That s good. Between Rayd and I, we can deal with whatever our third brings.

So, do you know where we are going to live? Will we live as a group, or will I get weird visits?

Lykon huffed. The home will be the guesthouse at the winery. My father and sister live in the main house that also doubles as the commercial arm of the winery with offices and such. We are out of the way, things are quiet, and the grounds are ours to play on if we wish, as long as we warn my family so they keep to the front of the property.

Zara chuckled. I am looking forward to finding out if the link actually gives me usable vision again. I miss colours.

It should. I have never met a demon mate before, so I only have to go on instinct. Rayd as well. It is very rare that we actually find a proper mate and form around her. I haven t heard of a legion in my lifetime. We will feel it and send a shockwave through the world when the brand is sealed. Oh, may I see it?

One of us should.

She turned and felt the delicate touch as he eased the soft fabric away from the brand on her back,

Ah, lovely. Right. I will get back to work, and you will enjoy the faire. Come back in two hours.

Okay. Rayd, set an alarm for two hours.

Yes, Zara.

There was a roar as the flames kicked on, and the bellows started to pump.

Rayd chuckled, and they left him to his forge, pulling the curtain aside so that folks could watch him work.

So, Lyric is his sister?

Yes.

She knows about this, about what the legion is?

Yeah, she knows what her brother is. She has her own secrets. He chuckled. Would you like to meet her next properly?

Yeah, but I have one question. Our third. Are you sure he isn t in town?

Positive. Why?

There is another demon around here. Following us at a distance.

Really?

Three dark swirling vortices where people should be. You, Lykon, and mystery meat.

Rayd nodded. Well, I am going to introduce you to Lyric, and she will keep you safe while I go hunting. Just let me know whereabouts the third one is.

You can t sense him?

Not at a distance. I will be able to track him if I can get close enough to snag his trail. He patted the hand on his arm. I just need you safe so that no one can sneak up on you.

Lyric can keep me safe?

I believe that she is a better option than Lykon right now. She has skills that will help you if anyone makes a move.

There was a tension in his arm that made her smile. You really want to rip his head off.

I do, but not here. I just want to make it known that I know he is here, and he will know that I am watching.

And then you both pee on each other and see who can go higher?

Funny. No, he is going to try to grab you before the legion is complete, and then he will lock you away until he gathers those who are more in line with his way of thinking.

Right. Other demons are dicks, but you are a nice guy.

I am definitely not a nice guy, but I take care of what is mine. He chuckled. Just wait until you see my helicopter.

I am just going to be excited to see my own hands. I don t trust the last manicure I had.

I am not sure how the vision exchange works; I just know that it does.

Well, I look forward to experimenting with my vision. Do you think you could teach me to fly?

If you are interested. Sure. But I won t give up the stick easily. You will have to handle it carefully.

Are you flirting?

Badly, but yes. Rayd laughed. I will do better on the day.

She giggled and leaned against him. In the weeks that he had been courting her, he had never steered her wrong or gotten her into danger.

They walked, and she caught the scent of alcohol.

Rayd murmured, Lyric runs the family winery, but today, she is helping a friend s Meadery with getting the word out. She s compelling.

Right. The scent of honey and wine fused together, and Rayd brought her into a shadowed area.

A woman s voice called out and said, Oh, good. You made it. I have a seat saved for you. Over here.

Rayd walked them toward the voice, and Zara could see a creature blazing with light through her new senses. When she looked closely, the pointed ears gave it away. Zara smiled. She had met one of those before.

Zara, there is a post at your back so no one can sneak in through the tent wall, crates to block any creepers. Lyric chuckled. Would you like some mead, metheglin, or melomel?

What s the difference?

Straight up, made with herbs and honey, or made with fruit and honey.

Anything with raspberries?

Rayd chuckled.

Raspberry melomel sampler, on the house. Anything for you, Rayd?

Just keep her safe. There is something unsavoury at this faire.

Lyric paused. Yeah, that sums it up some days. Okay, I am in caretaker mode. Off you pop.

Rayd leaned in and whispered in Zara s ear. Where is he?

Three stalls back, near a post, righthand side.

Thanks, sweet. I am going hunting.

Have fun storming the castle. Weird. It is actually appropriate here.

He touched her cheek and left.

Lyric sat next to her and said, So, you are going to be my sister, huh?

Zara smiled. I guess so. More or less. In-law or the equivalent. Legion adjacent?

Lyric laughed. Something like that, but I do want to get something out of the way. I am only his half-sister. Our parents got careless during a swingers party, and so I am my father s beloved little bastard. Our mom was gone when I was twelve. It was never necessary to look up my paternal contributor.

Wow. That s...

A family matter, but as you are going to be family very shortly, I thought it would be best to tell you so it feels more like you are in on the secrets.

Right. Do you have two forms, or does the elf only come out when you are under duress?

Lyric cackled. I can control it. You can see it without your eyes?

Yes. You glow, and your ears are pointy.

Those things are both true. She chortled. Does it bug you?

No, but have you found your mates yet?

Nope. I am also not looking. I have enough to do without worrying about some big, dark hulks.

Are they all like that?

Yup. Their skin is like a radiation sensor that has been fully exposed. We are just a light source. But instead of radiation, it s magic.

Magic. Right.

Says the woman who is bound by a brand, has been blinded by acid, and her mates have demon adaptations. That s why my brother is so good with metal. Fire comes to him when he calls. She chortled. He can do detail work with his fingers, but here, he has to use the forge. Optics.

Why aren t the folks in this tent freaking out that you aren t serving them? She sipped at her glass and smiled. This is lovely.

Thanks. I help my neighbour wrangle the bees. She has to pick the raspberries on her own. I just eat them all.

Zara smiled. I am hoping to get back to that activity one day. The chore will feel like a treat.

Yeah, Lykon has told me about it. I hope it s everything you need.

Me, too. You didn t answer why folks don t seem to notice you are seated.

Lyric snickered. That is the bonus of being what I am. If I don t want to be seen, I am not seen. Like now. Not seen, not heard. The demon who just walked in here looking for you can t see you. It s all good.

Zara jolted and gripped Lyric s arm. She could see the swirling darkness but nothing else. Rayd was coming behind him, and then the swirl stopped and was moved backward. The demon disappeared from her senses, and the crowds closed in immediately after. He was truly gone.

Rayd called, and Zara said, Go to the spot that you dropped me off at, and Lyric will let you see us.

He got close, Lyric let him see them, and he sat down across from Zara, taking her hand. He s gone for now. He s dealing with a rather intense scorching.

Lyric chuckled. No one noticed?

No, it was done with a light contact. A pat on the shoulder. Rayd squeezed Zara s hand. He came into full focus for a moment, still black and white but focused.

So, he was after me?

Yes. Lyric, is Lykon working from home this week?

Yeah.

What about you?

I can. Why?

I am worried about having her with my grandmother if others are hunting. I know you can handle yourself.

Well, until my mates show up, handling myself is all I ve got.

Zara giggled.

Rayd sighed. Funny.

I think it is both hilarious and frustrating. Lyric chuckled. Zara, did you want another melomel?

Yes, please. That stuff is good.

Lyric slipped away, and Rayd said, Thank you for telling me about the other demon.

No problem. I know that the demon I know is better than the one who blinded me.

He sighed and continued to stroke her hand. Lyric brought her the alcohol, and she sipped it slowly. It was lovely.

Rayd sighed. Lyric, how do I get a few bottles of that?

Lyric chortled. I will grab a few and keep them at the vineyard.

Make it a dozen. I am pretty sure it will make a nice staple at the house.

Done. I will be heading home in three hours if you want me to take custody of her.

Zara muttered, I am not evidence.

Lyric patted her hand. No, but you are a treasure, and you need to remain safe for your value to be shown to the world. It s just a week. You will be staying at the main house, and it is heavily protected. If Emma wants to come, she is welcome. We have a lot of space.

Zara perked up. I will call her and ask. I know she s been watching for something.

Rayd nodded. I will call her.

Zara smiled. Yeah, you are better at conveying that kind of urgency.

He sighed. Lyric, can you watch her for a moment?

Certainly. Soon-to-be brother. Lyric chuckled. We can go and watch Lykon for extra safety.

Please. Where is the call zone?

Over by the fire juggler. Lyric chuckled. Next to the pickles. We re going back to the blacksmith shop.

Uh-huh. See you in five. He disappeared from her senses.

Zara smiled. Emma is great. I don t like the thought of her in danger because of me. She s tough, but she s not that spry.

Lyric chuckled and said, I am just going to line things up here, and we can be on our way. You are covered, by the way. My scent is kind of strong. I smell like washing powder when I put in the effort.

Oh. Thanks. She sat and waited, finishing her raspberry wine.

She felt the people around her, heard them laughing, and the scents of humans in leather and hot sun made her wrinkle her nose. Zara was grateful for the concealment. Folks who had been drinking liked to test her lack of vision by wiggling or jabbing fingers near her eyes. They actually hit her in the eyes frequently. Thankfully, Rayd and Emma didn t allow folks to play with her like that.

It looked like her upcoming sister also took her safety seriously.