Page 6 of Flying Blind (Betas in Waiting #27)

Z ara sat in a corner of Lykon s booth and could feel the blaze of heat coming from the forge. Lyric remained near her but chatted with the boothgoers. Again, there was a post and rigid structures against her back.

She listened to the rhythmic hammering and slowly nodded to one side, being supported by the lemon-sunshine scent Lyric had mentioned.

Zara felt a pulse of air and looked up.

Lyric sighed. Looks like the bugger is interfering with things. I will let Lykon know that we are having guests for a week, and your delightful visit here is done, m lady.

Oh. Well, I look forward to trying this again.

Lyric offered her arm, and they moved toward the forge. Lykon, we are heading out. Your princess needs rest.

He murmured something, and Lyric kept Zara with her as they made their way to the front of the faire.

Okay, he just sent a message. We are going to be in the back of the parking area. Stay close, Zara.

You bet, sis.

Lyric chuckled, and they moved against the crowd until Lyric inhaled sharply, Fuck this. Get ready to move.

A wedge of energy pressed in front of them and parted the faire patrons. Lyric parted the sea of incoming merrymakers without hesitation. They were at the front gate in ten minutes.

The blur approached them rapidly, and Zara gasped, Look out.

Lyric whirled and swung her arm out, thudding it into the oncoming demon.

There was a hiss, a crunch, and a thud, and Lyric said, Hold tight. Looks like the asshole was recruiting.

They moved fast toward the helicopter. Folks who saw it were exclaiming about the black eagle that had descended in an effort to stay in character for the faire.

Rayd s swirling aura was behind the controls. Lyric got Zara in her harness and settled herself. They lifted off a moment later and were on their way.

Lyric put on her headset and spoke into it. More than one. Number two rushed us outside the gate. I guess he was too cheap to buy a ticket.

Rayd got them to the legal height before he said something else, and Lyric put the headset in Zara s hand.

She heard his voice clearly and knew it was Lyric s doing. How are you doing, Zara? Are you okay?

I m fine. Lyric fought him off with one hand. Literally.

There was a chuckle from Lyric. I will explain that later. You had the helicopter on standby?

Two lots over. He growled.

How is Emma?

Shaken but being brought to the vineyard. You are sure you can defend it?

Lyric laughed. Oh yeah. Nothing like one s home being under threat to give a reason for defense. My wards have held off a lot. Dogs. Bunnies. Perverts. But now, I have to lower the wards and let the pervs in.

Zara laughed, and Rayd snorted. A few minutes later, he was settling them down, and the scent of green and fruit was in the air.

Lyric got out and came around to get Zara free. She hung up the headset and worked the restraint. She helped Zara out, and after a little awkwardness, she stepped out and into Rayd s arms.

Rayd murmured, I have contacted our third and explained the urgency. He ll be here tomorrow.

Great. Does he have a name? Zara asked softly.

He does, and you will know it when you are introduced. Having his name floating on the wind could bring the others to us.

Oh, shit. Right. But the other one is okay.

Yes. This is his family property, and their blood guards it.

Okay. Good.

And Lyric guards it. She s... interesting.

Zara chuckled. Right. Emma is coming?

Yes. She s on the way. I called a car service that I trust, and she packed your bags and her own. I am not taking chances.

She held onto him and breathed him in. Nothing. Stupid restrictions.

Lyric chuckled. Take her to the main house and introduce her to Dad. I am going to start beefing up the barrier.

Yes, Lyric. Rayd was serious.

Zara held tight to him as he walked her toward the house.

* * * *

L yric went to her magic rock and dumped energy into it, surrounding her vineyard and the entire property. Only the invited or those with friendly intentions could make it beyond her barrier.

Since discovering she could do this, Lyric had spent time learning more about those like her, meeting them, and understanding how their peculiarity worked. No two of the Elite omegas were the same. Some were strong, others sweet, and a few could even pull energy out of an Elite and turn him into a plain alpha.

Lyric had achieved the skills of protection and power. The demon that had attacked at the faire was currently nursing a lot of broken bones. When Zara had mentioned that he was approaching fast, Lyric had seconds to find him in the men around them. His run at them with blazing crimson eyes had given him away and made Lyric discard her normal restraint.

Lykon was going to have fun when he looked up from his forge. She had seen the fine work he was doing when they got back, and it indicated that he really liked Zara. He was making her a small pendant with her marks and one each for the others. It was good to see him interested in something that wasn t just work.

Having a demon alpha for a brother had made life more awkward than it already was, but it had kept the Elite from darkening their door more than once. They had taken one look at Lykon with his eyes blazing and left. She had started dying her hair the same golden brown as her brother and father and gotten on with the need to find out how to use the energy that rose and crackled around her. When she started to work out, a means of focus became apparent. Strength was her thing.

She looked around at the neatly arranged vines that went as far as the eye could see. The rotors of the helicopter were visible behind the wind fence that Lykon had insisted they put up because Rayd often used that means of transport, and they needed to keep all emissions away from the vines. It wasn t a bad idea. The landing site was two kilometres from the vines. It should be fine. Time would tell.

Lyric headed back to the main house, where she would be on demon watch until Zara was mated.

A car pulled up, and an elderly woman emerged with a concerned expression. Is she okay?

Yes, ma am. She s fine. Rayd took her inside to introduce her to my father.

Who are you, dear?

Oh, Lykon s sister. Lyric. I will be hosting you and Zara in the big house with my father. Their third will be coming earlier than anticipated, given the conditions, and they should be bound by next weekend.

Emma grinned. Really?

Really. It will be a relief. You have no idea how hard it is to find a mate for a giant fantasy nerd.

Oh, I have an idea. Emma chuckled. You have a strange look to you.

Lyric checked, and she was wearing her beta shape. Do I? Must be the faire garb. I will go change into jeans, and I can take you and Zara on a tour of the vineyard and winery.

There is a difference between them?

Sure. We grow the grapes, and then we make the wine. And then people drink the wine and tell us how clever we are.

Emma chuckled. I think I like you.

Thank you. It is high praise.

They walked to the main house, where Zara was meeting her soon-to-be bonded father.

Lyric headed inside and started to work on dinner. It looked like they were having quite a few guests, and she prided herself on being a good host.

* * * *

Z ara felt better after Emma was there to help guide her around, and when Lykon returned, he walked up to her and kissed her cheek.

The gentle behaviour made her relax.

Are you all right, Zara? Lyric took care of you all right?

Yeah, she s a kickass bodyguard.

He chuckled. Good. My little sister is good at many things.

Lyric called from the kitchen. Including cooking, but I hate doing dishes.

Lykon rumbled, And listening in, which is why our legion will take over the guesthouse.

Lyric called out, It s the pointy ears. Yes, Emma has already seen them.

Zara laughed. I look forward to seeing and touching them.

Oh, no touching. It s too close to foreplay.

A clatter told Zara that Lyric was approaching. Lykon, go take a shower. You are sweaty and grimy. I know she can t smell you yet, but I can.

He chuckled, kissing Zara s cheek again. I will be back in a few minutes.

Rayd chuckled. That is the most emotion I have seen out of him... ever.

Lyric set a tray down and then said, Zara, did you want to have something to drink? Water, lemonade, wine if you like? Coffee is on the way.

Emma said, Axel has been singing your praises, Lyric. You have done amazing things marketing this winery.

Zara took Lyric s arm as she was led to a couch.

Another male voice said, But she refused my efforts at rebranding.

Lyric snorted. Little Bastard Vineyards was not an acceptable name. For a beer, sure, but not a midrange wine.

Zara turned her head toward the new male voice. She could see him with her sonar, and it was a standard alpha sitting in a comfortable-sized chair for an alpha.

Zara, that is our father, Axel. He s the reason I warned you about the bastard thing. He owns the vineyard and the winery and will talk your ear off, explaining all the details.

Emma cleared her throat. Bastard thing?

Oh, Axel and my mother, Lydia, liked to go to some of those very specific clubs for very specific purposes, and I was the result. Obviously not Axel s, and Mom wasn t Asian.

Zara had to ask, You are Asian?

Lyric chuckled. Half. Yes. When you are all together, you will be able to tell. Use protection when you go to sex clubs, kids.

Emma asked cautiously, Axel, you had no trouble with her?

Lyric asked wryly, Yeah, Axel, did you have trouble with me?

Well, the locals were critical, so I just took to wearing her around when I did errands, and she wore a Best Little Bastard onesie around the vineyard and around town. It was the only way I could think of to let folks know that I was aware and she was still my little girl.

Emma cleared her throat. You couldn t identify her father?

Axel chuckled. It was a blackout room. Lydia didn t know that the protection was ineffective until we were leaving.

Emma blinked. What did you do?

We cleaned up and went home. If it happened, it happened. And there is our little happening.

Yup. Dad. She gets it. I know it s fun telling the story, but now, she s trying to figure out if she s ever met the donor.

Emma frowned. I do know a family with several members who resemble you.

They are Asian?

Chinese. So yes, but there is something in the tilt of your head. Emma paused. And that glare in your eyes. Very familiar.

Zara chuckled. That must be a new one, Lyric.

Lyric smiled. Yeah, it is.

Axel snorted. She s always had a strangely imperious look, even before her latest growth spurt.

Lyric asked Zara, Once you have some lemonade or so, I will help you get changed if you are interested.

Zara chuckled. Please. This corset makes breathing optional, and I kinda smell sweaty.

Yeah. That happens. I can also show you your room so you have a place to retreat when things get too intense.

Zara took one of the glasses, smelled the lemon, and sipped it down quickly. Ready.

Lyric came to her side, smelling of the dinner that was underway. She offered her hand. Up you get.

Zara took her hand and got to her feet. The house was huge. This place is enormous.

My grandparents wanted a huge wave of kids. They got Axel, and Grandma called it quits. Grandpa didn t raise any objections. He got grey anytime my dad s delivery was mentioned. Grandma referred to it as a bloodbath.

Ouch. Well, I have resources your grandma didn t have if anything happens.

That s good, but you know it isn t likely, right? Demons share power, not blood. A legion becomes an amazing power dynamic, but children don t usually occur. They run too hot for a good sperm count.

She chuckled. Rayd explained that early on. They had gone up some stairs and walked along a huge gallery with doors on either side.

Good. If it happens, it happens, and I would love a nibling, but there won t be any nagging out of our family. If Dad even makes a peep, I will punch him.

Zara sighed. Thank you for being so welcoming.

Well, I have my own weird shit going on, so I am not one to throw stones. Lyric slowed. This is your room. I am next door. There is a carved icon of grapes and an acorn on your doorknob. Mine is an owl on a rock. Emma s is a rose with thorns.

Wow, that s appropriate. Zara touched the doorknob and smiled. That is so easy. Thank you.

Lykon did all new knobs when he first got into crafting. Keeping his hands busy was important at first, so he carved all of these and a full set for the guesthouse with backups.

He has clever hands. Zara chuckled as she opened the door and took steps forward. Can you get me out of this corset?

Yup. Walk to the bed and hang onto the post. It can feel sudden when the corset lets go.

Fair enough. Zara went and gripped the post, and Lyric moved like lightning. The ties at the back loosened and were relaxed evenly with the rapid movements of Lyric s fingers, and then her hands wrapped around and opened the busk. The fabric sprang loose, and Zara shivered.

There you go. Your bags are at the end of the bed. Do you want a hand, or have you got it?

I ve got it. You probably want to get out of your costume as well.

Yes. That I do. I will knock when I am done, or you can knock if you want a tour.

Sure. Zara went to her bags and opened the first. She pulled out a dress and then had to go looking for her underwear. The house was a nice size, Lyric was wonderful, and Emma seemed happy with the location.

She removed the costume and smoothed it out on the bed before going to find the restroom. The shower removed the sweat, and Zara stretched now that her body could move freely. It was amazing. Her brand was humming, and she shivered before she finished up and found a towel on the rack.

The house was lovely, and there was so much space. When Lyric was working in the kitchen, the sound had been echoey, and Zara loved a lot of space in a kitchen.

This place had all the hallmarks of home, and she was pretty sure that when she could see it, she would fall in love with it.