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How do I find out about my family and my bastard ex-husband?

Oreli can help. She has an unwholesome attachment to the internet.

Ela nodded. Sounds like buddy material.

Win chuckled. If you like psycho ob-gyns. She s hooked on delivering more Elite babies than her business partner, Oriel.

The name thing must be an issue.

Likely, but when you meet her, it is blatantly apparent. Win nodded. And you will be meeting her. You likely have issues that Wren is not equipped to handle.

Ela nodded. Of course. Is there any food left?

Rex nodded. Yes. Ira is out and doing her homework now.

How long until Wren arrives?

Win smiled. Fifteen minutes. She s nearby.

Good. Ela made sure she was decent again and said, I am going looking for more food.

She left the others talking quietly while Regis was sitting next to her daughter. Ira was frowning and asking a question about designing robots, and Regis was blinking.

Ela smiled, and Pandora got her another plate.

Ela quietly grabbed a napkin and wrote a diagram of what Ira was trying to get Regis to explain. Like that.

Mechanism, action, and power source were all identified.

Regis blinked. You know how to do this?

Ela lifted a hand above her head and pointed toward it. Teacher. Science teacher. Took me forever to logic out why I could go invisible.

Ira smiled. What was it?

Refraction on my skin with a chemical booster that makes people not see me. Ela started eating. She smiled.

Ira looked at the diagram and grinned. Mom, can she stay?

Ela looked to Regis. I am strong but not violent. I just want a place to rest and heal.

Ira smiled slyly. And to help with homework?

I can help with homework. Ela nodded.

Regis sighed. Do you cook?

I can manage family-style meals.

Ira perked up. Fried stuff?

Yeah, I can do that.

Regis sighed again. We will make a meal plan and do the shopping while you recover. Pandora makes clothes, so expect to be a mannequin frequently.

Pandora called from the kitchen. She will wait until you are recovering, but I can get you some sweats and caftans tomorrow.

Thank you. She finished the food and acknowledged the feeling that she was only getting a portion of what she was consuming.

Ira slid around the table and sat next to her. Mom has to organize something, so I can sit, and you can help me figure out what kind of bot I want to build.

Can I?

Ira looked at Pandora, and more sweets arrived on the table. She grinned. Pandora is a source of unlimited snacks.

Pandora grinned. She thinks of me as a dispenser. So, we have ten of our number assembled. Now we just need to get the last two.

Ela stuffed a profiterole into her mouth and mumbled, They are in the gardens under the arch. They aren t sure that they are doing the right thing. My hearing is really sensitive.

Regis grinned and got to her feet. Nice. Okay, I will go talk to them.

Ira smiled. So, Mom has what she needs. This is good. Maybe now I can meet my dad.

You haven t met him?

No. My mom says that I got started for destiny so that nothing bad could happen again like the last time. This time, I would be safe before they would confront the Elite. So, I am nice and safe now. Now is the time. I am planning on asking him if he rides horses. I like horses.

Ela laughed softly. I like them, too.

Did you live around here?

I lived across the continent. The area I was in was filled with farms and ranches.

So, lots of horses.

Lots.

Can you show me how to ride one?

Probably, but when the dark Elite are out, I think some of them rode horses every day. They would be better as mentors.

Ira shrugged. I dunno. You are a pretty good teacher.

Ela chuckled, and then a beta walked in, radiating competence. She looked at Ela and blinked. I think I have found my patient.

Ira nodded. Ela is really skinny, and she s bleeding power. She needs help.

You are Wren?

I am. You are obviously Ela. Did you want to go outside for this?

Ela nodded. Just a moment. I will let Rex know we are leaving Ira to her homework.

Rex walked in. No need. I am back.

Win trailed after. Hey, Wren. I can hardly wait until you can remember me, or I can remember you, or I can remember being here.

Wren chuckled. The rush when we speak is always disconcerting, like I am getting a download. Right, Ela, let s take a walk.

Ela murmured to Ira, Always focus on the end action and work backward.

Ira beamed and kept drawing what she wanted to achieve, making notes and giggling.

Ela walked out with Wren, and they moved across the green and toward the trees.

Win says you are bleeding power.

I am bleeding life force, but I didn t want to argue.

Wren chuckled and then sobered. May I see the marks?

Ela shrugged. It s your nickel. She kicked off her footwear, dropped her pants, and pulled her shirt off over her head.

Wren hissed, and her hands began to glow. Scream if you need to. I have put a barrier up.

I am fine. I didn t scream then, and I won t scream now.

The magic user began to mumble and cast spells, and Ela felt the surface of her skin catch fire. She remained still while the pain rippled over her for an hour until Wren was finished.

With shaking hands, Ela got dressed again.

Wren murmured, I can t believe you just stood there.

Ela pulled her shirt on. I didn t scream for them then; I wasn t going to do it now. Is the drain gone?

Yes. You can begin to rebuild now.

Thank you. I am grateful for your efforts.

It s no problem. Regis pays me in cupcakes.

Ela smiled. It seems they have what they need.

You are part of it. Don t think you aren t.

I know I am. It just feels strange to have survived it. I should rest again.

You should. I will talk to Regis. You just need a few days to settle and then eat like a horse.

That sounds really good. Ela was exhausted.

Come on. You need rest.

They walked back to the house, where Regis was with two women who were standing there with calm expressions on their faces.

Wren smiled, Regis, Elaheh needs a place to rest. Can you provide it?

Regis looked at Ela and nodded. Yes. We have a guesthouse. It will be quiet for her, and we will leave food for her to help her recover.

Ela smiled and swayed. Deal.

Regis paused, and then Rex stepped out of the house. Rex looked at Ela. Come with me. If you need, you can lean on me.

Thank you. I am very sorry for all the fuss.

You had something horrible happen to you, but Regis doesn t know how it is going to affect you, and she won t even consider a possible threat to Ira.

I understand. Safety of her child is first. Having sat with Ira for a few minutes, I understand it.

Ela waved at Wren, and the woman bowed before talking to Regis.

Rex kept a light hand at her back as they walked. Could she help the scarring?

No, but I should be able to start healing myself.

Well, if you find your mates, the healing will be faster.

Ela muttered, Mates are the last things on my mind. If a guy comes near me again, I m going to fillet his junk.

Oh. Right. Rex winced. Your mates are going to have an uphill struggle.

Their problem. My problem is healing.

Right. Here you go. The house is yours to do with what you please. Rest where you feel safe, and food will be brought in for you. Drink a lot.

The building seemed to appear out of the woods, and Ela looked at it and smiled. It looked safe, and safe was what she needed. Thank you for your help, and thank Pandora again. She saved my life.

Rex nodded. She s incredible and will probably be checking on you.

That s fine. A little fog never hurt anyone.

Rex laughed. You believe that if you want to. Good night, and get some rest.

Ela looked at the interior of the guesthouse. It was clean and silent. I think I will.

She stepped inside the dark building and closed the door behind her.

It felt like it would keep her secrets. She walked to the upper level, found a bed, and got naked before climbing between the sheets.

She should have wrapped up against the wounds opening, but she was exhausted. She would wash up after herself later.