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O ne month later.

Regis looked around at the assembled ladies. Are we ready?

Honey nodded, Pandora gave her a thumbs-up, and Gia grinned. The others all nodded.

Poppy and Win flexed their shoulders, and Win lifted her hand. Say the word, Regis.

Regis looked back toward the new palace where Ira was safe with a family friend. Word.

Win flicked her fingers, and the gateway opened. The twelve surged forward and entered the Stronghold.

Ela headed for the confinement areas. Some took off for the children s spaces, others for the new women, and more to the women s quarters. Honey went off on a rampage; Win and Poppy kept the others under control. It let Regis and Rex head to the lower levels.

They moved through the hallways that the others had described. Poppy would follow when Win had finished draining magic out of the men above. Pandora was checking the floors for prisoners and survivors.

Each of the ladies had their tasks, and Regis and Rex waited while facing the gates. Poppy eventually arrived and nodded. Ready when you are.

They walked toward the gates and pulled them open, to the astonishment of Rex s mates.

Regis said, Everyone is free tonight, but Poppy is going to throw you back in time so that you can learn the modern era and then reunite with us on this night or just beyond it. Any longer and I will come looking for you.

The huge dragon opened and closed his eyes before he resumed his elf form. Our child?

Eager to meet you. She s amazing. Regis smiled as he slowly paced toward her. Still haven t learned to manifest pants?

He grinned. Do I need them?

Yes. This is a rescue, not a rendezvous. If you want to see me and your daughter, you can come and visit us tomorrow. I am assuming you can track me?

Yes, dear one. I will track you.

She gave him the date, and he nodded. Not before then. I understand. Our girl, she is safe?

Oh, yes. She s brilliant, sweet, charming, and old beyond her years.

She looks like you?

She has gold hair, but her eyes are all you.

He smiled. I am looking forward to meeting her.

She touched his cheek. I am glad. You can t live at the new palace until we find homes for all of the women and children from the Stronghold.

In that case, I will endeavour to make myself useful in the interim.

You don t mind?

I can watch from a distance and keep you safe. That is all I need to know. He touched her cheek.

Her heart ached, and she leaned toward him. They met in a soft and delicate kiss before there was a soft clearing of a throat behind them.

Rex s mates whirled and growled. Poppy looked at them. Oh, please. My guys are way scarier than you.

The drakes paused. One asked, Who are your mates?

Poppy smiled. Not telling you. You would tell them, and then things wouldn t shake loose properly. I know how this works. I am the temporal witch.

They stared at her.

Poppy smiled. Okay. Final kisses, and then you can come and find your mates in a few days. You have waited this long; you can wait ten years knowing that they are safe and will be here for you. Mark the date and come out of the shadows. They will be waiting.

Regis smiled and turned to her mate. Yeah. We will be waiting, Sirrush.

He pulled her into his arms, and the kiss that he gave her was so sweet it made her soul ache. He stepped back from her, and Ignis and Kael stood beside him.

Poppy smiled. Ladies, step back.

Regis and Rex stepped back, and their mates simply disappeared.

Poppy dusted her hands and smiled. Okay, the guys are all out. Let s collect the ladies and get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.

Regis looked around and inhaled with a shudder. You are right. This is a world of pain and murder.

Rex put a hand on her shoulder, and they headed up the stairs again with their senses on high alert.

The Elite were zip-tied and kneeling. Their power was gone, and the women and children were gathered while they waited for everyone to reappear.

Poppy said, The guys are gone. Do we have everyone?

Pandora formed up from mist with a woman who looked alarmingly human. The woman smiled. Hey.

Pandora said, She was in a portal below.

Regis saw the Elite fill with fear. The woman smiled. Just keeping shadow mages from joining the party.

Pandora blinked. Do I know you?

My name is Kay.

Regis felt recognition come and move over her in a wave, and then it was gone.

They gathered their charges up and simply left the Stronghold with all of the vulnerable and abused members walking through the gateway that Win held open.

Regis looked back at them and said, Your time is over. Our time is coming. You should have chosen another way. The doorway opened, and they began to walk.

She made sure all her people were with her, and they headed to the new palace.

It was time to sort the ladies and children.

Homes had been arranged, and it would be a few days before everyone was in a safe place.

The legal case was started as soon as the women could get their statements and identities proven.

On the other side of the gateway, the house was waiting.

Wren and Ira were putting out all the snacks.

Ira brought food to the kids, and Regis watched carefully as they moved to get everyone settled.

Ela moved from person to person, softly asking them what they needed, and she was clutched at by two of the ladies as they sobbed in relief or panic.

The first hour after the attack was chaos, but then the children were settled into their bunk beds, the adults were put into rooms, and the house swung to quiet.

Regis looked around and tidied up the great room. Ira yawned and said, Mom, can I sleep in your room tonight?

Of course, baby.

Rex said, I will take the first watch.

Elaheh shook her head. Sleep now. You had your own emotional moment tonight. For me, this was just physio.

Poppy looked around. Where s Wren?

Ela said softly, She left the moment we had snacks.

Poppy smiled. I need to check in with her. I will take my leave.

Regis smiled. Go ahead. We have it now. Get some rest.

Poppy chuckled. Rest is a bit distant, but I have to brief her a little. There were details I couldn t mention here.

Regis frowned. Where did that woman Kay go?

Pandora had her mates take her home. Then, Gia s took her home.

Rex smiled. We ve got this. Elaheh, if you have first shift, we will be good.

I will wake you in six hours.

Regis smiled. Thanks.

They slowly gathered together and headed up the stairs.

* * * *

E la cleaned up and found another person with her, helping her tidy things. Kay, right?

Kay smiled. Yes. I knew they wanted me gone, so I left and then came back.

Ela looked at her. I know you from somewhere, but as soon as I think about it, I forget.

Yes, that is an agreement I made a long time ago. I am glad that you are all here and recovering. Kay smiled as she loaded the dishwasher.

You are talking like you know us.

You and hundreds like you over the years. I can t stop the trouble from happening, but I can get them out of it if necessary.

Wait. You? How?

I am older than I look. Kay smiled, and with a snap of her fingers, the room was clean, and the dishwasher was humming.

She got them each some lemonade, and they settled in the great room.

Elaheh looked at her. Why couldn t you save me?

I got there as soon as I realized there was an issue.

At this point, there are twenty-four thousand of my people around the world, and I spend most of my time trying to keep them alive.

You were alive until you were in danger of dying, and that is when your frame broke.

You had to make the run for it. Survival instincts are one of the most important things in the world.

What are you?

Kay smiled. I was a daughter, I was adopted, I was imprisoned, and I took my freedom.

When was that?

A while ago. She sipped at her lemonade. I was bound from stating who and what I was, so I did what I could with those I was protecting.

Why?

Words have power, and certain words ring through the cosmos. I was allowed to stay and help under specific circumstances, and those were that I not be involved in those I was working to protect. She smiled. As long as no one rings that bell, I can stay.

I don t understand.

What would you like to happen to your ex-husband?

Ela sat up. What?

He sold you to the parlour, so he deserves a special reward. What should it be?

Ela blinked. Uh, I guess I would like him to feel what I felt while I was there.

Kay grinned and patted her hand. Done and done.

Ela watched a glow fill Kay, then there was a pulse, and it was over.

Ela sat with her lemonade in the quiet house. The folks taken from the Stronghold were safe, and she felt lighter as if a weight had been lifted. She scrolled on her phone with a smile on her lips while she sipped at her drink.

It was a really nice night.

* * * *

P andora came into the shop on Monday, and Kay was sitting with a bright light focusing on her work, embroidering.

Pandora looked at her. Are you going to tell me what you were doing at the Stronghold?

Kay kept her focus on her work and smiled. Sightseeing?

Pandora sighed. So, you aren t going to tell me.

Nope. Thanks for the extraction. They had a pretty good grip.

It was my honour. What are you working on?

The last stitches in the Sagittarius costume. They are all ready to go.

Pandora rushed in. No way. This is amazing. I came in early to work on it.

Well, the event is tomorrow, so it is best that it is done. You have your models lined up?

Oh, yeah. I have been asking around. A few of the ladies are pregnant. The costumes can compensate?

Absolutely. Do you want me to help fit them?

Can you? You are shorter, and you can get to the hems easier.

Funny. Sure.

Pandora looked at her. Do you want some coffee? A pastry?

Either sounds good right now.

Do you want a break, or are you good?

I am good. Off you pop.

Pandora smiled and nodded. Cream and sugar?

Black, you floating column of fluff. Kay smiled and waved her off.

I couldn t have pulled this together without you.

I know. Gimme coffee. Kay chuckled.

Pandora nodded, grabbed her wallet, headed out the door, and walked down the street to get some coffee.

She sighed in relief that Kay had gotten the embroidery done. She didn t know what she had done to get so lucky as to have Kay apply for the assistant position. The woman had magical fingers.

Pandora popped into Regis s bakery and grinned. How are you today?

Suddenly remembering that I am doing desserts for the fashion show tomorrow.

Well, Kay has me done, so I can help if you need it.

Regis slumped in relief. Please. I am a little flustered after our weekend.

The guys have been freaked out as well. They have been wearing me out.

Good thing that Kay is picking up the slack.

Yeah. I need to get her something nice. Have you heard from Sirrush?

No. It s driving me nuts. I know he s out there somewhere but no idea where to look.

How are the placements coming?

Easier than I thought. The kids have gone to alpha homes that have ties to Elite omegas. The ladies who were taken are trying to return home, and those who didn t are being enrolled in school. The new palace will be back to normal in no time with minimal occupants.

Pandora smiled. You miss me.

Yes, I do.

Well, Kay is waiting for coffee and pastries, so get me six of anything that looks good.

Regis nodded. Got it. She moved around and made a number of selections, then started closing the box up and grinned. She works hard. I gave her a dozen.

Great. I am off to Odette s, and then I will call you to tell you when I can help.

Okay. Have fun asking Mom if you can come play. Regis laughed.

Pandora made a face, took the box out the door, and trotted off to the caf to get some coffee for her hard-working assistant.

Odette had a happy glow and got the coffee as a red car stopped in front of her caf . Pandora grinned. One of yours?

Yeah, we are still in courtship for now. Our third just showed up this week. Odette got the coffees. I have high hopes for the weekend.

Pandora chuckled. If they leave it to the weekend.

They have to. There is a huge case that Arc is getting ready for. No distractions.

I see. Well, his loss. Are you coming to the fashion show tomorrow?

I have my ticket already.

Excellent. It s for a good cause.

All for the kids, right?

Absolutely.

Good. I want to have a few, and I need a place to educate them. Odette grinned. It s rather nice that there is an elf baby boom on the way.

It will be a shock for the city, but I think they will adapt. Pandora smiled.

She got the coffees, and Odette s Elite alpha walked in and leaned forward for a kiss over the counter. Pandora got out before the smoke alarms went off.

She returned to the shop and saw Kay with some new designs that Pandora had left on the drawing pad. When did you have time to do this?

Oh, I made time. Beauty shouldn t wait. Kay grinned and walked over. So, what did you bring me?

The coffee was acquired, and the pastry box was opened. Pandora asked, Kay, are you an omega?

Kay paused. What kind of omega? You need to be specific.

An Elite omega?

Oh, no, Pandora. I am not an Elite omega.

But you are some kind of omega.

Kay munched into a cream puff. Some kind.

Can I guess?

Go nuts. Kay laughed.

Pandora started guessing, and Kay ate and laughed. It looked like she was having a pretty good time.