Page 3 of Second Shooter (Betas in Waiting #28)
Win had her GPS turned up, and it helped her find the driveway to the winery. She had finished the image drive over the last few days and had plenty of images for the couple. Unlike other photographers, she let her raws go and didn’t watermark everything. She wasn’t advertising her skills; she just liked to do it and paid accordingly.
She pulled into the driveway and went to the building that matched the picture Agatha had sent. Win slowed and parked in the visitor area near the shop part of the winery. She grabbed her camera bag with the drives and got out of her car.
The money had cleared her account that morning.
A woman came out of the shop area and grinned. “You must be Win.”
Win looked at a woman who was at least half-Asian and nearly six feet tall.
“I saw you at the wedding. I am Lyric. Lykon’s sister.” She extended her hand, and Win shook it.
It was like oil and silk colliding, and they both flickered.
Win blinked. “Oops.”
Lyric stared. “Oh, wow. I met a few at the wedding, but wow. You are powerful.”
Win blinked. “I think I should go inside.”
“Wait. So, you know what we are.”
Win nodded. “I know. Half-Elite.”
“So, who are your parents?”
“Uh, no idea. I was adopted.”
They entered the building, and surprisingly, all of the legion was waiting for them.
Win smiled, got the drive with the gold trim, and held it up. “I have them all done. There are a lot, so they are in folders.”
Zara smiled with her red gaze. “Can you go through them with us, Win?”
“Oh, sure. Do you have a computer set up?”
Lykon opened a laptop. “Here you go. It is linked to the projector.”
She sat on the chair that was waiting for her at a high table. Lyric sat near them and smiled with shining eyes.
Win looked at Zara and Randolph. “Where would you like to start?”
Zara smiled. “Start with the venue. We didn’t really get to see it.”
Win got the first slideshow of background set up and started it as the quad sat cuddled together, and they spoke quietly about the beauty of the venue.
After the venue, they asked to see any parts of the food that she had captured. She had gotten it all. The set plates, the dessert buffet, and the custom cocktails with layers of red and one white.
The bridal suite was next, and there were a lot of compliments for Zara until the dressed picture was on the screen.
“Pause it.” Taka rapped out.
Win looked at Zara, and there was a light blush and wonder at the picture of her looking toward her shoulder with her marks fully exposed and her eyes glowing.
Lykon cleared his throat. “Can we get that one blown up?”
“The drive has all the large files. You can do whatever you like with them. I hold a backup for a year if something happens to the hard drive.” Win smiled. “Your images, your business.”
Rayd laughed. “Thank you. Alexi always treats them as incredibly precious.”
“Oh, they are, but I just like taking them. I don’t keep them or make prints. This isn’t my day job.”
Zara looked over. “It should be.”
“Nah. I like being the photographer of last resort. I don’t have do deal with the families, with the bride and groom, and their endless nitpicking. I come in during a crisis. They are usually happy I am there to save the day. I send my photos, and then I am done. Back to the regular job.”
Rayd asked, “What is your day job?”
“I drive a forklift in a warehouse.” She shrugged.
“You prefer that?”
“Yup. I don’t have to do it in a dress for one thing.”
The group chuckled, and the images continued.
The sweet one with Emma taking Rayd’s arm was another one to pause on.
There was laughter at the bridesmaid duels, and then everyone held their breath as the wedding ceremony began.
The walk of the wedding party, then the look when Rayd looked at Zara for the first time, and the rest of the legion saw her as well. She had split-screened it, using her second shooter, so both sides of that moment were displayed side by side.
Taka asked, “How did you do that?”
“I have a second shooter. Well, I am the second shooter. But anyway, that is how we managed two thousand images.”
She smiled, and they continued through the slide show. They were all taking notes about their favourite images. It was adorable.
They went through the family photos where Lyric was standing with her brother and then with the legion and an older male who looked like Lykon.
The pictures of the couple with Emma were so sweet. She looked like she was going to explode with pride.
The others were with their families, and when she saw one of the photos, Win understood how they had gotten the hotel. Taka was standing next to Minoru and his wife. Since it was family photos, it meant he was related to the hotelier.
They continued on through the images and then got to the cocktail hour, and the laughter started. Then, they went quiet as the images of the women and their babies went across the screen.
Friends and family eating snacks and having fun while they talked about how excited they were for the quad was fun. There were children. Folks with enhancements and talents using them, among others. It was a truly safe space for them, and they used it.
The reception, meal, speeches, and dancing were discussed, and they laughed at so many moments that they hadn’t been able to see because they were stuck at the table while people handed their mates food they didn’t want to eat.
The dancing came last, and Win paused. “Excuse me for a minute. I need a break.”
She grabbed her snack bar and bottle of water. They were looking at her. “Sorry. My metabolism is a little weird.”
Zara asked, “Weird how?”
“Really fucking fast. It’s why I like to work evenings. It’s easier to manage your hunger when all the restaurants are open.”
Rayd blinked. “Right. That does help.”
Lyric smiled. “It doesn’t help that she has two metabolisms that are fighting for dominance in her.”
Win glanced at her. “Squealer.”
“Oh, come on. This is the coolest thing ever. Another Elite omega right here? This is amazeballs.”
Win sighed and finished her snack. “Right. Can we continue the slideshow? There’s some amazing dancing coming up.”
She dusted her fingers on her jeans and hopped back up on the seat.
Zara asked, “You are really one of the Elite omegas?”
“Yup.”
“Can you show us?”
“Nope. Not unless you want this area soaked in blood. It’s a long story, but there is a reason I don’t shift into that form unless it is urgent.”
Rayd paused. “How bad are the scars?”
Win rocked her jaw from side to side. “Six Elite alphas tried to bind to me at the same time and competed with each other for damage. The scars are extensive.”
The group’s jaws opened in shock.
Zara gasped. “How did you survive that?”
“Well, I got myself to a hospital and had them scrub the marks. There wasn’t a lot of blood in me at the time, so it was easy in the grand scheme of things.”
Lyric asked, “Do you have a heat?”
Win snorted. “Of course not. My body barely qualifies as female anymore.”
Lyric’s voice was a whisper. “Can I see some of the scars?”
Win sighed. “I am out of here. Use any or all of the images. Congratulations on your wedding. It was a lovely event. Food looked good.” She got up and picked up her bag. “It was fun to be part of your day.”
She bowed to the quad and nodded to Lyric. She walked outside and gulped in fresh air. Win waited a moment for her spinning senses to settle and walked to her car.
“Win, wait.”
She turned and was surprised that it was Rayd who followed her. “What?”
“I am really sorry about my sister-in-law. She’s just excited to meet another one like her. Uh, if you want, I know of a few Elite omegas who might be able to help you with the scars.”
“Thank you, but why is it a concern of yours?”
He looked at her with a small smile. “I watched Zara’s scars torture her and make her life difficult. She only wore them on her own for two years, but it was hell for her. I don’t like the thought of that for anyone else. How long ago was it?”
She smiled slightly. “Twelve years. It’s fine as long as I don’t touch my own skin. The scars are nauseating.”
He winced. “Zara is going to talk to one of her bridesmaids. Wren. She is familiar with strange assists for unusual ailments.”
“It isn’t an ailment. It is just scar tissue. I have been hearing that the recovery centres have been getting more funding for alpha attacks, but my injuries are old, and I can live and work with them. My insurance doesn’t cover the rehab either.” She smiled. “It was nice working for you. Congratulations again. You make a lovely legion.”
“You know we are a legion?”
She grinned. “There is a folder on the drive called enhanced images. That is how I see you together.”
He blinked. “I really want to help. Take my card. If you need anything, just call. I will be there to help. Something tells me you are going to need it.”
She took his card, and it was for a helicopter charter service. “Uh, thank you. I am going to go. The images are yours to do with as you like.”
“Thank you again for stepping in when Harry decided he couldn’t handle the job.”
“No problem. I enjoy taking the pictures; I just despise the business aspect of it. Too peopley.” She wiggled her fingers. “Have a good day.”
She got into her car and drove off, trying to find her way back into rush-hour traffic.
She had her money, the pictures were handed off, and she could forget all about the wedding as soon as she archived her copies of the images. Time to get back to the daily routine that comforted her.
The next morning, Win was dressed and thinking about where to have coffee when she got a text.
Hey, Win. This is Lyric. Listen, I was a little too enthusiastic yesterday and would love to meet you for coffee. Do you know the cat café on Seventh?
Win responded. Yes. I am a few blocks away. I can walk there if necessary.
Can I meet you there in twenty minutes? I really need to apologize for butting into your private business.
Fine. I am hungry. You have been warned.
See you in twenty.
Win smiled and got her purse. After thinking about it, she took her car to the café. She might as well do some errands on the way home.
She was enjoying the attentions of a cat named Achilles when Lyric came in with two other women. One was a beta with a lot of magic around her, and the other was another Elite omega. An elf.
She got to her feet and looked up at the other elf. “You are... Keres? This is Wren. I saw you at the wedding.”
Wren reached out for her, and Win shook her hand.
When Keres reached out, Win shook her head. “No offense, but if your touch does what it is supposed to do, there will be a bit of a mess.”
“Scars stretch.”
“Not when Stronghold Elite makes the bites.”
Keres blinked. “Oh.”
“Yeah. I tried once about five years ago. Hurt like hell.” She bowed with a slow flourish. “Hello. Nice to meet you.”
Keres chuckled. “Nice to meet you. So, you know what you are.”
“Oh, yes. All of my siblings are Elite omegas. My parents had a sixth sense about it and adopted us all so we couldn’t be handed over on demand. They moved here with me and then brought in my sister seven years later, and finally, my last sister was brought home. My auntie worked at a lab and got our genetics tested one by one. None of our files have information. We were all hospital surrenders.”
Wren blushed. “Sorry. I have a discovery enchantment going right now.”
“No problem. Shadow mages haven’t attacked me, so I am not too concerned with information transfer.”
Wren froze. “How do you know that?”
“I can see it. I see the energy of the soul.” She nodded. “I can see the shadows around yours.”
Lyric said, “She isn’t kidding. She did some photos of the wedding guests, and you can see their other faces. It made for an amazing pack photo with the bride and groom.” She got her phone out. “I put it on my phone.”
She brought up the image and showed it to Wren and then Keres.
“Whoa. Those are lovely. Can you do one of me and my mates?” Keres smiled.
Win smiled. “Only if your regular photographer bails. I don’t like to arrange things. It feels like folks are waiting to pounce.”
“Oh. Right.”
“I suppose I could try. The result isn’t as good as me going in cold, though.”
A staff member came around with a large tray filled with drinks and pastries. “Ladies. Park it.”
Keres smiled. “Hey, Persephone. You got away?”
“Yeah, but this is an illusion.”
Win looked and blurted, “You are one, too.”
Keres chuckled. “She is. She is restricted, though. But she’s my twin sister. She has her own den of enhanced alphas and her own omega.”
“But... she’s an omega.”
“She was stunted as a teen. She’s going to finish her evolution this year. She isn’t the only elf omega that has alpha mates. They suit her very well.”
Persephone set the tray down. “They do and are at home with the babies. I needed a break, and this was an excuse.”
Keres chuckled. “Well, you do have four at the same time.”
“Hence my escape.”
Win sat down and said, “Omega, spider, zebra, and death tentacles?”
Persephone smiled slowly. “You are good.”
Win shrugged. “I just came for the snacks.”
Lyric laughed. “True. I did promise you snacks, but if we can find you help for the scars, I would like to.”
“Okay. I will let you try.” She snagged a Danish as the ladies sat down, and all the free cats in the space focused on them. She checked her watch. Cori’s bus was leaving. She tried to calm the nervous flips her stomach was doing.
She sat and chatted. Bluntly explaining what had happened to her. Persephone tried to reach out, but Win avoided the touch.
“Sorry. I can’t touch you. I had to fight to keep myself short when Lyric touched me. It hurt. A lot.”
Persephone nodded. “I understand. Sorry. It’s a reflex.”
Keres smiled. “Just be sure you don’t get close enough to hug you. She’ll burp you.”
Persephone blushed. “Well, maybe. It was just that one time.”
“Achilles did digest his meal easier that night.” Keres laughed.
Win smiled as the woman groaned with covered eyes. “Funny. My sisters and I are further apart in age. We don’t have that kind of relationship. So, Keres, you started the barrier around the city?”
“I always thought so, but I have heard that folks are seeing two anchor sites. Our kind can add energy to either one to expand the shield.”
“Nice. I have donated when I can.”
Keres picked up her phone and called someone. “Myrtle, what do you have from the book regarding a scarred-up omega?”
The person on the other end said, “ Nothing. There is the blood witch, the mirror master, and triumph. They are going to appear with solace and sabres. Their mates are still at the Stronghold. ”
Win mumbled, “That is a lot of omegas.”
“ It sounds like it, but that is what the book said. It’s pretty accurate. It identifies Keres as the mother for all.”
Keres blushed, and Persephone rubbed her shoulder. “Keres has been a surrogate at least four times.”
Win smiled. “That would do it.” She checked her watch again. Cori was reaching the outskirts of the city. Half an hour and she would be beyond the barrier.
Wren said, “I keep trying to actually see you, but it is difficult. You keep shifting.”
“You know, modern women. Changing moods and focus every moment. Sister, daughter, worker, friend. I can do it all.” Win sipped at her excellent coffee and stroked the seven cats that were nesting on her in turn. “I also leak power, so the cats are curling up near the energy leaks.”
Another omega came through the door, and she waved. “Oh, wow. You are just everything.”
“Yup. Don’t touch me.”
“Oh, I get that. Your future... wow.”
Win smiled. “My future is currently finishing my coffee and going grocery shopping.”
Myrtle sat down and rotated her wrist, and a fresh cappuccino settled in front of her.
“You know we sell those at the counter.”
“Teyval doesn’t know I am playing hooky. I have to keep this quick. I just wanted to see her for myself. Win, if you need anything, just scream out.”
“I don’t really scream.”
“No, you wouldn’t, would you?” Myrtle nodded. “I would love to have my characters half as stoic as you.”
“Characters?”
Keres smiled. “She’s a writer. Very good, actually.”
Persephone smiled. “Armand would argue with some of your logistics.”
“Try it with Mateo.”
Persephone’s eyes went wide. “Oh, right. That is something I hadn’t considered.”
Lyric asked, “Win, do you date?”
“Not often. I just get what I need and get out. Folks forget me after a few minutes or hours. Normal folks. My parents and siblings remember me.”
The rest of the conversation turned to photography and who she admired as artists and who she didn’t like. She smiled. “You are asking if I like Alexi. Well, I don’t mess around with bound betas. He is very firmly linked to his alpha and omega. He’s a nice person, though, and we had fun talking about the images. It made for a nice break.”
Lyric snorted. “He’s been asking about you.”
“Well, he can ask all he likes. I am not getting near dragons.”
Keres stared. “So, you see it all?”
“I guess so. I knew what the Elite were when they found me on the beach with my friends. I saw their ugliness behind the pretty white skin as they laughed and transported me to the Stronghold.”
Keres paled. “When were you there?”
“Thirteen, fourteen years ago. I cracked the foundation of the stone under me and got my ass out to a hospital the moment that they took a break.” She shrugged. “My parents said I was missing for a month, but I think it was more. None of my high school friends remembered me, so I just went to work when I healed. I mean, we moved here, but that was the only uproar.”
They tried to get more details out of her, but Win was done. She was about to start making her way out with polite excuses when she heard a noise. She picked up her phone and heard Cori’s whisper. “ There are ten. They stopped the bus. ”
Win got up and said, “Start the clock.”