Chapter Two
Luna looked at Duran. “Did you get a hold of her not-evil family?”
He nodded. “Her cousin isn’t her cousin.
It’s her half-brother on their father’s side.
It was the result of an open marriage, and he said that his father had no idea about what was going on.
He and his den are on the way here. They should arrive just after she is out of surgery.
They have to arrange childcare. How did you spot the bleed? ”
“I didn’t. She described it, and I know what that is.”
He nodded. “Right. So, she can see all of you as well?”
“Yes. I... never thought that an enhancement could act like that. It normally has a physical effect.” She rubbed her face. “We offered her counselling, but she didn’t look physically damaged, so that is where we left it. I am guessing that she could only come when she wasn’t injured.”
Duran sighed. “Right. Damn it. She must have felt so alone, but she still had them call you when this happened.”
“True. Cold comfort, but this was a sign even I couldn’t miss.” Luna scrubbed her hand over her face again. “Mom brain moved aside for this.”
“She isn’t an enhanced beta, and she isn’t a light elf or even a djinn. She’s something different.” His phone pinged, and she stared.
Duran stared, and then he cursed softly. “It is likely that she’s a mage seer. She sees magic. Bodyguards are being sent.”
“We have them.”
“These Elite belong to you. We are bringing in professional bodyguards until she is somewhere safe where we can work on the lawsuit.”
“How much is that going to cost me?”
He looked at her. “Nothing. We will take care of her. We would have if anyone had introduced any of our people to her. Even Dr. Aquilar could see that she could see him.”
“The surgeon? How do you know that?” Luna frowned.
“He told me. His primary skills are silent communication and accuracy.”
“Oh. He’s one of yours?”
“Yes, and she saw him and the anesthetist without even blinking before surgery.”
“What is the bleeding?”
“Ruptured vessels. The high-heel shoe marks. She was stabbed. They are being recorded precisely on the reports for court.”
“Why wasn’t it taken care of earlier?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Luna growled. “I really hate this.”
“You are feeling guilty. That is why.”
Luna paused, and then her shoulders slumped. “That’s probably right. The book club narrowed its focus, and while we were broad at the beginning, I am now seeing that we are missing a lot of women who have suffered injury. No wonder Roane has been sending money directly to the repair clinics.”
Duran looked at her. “Perhaps you should find someone to take over the focus of the club. Even things out a little. You can still oversee, but create a board of women who don’t have fascination as part of their adaptation.”
Luna grimaced. “Between the guys and the new baby, you may have a point.”
He nodded. “Give it some thought. There is new power rising, and some of those ladies need education and tutoring. Someone who is willing to see that need might be a good idea. They don’t need someone to fight for them, but they need to know what weapons they have.”
Luna nodded. “Right. Where would I find someone like that?”
“She’s currently in surgery. She can see what people are at a glance and accept what she sees as the truth.
From there, we can discuss what needs to be done, case by case.
” His eyes lit as he had a thought, and he began making a call.
“I am also going to get a forensic accountant on the case. No sense wasting time.”
Luna nodded. “You think they have money?”
“I know they do. She even said she had to change from outside clothing to inside clothing. They make her wear designer or equivalent when she goes out. She’s always seen to belong to an affluent household, and they have three alphas and one omega. There is money.”
“Is your accountant an elf?”
He smiled. “Only when necessary. He loves playing with numbers and hunting.”
She nodded. “Right.”
She looked at her guys guarding the door and moved to lean against one of them. The hug was comforting.
She sighed at the ease with which she could gain it so easily.
Em didn’t have that option. She had no one.
Luna felt like crap all over again. The others came together under duress in some cases, but they were matched.
From what she had grasped, there wasn’t that option for Em.
She was simply able to see things that were hidden from normal sight.
Luna stood there, passively drawing from Loki. Jack was with the baby, and if he needed her, he would call or possibly fly in with the car seat in his careful claws.
Loki stroked her back. “Stressed?”
She mumbled against him. “I will deal with it later. I can’t believe that I got such tunnel vision.”
His hands stroked her relentlessly. She sighed. “Em’s still in surgery. I think I need coffee, but I need someone here until I get back.”
Duran nodded. “I will stay here.”
She nodded. “I will leave Fenris here and get him a bear claw on the way back.”
Fenris nodded. “Thanks. Black coffee as well, please.”
Luna nodded and took Loki to the commissary, pausing to ask Duran, “Anything?”
“No, but thank you.”
Luna nodded and headed out. She really needed some coffee.
* * * *
Em woke slowly and looked from left to right. “I am dead, and this is hell.”
The white elf on her left chuckled. “No. Just a hospital. Still.”
The dark elf on the right smiled. “Glad you are still with us. Your latest adventure was courtesy of torn vessels due to the punctures in your torso.”
She swallowed, and Duran got closer, giving her an ice chip from a small cup. She took in the cold chip and held it in her mouth as it melted.
When she could swallow easily, she asked, “No sign of the psycho squad?”
“They have been diverted from entering the hospital.”
“But they are still there. Right. Fun times.”
Duran answered a soft knock on the door. Another dark elf with enormous shoulders, a thick neck, and long fingers came in and nodded to the white elf.
Fenris smiled. “You have her?”
“Samsor is outside the room, and we are good in here.”
She reached for the control, and Duran shook his head. “No, Em. Leave your stitches in place. You didn’t have organ damage, but there was a lot of torn muscle dumping blood into your abdomen. They closed the vessels and stitched the muscle back together. You are going to be fucked up for weeks.”
Em blinked. “That was mean and blunt.”
The new dark elf was staring at Duran in shock. “You didn’t have to say it like that. She’s exhausted, and she’s been through it.”
Em said softly, “Yeah. What he said.”
The man paused and blinked. “You heard me?”
She nodded. “Yes. I hear you. Why? You spoke, right?”
He nodded slowly. “But humans can’t hear me. My voice is too low. They can feel the words but not hear them.”
“Oh. Oops. Well, I can feel it, but my body translates instantly.”
He smiled slowly. “Good to know. I am your forensic accountant. I am going to find where all your funds have been going.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
He smiled at her. “Since I can work anywhere, I will be here most of the time. Duran will come and go as he updates you on charges.”
She nodded and looked up at the IV fluids. A nurse came in, looked from one visitor to the next, and cleared her throat. “Miss Em, you have visitors.”
Em looked up. “Can I sit up yet?”
The nurse went to the head of the bed and gently raised it about fifteen degrees. “No more. We are trying to let your body put itself back together. Dr. Aquilar will be in shortly to let you know what went on.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
The door opened as the nurse was about to leave, and Em saw Mateo standing there. She blinked rapidly. “I didn’t tell them anything. I said I was your cousin.”
The giant spider walked into the room to the head of the bed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “It’s okay, Em. If I had known, you would never have ended up here.”
She blinked away tears. “I am not very likable.”
He looked at her, and his expression was hard to read. Spiders weren’t good at emoting. “You are fine at it. I had a problem with it, but with another omega and a daughter, I now understand what is needed for those who can’t read my expression.”
Em smiled but then tried to frown. Her face was still swollen. “Why are you here?”
“They called me. They were right to. Persephone is an excellent teacher for emotional demonstration. If you do something right, you know about it.”
Mateo touched her skin with the lightest of touches. “It was Augusta’s pack?”
“Yup. I was twenty minutes late to fix her makeup after she got sweaty.”
“Wait, they called you home to do makeup?”
“Yes. They only like to fuck Augusta when she is camera-ready, I guess,” she whispered.
Voices were outside the door, and she swallowed, “Did you bring everybody?”
“Yes, are you comfortable with them meeting you like this?”
“I have been in worse shape.” She sighed. “At least now the wounds got some attention.”
Mateo’s expression tightened. “You should have called me.”
“Yeah, like you are always in a great fucking mood. I can’t face you right after a bunch of angry alphas. It’s like covering a wound in acid... usually.”
He paused and then nodded. “I accept that assessment. Can Owen come in first?”
“If he tries to cry or pat me, grab him.”
Mateo smiled. “Yes, little sis.”
She blinked.
“What?” The spider face frowned.
“That is the first time you ever claimed me as a relation, let alone our actual connection.”
He frowned harder. “Surely, I have claimed you in front of family.”
“No. I am just Father’s regret.”
His dark cheeks flushed. “I had forgotten.”
He paused before leaving. “I am sorry.”
She didn’t have a chance to say anything, and he was through the door. She looked from elf to elf. “Why didn’t he comment on you two?”
Duran shrugged. “We are good at not being noticed.”
Owen came through with Mateo holding his shoulder. He saw her and started crying.