The woman smiled, and the dark Elite gasped. She was even prettier when she smiled. “I removed heads with a garrote. This has been a lot of fun and a lovely party, but I am no longer dressed for it.”

  Meira blinked. “Oh god. I remember that now.”

  “Nothing happened. You and I stopped it.” Lynwyn smiled. “But it is best that this form isn’t seen. Nothing good happens when I am seen, so if you could dim the light?”

  Ruby watched Meira hug her friend, and then the light that softly lit the room dissipated.

  Lynwyn looked at Ruby while she disappeared. Ruby gasped. “Holy shit.”

  “Dude, I am still here, you know?” Lynwyn said. “I am just invisible, not teleporting. And now, I am stuck as an omega for a few hours. I am going to raid the dessert bar and head out. Happy solstice.”

  Meira pressed her fingers to her cheek. “Happy solstice. I am going to fire off at midnight. Be somewhere safe, or you will be stuck for days again.”

  “Thanks for the warning. Somehow, I always forget.” She laughed a bright, tinkling laugh that was soft and sad at the same time.

  Meira smiled. “Just assume that she can hear us.”

  Ruby blinked. “Well, this explains how the errors in the sets were resolved without anyone seeming to move anything.”

  “She’s an imp. She loves to move things on people, but she has to be in her omega form to do it, which means concealment.”

  Marshall inhaled. “Oh, my. I just figured it out.”

  Rayden said, “Enlighten me?”

  One of Meira’s males said, “The blind lightning.”

  Ruby blinked. “Who is he?”

  The male in the dark kimono smiled. “He was my instructor.”

  “In what?”

  Sharp white teeth were exposed in a grin. “Many things. Patience being one of them.”

  Meira blinked. “Patience for what?”

  The other male said softly, “Many things.”

  Ruby blushed at the same words from Marshall’s lips during her heat. The dark Elite had been meditating and practicing for the day their omegas showed up. For a few of them, today was that day.

  She watched Meira’s confused face and smiled slightly. Understanding would soon follow.

  The feeling that Lynwyn was still in the room was unmistakable. She had a presence. Ruby hoped for her sake that one day the sorrow wasn’t part of it.

  * * * *

  Lynwyn watched the party that couldn’t see her. Being an invisible elf was perfect for the holidays. The marks that the Elite had left on her that night, whipping her to make her less pretty, had caused her energy to bleed out, and it kept folk from seeing her. As long as she was tall and pearly, she would flicker out at a moment’s notice. The Elite that were hauling them in were determined to punish them for their skills and eluding capture for so many years. Their bodies were grown when they were hauled out of town with their wrists cuffed, and the collar was buckled around Lynwyn’s throat. She still had the marks where she clawed it loose. It was designed to contain Meira, but Lynwyn had been more annoying.

  Life as a beta was a lot of work, but it was interesting, and people saw her. They saw her face, her smiles, and her work. Doing finishing construction was uplifting and rewarding, and she worked with good people.

  She peeled another cupcake and watched the party. She bit into the glittery icing and sugar baubles that covered the cake.

  “Are there any other cupcakes for anyone else?” The low hum of a voice nearby had an accent she couldn’t place.

  He continued, “Seeing an elf sitting in a corner and stuffing her face is very in keeping with the season.”

  She kept eating, confident that he was guessing.

  “That dress doesn’t suit you.”

  She finished her cupcake and reached for the next one, and the man grabbed it from her hand. She paused and looked at him. He was an alpha with golden skin, black hair, and narrow sunglasses. She knew him well. She was currently working on his house.

  She spoke softly. “The dress fits small me pretty faithfully. May I have my cupcake back, please?”

  “No. You have had your fair share, and I am crashing this party, so I do not want to draw a lot of attention.”

  “How do you... uh... know where I am?”

  “I can see you.” He peeled the cupcake and then slid his thin sunglasses down his nose. His eyes were completely silvery white. No pupils, no irises, just white.

  “How can you see anything?” She stared at him.

  He chuckled. “How can you be invisible to all but me?”

  “I am not. My friend can make me visible.”

  “Ah, but why are you invisible to begin with?”

  “I am bleeding energy. My brand of power does this.”

  “Why is it bleeding?”

  “Holes were made in my skin, and they didn’t heal. Just being beta plugs it, but Meira forced the change, so now, I have to spend the night like this. I am going to go get more cupcakes.”

  She boosted herself off the side table and darted past a man coming in with his gaze fixed on the white-eyed guy.

  * * * *

  Yami watched their third nearly knock her over as she pursued more cupcakes. Her outline was exaggerated curves. The shape of her face was sweet. His senses had seen beautiful before, and she was definitely beautiful.

  Raion stopped next to him. “Where is she?”

  Yami nodded. “You nearly knocked her over.”

  “What?”

  “She’s invisible. I can see her. Do not worry. Ah, our host is approaching.” Yami turned toward Minoru.

  They bowed, and Minoru smiled. “How goes construction?”

  Yami quirked his lips as he watched the outline of his mate dancing around to the music. “It is going well. We should be complete just after the new year. I am paying extra to get the trim completed. I love the scent of beeswax. It is so relaxing.”

  “So, is she still here?”

  “Yes, she is. She likes sweets. A lot.” He watched her move around the dessert bar.

  She gathered more cupcakes and several other items and started to return to her perch. When she looked up and saw him, she changed direction and headed for the doors. He felt the urge to grin as he moved to block her.

  His suit strained as he put himself in her path and reached out to grip her arm. She flickered wildly and became solid for a moment. Her mouth was open in a pretty little O as she stared at him. She gathered herself and said, “Cupcake?” She held it out to him, and he took it with his free hand. He saw her nose wrinkle as he thwarted her effort to make him release the light contact.

  Raion walked up next to them and moved behind her. “Goodness. She is lovely. I smell chocolate.”

  The omega held up one of her precious cupcakes and sacrificed it to Raion. Raion chuckled and took the offering.

  Minoru came by and said, “If you need to leave, miss, please tell my wife so she can take your details.”

  “Why?”

  “So we can send you the party bag that all attendees are getting. It has information on next year’s event. We are recruiting early.”

  She nodded. “Um, I can work on sets again. You can see me?”

  Minoru gave her a gentle smile. “I can see you.”

  The distress in her expression broke Yami’s heart. He slid his hand down to her wrist and said, “Would you care to get acquainted with your mates back where you were perching?”

  “Is that what you call it?”

  “I saw you. That is what it was.”

  “I am not used to people seeing me. I have lost all decorum.” She was tense as she walked with him and saw people staring. “My dress is a wreck.”

  “It is. How tall are you normally?” He kept his voice calm.

  “Just over five feet tall.”

  “Ah. Tiny.”

  She actually scowled. “I am taller now.”

  “But still small versus the other Elite omegas.”

  “It isn’t a competition, twit.”

  He jerked back. He knew that pronunciation and that insult. It was going to be easy to find her if she ran. She was tiling his kitchen.

  He put the cupcake aside, gripped her waist, and lifted her back onto her perch. She blinked at him and said, “Um, thank you.”

  He pressed a hand to his chest and bowed. “I am Yami, and the one inhaling the cupcake is Raion. We are your mates.”

  He saw heat move through her body. She was blushing. “I am going to have to take your word for it.”

  “Well, I am keeping you visible with a light touch.”

  She bit her lip. “That’s true.”

  She was stunning and adorable and so very timid. He focused on his own teachings and breathed deeply. It was a mistake. She smelled like yuzu and honey, and the scent had come out when she blushed.

  Raion wiped his hand on a napkin and eased his hand under her wrist. Yami eased his hand away, and she remained visible.

  Raion moved his hand for a moment, and she became a definite illusion signature once again until he lifted his hand to touch her again. She flared into view once again.

  She ate a tiny cheesecake while looking from one to the other. Minoru had left at some point, and it was just their triad.

  “Well, mate. How would you like to proceed?” It hurt to leave it up to her. He knew what her answer was going to be.

  “Um, I would like to acknowledge you two. Trust me, I get it, but I have a normal job tomorrow morning, and I need to get some rest.”

  Raion sighed and handed her his phone. “Your name and number, please?”

  “Lynwyn Hallow.” She quickly entered her information.

  Yami handed his phone over, and she did the same. He pressed her number, and when her pocket rang, she blushed. “That’s fair. Right, so I can go?”

  He nodded, and Raion stepped back. “You have twenty minutes before your friend bathes the city in light.”

  She paused for a moment, then nodded to his vision, scrambled off the small table, and ran for the door.

  Yami sighed and slid his dark lenses back into place. “Well, we found her.”

  Raion grunted. “And you let her leave unprotected.”

  “She’s her own protection. She also doesn’t live too far.”

  Raion stared. “You know her.”

  “Yes. She’s part of the crew finishing my house.” He chuckled. “I don’t think she realizes yet that it’s her house as well. She will figure it out. She’s an excellent craftsman.”

  Raion chuckled. “Here I am making money with my face and body. I feel lazy.”

  Yami nodded. “You are pretty, but she is stunning. I am sure you are willing to help her omega wardrobe.”

  Raion rubbed his hands together. “I certainly am. I am going to do up some sketches.”

  Yami nodded. “Your room and study are ready. I am still in the guesthouse, so the workers can disturb you and not me.”

  Raion snorted. “I will start moving my wardrobe in a few days. I will focus on not hurrying.”

  Yami nodded. “You do that, but her project only has a few more days on it, so you will miss valuable time.”

  “You can’t stall her?”

  “No. And I won’t invent new projects for her to help with.”

  Raion frowned. “Call me when you see her at your place.”

  Yami nodded. “Maybe. Excuse me, I now need to thank Minoru for hosting this event.”

  Raion looked past him. “Huh. Those familiar faces have gotten a mate as well, huh?”

  “Yes, their omega is a friend of ours. Both seem rather shy.” Yami headed across the party, and Raion soon stood at his left in front of three familiar faces and Minoru.

  “Gentlemen and lady, I would like to thank you for introducing us to our mate. She has departed for the evening, and we left things on a good note. She even provided us with her actual phone number.”

  Meira swallowed. “So, she didn’t freak out?”

  Yami smiled. “She is trying to eat her weight in cupcakes, so does that count?”

  Meira shrugged. “Her energy bleed burns a lot of calories. It’s embarrassing that no one remembers her. She just disappears from memory.”

  “We have both touched her and manipulated her visibility. I am confident that our memories will hold.”

  Meira looked at him sadly. “That’s what I think every time, but the next morning, I just retain the idea of her. Can you heal her?”

  Raion raised his hand. “I can. Where is she injured?”

  “All over her body. They used a whip, and it tore the skin. The invisibility kicked in hard, and that is why she was able to murder the Elite who was trying to run me through. We both ended up pretty messed up. The places that they cut us stayed open.”

  Yami saw one of her mates stroke her hand and say, “Until today.”

  He saw the slight smile on her lips as she agreed, “Until today.”

  Yami felt regret that Raion hadn’t begun Lynwyn’s healing, but she needed her own time. They weren’t trying to capture her; they were trying to entice her into joining them. As soon as she was comfortable, the repairs would begin.

  * * * *

  Ruby talked to Green and said, “Your aunt has had a heavy burden.”

  “Yeah, and Auntie Lynwyn, too. I forgot all about her, which is embarrassing. She taught me how to do ceramics for my grade twelve art exam.”

  Ruby looked at her. “Really?”

  “Yeah. She taught me how to make tiles.” She smiled. “I got a B.”

  “You call her your auntie?”

  “Yeah. She had always shown up when we needed her, which kind of was a lot. When she came to the door, we knew who she was.”

  Ruby blinked. “That must have been awkward.”

  “We felt bad, and then she felt bad that we felt bad.”

  “Ah. Do you know what she does for a living?”

  “She’s in finish construction. That’s all I remember.”

  Ruby sighed, “Which is why she was here. When the venue changed, we needed more sets in a hurry.”

  Marshall’s hand rubbed her back. “Did you want to find her?”

  “I don’t want her to be alone.”

  Meira got up and walked over to her. “If I heard you correctly, she isn’t alone. She has family, friends, a solid job, and amazing skills. Of course, her family doesn’t remember she’s an Elite, but they love her.” She smiled. “But if she eats tacos, she sneezes and then elves out.”

  Ruby blinked. “You are kidding.”

  “I am not. It’s hilarious. My sister always invites me and a guest for taco night. That is always when I remember her. She eats, sneezes, and is a foot and a bit taller.” Meira smiled. “Her mates know how to find her. She will be fine. They seem... calm.”

  Ruby asked, “What about yours?”

  Meira blushed. “Determined but nice.”

  Ruby smiled. “You were a great narrator.”

  Meira hugged her. “Thanks.”

  Ruby looked at Marshall. “Ready to head home?”

  He nodded. “Definitely. Feeling smug?”

  “Proud. It is smugness with no guilt.”

  They collected Rayden from his discussion, thanked Minoru and Polly, and left the ballroom with the promised gift bags from the production containing a tee and information from the different sponsors.

  When they got home, she started to peel off her clothes as she hiked up the stairs. She came down in a robe and nighty, walked over to the couch, and dropped down next to Rayden. “Well, that’s over.”

  He laughed and slid his hand up her thigh. “So what is your grand plan for the rest of the holidays?”

  “I thought I would work at the candy shop. Maybe take an entire day off to do nothing.” She sighed. “Wow, that thought is scary.”

  Rayden rubbed her shoulders. “You could always come and cheer me on at hockey practice.”

  “Well, it’s that or cheer on Marshall at court. I don’t think they will let me do that.”

  Marshall came in with a tray of drinks and set them down near the sofa. “While I would love it, you get a little sweary when you get outraged. Not suitable for court.”

  “Too bad. I was going to wear this.” She plucked at the silk.

  Rayden pulled her astride him. “If you wear that to the rink, I will buy you a present.”

  She laughed. “No. I have met some of your buddies. You don’t want them needled because they irritate me, do you?”

  “I suppose not.” He chuckled. “My little patchwork pixie.” He rubbed her thighs under the gown.

  She sighed. “You caught on to that, huh?”

  “Yes. It was there with the pixie unveiling herself to save the other pixies and the trolls.”

  Ruby leaned in and kissed him. “I may have been projecting.”

  Marshall sipped at his wine while she began to make out with Rayden, grinding on him. She looked toward her other mate and then focused on the man under her. She lifted her lips and whined, “When do the hormones settle?”

  Marshall chuckled. “We have no idea. We are enjoying them though.”

  Rayden threaded one hand through her hair and pressed his lips to her neck. She whined softly, and he chuckled. “Definitely enjoying them. I was surprised that you made it so far through the party.”

  She grunted and muttered, “You guys have a one-track mind. It was a seriously distracting party.”

  Marshall laughed and sipped at his wine while she squirmed against Rayden. When she warbled her first orgasm of the evening, Marshall opened his arms. She went over to him, and he held his wine glass for her.

  He murmured, “Wednesday is the company holiday party. Do you want to come and hang out with a bunch of lawyers? Keres will be there with Dante and Achilles.”

  She lifted her head. “And Ark?”

  “Yes, he will be there.”

  She bit her lip. “How bad would it be if I had a likely idea of who his match was and didn’t tell him?”

  Marshall stiffened. “You have seen her?”

 

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