Page 7 of I Dated a Holiday Hero
“Yes, I know, but my interactions with him have been based on a lie. This isn’t my face. We had it changed to match it. Did you know that my full sibling works for Z-Corp?”
Her mother was stunned. “What?”
“They threw me away, and you found me. They kept her until she broke out and ran with other projects.” She chuckled. “She’s not in my department, but I recognize my old face.”
“It’s a good thing no one else does. Is she happy?”
“She has an alpha and an omega of her own. She’s also very pregnant, so I sent her a present for the baby.”
“Does she know it’s you?”
“She might remember my scent. I left it in the basket.”
“Ah. You miss her.”
“I kept her alive for her first four years. After that, they cut my wings off and tossed me away. Then you found me.”
“We are still looking for those wings.”
She squeezed her mother’s hand. “I know. I am trying to be whole with what I have.”
“You are still my little girl, wings or no wings.” Her mother squeezed her hand in return.
“I do wonder where they ended up.”
“Are you sure they still exist?”
“Oh, yeah. They are as hard to kill as I am when I am wearing scales.”
“You didn’t shift at all during this?”
“Nope. I haven’t shifted in three years.”
Veradil laughed. “That stupid video of Ekron’s.”
“That would be it.”
“I still can’t believe you did that.”
“It was fun, and I was in silhouette. No one knew it was me.”
“Ekron knew.”
“And he was sworn to secrecy, as was Evali. They haven’t told anyone as far as I know.”
Veradil snorted. “Only because Iron made sure that his wife and son knew how serious he was about it.”
“It is odd you call your brother by his call sign.”
Veradil laughed. “And my sister, but she has been the prefect long enough for me to remember Salmet.”
They approached the hospital, and Torenne was there and waiting. Hever mumbled, “You called ahead?”
“Yes, of course. Torenne treats all our family.” Veradil snorted. “Please tell me you outgrew your crush.”
“Nope. Not at all.” She sighed, and when the driver opened the door, she slid herself out and stood, only wobbling slightly. Mom insisted on dressing properly, which meant heels.
She staggered toward the doors, and Torenne was there, holding her arm.
