Page 78 of Green Ravens

“Thank you for letting me bring them here, brother.” Jo beamed, gripping her brother around his neck again.

It was nice to see Jo so happy. Valor hadn’t seen her smile before, but now she was home, she was with family.

If he and Valor had a home, he’d be happy too.

“Fogholoadeh,” the shorter one whispered.

“They’re speaking Farsi, the Persian language,” Jo told them. “The original tongue of the elders and masters of the Order. Omega says…you are bothextraordinary.”

One of the hooded men behind them stepped forward and gave a short bow before he began to speak in a melodic accent. “You stand before Firuz Nikah, the Man of Triumph, The Lion Grandmaster of Imuma Aga Kahn.”

The announcer’s words were so formal and regal, Zorion wasn’t sure if he should bow or kneel or what.

“With him at his side stands his cherished Eriktor Amjad. He is the Man of Glory, The Omega, the Saw-Scaled snake Grandmaster of Imuma Aga Kahn.”

Cherished?

Zorion looked to Jo for guidance on what he should do or say.

“Cherished is a soul’s other half. Valor, Zorion, you can call my brother Lion and his cherished Omega. To all others, they are Master.” Jo smiled. “They don’t have altered DNA like you. The animals, lion and snake, are their kung-fu fight styles that mimic a beast of nature. They can teach you how to tap into your instincts so you control them, not the other way around.”

Omega took a few steps forward, his movements smooth as if he could strike effortlessly at any moment. “Your animals are embedded deeply, but they are untamed, and you have little control over them.” His voice was raspy but gentle somehow. “You’ve only seen a brief glimpse of what they can do…whatyoucan do.”

The Lion seemed to lock his gaze on Valor. “You have nothing to fear here,” he assured, his accent smooth and sexy. “You will be treated as royalty…masters. Your identities are safe. And your love is safe and welcomed.”

Zorion’s breath caught, but Valor remained stoic.

“I can see the protection and ferocity in your feline’s stance. Ready to pounce at the slightest hint of danger toward your hawk.” The Lion smirked. “Only a cherished can provoke such a reaction from their soul’s mate. Trust me, I know.”

“I assure you, you’re safe here, Zorion,” Omega said. “No one will touch, provoke, or even look on you with anger, lest it be their last breath. You will only find disciplined men and women here.”

The intensity of that threat sent a shiver down Zorion’s spine. He found himself lowering his head slightly in appreciation, and Valor did the same.

Jo sighed. “Blessings.”

Chief Styles Sawyer

Zorion

Zorion was pleasantly surprised so far, but he wouldn’t get his hopes up when they’d only been there ten minutes.

“Brother, Zorion and Valor have had a strenuous fight to escape and then endured a long flight. Perhaps they can…”

“Of course.”

Lion turned to the silent men behind them.

“Prepare forshamand show my guests to their rooms.”

Lion and Omega went in a different direction, and he and Valor were escorted into a grand structure reminiscent of an ancient castle.

The halls were vast, lit by torches, and adorned with tapestries depicting men in battle and posed in various fight stances.

The stone floors had a polished sheen and appeared worn smooth, perhaps from centuries of footfalls. But what held Zorion’s attention was there were no guards. This place was sacred, protected, and safe, so they weren’t needed.

Their bedroom was breathtaking. It wasn’t like the makeshift jungle at the Raven facility. Instead, it was homely and warm. A large room with a sitting area of plush cushions on a thick Persian rug and a grand-sized bed that seemed too luxurious for mere guests.

A wide balcony overlooked a field of star-shaped white blossoms, with the sea shimmering in the distance.

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