Page 126 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

“I’m not super sure how it works yet. I just sort of set the intention and let the magic flow.”

“Cool. Boost me, cutie.” Velda welcomed us into her suite. Four double beds were lined up on one side and I had almost forgotten Velda had claimants.

She caught me staring and explained, “They’re all at the dining hall while I get some work done. Did you want to meet them? I can page them to come back.”

“That’s okay. I can meet them later.”

Velda held out her hand expectantly and I took it in mine. It was hard to focus with her ice-green eyes boring into me and the warmth of her skin sinking into my fingertips. I started a mantra in my head, the silent request for my magic to do what I wanted it to, to give Velda the ability to see the danger that was on the other side of the wards.

She hissed as the magic flowed into her. “Oh, mama. That’s got some kick. I kind of like it.”

My cheeks flushed at her words, and Yelena laughed. “Let’s go double-check that it worked before we head down to the basement.”

Velda kept her fingers laced with mine, and Yelena took up my other hand, the three of us riding down to the main floor.

“How are you settling in since breakfast? Everyone was very chatty after you left.”

“Good chatty or bad chatty?” I asked.

Velda shrugged. “Bit of both. But you’re still set up to become a temporary Protector so it all worked out. Kendrick doesn’t hate the idea as much as he says. He just likes to fight.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“You’ll get used to him,” Velda assured me. We stepped out into the overcast day. The rain was so fine it might’vebeen mistaken for mist, each barely there droplet caressing my skin. I had always wanted to come out to the Pacific Northwest with Caden. It just would’ve been nice if it was in better circumstances. I didn’t engage in any of the competition between the West and the East Coast, they were each beautiful in their own way, and I was always down for time at the ocean. If we survived all of this, I was going to go sprawl on the beach.

“So what am I looking fo—oh, shit. Stupid question. Damn,” said Velda. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“I don’t think any of us have.”

Yelena sighed. “At least we know Logan’s magic did the trick.”

“How bad do you think the nest is going to panic once they’re able to see this thing too?”

“Probably more than we’re ready for,” Yelena replied. “We might have to work down a list of people least likely to freak out. Definitely the ones we think we can rely on if we need to evacuate.”

The three of us walked up to the gate where the creature was blocking the road. It looked bigger than I had last seen it.

“Why isn’t it going into the city for prey?” Velda asked. “I know we’d be easy pickings if it got in here, but if it’s hunting, there are definitely shifters and witches in Portland.”

I took a step forward and day turned to night, moonlight spilling through the canopy, and Hecate standing patiently in the moss like she had been waiting for me.

Hello, Logan. I’m sorry to steal you away.

“That’s okay. What did you need to talk about?”

I must apologize for pushing Caden to speak. I dropped the idea in his head and as I said, this is not the ideal timeline.

“You told him to ask about me being a Protector?”

Yes. I don’t want to have to rush you, but I would also prefer all of you not to die.

Her words sent a pulse of panic through me. “Aren’t we safe here?”

For now. Are you nervous about accepting the other gifts I put in your path?

“Do you mean Yelena?”

She’s one of them, yes.

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