Page 134 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

“We would have to do it first,” said Yelena. “Leading by example, and all that. Obviously not everyone will be on board with the idea, but it is solid reasoning if we could convince even half a nest to make use of their small forms.”

Logan looks like she might absolutely burst with excitement.

“Are you that happy we agreed to your idea?”

“I mostly just want to see everyone’s small forms. But also yes.”

“We didn’t agree to her idea,” Shakti pointed out.

“I’m on board to try it,” said Calliope. “So that gives us a majority.”

“Fuck’s sake.” Kendrick tore into a croissant, chewing so hard he could probably crack a tooth.

“All right.” I clapped my hands together. “Well, now that we’re agreed, we can sort out the plans for that. But we should really get Logan introduced to the nest. We can’t let that go over too long, so might as well rip off the Band-Aid, and do it right now.”

Before anyone could protest, I hopped out of my seat and punched the button for the intercom by the door.

“Attention nest residents. We have a very important announcement. Please make your way to the throne room as soon as possible and your Protectors will join you there momentarily. Please be advised nothing is wrong, besides theobvious lockdown, so none of my anxiety babies need to stress. Velda out.”

“Calliope, are you okay to join us?” Yelena asked. “Just long enough that we can make the announcement and then we can get you back to bed.”

“I can manage.” Calliope nodded. “It’ll be nice to see everyone.”

The group of us rode the elevator down together, Murdoch carrying Calliope bridal style. He settled her on her throne, moving through the already gathered throng of people. Logan moved to stand by her side between her and Yelena, and the rest of us took up our places.

We would wait a few minutes for more people to join, and Cora fetched a microphone so that we could be broadcast over the speakers for those who had opted not to join. I spotted Laila, one of my claimants, in the crowd, her black granite skin glinting in the light, her wings tucked neatly behind her with a thick braid of equally dark hair hanging over her shoulder. I hopped over to talk to her for a moment.

“Hey, stranger. Where have you been hiding?”

“In the library. I’m helping Margaret do research for Yelena’s witch.”

“Speaking of, I’m going to consider hermywitch.”

“Good to know. You’re being summoned.” Laila spun me toward the thrones, where Yelena was gesturing for me to join them.

Cora gave the microphone to Calliope as I took my seat.

“As you already know, I’ve been on bed rest with this pregnancy, and I’ve been unable to fulfill some of my usual duties as a Protector. Many of you also know we now have a witch in our midst. I have decided that for the rest of the duration of this pregnancy, and potentially for sometimeafterwards while I recover, that Logan Murphy will be taking over my active role as Protector.”

A murmur rolled through the crowd, but no one seemed particularly upset by this announcement.

“I will still maintain all of my authority, but I will be training Logan in the running of the nest, and you will be able to treat her as you would me. While we conduct her training, please put your focus into Kendrick, Yelena, Shakti, and Velda.”

Calliope handed the microphone to Logan. “Hello, everyone. I know I’m new to the nest, but I promise I’m going to do my best to keep you safe, and I promise to learn quickly so I can help everyone while Calliope gets the rest she needs. Thank you.”

I took up the microphone. “We are still waiting on news about information that will eventually end the lockdown. And I promise we are working on solutions to make the time until then bearable, no pun intended.”

I lied. It was totally intended, but it made a few people laugh, which was my entire goal, and even the ones that rolled their eyes at my bear pun secretly liked it. I’m sure.

“Please be patient with us. We are all doing the best we can and your safety, as always, is our top priority.”

I passed a microphone to Yelena. “We will all be available for questions, and as usual, you are free to reach out to us afterward if you find your questions not answered to your satisfaction in our Q&A. There is a lot of research going on in the background right now, and a lot of work being done to make sure everyone is safe. Over the next few days, we will be implementing new measures, and more information about all of that will follow.”

I zoned out a bit as Shakti and Kendrick said their pieces, instead focusing on Logan, noting the tension in her body and the fire in her gaze. I didn’t know if we would all make it out of this alive, but I’d be willing to bet that Logan wouldn’t let us go down without a fight.

“Think about it,” I said to the rest of the Protectors when we’d re-gathered post-Q&A. “The rules of a nest are that if people don’t like how things are, they can leave. Except no onecanleave. You can’t expect the same rules to be followed when there’s no recourse.”

I didn’t know much about shifter society at large, but nests were everywhere in the world, and from what I could tell, they allfollowed the same basic rules and had for quite some time. I had no idea what the turnover rate was at this nest, and I had only Seth’s stories of the Orlando nest to compare to, but even with that, I knew that where we were was an improvement.

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