Page 141 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

“A couple of things, actually. Another one of our former witch residents replied, but considering the last one, I thought it might be prudent for the two of us to vet her before we put her in contact with Logan. And after that, we need to start setting up some of the plans Logan had to keep everyone calm and comfortable. Tensions are growing by the minute and if we can’t let them out, we need to get inside prepared as quickly as possible.”

“Fair. Who are we talking to today?”

“Heather Chambers. She stayed with us for a few days about a decade ago. I don’t recall her being an enjoyable woman,but too many of the witches are ignoring us or have made themselves completely unreachable, so we’re taking what we can get at this point.” Yelena turned toward the librarian. “Margaret, can you place the call, please?”

“Of course, mistress.”

Yelena took a seat in front of the screen, Margaret and me flanking each side of her. The moment Heather’s face appeared, the world dropped out from under my feet. She stared at me with enormous blue eyes, looking exactly as I remembered her. Hair like fire cascaded past her waist, sharp features highlighted with makeup reminiscent of the ’60s styles.

Panic cascaded through me in a wave I couldn’t hope to stand against.

She’s alive.

The screen went black and Yelena fussed with the keyboard. “Did we lose our connection? What happened?”

I swallowed hard. A million thoughts and emotions clogged my throat, my mind spinning, unable to make sense of what I’d seen.

She was supposed to bedead.

Ifelther die, felt the bond snap.Howwas she alive?

The panic dug in harder. If the bond wasn’t broken, was it still there? Could she reopen it? Could she connect to Logan through me if I bonded her too?

Rachel had been a wedge between Seth and me for so long. It seemed a cruel trick of fate for us to have mended things only for her to appear again. It had to have been fate’s involvement. She obviously didn't want me to find her ever again, and who knew what she would be doing right now to make sure I never did again.

She’s. Alive.

“That wasn’t Heather,” I choked out.

Yelena turned to me, scrutinizing. “Of course it was. I recognize her.”

The world warped around me, reality losing its cohesiveness. I shook my hand, my heart beating a mile a minute. I dug my knuckles into my chest muscles, half-convinced I was a moment away from having a heart attack. “That wasn’t…”

Yelena's sharp gold gaze narrowed. “Margaret, would you please excuse us? Clear the library on your way out.”

The librarian bustled away to do as she was told. As soon as the doors closed and we were enveloped in silence, Yelena stood and pushed me down until I sat on the floor. “Panther, you look like you've seen a ghost.”

“I think—I think I did.”

"Who was that woman to you if not Heather Chambers?”

“Her name used to be Rachel.”

Yelena stared at me for a long moment. “I'm going to need you to elaborate. Who is Rachel?”

“My…” It took me a few tries to actually form the words. “My mate.”

---