Page 78 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

This way.

I followed him on the walk to the shop. It seemed like it took a lot longer to leave than it had to get to the clearing, but we’d had the benefit of sunlight on the journey in. The lights were still on in Melinda’s apartment above the shop when we broke through the edge of the forest. Seth climbed the stairs ahead of us and whacked his paw on the glass.

The door swung open and Melinda popped her head out. “Oh, well done. Not a single one of you was incinerated! Come in.”

The three of us ventured inside and Melinda had two suitcases standing ready at the door.

“You left us out there thinking one of us would die?” I asked, hackles rising.

“I’m not your babysitter, panther. I never agreed to teach anyone anything about their magic. I gave her the most basictool and the rest is up to her. You have achanceof survival now. If I’d left her locked down, you’d be dead within a month.” Melinda crossed her arms. “If you haven’t noticed, I have to get my ass out of Dodge because of you three. Shut down my business, flee the fucking country, because you’re bringing a magic eater here. So, fuck you very much. I didn’t have to help you at all.”

She’s got a point. Seth sat at my feet.

“Rest here if you need to before you go, but I’m heading to the airport in less than an hour.” Melinda closed the patio door behind us and sat in her chair.

Logan squirmed and I let her down, keeping a steadying hand on her waist.

“Not a fan of your methods,” said Logan, “but thank you for helping us. I’m sorry we’re causing you trouble.”

Melinda softened. “It would have wandered here eventually. At least now I have a heads-up to get out.” Something flickered in her gaze and Melinda fished out her phone, tapping away before turning the screen to Logan. “I’m supposed to show you this.”

“Oh my gods! They found out who she is.” Logan grabbed the phone and showed me. “Virginia Burke. She went missing in 1972. Her remaining family members are going to have a funeral and bury her in the family plot when everything settles down.”

“Why am I supposed to tell you about a missing person from 1972?” Melinda asked.

“We found her body in the Appalachians. Her spirit led us,” said Logan.

“Interesting. Mediumship is usually one of the first gifts that manifests with a lot of us.”

“Is it?”

Melinda shook her head in exasperation. “Precious girl, you have so much to learn. Were a monster not on your tail I would try to help more, but there isn’t time for this.”

I pushed down a hiss. Melinda might be useful, but that didn’t mean I liked her. I kept a protective arm around Logan, not wanting to get too comfortable here again.

Melinda dragged a card out of an ancient Rolodex sitting on a crowded desk. She passed it over to Logan. “You should try to meet up with Anya. She’s something of a record keeper for our kind. If anyone can help you sort out what line you’re from, she can. The book I’m leaving you will have some answers, but not all. My ancestor obviously didn’t know every witch and certainly wouldn’t have had access to information about every line.”

“Oh, thank you.” Logan tucked the card into her pocket.

“No problem. Now, all of you, get out. I’m getting on the road.”

Melinda led us down and out of her shop. We parted ways, and I made sure Logan was safe in the passenger seat with Melinda’s book before climbing into the driver’s seat. Seth sprawled in the back.

“Is everyone okay?” I asked. Surveying them both properly to assure myself they were at least physically fine, I waited for them to respond. Both nodded. My body felt heavy, like I could lie down and sleep for a year. The cabin and that amazing king-sized bed were calling my name.

In the quiet of the drive, my thoughts turned to the forest. My girlfriend and my brother had fucked. She’d asked for it and I’d allowed it. It wasn’t all the ways they could have, but the barriers were crashing down and I couldn’t figure out why the hell it didn’t bother me more. Melinda had been pretty damn insistent that I get used to the idea of sharing, but I’d been creeping closer to accepting it ever since Seth had turned up on our doorstep. It was fast, sure, but considering the last few days felt like alifetime, it didn’tfeelfast. It was closer to feeling like it had always been this way.

Logan wanted him and I’d never been good at denying her what she wanted. As long as I got to keep her, that was all thattrulymattered to me.

Logan set a hand on my shoulder. “Areyouokay?”

I picked up her fingers and brought them to my mouth, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles as an answer.

We arrived after what felt like hours, but the clock insisted it was only half an hour later. Naturally I was the one Logan came to once we were inside and settled. I wanted her to come to me, to be the one she always chose first, but I knew what the stoop of my brother’s shoulders meant.

I hugged Logan tighter and stroked her cheek with my thumb.Go to Seth. His heart is a lot softer than he lets on. He’ll need some reassurance after today.

She blinked up at me, but slid out of my arms and walked over to wrap her arms around Seth, resting her cheek on his chest. The fact that he lookedsosurprised by the affection made my stomach twist. He held her so carefully, one palm on the back of her head, the other hand spread between her shoulder blades.

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