Page 94 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

Haru watched us intently, their eyes flickering between dark brown and gold. Their gaze swept over me, hot and focused, before turning to Caden, looking him over with the same interested heat.

I promise to be very educational. Haru’s voice filled my head and I suppressed a shiver. Between the two of them and this whole damn situation, I was going to be an entire mess.And, before you ask too many questions, because I saw you staring, I didn’t get that scar from anyone here.

One of the many knots in my stomach unraveled at the declaration even though my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”

Haru shrugged.There’s a lot to see. I’m not going to complain about you wanting to look at me. Also my gender is as fluid as my shape, so use whatever pronouns you want when speaking about me, but be respectful or I might decide to bite.

Yelena cupped their cheek and pulled Haru in to press her lips there. “Unfortunately Haru suffered a rather grievous injury before making his way to me. If I ever find the one who hurt them, I’ll rip their own throat out and make sure they feel every drop of blood that drains away.”

“Oh…that’s, um, visceral.” I glanced between Yelena and Haru, wondering if I’d be just as vicious if someone had hurt Caden or Seth like that.

“I protect what’s mine, and if I cannot protect, then I will seek vengeance.” Yelena put her arm around Haru. “Now, tell me what brought you to the nest.”

“So,” I began, “your wards. Do you think they could keep something that eats magic out?”

Yelena’s eyes widened. “What?”

“An entity followed us all the way from New York State,” said Caden. “There were multiple attacks before it got to us. We gleaned along the way that it consumes magic, but we’re not exactly sure what it is or how it works.”

“You’re leading something that eatsmagicto a nest full of shifters that’s protectedbymagic?”

I shrank away. “We didn’t have a choice. Seth needs help. We couldn’t keep running.”

Yelena looked ready to bite my face off, but Haru set a palm on her leg. I’m not certain what words passed between them, but whatever it was seemed to calm her down.

“Haru’s right. You’re here for a reason. Hopefully that reason isn’t to wipe us all out.” She let out a sharp laugh. “Inanycase. There is a dual layer to the wards and the outer one blocks magic to keep us hidden. I have no idea if that would protect us or not, though. We’ll have to prepare for an emergency evacuation.”

“But Seth…”

“I didn’t say we were leaving, I said we were preparing.” Yelena rose from her spot. “If the wards fail, we need everyone ready. How far behind you was it?”

“Not nearly far enough,” I conceded.

Yelena nodded. “Wait one moment.” She walked to the door and pushed a button on the panel. “Attention all residents. Prepare yourselves for evacuation immediately. Cease your activities, acquire your evacuation kits, and report to muster.”

An alarm pinged beyond the door as she turned back to us.

“What should we do?” I asked. I didn’t want to run again, not with Seth so fragile, but maybe we wouldn’t have a choice.

“Come with Haru and me. Seth will have to remain. If we need to run, he likely won’t survive on the road in his condition.”

The words tore me open and I let out a feral sound. “I’m not leaving him.”

“You will follow orders,” Yelena snapped. “If I have to hogtie you and carry you over my shoulder, I will do so.”

I dashed over to Seth and put my hand on his chest, praying to any god that would listen to keep him safe. “We’ll be back soon, okay?” I kissed his head and then Haru’s hand wrapped around my arm.

Don’t struggle.Haru pulled me away and it took every ounce of strength not to punch them and stay with Seth. Caden scooped me into his arms and glared at Haru until their hand released.

“Lead the way,” Caden bit out.

Ihooked the two evacuation bags for Yelena and me over my shoulders. There was nothing in place for Logan, Caden, and Seth, but they hadn’t unpacked yet so it was easy enough for them to bring their bags with them.

They were Yelena’s now, which meant they were mine too. I wasn’t going to let some magic eater fuck with the ones brought to me by the gods. I didn’t want to leave Seth, but Yelena wasright that we had no other option. The hallways were thick with people. We took the stairs down to the main floor to leave the elevators open for others, and packed into the garage, where a plethora of vehicles were parked and waiting.

Logan passed her keys to me and I tossed our bags into the trunk of her car before taking over the driver’s seat. Yelena took the passenger seat while Caden and Logan took up their spots in the back. We’d have to take another person if we actually did flee. Every seat would need to be occupied to get everyone to safety, though a few traffic law violations would be required to fit everyone. I pulled out of the building, bringing the car around to face the front gates.

I couldn’t see anything that would cause us to flee, but that didn’t mean something wasn’t nearby. I turned to Logan.Any information you can give us would help.

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