Page 58 of Omega Chattel
“Oh, they’ll pay attention all right.”
On the drive home, Alli asked, “When will our bond be complete?”
“Are you asking when will I decide to fully consummate it?”
“Yes.” His voice came out strong. He bravely faced me.
“My Burn is scheduled for the fifth.”
“Uh.” The single utterance held the deepest of disappointments. “That’s five days from now.”
“It is. But we can have fun in the meantime.”
“Does consummation for a bond always have to happen during a Burn?”
“No. But it’s the best way. From everything I know, it makes the bond stronger.”
“But maybe we can practice.”
I laughed. “You are insatiable.”
“Tarin, I want you.”
“I want you, too.”
*
I pulled into my driveway with one hand on the steering wheel and the other held tight by Alli against his thigh.
It was past nine but the lights were all still on in the living room. I figured Oren and Tev and Farrell were having a movie night. They had their own allowances. They could have ordered pizza or anything they wanted.
I drove into the big garage, the door closing behind me, and Alli and I got out. Alli ran up to the entrance from the garage to the house and opened the door, hopping happily up the single step.
I followed, not really paying attention, only to see him stopped dead in his tracks at the wide entry between the kitchen and living room.
The TV was not on, but my three wards sat on the couch, turned all the way facing Alli. Then their gazes met mine.
My heart seemed to freeze for a moment, my skin prickling.
In the EZ-chair, smiling up at me, his raven locks threaded with gold surrounding his head like a halo—though angel he was not—sat Kee.
Chapter Fifteen
Alli
The Omega could stagger a rock with his beauty. He rippled with the ease of it. As if he knew it was his gift, a weapon he could wield like a master.
His curls weren’t tight, but loose and full, and they glowed the color of obsidian mixed with strings of gold. Like flame licking shadow. His face was fine featured but strong, not soft, the lines angular and perfect like an impossibly strange and gorgeous cover model people could not stop looking at.
He was taller than any of the Omegas in the room. I could tell by his long legs, how primly they were crossed but both feet still touching the floor.
Broad shouldered, the rest of him looked lean but healthy. His skin had a glow to it, refined, inherited.
“Kee?” Tarin spoke under his breath, his voice catching.
I turned to look at him. His eyes were big, his mouth open. It was as if I’d suddenly become invisible.
This was the street boy Tarin had been looking for?
