Page 65 of Fortune Fae Academy
The guard made a strangled sound.
I did not like to use my family’s leverage, not when my uncle had gained his political power by using his Omega as bait. He often “gifted” her to the Temple of Wisdom to donate “surplus” Dust. The reality was that without an Alpha, my aunt couldn’tmanage Dust very well. She was extremely powerful, or would have been had she been trained with an Alpha to stabilize her. And if she had ever been called by an Alpha, I was sure that Ranold had likely had him killed.
She was too valuable to him. But sadly, Omegas were usually the victims of power-hungry males. I was glad that my mother was a Norm and didn’t have to deal with that shit.
“Y-yes, of course.” He said, clearing his throat as he shoved the passage document back to me. “Please give my regards to your uncle.” He touched my wrist, a customary gesture to share visions.
Except I didn’t feel anything. I should have learned about him by that simple touch, but this idiot didn’t even know what it meant to be Blind.
“Um, the name’s Garret. I’m a Beta of the House of Wisdom,” he mumbled as if I’d care enough to convey that information. “You let Ranold know that I let you through without an issue.”
When I nodded, he moved out of my way, allowing me access to what looked like an elevator.
I was still in Starling City, but the embassy hosted portals to hubs for each of the main Houses.
The portal for the House of Wisdom boasted emeralds and marble columns that gave it a gaudy look. They had no problem showing off their wealth, as many of the Fortune Fae paid the Temple their respects even more often than they did the Collegium.
The realms thought the Collegium had all the power, but the truth was a complicated matter. The Way of the Web had grown over the years into a powerful religious sect, one that wasn’t all just for show.
The Way of the Web treated our source of power as the center of creation with a deity buried deep inside of it. Indeed, the Webhad an entity inside of it and perhaps the Temple had known that all along.
I just wasn’t sure if they knew that entity was an asshole named Etu and he was no god to be worshipped.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe hewasa god, but I didn’t give a fuck. I’d do my part to solidify a timeline where even a god bled.
“Sure thing, Garret,” I said before I punched in a sequence of numbers I’d thought I’d never need again.
The embassy dissolved around me and pain stabbed my temples as the Web lit up with Dust. Teleportation was definitely different now. I squeezed my eyes shut, but my vision didn’t work that way.
I still saw everything.
Blinding light engulfed me, making my head ache until it finally faded, revealing the vibrant light of my childhood home.
There were many portals throughout the realm, but the one from Starling City’s embassy led directly to the Temple.
No one got in or out of the House of Wisdom without the High Bishop knowing about it.
I squinted at its incredible light, barely even able to make out the massive columns with the changes to my vision. Somewhere in the haze, I knew the High Bishop was probably looking down, surprised to see me return. He lived in the heart of the Temple and had a window with a direct view of the portal.
Guards on either side of me pressed in the moment I ventured down the first step. I produced the High Bishop’s seal of approval, which immediately warded them off like a flame.
They knew the power the High Bishop had here.
And it was the kind of power I hoped would finally come of use. Because it would take a hell of a lot to unbind the mate-bonds I had with Rowan, with Gina, and with Axel.
Seif had never claimed me, but there was a residual connection now that he and Axel had solidified their relationship.
And I had something the High Bishop wanted. I was one of the Blind—a treasured commodity for the Temple.
I would be of great use, being forced to store donated Dust until I was filled to the brim, only to be drained as needed.
I would do what I should have done for my Omega. I would be a safeguard that no one could penetrate except those whom I willed entry.
Assuming I survived the process.
Righting my glasses on my nose, I ventured straight for the Temple.
And didn’t look back.
