Page 11 of Claiming Sarah

“The ‘contra’ is a story conduits tell to each other late at night, when they are trying to spook one another. Most of them never believed she was real. So, there are no tests for the contra. But there is a test of the Mother. Powerful conduits would test their mettle and try things they had never done before to prove their worth. The successful one became the Mother.”

“You think Sarah would pass the test?”

“Without question,” Omen said confidently. “She hasn’t been raised at the temple. She doesn’t know all the cina waste they put in your head there. If anything, her upbringing on Earth would likely make parts of it easier…” Then she paused, before finishing. “But thereareelements she would need to learn, as well. As I said, the test is dangerous. I know you love her—”

“More than I knew I could,” I admitted.

“Are you willing to risk her safety to know if she is the contra?”

I exhaled a deep breath. “I am not willing to risk her safety for anything. But it is not my decision. If Sarah wants to take the test, I will support her. If she doesnotwant to take the test, I will support her.” Thinking about it, I asked, “Why would she want to take the test, outside of knowing for certain whether she is the contra? What is in it for her?”

“The power,” Omen said as she smiled. “A conduit has innate powers at the time of her birth, but the Mother’s powers grow exponentially once she has taken the test. If she survives the test, Sarah would have to learn to navigate her newfound powers fast, as she has not had any training. There could be mishaps—”

“How so?” I asked, trying not to worry.

“I am not certain. But asuddenlypowerfulhuman seems like an interesting proposition to me. Most of all, she would have the power to control the conduits to some degree, and that could come in handy if the runaway conduits try to attack her, or any of us, again.”

She must take the test, then.“It sounds like another way to keep her safe.”

“Assuming she passes the test, yes.”

“Then I’ll do it.”

I jumped and turned around at the unexpected female voice behind us. There was my Sarah, wrapped in her dress once more. I couldn’t stop my tail from swishing from pure happiness at the sight of her. “You snuck up on me.”

She laughed and my heart felt lighter. “Wasn’t sure if I could.” She wrapped her arm around my waist and gave me a squeeze, turning herself to face Omen.

“It is those tiny feet of yours,” I teased. “They make you so quiet.”

She glanced from me to the ghostly form next to us. “I am interested in taking this test thingie, Omen—”

“But it is dangerous,” I pointed out.

Sarah smiled up at me. “One thing I have figured out is that everything on Halla, and probably everything on Orhon, is dangerous in some way. So, it would be smart tobecomeone of those dangerous things. Right?”

I grinned down at her as I threaded my fingers through her silky hair. The thought of my tiny human becoming dangerous was amusing, but I did not want her to think I did not take her seriously. “That is wise thinking.”

She nodded in agreement. “Omen, I would like to learn more about conduits, after I discuss a few things with Deacon. Do you mind giving us a little time?”

“Anything you want, Contra.”

Sarah rolled her eyes at the formal title. “Please call me Sarah, not contra. It seems safer that way and I’m not really comfortable with being a title and not a person.”

Omen smiled. “Anything you want,Sarah.” Then she left us to each other.

I turned toward Sarah, still holding her in my arms. “What do you wish to discuss?”

“Tell me about Halla. I know about the ghosts, and that they like to possess the living. But what about the land here? Does Justice Bateen rule the entire planet of Orhon?”

“His sister, Thunder, rules Yesanol in his name.”

Her brows furrowed in thought. “Right, and when I’m mogged to look like a Ladrian, I’m supposed to be Star Qvia from Yesanol, but I don’t know anything about anythinghere. Tell me about Halla. Do you have a map?”

I smiled. “I apologize. I should have briefed you on all of this. Let us go to my quarters and—”

“If we go there, you have to promise not to sex me up again,” she said in a stern tone. “There are things I need to know, and I won’t learn them if we can’t keep our hands off each other. Plus, I’m sore.”

“Anything you want.” I placed a kiss on her temple and led her to my quarters, and she had a point. I had the hardest time keeping my hands to myself.

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