Page 25 of Own to Obtain

Kyus bristled. “Will not? You are supposed to know everything about potions and the Southern Lands,” she said, her voice hard. “You are supposed to help Omegas. How are you unable to help us?”

“Because she is a thief,” the woman said sharply. “As much as Alphas may treat us badly, there is no need to commit crimes against others who have nothing to do with their behavior.” She turned to Shaya, whose heart thundered in her chest. “Those ingredients you stole could result in someone not being able to get the treatment they need the next time a blizzard or storm hits. Rozalia will think she has certain ingredients in stock to find she doesn’t, and the next time that someone urgently requires them, she may not have enough. That person’s death, and many others, could be your fault.”

Shaya went cold, shocked by her accusation. Kyus squeezed Shaya’s hand harder, and Shaya could almost feel the anger radiating off her. “She was forced to do it. The Alpha was treating her—”

“You know Rozalia?” Shaya interrupted, suddenly realizing what the woman had said.

The woman in white nodded. “I do.”

“You have been to the Southern Lands?” Shaya asked. “You know Tribe Nyek?”

“I know all of the tribes,” the woman responded. “And I know exactly how the Lands work, the way in which they do things, and why they do it. It is a beautiful culture and one that can only be maintained if everyone follows the rules.”

Shaya stared at her. “That is what Kardos said.”

The woman dipped her head in a sharp nod. “It is true. The Lands are as harsh and unforgiving as they are stunning. The culture has to be respected.” She leaned forward. “If this is why you are leaving the Alpha, because he is forcing you to maintain the standard of their culture, then I cannot help you. Leave.”

“You haven’t even heard her side of the story.” Kyus’ eyes blazed. “Sometimes we have to do things that disadvantage others—that is the life we live as Omegas, and the life that Alphas forced us into. As an Omega, you should understand that more than your sympathy for this barbaric culture that punish foreigners without explanation and force Omegas into sexual slavery just to grow their numbers.”

The woman maintained a cold hard stare at Kyus. “Blame should be placed where it is due, not just because it is convenient to explain away actions that should not or did not need to be taken.”

Kyus shot out of her seat. “This was a fucking waste of time,” she muttered as she stormed to the door. “Come on, Shaya, let’s go.”

Shaya stood slowly, watching the woman as she reclined back in her couch, an impassive expression on her face as she turned to the window, waiting for them to leave. “You think the Isles are stunning?” she asked, her voice soft in the resounding silence that followed Kyus’ outburst.

The women’s eyes returned to her. “They are. They are different from the other known Lands, but there’s… something about them that makes them…” Her voice faltered as she struggled to complete her sentence.

“Extraordinary,” Shaya finished. “I think it’s because they are beautifully undisturbed. Everything is kept as it should be, no interference from the people, and the cold means that nature doesn’t overrun the land. It’s a beautiful balance between people and nature in one place.”

Something changed in the woman’s eyes. “Yes,” she murmured, watching Shaya closely. “Exactly.”

“If you liked it there, why did you leave?” Shaya asked.

The woman shifted in her chair. “The course of one of my missions took me there but as an outsider, it’s difficult to stay. I was lucky enough to travel the Isles and see the most beautiful sights.”

Shaya nodded, glad the woman understood. “Have you ever traveled a tobo?”

Curiosity jumped into the woman’s eyes and she leaned forward. “No. Tobos are reserved for the experienced only. Have you?”

Shaya nodded, and the woman’s mouth twisted.

“Well,” she muttered, bristling a little. “That is wholly unfair. Did the rules change?”

Shaya shook her head. “Kardos took me on trips to see Nyek on one. It was incredible.”

The woman’s eyes softened. “Nyek is indeed the most beautiful island,” she said softly. “It is more beautiful than the Central Island in my opinion.”

Shaya inclined her head. “Although the Central one has Discovery Mountains. I was amazed when I saw them. I thought they were made from snow.

“In the old tales, it is said they are made from rocks that fell during blizzards,” the woman explained. “No other rock is so white and shines so brilliantly.”

Shaya nodded. “They reflect the light. Even on the inside they draw in the sunlight to illuminate all the corridors, but without daylight, they are pitch black.”

The woman’s body jolted and she froze. “You’ve beeninsidethe Discovery Mountains?”

Shaya’s smile faded and there was a silence for a long moment before she nodded.

“How did you end up in there?” the woman asked, incredulously.

---