Page 3 of Omega Sanctuary

We didn't fear the Priestess, but she was a force to be reckoned with and no one wanted to cause offense. There were too many stories of vengeful omegas, or the wrath of the gods bringing people low who dared to hurt their vessels.

I smiled as I approached the table. The Priestess sat with her primary alpha, Zabir. Priestess Sabine became the omega to Penrith’s temple when I was a little girl. She had seemed otherworldly then, but now she looked like a beautifully aging aunt. Wings of silver dotted her temples, her auburn hair swept back in a glorious twist. Her robes were light green, to match the season, and the slight wrinkle of crow's feet at her eyes made her seem wiser.

Zabir gave me pause for the first time. He was aging as well as Priestess Sabine, silver flecking his temples and his beard. His eyes were sharp, roaming the room. Priestess Sabine always traveled with him, and I never really paid attention to him until now.

An odd zip of energy rushed through me. I didn't have magic, but sometimes felt currents of power during the Solar and Lunar Festival. It wasn't common, but nothing Nan or the healer worried about.

Power shivered over me, like I was standing underneath the statue of Falda, Goddess of the Moon, and Priestess Sabine was performing the Moon Dance.

Movement flashed in the corner of my eye. I looked past the Priestess, and saw a blip of yellow light. It was small, like a firefly. I blinked, thinking it was some odd afterimage, like the dots one saw when looking directly into the sun's rays.

I took a seat, proud my hands shook only a little. Maybe the odd fever hadn't broken after all.

"Good travels, Priestess Sabine."

"Good tidings, Zara. Thank you for having tea with me."

I poured us both a cup. The fireflies in the corner of my vision swirled closer, and I fought not to flinch. Priestess Sabine didn't bat an eye. If something magical was happening she would be the first person to know.

My hands shook as I poured, spilling some on the linen tablecloth. My cheeks heated. "I'm so sorry."

Priestess Sabine waved me away. "It's fine. I imagine your hands become tired after all the work you do in the kitchen?"

Oh good, an explanation. "Yes," I said. "I was doing a large order for a wedding."

"I hope you're able to get some rest soon?" She cocked her head.

"This afternoon." I took a sip of tea. Maybe it would steady me.

"Wonderful." The Priestess smiled, and asked me about our latest harvest. Stonebriar was too small for a chancellor, so Priestess Sabine was also expected to check in on the health of the surrounding towns.

But something was off. She smiled, and asked the right questions, but a niggling sense of danger wouldn't leave. She wanted something, and everything she said lead up to her request.

The fireflies danced in my vision, swirling around Sabine and Zabir. I nodded as she spoke of the palace, detailing the movements of the Royal Army like I was a dignitary, and not a baker in some backwater town.

I was a good baker, someone the locals said was blessed by Hestia, goddess of betas, of hearth and home.

But still a baker. What could she possibly want from me?

"Did I miss anything?" Priestess Sabine asked.

I nibbled my fruit tart. Priestess Sabine didn't like eating alone, but gorging myself on tarts was rude. "Nothing I can think of."

Mentioning that I was seeing things wouldn't do anything but earn myself a ticket into the asylum.

Sabine smiled. "You are quite astute in your observations of people. I wanted to be sure."

"People like to talk to bakers almost as much as their beer brewers."

Sabine laughed at that. "So, what are your plans for the future?"

Oh good, questions about my future. Priestess Sabine was really channeling her auntie vibes today.

"Baking?" I straightened up. It was small compared to being a temple omega, but it's what I wanted. "I'm going to get some date paste from a merchant next week, so I'm going to do some experimenting with that."

"Have you ever considered traveling?"

"I have, but..." I bit my lip. "Nan needs my help. And...the city is often very suspicious of outsiders."

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