Page 92 of Omega Sanctuary

Nikki looked at me but started chopping fruit without complaint. A miracle.

Aalina sipped her tea and watched me speculatively.

I waited for her to start with the questions, but she just sat and watched us work. I had everything set up before I felt calm enough to talk.

I looked at Aalina. "She wanted the book on Ancient spirit magic."

"And you were reading that book because?" She sipped her tea.

I frowned, kneading the dough. It had been too long. Just the actions of kneading drained away the stress of the last few weeks.

I told her everything. About seeing spirits, Kivai, how he insisted I tell Sabine to check me for spirit magic.

"She said spirit protector, I guess she meant Kivai?"

Aalina frowned. "I didn't know you saw spirits so well."

I shrugged. "It sounds insane."

"No, it marks you as powerful with spirit magic."

I rolled out the dough and checked Nova's batter. "Couple more minutes stirring."

Nova kept stirring. "I guess she's the reason why omegas are missing?"

"We know she's taking them for something," Aalina said. "I'm not supposed to speak on it, but you already know. And she's already discovered you."

A chill raced down my spine. "What?"

"She wants something to do with the Shrines. I assume she wants control of them. You're powerful enough to control them, once you've trained properly."

Nova looked up. "Damn, Zara. Go big or go home."

"I wish I could go home," I sighed and rolled the bread up. I wanted to make a jelly roll. The fruit Nikki was prepping would make a nice jam.

Nikki eyed me. "Spirits are dangerous. How do you know he's not secretly draining you?"

I blushed. I didn't mention Kivai and I...touching. That was private. "Because he's worried about that very thing? Also, if he's draining me, I apparently have energy to spare."

"That's not how it works." Nikki glared. "Next time he appears, you need to make sure he sees Priestess Aalina. She can make sure he's not some sort of vampire spirit."

Aalina nodded. "Certainly."

"He's not," I said. "He said he's a tsaia itsega."

Aalina and Nikki froze at that. Only Nova was happily stirring her batter.

Aalina pinched the bridge of her nose. "I hope for his sake he's lying or mistaken."

I froze, my mouth going dry. Aalina looked...sad. Weary. "Why?"

"They were the shaman who helped build the Shrines. But it didn't go the way they planned and there were...blowbacks to the rituals."

"Like?" It was too hot in here.

"Like the shaman being trapped in the spirit world." Nikki pulled the last stem off a blackberry.

I sucked in a breath. "I didn't..."

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