Page 112 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

“Is Protector Calliope still able to do her job while on bed rest?” I asked as I pulled the sink plug.

“Sort of? We see her a lot less, but I think the others have meetings in her suite so she can still be included.”

I mused on that. Did a partial Protector leave any sort of vacuum that others would try to fill? Did Protectors get parental leave? I had no illusions that I could fill that role without some sort of artifact to aid the nest, but Logan…They needed her to bolster the wards. She didn’t need an artifact for that. Maybe?—

“Earth to Caden.” Florencia waved a hand in front of my face.

“Sorry. Distracted.”

“No worries. Have you had abusytime since becoming Yelena’s? Is she tiring you out?” Florencia waggled her eyebrows and I tensed.

“No,” I said more sharply than intended. “We’re not—that’s not?—”

“Yeesh, chill.” Florencia patted my hand. “I was just asking. Protector Yelena is gorgeous and she claimed you so it’s a natural question. I knowI’dbe all over that opportunity if she ever claimed me. I’m surprised she wanted you, to be honest. Not that you lot aren’t cute, but she hasn’t claimed anyone except Haru for yeeears.”

Florencia continued on, completely ignoring the tension that had snared me. We laid out the wrapped potatoes onto a massive baking sheet and moved on to chopping green onions to top the eventual baked potatoes.

Estrella watched me intently every so often, but I must’ve passed muster because she let Florencia continue with her guidance of me. None of the tasks were difficult, but there was a flow and rhythm to the kitchen I had to adjust to.

Each downstroke of the knife helped me focus. Florencia continued to chat away at me, but my thoughts were tangled around the frankly audacious idea that Logan would take on therole from Protector Calliope. I could happily be under Logan’s power here. At least I trusted her.

I wrapped up the bowl of sliced green onion and set it in the walk-in cooler. With any luck we’d be able to just leave the nest before anything bad happened. Maybe the monster wouldn’t be able to follow us into the ocean and we could be safe on a pilfered boat. Until we were pulled ashore by the coast guard at least…Also none of us had any sailing experience. Maybe one of the Protectors had a yacht they could lend us.

“Being distracted in my kitchen causes injuries.”

I snapped to attention to find Estrella in front of me.

“You focus or you get out. I don’t care that Protector Yelena wants you here. If you endanger yourself or others, I will page her to remove you.”

“Sorry. I’m still recovering from what brought us here. I’ll do better.”

Estrella’s eyes narrowed. “You will do better by resting. You have assisted. I will page the Protector and you will not return until you have settled. Am I clear?”

“Yes, chef,” I said quietly. I couldn’t gather a ton of energy to be disappointed in myself. We had just fled for our lives across the country, my brother and mate had both almost died, and I needed more time than I’d been given. Too much had happened.

“Don’t worry,” Florencia said as she patted my shoulder. “She’ll warm up to you, but she’s right. No sense in handling knives if you’re tired. Sometimes I work the overnight shift and it’s very quiet. You should come by once you’ve had some rest and I’ll teach you more about how the kitchen runs.”

“Sure, that sounds good. I guess send me a message?”

“Can do!” Florencia beamed at me and a moment later Haru nosed his way through the kitchen doors.

Let’s go.

I followed the wolf into the dining hall, my gaze flicking around at the plethora of people milling about.

Estrella’s a hardass. I’m surprised you lasted as long as you did.

“Yeah?”

She’s kicked people out almost as fast as they’ve walked in. She must have liked you.

“Sure didn’t seem like it.”

You’ll learn. Did you make friends?

I shrugged as we navigated the halls. “Florencia was nice. I don’t know that I made the best impression.”

Trust me. You’d know if she didn’t like you. Yelena picked this shift so she could see their responses to you.

---