Page 28 of Unlikely Omega

I wonder what I’ve done to have drawn his attention now.

“Acolyte Ariadne Vespere,” the acolyte announces my grand entrance into the hallowed halls of the Adyton, and I swallow hard as I step through. I’ve never actually been inside before and the room is so striking that at first, I don’t even notice the members of the Temple Synod sitting around the massive, long table in its center.

The pillars are made of veined marble, the ceiling is covered in intricate stucco, the carpets are deep green, the consoles lining the walls covered in precious, shiny objects of worship—silver goblets of communion and red coral trees to cure poisoning, golden crowns of office covered in multicolored gems and ceremonial blades resting on ebony stands. It’s a cacophony of colors that dazzles and dizzies me.

But soon enough the dazzle wears off and I find myself pinned under eleven cold gazes from both sides of the table and the Prelate’s dark one from the far end.

“Acolyte,” he booms. “How kind of you to finally join us.”

His tone definitely doesn’t bode well, although it’s hard to tell with powerful people. Sometimes they like to toy with you with no intention of finishing you off. I hope that’s the case, that he only wants to chew me over something I did wrong—though, if someone has told him about me dancing in front of the unnamed god, then I’m in a predicament.

I hate to admit it but Priest Finnen was right.

It’s not like I did it on purpose to spite him or to land myself in trouble, of course, but fear grabs my insides in a fist and twists. What if Finnen was the one that betrayed me?

“Eminence,” I whisper, bowing my head, already thinking of excuses as to why I’d be seen lingering in front of the unnamed god’s statue—Sidde Drakai, I think, he has a name, so why won’t people speak it out loud?—and I’m about to ask what his pleasure is, when High Priestess Arleth taps her staff on the table.

“Acolyte Ariadne,” she says, reprimand in her voice, “is it true you have awakened and bled upon your awakening but didn’t inform the Temple?”

A shockwave goes through me, punching the air out of my lungs. I sway on my feet. Okay, this is bad but… it can’t be that bad, right?

“Who told you that?” I whisper.

“Acolyte, do not lie. We have reliable witnesses and evidence of your bleeding. You must be aware that an ordinary human awakening doesn’t make you bleed. Do you experience cramping? Dizziness?”

“I…” I croak. My throat is closing up. I can’t speak.

What’s happening here? Why are they so angry? I expected disdain, not rage.

“Omegas are not allowed in the Temple,” Priestess Arleth says, her voice cracking like a whip. “Especially not Fae-blood omegas.”

“I’m not…” My mouth flaps a little. “I’m not a Fae-blood omega!”

“Aren’t you? Are you saying we should take the chance with someone who already looks like they might have Fae blood, who dances for the unnamed god and bleeds all over the Divine Circle? Look at you. And you’re perfuming already.”

“I didn’t bleed all over the Divine Circle! I took care of it. And I haven’t perfumed, I said I’m not an omega!” I’m too angry to be scared, though I should be. “Awakening is a natural thing for every woman and man, for every human. I’m no different.”

“And yet you are. I’ve always been suspicious of you,” the Prelate says, tapping his golden scepter on the table, taking the floor. “What councilor Mazarine foretold has come to pass. The Fae-blooded are infiltrating us, trying to one-up us, usurp our power.”

I almost laugh. “Usurp? Are you thinking that I want, what, to become Prelate?”

“Blasphemy,” another priest says.

“Blasphemy?” I should shut my mouth at this point, should realize that every word I speak is being used against me, but once fear and the hurt of injustice get their claws into you, you bleed stupid. “This is the most ridiculous accusation I’ve ever heard. I bled. Didn’t make invasion plans against anyone. I’m just like you—”

“Another blasphemy,” Priestess Arleth snaps, “comparing herself to us. How dare you, girl?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong!” Someone steps behind me and I whirl about, my heart in my throat when I see two Temple guards closing ranks, blocking my way out. “You’ve all gone mad.”

“And more blasphemy,” the Prelate says triumphantly. “Take her and lock her up. We’ll decide her fate after tea and cake.”

9

ARIADNE

Have you ever seen a bird after it’s been knocked out of the sky by a rock thrown with a sling? If it survives, it wobbles around, stumbling and falling, unable to keep a straight line.

Stunned.

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