Page 78 of The Omega's Bloodlinem: Part Two

Shakti stole some of Calliope’s stationary, her smooth hand copying out all of the symbols. “Do we know when the heat is set to begin?”

“No.” I sighed. “Soon, but no exact timeline.”

“I would bet good money that the orgy will trigger it,” Kendrick said, his eyes hot on me.

Desire rolled down my spine and Yelena whacked him in the shoulder. “Stop looking at her like that. We don’t want to set anything off too early.”

“How am I supposed to look at her any other way? Don’t pretend I’m the only one giving her eyes.”

Calliope giggled. “Did hell freeze over and Kendrick actually expressed one of his crushes out loud? I thought he would stew in silent misery forever.”

My cheeks burned. “I amdefinitelyaware of the crush. Might have a little one myself.”

Calliope looked absolutely beside herself with glee, hands pressed to her cheeks, the edges of her smile pushing against them. “Oh my gods. Fuckingfinally. I mean, I know he’s not exactly hurting for partnership, but it was getting a tiny bit pathetic, watching him lust after Yelena, and then Logan.”

“Hey!” Kendrick frowned, almost falling into a pout.

“I call it like I see it.” Calliope shrugged. “So there’s a solid pack forming then? I’m a bit upset no one has been keeping me apprised of these developments. I can’t go collect gossip myself anymore until these little nuggets are on the outside.” She patted her belly.

“I wormed my way in there too,” Velda announced.

“I kind of assumed with the whole ‘couch bursting into flames’ situation,” Calliope said with a laugh. “You guys had better not make me feel like an awkward eighth wheel.”

Even though life or death topics were on the table, it was nice to feel the lightness in the air. Calliope was good at that.

She hadn’t made a peep about wanting to evacuate, even though she’d be safer if she did. Maybe she was more worried about the nest residents.

“I’ll go get the henna prepared,” Shakti announced. “It’s been processing for a few hours already. Logan, I would imagine we’re going to need a lot of symbols to keep your magic under control. Strip down as far as you’re comfortable and we’ll get to work.”

“Can I do anything in the meantime?” Calliope asked.

“Just rest,” I assured her.

“That’s all I do anymore.”

“If you’d like,” said Yelena, “we can bring you down in your wheelchair. I’m sure Cora would be happy to have your assistance with organizing the evacuation.”

Calliope brightened. “Hell yes. I’ll make Murdoch help too.”

I sat quietly while the other Protectors decided who would do what, when, and where.

Kendrick nudged me with his toes beneath the table. “Come here.”

I slipped around the table and sank onto his lap, relaxing when his arms wrapped around me.

“You were starting to smell like burnt flowers. Relax with me until Shakti gets back.”

Yelena departed with Calliope and Velda, collecting Seth, Caden, and Haru on the way, or at least that was the plan according to their conversations.

“Are you nervous?” Kendrick asked, the low thrum of his voice making me squeeze my thighs together.

“That I’ll burn down the nest? Yeah, pretty nervous.”

“We’ll manage it. Every fire extinguisher will be down with you, and surely those witch runes will be good for something.”

“Are you not planning on being there?”

He hesitated. “You still have to invite me. I’m not going to assume I’m part of your heat.”