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They all look worse for wear, like they haven’t been allowed to bathe in days. Something stirs in my chest at the sight of them, knowing that this is wrong. They’re guided into the room and Zaqiel whispers something to them, then each of them heads in our direction.
One runs straight into Isaiah’s arms, where he holds her tight like he can protect her from whatever the hell this is. She’s a petite brunette with crystalline blue eyes, which she keeps cast down. They’re naked, unprotected.
I can tell that Isaiah is seething.
I feel a surge of anger and disgust rise within me as I watch the omegas being paraded in front of us, stripped of their dignity and autonomy. It's a sickening display, one that makes my blood boil with a fierce determination to put an end to this cruelty once and for all.
Isaiah's grip on the trembling brunette omega tightens, his jaw clenching with a steely resolve. “What the fuck?” he whispers, then looks down at the girl. “Are you okay?”
She doesn’t say anything.
“Take your females back to your beds and do what you will,” Zaqiel says. “From now on, they are yours to keep—to breed, to claim. It is in the natural order of things that these omegas are meant to serve you, and it is your duty to guide them on the path to New Eden. And those of you who did not yet do your duty…? Well, you’ll have to wait until the next ceremony. You are all dismissed.”
Without a word, Isaiah guides the omega in his arms towards the exit, his steps purposeful and determined. I follow closely behind, my mind already racing with plans on how to rescue these women from their captivity—and how to get to Aisling.
I need to update her, need to learn more.
I need to get to the lab underneath the temple.
Once we're outside the temple, away from prying eyes and judgmental whispers, Isaiah turns to me with a look of determination. "We need to get them out of here," he says, his voice low but resolute.
I nod in agreement, my jaw set in a firm line, but the omega suddenly grabs his arms, shaking her head vigorously. “You can’t,” she whispers. “And you need to stay quiet.”
Isaiah shakes his head. “You don’t want to…?”
We get a few stray glances and I move to block them from prying eyes and ears as she continues. “My friends are still here, trapped,” she says. “If I try anything, they’ll hurt them.”
I frown, recognizing those words. I’ve heard Aisling say them a million times. I lower my voice, then lean close.
“Would you happen to be one of the Dreamland omegas?” I whisper.
Her eyes widen and she nods. “Yes…yes, I’m Lark!” she says quietly. “My friends are locked down in the lab under the temple. Do you know how to get them out? Do you–”
I nod along with her. “I can’t tell you more right now, but I’m…”
I glance up at Isaiah, unsure if I can trust him.
But I go with my gut.
“I’m working on something,” I mutter. “Stay quiet about it for now, but…be ready. I’m a friend of Aisling’s.”
Isaiah's eyebrows shoot up in surprise at my revelation, but he quickly masks his emotions with a stoic expression. "Aisling Faye?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper. “The Stargazer?”
Damn—I guess her legend is moving faster than I thought, if it got all the way up to the Fates. I nod, my heart pounding in my chest as I glance around to ensure no one is listening in on our conversation. "She's working on a plan to get the omegas out of here. We need to find a way to help her without putting you or Lark in danger."
Lark grips Isaiah's arm tighter, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. "Please, you have to help us. They're keeping us here against our will, using us for their twisted purposes."
Isaiah's jaw clenches with determination as he looks down at Lark. "We'll find a way to get you and your friends out of here, I promise."
I can see the resolve in his eyes, the same fire burning within me. Yes…I can depend on these two for help when we need it.
And there have to be others too.
But before I can do anything else, I need to talk to Aisling.
And that means breaking into her room in the temple.
Chapter thirteen
