She smiles and eases into the delicate chair made of vines with flowering purple blooms.
“This is lovely; I had no idea you would be so hospitable.”
“I still remember the old ways,” I murmur. “As long as you come in peace, my table will nourish a weary traveller.”
She bows her head, and the air around her fills with almost bitter regret.
“When we created humans, we did so knowing that we could reach out to them through dreams, visions, and possession. We knew that we would be part of their world, and their prayers and lives would in turn become part of ours. It worked for a long, long time.”
“I remember. Humans were divided and given to the gods to care for. There are few humans, alpha, omega, or beta, who are born into my care.”
“Yes, I am aware. Which is part of why I am here.”
I cock my head to the side. “What is wrong with the world?”
“They are too far away; we can’t reach them, and things keep happening. Things are going to happen. Horrible, awful things.”
“Is it not part of life and death to face such things?” I throw back at her, smiling. She cocks her head to the side, her lips pursed. I am enjoying this. I wonder if she will visit with me again.
“Not like this,” the All-Seer says with a quiet concern that makes me shift and reach for the cup of water.
“You would change the future?”
“I can’t, no one can change it completely, but I can give them a way to change part of it.”
I stare at her. “And how did you get this past the High Council?”
She stares at me. “They think it is their idea.”
My laughter is harsh and unheard of in centuries. Birds explode from the trees, fleeing, but the omega sits still and waits until I finish.
“Bold of you, All-Seer, to manipulate the council.”
“They needed a kick up their asses. I just presented them with an option that works in everyone’s favour.”
“I see. So, your decision is to…” I trail off waiting for her answer.
“We’re sending an omega goddess to live on Earth. She will be born when things are going wrong, and she will reset a small thing that will allow the world to find balance again.”
I stare at her because I’m sure I just heard her wrong.
“You’re sending a god to Earth? That will strip them of their powers; they will be human.”
“Yes.”
“There is no one who would agree to do that,” I say flatly and confidently.
“I’ve found one already.”
I sit up straighter. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I’ve found her. She’s going today.”
I shake my head. “Then I will send prayers to the council for her soul.”
“I don’t think you will. My favour, Alpha, is that you meet with my travelling companions and hear what they have to say.”
There’s an ominous feel in the air, and two cloaked people appear in front of us, as if they were there the whole time. I can’t see their faces, but the taller one slowly pulls his cloak back, revealing red hair with fire licking through it. His features are almost feline, his eyes dancing with light.
