Page 43 of From the Edge

“Or create a supplementary contract and give us a fridge we can raid at will.”

“Fine, but you are going to be sharing space with breastmilk.”

Ren shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me, won’t bother the others.”

“Okay. Big families?”

“Not particularly. Most of us are second or third sons. Useful but not necessary.”

“Mages have to have value.”

He smiled. “We do, but the emperor was very insistent that there was power rising at the lost colony, and it might need some guidance. Then, he handed me a scroll with your image on it, sent by one of your very interesting mages.”

“One of our... someone is pimping us out?”

“Someone is acknowledging that sometimes power requires power. And that magic understands magic. My people are inherently magical, so it made sense that we were selected for assessment.”

Rowan cleaned up the pie pans. “They made you take a test?”

“Several. I did my assessments and waited to hear if I was a match for any of the new magic.”

Rowan narrowed her eyes. “Which new magic?”

He grinned, his carved tusks glowing. “Take a wild guess.”

“You have a wrong number.”

“I don’t believe so. I am uniquely qualified to work with you as you learn what your limits are. I also really have a fascination for your home. I have never seen an omega do what you did here.”

“I have a family history that they probably didn’t have.” She smiled as she washed the pans and thought about her parents and her grandparents.

“Family history?”

“I am not the first person in the family to look the way I do. My grandmother also had a connection to the land. Her parents bought this place, and my grandfather respected the link she had.”

“Wise man.”

“Big fella. Dark skin, white hair, red eyes. I have their portrait in my room.” She smiled. She felt him go still behind her.

She heard him rustle and said, “Do you know his original name?”

“Vasoric.”

“I see. Is he still around?”

“No. He and my grandmother had their family late, and when I was fourteen, they passed together. They are buried on the property.”

“Can you show me where?”

She looked at him. “Now?”

“Please.”

“Okay. It’s a bit of a hike.”

“Are you tired?”

“A little, but it’s fine.”