Chapter 209

Sarah POV

“If you seek the truth, stop seeking enemies and find the moon,” I and the statue and someone else said, speaking as one.

He looked up at the moon. “It’s right there.”

“But you are not,” I said, and a great sorrow washed over me even as my heart beat in anticipation. “You must walk with me so the moon may reveal herself.”

Zane looked at me in confusion.

“You were born into a destiny,” I said, “as were your children.” I smiled. “As was I.”

“And I’m a part of that destiny?”

If I hadn’t felt filled with the spirit of the moon, I would have rolled my eyes. It was all so obvious.

I woke in a small, warm, cozy room. Three omegas, including Janine, were watching me.

“I-yee,” I said, which was as close to speech as I could get at that moment. I cleared my throat. “What’s going on?”

“You were walking in your sleep,” Janine said.

“I was?” I looked at the closed door. Had they corralled me back to bed?

Janine smiled. “Walking on the astral plane. You called us to you.”

“But I wasn’t having that dream,” I said, thoroughly befuddled. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. The others waited for me patiently.

I had been dreaming of talking to Zane about how he had to “walk with me so the moon may reveal herself,” and in my dream I had known exactly what that meant. Now, I again had no idea, but I wanted to tell Zane what I had said about destiny. He was a Pack Alpha, so surely he knew all about destiny.

I looked around. “Where’s my phone?”

“In your purse in a cupboard.”

“I need it. I need to call Zane.”

Janine nodded with another kind smile. “Yes, but first.” She gestured behind her, and one of the omega-Oracles held out a cup of coffee.

“Oh, thank the goddess,” I said and took it. I had slept so very hard. The first sip was delicious.

“Yes, drink your coffee and come have breakfast. Then you make all the phone calls you need.”

Another Oracle laid a white bathrobe on my bed. I realized I’d taken off the silver one the night before and didn’t have anything on but my underwear. I desperately wanted to take a shower.

“The baths are down the hall, and we’ll bring you some clothes to wear.”

I smiled and nodded, but I was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed by her ability to read my mind.

The women left, and I felt better after a few minutes alone with my coffee. I put on the bathrobe and found the bathing rooms easily enough. When I came out of a quick shower, someone had set out white pants and a shirt in my size along with white sandals that fit so nicely I thought about sneaking them home.

After that, I followed the smell of bread and bacon and found a crowd sitting at the dining table. I was greeted by smiles and food. There was some general talk of supplies, which were evidently arriving that afternoon.

“We do keep a small fruit and vegetable garden,” said an Oracle I knew was named Katya. “But mostly we are supplied by the Alpha’s legislative board, which means by the territory’s taxes.”

“We have a greeting ceremony for the delivery staff,” said an Oracle whose name I didn’t know yet. “It’s quite fun, and you’re welcome to join us.”

“Sarah has some phone calls to make,” Janine told her. Then she looked at me. “I’m sure you can make no plans until then.”

“Er, yes.”

Janine nodded at Katya, who took me to the front of the living quarters where all the temple robes hung and opened a small cupboard. Inside, indeed, was my purse. She then smiled and left the robing room.

I called Zane, and he picked up on the first ring.

“Sarah. How are you doing over there?”

“I’m good. They’re being very nice, and they’ve told me many things I want to share with you, but not over the phone.”

“Are you heading home now?”

“Well, they’ve fed me three times now, and I haven’t helped with anything, so I thought I’d stick around a little longer. Also, you know that bit about the statue and the moon?”

Zane hesitated, then said carefully, “Yes, of course.”

“I heard more of the conversation, and I’m thinking it’s because I’m here. I’m wondering if staying here just a little longer might help.”

“You want to stay another night?”

“Oh, no, I don’t think so. But they’ll be having a full-moon greeting this evening. I’m thinking that may have been what helped me. But more than that . . .”

“Yes?”

“Look, we both know something extraordinary is going on with me, with us, and out there it’s so easy to put it out of my mind. I feel like this is the place to confront things, I mean, whatever this is. So I’m not quite ready to leave. Please understand.”

“I do understand. I even approve. I just miss you.”

My heart went warm. “I miss you too. Call you later.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

I disconnected, but when I went to turn the phone off, I saw the charge was 3 percent. I didn’t have my charger with me. I took it back into the main living area looking for Janine, but the first Oracle I found was Katya.

She really was sweet, I thought, and very pretty with her dark hair and lightly caramel skin, but she frowned at the phone in my hand.

“I don’t have my charger with me, and it’s really low,” I explained. “I was hoping I could use someone else’s.”

“Certainly,” she said, now smiling, and held out her hand. “I’ll put it on the charger in my room. Just catch up with me later, and I’ll get it back to you.”

It was oddly difficult to hand over my phone, but I told myself to stop being ridiculous. “I heard someone talking about your morning meditation. Did I miss it?”

“It’s not a formal session. I can just take you to a garden, where you may join or be joined by others.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Would you prefer the flower garden, the herb garden, a fruit and vegetable garden, or a Zen garden?”

I laughed, then had to explain, “I love that there’s a selection.”

She looked surprised. “Surely you’re used to it. I understand Alpha’s Zane’s villa has many gardens as well.”

I had to think about why it was different. Janine passed by and looked at the phone in Katya’s hand.

“She needs it charged up,” Katya explained. “I’m taking it to the charger in my room.”

Janine nodded and turned to walk toward the dining room.

“Oh, before you go,” I called after her. “Is there something I can do to contribute around here? Wash the dishes or something?”

“Would you like to help with making lunch?” she asked.

“Perfect. I thought, if it’s OK, I’d meditate until then.”

“Lovely.” She smiled. “Which garden?”

I looked over at Katya. “The Zen one, please.”

“I’ll have someone fetch you when it’s time,” Janine said, nodded, and then continued on her way.

“Let me show you my room first,” Katya said, “so you know where your phone is.”

“Thank you.” I was struck again by how kind and thoughtful they all were. No wonder I was having trouble making myself leave.