The Omega Queen
“You’ll need this. It holds dried herbs for energy, a charm for protection, and something else.”
She turned toward the back of the house and whistled. A sound like paws padded against the wooden floor, and then, I heard the bark of a dog.
“This is Jasmine,” Camellia said. “She’s not an ordinary dog. She was bred by the ancient watchers of the land. She knows the way. She’ll guide you and protect you.”
Jasmine came closer and pressed her head gently against my thigh. I reached down to touch her, and a strange warmth ran up my hand and settled into my chest. It wasn’t frightening. It was... grounding.