***Cadiz***
Duke Magnus looked at me carefully, his expression serious as he prepared to explain something he clearly considered important. Raizel's hand tightened on my shoulder, warm and grounding.
"You already know you're different," the duke said at last. "But what you don't yet understand is why the empire wants you dead."
I didn't answer, I didn't trust my voice to stay even.
"Two centuries ago," he continued, "people like you existed openly. Null Omegas weren't myths or forbidden subjects, they lived among others, kept mostly to themselves, and rarely used their power."
His eyes hardened.
"And that was the problem."
I felt Raizel tense beside me.
"The ruling house and the priests realized that as long as Null Omegas existed, absolute power would always be out of reach. There were beings who could strip magic itself away, beings who could not be controlled."
"So they were killed," I said.
"Yes."
The word fell like a blade.
