Omen IV: The Awakening

But at that moment the door to the dining room swung open and a little girl entered the room. She was about eight years old, with long black hair, wearing a white blouse and a yellow skirt, white stockings and black shoes. Her calm gait and small but confident face immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

Delia Asia Vieira couldn't help but notice that the Rottweiler was following the girl, wagging its tail majestically. This huge dog looked completely calm, but she knew everything about it, thanks to her conversation with Mark. The Rottweiler was dangerous for everyone except Delia York herself, and judging by its behavior, the dog was not mistaken in its assessments.

When the Rottweiler, noticing Delia Asia Vieira's gaze, first growled and then barked viciously at her, the woman froze. She felt her heart skip a beat. But the dog did not stop there: he turned around and barked loudly first at Noah, and then at Jo Thueson. Without saying a word, the two psychics stood up, not to leave the room, but only to approach the girl.

"Hello, little one," Noah said, smiling as he extended his hand toward Delia York. "How are you?"

The girl, standing on the threshold, looked at Noah and Jo Thueson with distrust. Her face remained motionless, but some strange shadow flitted across her eyes, as if she were trying hard to hide her dislike. Delia Asia Vieira noticed how the girl could not restrain a slight, almost imperceptible movement towards the Rottweiler. The dog immediately rose, snarling at the guests, and Delia York, as if out of habit, pressed him slightly to herself.

The girl said nothing, but her look was quite eloquent. Delia Asia Vieira, watching this scene, understood: Delia York was not particularly happy to see uninvited guests. Not only her, the legal governess in her parents' house, but also these two psychics.

Jo Thueson, apparently not noticing the tense atmosphere, reached out to Delia York and, fishing out some strange crystal from her bag, showed it to the girl.

"You can probably feel it, right?" she said, her voice strangely soft, as if she were trying to awaken some awareness in the girl. "It's a special crystal. It helps open chakras and enhance psychic abilities."

But as Jo Thueson approached, Delia York suddenly drew back, her face contorted into an expression of pure terror. The Rottweiler sitting next to her immediately growled and stood up, as if ready to defend his mistress. His growl grew louder and his eyes sparkled with animal instinct.

Delia Asia Vieira, watching this, felt some invisible tension in the air. Jo Thueson, not immediately understanding what was happening, lowered the crystal and took a step back.

"What... What's wrong with your daughter, Mrs. York?" she asked Karen in surprise, her voice shaking slightly.

Noah frowned and looked around the room. He too sensed that something was wrong, but he still tried to remain calm. The dog continued to bark, and his threatening growls grew louder. Karen York, who had been standing aside, came up to her daughter and, hugging her gently, said:

"It's okay, guys. Delia is just a little sensitive to other people's energy influences. She just needs a little time."

Karen looked at Jo and Noah, and something strange flashed in her eyes. She tried to hide it, but Delia Asia Vieira caught the moment.

"Don't come near me," the girl said quietly, without fear in her thin voice.

Her voice was firm and determined, and there was no fear or doubt in it.

Noah and Jo Thueson froze. They knew they couldn't bring out what they were looking for in this girl. Delia York was not someone to be taken lightly. She was more than just a girl - she was so much more.

Delia Asia Vieira stood aside, watching all this, and her inner uneasiness grew stronger. The understanding that the girl standing in front of them was not like everyone else finally became firmly established in her head. Meanwhile, the Rottweiler continued to bark viciously, as if confirming the thoughts of her owners.

Noah and Jo Thueson, despite the Rottweiler's wary growl, continued their conversation with Delia York as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. The bearded man, who seemed increasingly confident in his right to be there, smiled and talked to the girl about what she could see in his crystal, as if they were old acquaintances.

"Look," Noah said, holding the crystal out to Delia York, "you can feel its power. It will open up new horizons for you, help you understand what is hidden from ordinary people."

The girl, not immediately, but eventually looked at the crystal, seemed interested. But Delia Asia Vieira noticed how her eyes still flashed with distrust. The Rottweiler, who was sitting next to her, did not take his eyes off the strangers, but there was no longer that fierce threat in his behavior. He was clearly waiting for further instructions from his mistress.

Noah continued, ignoring the girl's silence:

"Don't you want to go with us to the psychic fair? There you can learn even more about your abilities, see other miracles."

Delia York seemed to consider this, but then suppressed her inner resistance. The habit of new people, and perhaps curiosity, got the better of her. She looked at Noah with that enigmatic smile that had always been her calling card.

"Okay," she said, her voice a little hoarse, as if she wasn't entirely sure she was making the right choice.

Noah and Jo Thueson looked at each other, their eyes sparkling with joy. Jo immediately reached for her bag and pulled out a book that looked very solid and mystical. On the cover was written the phrase "The Book of Light", and there was something hypnotizing about its design, as if it was supposed to tell of a great truth.

"This book," Jo said, handing it to Delia York, "contains inexhaustible wisdom. You will be able to learn everything that interests you. It is the key to understanding your true power."