“How so?” Syssi asked. “What did he find out about them?”
“Officially, they operate as a spiritual retreat. Their website talks about self-actualization through meditation, introspection, fasting, and other nonsense like freedom from the shackles of an oppressive society, etc. What they are really after is their members’ money, slave labor, and in some cases, also sexual exploitation.”
“Is the group militant?” Kian asked.
“They might be. I need to find out, but to do that, I need to infiltrate their compound. I can have an operative sign up for the retreat and investigate, but that would take too long. I want to get her out as soon as possible.”
“This is not your usual kind of work. How come you took the assignment?”
“The lady’s father said something that intrigued me. He told me that his daughter was always a strange bird who never felt like she belonged anywhere. That was why he thought she’d been easy to exploit. When I asked him in what way she was strange, he tried to backtrack and said that she was just a little odd. When I pressed, saying that I need all the information he can give me about her, he admitted that she claimed to hear voices in her head.”
“Like Nathalie?” Syssi asked.
“She claimed that they belonged to living people.”
“I don’t get it. Did she hear the thoughts of people she was with? She might be a telepath.”
“That’s what I thought as well, but her father said that she heard the voices even when she was alone. He thinks that she’s a schizophrenic.”
“Did he have her evaluated?” Syssi pushed up on the pillows.
“He didn’t want to. Until she joined the cult, she was functioning well despite the voices, and he didn’t want the stigma of mental illness attached to her. It could be that he’s right, but I think it’s interesting and worth investigating.”
“I assume that you suspect she is a Dormant.” Kian shifted the phone to his other hand. “What about her mother?”
“She died in a freak accident when Anastasia was a little girl. Her father thinks that the trauma of losing her mother messed with her head.”
“Any siblings?” Syssi asked.
“The father remarried. Anastasia has a half-brother and half-sister.”
“Not relevant as far as dormancy goes,” Kian said.
“True. What about those Guardians I asked for? Can I borrow a couple?”
It seemed like an easy in and out mission that didn’t involve a lot of risks. Even the less experienced Guardians could handle it.
“Of course. Call Onegus. Tell him that I approved the request.”
“Thank you.”
3
David
“Breakfast at Annani’s.” David wrapped his arm around Sari’s waist. “Did it have to be at seven in the morning?”
Closing the door behind them, Sari didn’t lock it because there was no lock. Evidently, she deemed all members of her clan trustworthy.
Was that wise?
What if someone decided that it was time to replace her at the helm?
Had no clan member ever harmed another?
David found it unlikely. Immortals were still people, and utopia didn’t exist.
“Maybe she couldn’t sleep either.” Sari leaned against his side. “I’m glad that I woke you up at six, though.”
“Yeah, definitely.”
Despite his best efforts, the hour hadn’t been spent making love because Sari wanted him to preserve his energy, but he would have preferred to stay in bed for a little longer and cuddle. Who knew? Maybe his persistence would have eroded Sari’s resistance. He could think of several things they could have done that didn’t require a lot of energy expenditure, but it wasn’t like they could refuse an invitation from the goddess.
“Who else is invited?” he asked.
“Probably the usual suspects. Kian and Syssi, Amanda and Dalhu, and Alena, of course. Kalugal and Jacki as well. Annani makes a conscious effort to include him in family affairs. Growing up the way he did, the guy needs it.”
“He seems well-adjusted to me.”
Kalugal was full of himself, but since he was a demigod, his feelings of self-worth were justified. Other than that, he was charming, easygoing, and very smart. David had no problem with the eternal pledge he’d made to him in exchange for the induction. Besides, the way he saw it, he was the one who would gain the most from their alliance. The pledge David had taken only required him to offer his loyalty and friendship to Kalugal, while Kalugal’s pledge required him to be David’s mentor.
He could learn a lot from the guy.
Sari nodded. “Surprisingly, he is. I don’t know how he managed that given that his mother was not around, and his father was a power-hungry despot whom he feared.”
That was indeed surprising. Even child demigods needed love to thrive and flourish. They might be a highly evolved species, but they had too much in common with humans to be significantly different in that regard.
“Kalugal must have had someone who loved and nurtured him as a child. Otherwise he wouldn’t have turned out the way he has.”
“I guess that he had nannies who cared for him.” Sari stopped in front of Annani’s suite and knocked on the door.
Her older sister opened the door. “Hello.” She smiled at David. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“I feel great, thank you.” He followed Sari inside.
“That’s my venom at work.” Kalugal grinned. “I hope that you enjoyed the trip.” He beckoned David and Sari over. “Come sit with me and tell me all about it.”
The goddess was sitting at the head of the table, but her other children and their mates weren’t there yet.
David dipped his head. “Good morning, Clan Mother.”
“Good morning.” She cast him a warm smile. “I am glad that you are feeling well, David.”
“Thank you.” He pulled out a chair for Sari and then one for himself next to Kalugal. “So, what are your duties as my mentor? What are you going to teach me, wise master?”
Kalugal smirked. “The wonders of immortality, my friend. But not just yet. After your transition.”
David couldn’t imagine what else Kalugal could tell him about immortality that Sari hadn’t already. He was more interested in the guy’s investments in promising new technologies.
Next to him, Sari groaned. “The waiting is so stressful.” She looked at Jacki. “How long did it take for your transition to start after Kalugal’s first bite?”
Jacki’s cheeks pinked. “The first bite was on Monday, and I started transitioning on Thursday. But maybe it didn’t happen because of the first one, and the second bite triggered it.”
Kalugal wrapped his arm around her. “I assure you that it started after the first one. It just took three days for the transition process to start manifesting symptoms.”
When a knock sounded at the door, one of the goddess’s butlers rushed to open the way.
“Good morning, Master Kian and Mistress Syssi.” He bowed. “Good morning, Mistress Amanda and Master Dalhu.”