Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,12

not the reason. I just wanted to have this conversation with you face to face.”

“I’m listening.”

“The way we were all incapacitated during the long-range acoustic device attack gave me an idea. We could utilize the technology to take over the island without much bloodshed.”

Kalugal sighed. “I’m not interested in the island. Frankly, I think that you should abandon that idea, sever your ties with the place, and join either the clan or me. By straddling the fence, you are putting your mate in danger.” He lifted his glass and took a sip. “In fact, it’s risky for me to invite you to my home, even with all the evasive maneuvers you’ve made to make sure that you are not being followed.”

“Carol and I learned how to be ultra-careful from the very best. Turner is a master at that, and we follow his protocol to a tee. And as for the danger to us, Carol is well aware of the risks, but she supports my decision to keep the charade going. If our father decides to refocus on his goal to annihilate the clan, my advance warning will be indispensable.” He took a sip from the bourbon. “The only solution for me is to ensure that the Brotherhood is no longer a threat. Besides, I feel responsible for the people living under Navuh’s oppressive rule. If I don’t help them, who will?”

Those were noble sentiments, and Kalugal wasn’t indifferent to the suffering of the island’s population, both human and immortal, but mostly the human. All the women and men who’d been captured and enslaved deserved to be freed.

Except, he doubted that his brother was motivated solely by compassion. Lokan wanted to rule the island, but he knew that he couldn’t do it on his own. He needed Kalugal and his compulsion ability to keep the Brotherhood from splintering into many small militias.

Without Navuh’s compulsion keeping them in check, there was no telling what havoc they would unleash on the world.

But Kalugal’s compulsion ability was not nearly as powerful as Navuh’s, and even if it was, he didn’t want to get involved. The plight of the island’s people was insignificant compared to the many maladies of the human world that he’d set out to fix.

“As I said before, I’m not interested in the island, and I promised our mother that I will not kill Navuh, which is the only way to achieve your goal. I can’t wrest control from him, so the only option to stop his compulsion is to eliminate him.”

“Or imprison him,” Lokan said. “If he doesn’t renew his compulsion periodically, it will eventually dissipate.” Lokan chuckled. “We could lock him in the harem. That would be an appropriate payback.”

“Even if I was interested, which I’m not, I don’t know if it’s possible to cover the entire place with noise cannons. And even if it is possible to cover the surface, what about the underground? That’s where most of the warriors live. The long-range acoustic device works only in open spaces.”

“Infrasound can get through obstacles with little dissipation and it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and disorientation. I’m not a tech guy, and this is way above my pay grade. But I think William can come up with a workable solution.”

Kalugal arched a brow. “You want to involve the clan in your plans?”

“I can’t do it without them. Their main objection to attacking the island is the potential loss of life, but if I demonstrate that it can be achieved with minimal casualties, I believe that Kian will consider it. But I need you to come on board as well. Without you, the Brotherhood will disburse, and I can only imagine the destruction the freed warriors would cause all over the world. We need time for the reforms to take root, and for them to realize that having families and living normal lives is a much better goal than terrorizing humans.”

“Did you already approach Kian with your plan?”

Lokan shook his head. “As I said before, unless you join us, there is no point in starting anything.”

“I need time to think about it, but I don’t see how I can control thousands of warriors. I’m not powerful enough to take over from our father.”

“Of course. I didn’t expect you to give me an answer right away.”

“Jacki and I are spending the weekend in the village. I’ll have an answer for you when we return.”

“Excellent.” Lokan smiled.

“Most likely, it’s going to be a no.”

8

Rufsur

Ever since Kalugal and Lokan had retired to the library