Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,23

shopping bags out of Atzil’s hands.

Atzil pulled them back. “I don’t need help carrying groceries.”

Rufsur put a hand on his shoulder. “Stop fighting him or the bags will tear. And then what will you do?”

The cook glared at the butler. “Why do you insist? Do I look like the kind of guy who needs help?”

Okidu bowed. “Of course not, master. But it is my duty and my pleasure to serve.”

Atzil glanced at their boss. “Is he for real?”

“I’m afraid so.” Kalugal passed them by. “Just let it go.”

Rufsur was starting to doubt the merit of bringing Atzil along. After hearing that there was no grocery store in the village, the guy had insisted on bringing supplies with him so he could cook for them during the visit. And just in case Kalugal and Jacki wished to entertain guests, he’d brought enough food to host a party.

Ruvon was okay, except for the gaping and the gasping. The guy was behaving like the country mouse visiting his rich cousin, and that was embarrassing.

Kalugal’s mansion was much fancier than any building in the village, and its zip code was one of the most affluent in the country. The guy shouldn’t act so impressed, especially since they were only in the parking garage.

The place was massive, and the entire sci-fi entry through a tunnel was impressive, but the cars parked in it were mostly modest vehicles. Rufsur had spotted one Porsche, and that was it as far as luxury. Nothing here could compare to what Kalugal had in his garage.

Except, Ruvon’s gaping and Atzil’s groceries weren’t the real cause for his aggravation.

He’d hoped that Edna would come to greet him. Heck, he’d had a stupid fantasy of her accompanying the butler to the clan’s airstrip, and like in some stupid romantic movie, running into his arms the moment he stepped off the plane.

Instead, the butler had shown up with Jay and Theo, who’d slapped cuffs on Atzil and Ruvon’s wrists.

So much for romantic fantasies.

“It’s so pretty,” Atzil said as they walked out of the elevator. “A glass pavilion steeped in greenery. It looks like a fairytale.” He chuckled. “Where is the sleeping beauty for me to kiss?”

“There are plenty of them in the village,” Jacki said. “Not sleeping, but eagerly awaiting a prince to give them a kiss. You are going to be a hit.”

“What about me?” Ruvon asked.

“You too. Both of you should thank Rufsur for choosing you. This visit gives you an opportunity to meet clan ladies outside of the auction system.”

Both had signed up for it, so that wasn’t a problem, but losing a cook might be. If Atzil hooked up with a clan lady who wanted to stay in the village, they were going to lose the second most important member of their community, which was another reason to debate the wisdom of taking him along.

Who was going to replace him in the kitchen? Shamash?

Damn.

He was starting to think like Edna, focusing on the obstacles instead of on the big picture. Losing their cook would be unfortunate, but it was a minor inconvenience compared to what Atzil could gain.

Having an immortal mate who could bear him immortal children was the real fairytale happy ending that each of them hoped for.

While Atzil and Ruvon kept waxing poetic about the beauty of the village, Kian’s butler, who could be barely seen under the load of luggage and shopping bags he was carrying, headed outside and started loading the golf cart.

“Are we going to the house first?” Jacki asked.

Kalugal glanced at his watch. “Kian wanted to see me as soon as we arrived. I’ll take Rufsur with me to the meeting, and you can take Atzil and Ruvon to the house and get settled.” He turned to the two Guardians accompanying him. “What’s the procedure this time? Can we split up, and who will you go with?”

“I’ll accompany you to Kian’s office,” Jay said. “Theo will escort the rest of your party to the house.”

“Very well.”

Once the butler finished tying the cargo to the roof of the golf cart, he bowed to Jacki. “Madam, would you like to sit up front or in the back?”

As Jacki was about to hop onto the front seat, another cart stopped in front of the pavilion’s door, and Jin jumped down. “I figured that there wouldn’t be enough space in one golf cart for you and for the cargo.” She pulled Jacki into her arms. “The girls are waiting for you at the café.” She glanced at