Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,83

method appeared morally superior, his method was faster, more efficient, and might save humanity from annihilating itself along with the immortals living among them. Even if things never got to that critical stage, compared to Annani’s snail-paced efforts, his faster approach would save millions from needless suffering.

Nevertheless, Rufsur’s plight tugged at his heart, and Kalugal would love to find a solution for his friend. Perhaps he could convince Kian to let Edna go? After all, Annani could compel her to keep the clan’s secrets safe, so that shouldn’t be an issue. And as for her legal expertise, the clan must have members who’d studied law, and she could train one of them to take her place.

The question was how to present it to Kian without him overreacting and immediately assuming the worst about Kalugal’s intentions. His cousin had a short fuse, and he wasn’t the most rational person. Perhaps it was a good idea to bring it up while Turner was around. Which reminded him that he still hadn’t gotten to play chess with the guy.

A friendly game could provide the perfect opportunity for a casual discussion about the judge and her relationship with his lieutenant. Except, they were leaving shortly after dinner, so it wasn’t going to happen during this visit.

“I didn’t get the chance to play chess with Turner yet.” He lifted his glass and took a small sip of the superb whiskey. “Could you arrange it for our next visit?”

“Sure. Do you want to do it before or after the wedding?”

“Whatever works for both of you is fine with me.”

60

Rufsur

“I thought that we were invited to dinner,” Rufsur grumbled. “No one said anything about mingling for an hour before the food was served. I’m hungry.”

Dalhu just nodded.

The guy wasn’t much of a talker, which Rufsur usually appreciated, but right now, he would have loved to have Ruvon and Atzil entertain him with their stories about the fine clan ladies they’d met, or anything else for that matter.

He was in a nasty mood, and the bits and pieces of Kian and Kalugal’s conversation he was overhearing were not encouraging. The two were leisurely discussing hypotheticals like city-states and private islands.

It was nothing more than idle talk.

Kalugal had been almost dismissive of his problem, and the solution he’d offered wasn’t going to cost him a thing. After all they’d been through together, his so-called best friend wasn’t willing to bend even a little to help him.

“Are you usually so irate when you’re hungry?” Dalhu asked.

“It’s not the hunger.”

“Then what is it?”

“My boss is a selfish asshole.”

Raising a brow, Dalhu glanced at Kalugal. “Keep your voice down. He might hear you.”

“I don’t care. I’d say it to his face.”

“What brought this about? I thought that the two of you were friends.”

“We are, which makes it worse. I expected him to bend over backward to solve my problem. Instead, what I got was a shitty compromise. He graciously agreed to give me long weekends off so I could spend more time with Edna. But I know what will happen. There will always be something important for me to do that will make it impossible. I wonder what he would have done if our positions were reversed.”

“Is Edna your mate?”

Rufsur nodded. “I think so. We haven’t had enough time together for me to be sure of that, but I’ve never felt about a woman the way I feel about her.” He looked at the sliding doors, but the sun was reflecting off the glass, and he couldn’t see inside. “When I first saw Jacki, I flirted with her. I even competed with Kalugal for her attention. When she didn’t give me the time of day, I was disappointed, even a little angry. I thought that I had feelings for her. But after meeting Edna, I realize how shallow those feelings were.”

“It’s understandable. Jacki is very pretty, and she seems like a nice person too.” Dalhu glanced at Kalugal. “How did your boss react to you flirting with his mate?”

“He didn’t like it.”

“That’s all?” Dalhu snorted. “Then he must like you a lot. You might not realize it yet, but immortal males get extremely possessive. If anyone looks at Amanda with lust in their eyes, I feel like tearing him limb from limb. That’s why I don’t visit her at the university. It’s not safe for her students.”

As the guy talked, his eyes started glowing, and his fangs elongated, both giving credence to his claim.

“What if a good friend of yours looked at