Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,92

you see in her eyes? Because all I see is resentment. The woman doesn’t trust me or like me.”

“That’s because you are indifferent to her and Rufsur’s plight.” Jacki sighed. “They just want to be together.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer against him. “You are young and a little naive.”

Jacki pulled away. “I might be young, but I’m far from naive. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth or a superpower that allowed me to control everyone around me and make shitloads of money. I had to fight for everything, and that included a peaceful night of sleep. So, don’t give me that crap. I’m a good judge of character, and Edna is a wonderful woman.”

“Ouch. I stand corrected.” He pulled her back. “Your life hasn’t been easy, but neither was mine. I grew up with a father who might have killed me if he realized the extent of my powers, and I had to fake my own death to escape him. But that’s neither here nor there. What I find suspicious about Edna is how quickly she has changed her mind. One day she was the loudest opponent of us even visiting the village, and the next she is lobbying for unification? Doesn’t it strike you as odd?”

“Not at all. Between then and now, she’s fallen in love with Rufsur. Before, it was a hypothetical situation for her, but now it’s personal. She wants to have a life with him, a family. You should have seen the envy in her eyes when Amanda and Syssi were talking about their pregnancies. She wants it too, and she is trying to find a way for her and Rufsur to be together.”

“I hope that’s the reason and that there is no hidden agenda.”

“Like what?”

“I refused her probe, so she and Kian know that there are things I don’t want them to know about, and as we discovered during Richard’s ceremony, Annani has the power of compulsion as well, even over me. If they get my men away from me, and especially Rufsur, they can find out whatever they want.”

Jacki frowned. “I didn’t think of that. Does that mean that we are not returning for the wedding?”

“We can’t do that without causing a diplomatic disaster. I don’t want the clan in my business, but I also don’t want them as my enemies.”

Jacki leaned forward and lifted her mug. “I think the same is true for Kian and Annani. They won’t compel you or Rufsur to reveal your secrets because they don’t want to lose you as an ally.”

“Annani can compel my cooperation.”

Jacki chuckled. “It’s kind of funny. Now that the shoe is on the other foot and it pinches, you can better understand how Kian felt.”

“I do, but that doesn’t help me to solve the problem. Any ideas?”

She huffed. “You must be really desperate to ask me for advice.”

“Why would you say that? You know that I value your opinion.”

“On human affairs, not immortal, and this problem is very specific to immortals. And not just any immortals, but those with the ability to compel others.”

“True, but since you are immune even to Annani’s power, you have an advantage over us.”

Jacki’s eyes widened. “That might be the solution. Turner is immune too, so there is one on each side. We can provide the buffer.”

“How exactly are you going to do that?”

“I don’t know yet, but I have a strong feeling that’s what we should concentrate our minds on.”

“You see? I was right to seek your advice.”

68

Rufsur

Edna stopped in front of the office building. “You don’t need to escort me upstairs.” She glanced at the café where Atzil and Ruvon were sitting with two clan females. “You can join your friends, just don’t ogle the ladies.”

“I would just cramp their style.” He leaned to kiss her cheek. “Are you sure that you have to work today? We are probably leaving this afternoon or later in the evening.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could take a day off, but Kian needs me to go over a couple of contracts, and tomorrow I have to be in my office in the city. There is only so much I can do via teleconferencing. I’ll try to be done quickly.”

“Can you take a lunch break?”

She smiled. “I can, but that would mean finishing later.”

“You have to eat. I don’t want you powering through your day without nourishment. I’ll come to get you at one. Deal?”

She laughed. “Deal. I’ll try to finish