Dark Secrets Unveiled (The Children of the Gods #45) - I.T. Lucas Page 0,25

for your clan members, a summer retreat. That way, you’ll get to see your beloved Scotland anytime you want, and those who need time away from their nosy mothers could come to vacation here as well.”

David’s suggestions made sense, but what she’d told him hadn’t been the only considerations entering the equation.

Sari sighed. “If I move my people into the village, I’ll become Kian’s second-in-command again, and I’m not looking forward to getting demoted. I like my independence here. On the other hand, it’s selfish of me to deny my people’s wishes because of such a petty consideration. Perhaps I need to put it to a vote and see how many are interested in moving across the pond.”

“What about the businesses that you run in Europe?”

“Nowadays, everything can be done via the internet. And if needed, I can fly over once in a while to check on things in person.” She cupped his cheek. “Would it be better for you if I moved to the States?”

“Definitely, but don’t do that on my account.” He covered her hand on his cheek and leaned into it. “I want you to be happy, and I don’t want you to make any sacrifices for me. My home is with you. I can find a way to continue my research from here.”

17

David

Sari smiled. “I don’t know much about being a couple, but I know it’s not fair to ask one partner to make all the sacrifices. I’ll give moving to California some more thought and talk it over with Kian. Perhaps we can divide duties between us, so we don’t step on each other’s toes.”

“What about your mother’s place? From what you’ve told me, she has a sanctuary in some extremely well-hidden location that not even you or your siblings know how to get to.”

Sari nodded. “Alena knows, but she lives with my mother. Other than the two of them, only Annani’s Odus know how to get there, and they operate the airplanes that shuttle people in and out of the sanctuary.”

“How many live there?”

“Not many. I think there are only seventy-two members at this time.”

“Can they house more people if need be?”

“It’s not a large space, so the only way to add to it would be going underground.” She waved a hand. “But that’s a question that should be addressed to the sanctuary’s architect. The place is an enclosed bio-dome, with fine-tuned ecology, so it might be designed for a specific number of people.”

Sari hadn’t told him much about her mother’s place, only that it was a paradise-like hidden treasure with beautiful gardens and waterfalls.

David would love to see that marvel and learn about the technology that kept it so well-hidden. In fact, he would love to see Kian’s village as well and talk to the genius guy who’d designed its sophisticated camouflage and supposedly impenetrable security system.

According to Sari, the only weakness of their defense system was their air space. In case of an aerial attack, they could retreat into their extensive underground facility, but it was designed as a bomb shelter and not a long-term living solution. They could hold up in there for a long time, though, albeit uncomfortably.

In comparison, the castle was exposed. If someone made it through the perpetual shroud that Sari’s people maintained over the place, they would have no protection.

He frowned. “Immortals are not affected by the shroud, correct? Only humans.”

Sari nodded.

“So the Doomers would not be affected by it, and they could find your castle. That’s not safe. Your brother and your mother have extraordinary security measures while you have practically none.”

“We are very careful. Most of the castle residents work from home, so there is very little traffic going in and out.”

“What about hunting for hookups? There is a lot of nighttime traffic.”

The more David thought about it, the more worried he became. Unless Sari wasn’t telling him about some major security measures that could be employed in case of an attack, she and her people were sitting ducks.

He felt his pulse quicken with worry.

“There is that, but again, we are careful.”

Sweat starting to bead on his forehead, he gripped her hand. “Tell me that you have one hell of a defense plan in case of an attack.”

“Of course, we do. You were asleep on the way here, so you didn’t notice, but there are several bridges along the way. With the touch of a button, we can collapse each of them, making it impossible for vehicles to get here. That still leaves us exposed