Dark Secrets Unveiled (The Children of the Gods #45) - I.T. Lucas Page 0,43

connection to the past. But all he had were dreams of someone who looked like you, and the situations were taken from a fiction book he read.”

Alena cast her a sidelong glance. “Kian has a good point. Perhaps we both got carried away. While listening to you tell the story, I automatically cast David in the role of Gudbrand, but we really have no proof that it was him.”

Annani welcomed the doubt. It would be in everyone’s best interest if she could convince herself that David was not Gudbrand. David was Sari’s mate, and there should be no awkwardness between them, which would be difficult to do if they thought that he had been Annani’s lover in his previous life.

“You are both right.” She smiled. “I have been blessed with smart children.”

Kian arched a brow. “Wow. I didn’t expect you to agree with me. But back to the issue of your blessing. I think that you should do it as soon as possible and not wait for things to get critical. It’s not going to be as easy as the other times, and it requires planning.”

Annani chuckled. “There was nothing easy about helping Turner, but I had so much fun working with you on that.” Her smile wilted. “But despite my blessing, he remained unconscious for a very long time. I hope David will do better.”

“Turner had cancer,” Kian pointed out. “David is healthy. That makes a big difference.”

“What is your plan this time, my son?”

“There are a couple of complications. First, there is a camera in the room that transmits information over the Wi-Fi connection to an application that Sari and Steven can watch live on their phones, and it also records everything. But even if I could sabotage the camera or the internet connection, Sari refuses to leave David’s side. If you insist, she will become suspicious. The third complication is Bridget. She’s too smart and skeptical to believe in the power of blessings, and she is already suspicious because of Turner’s miraculous healing.”

Annani shrugged. “I am the Clan Mother, and I can demand that the camera is turned off and that everyone leaves the clinic while I give my blessing to David. I do not need to explain my reasons to anyone.”

Given Kian’s sour expression, he did not agree. “You have an enormous secret to hide, Mother, and despite your diva reputation, people will think that your insistence on total privacy is suspicious and will start wondering why. We don’t want them to wonder. We want them to see or hear you chant a blessing and assume that nothing else is going on because they believe that they can see and hear everything.”

Annani crossed her arms over her chest. “I was alone in the room with each of the Dormants I helped, and no one questioned that. Why would David be any different?”

“Mother has a point,” Alena said. “In fact, it will look strange if she did things differently this time. We can ask for the camera to be turned off and for everyone to leave David’s room. They can wait outside and listen to the verbal blessing, but they won’t see what you are doing.”

Kian raked his fingers through his hair. “I wish I had Sylvia’s talent and could disable the camera.”

“Next to all that medical equipment?” Alena snorted. “That would be so reckless.”

As Oshidu refilled Annani’s cup with fresh coffee, she took a few sips and then put it down. “Here is what we are going to do.” She turned to Kian. “I will tell Sari that since I am leaving soon, I want to give David a blessing today. It will need to happen during dinner time, when most of the castle residents are in the dining room. I will tell Sari that she has to lead them in a prayer for David’s successful transition at the same time that I am giving him my private blessing. That way, she will be busy when I am with him.”

Alena nodded. “I will make sure she does that. Kian can take care of turning the camera off and keeping Steven and Bridget busy.”

30

Eleanor

“Please, sit down.” William motioned to the two dusty chairs in front of his desk.

Eleanor wiped the seat with her hand.

She had done the same thing the other time she and Kri had first sat in his office to discuss testing the virtual machines. They shouldn’t have gotten so dirty already.

William’s office was a cramped little room at the back of a huge hall,