the Odus rushed over with the carafe in hand. “Would you like more coffee, master?”
“Yes, please.” He lifted the cup for the Odu to refill.
The cyborgs were a useful bunch, and it was regrettable that Annani had refused to let William take one of them apart to discover how they worked.
If the materials they were made of were available, they could produce many more to serve the village.
Leaning back in his chair, Kalugal imagined every home with an Odu serving its occupants. But that would only be the beginning. They could be used as gardeners, garbage collectors, even construction workers. Kian would no longer have to bring in Chinese crews for building projects in the village.
Naturally, the technology should be closely guarded and not allowed to fall into the hands of humans, but as long as the cyborgs were confined to the village, that should be safe.
It was a nice dream, but it wasn’t going to happen. The goddess was either too fond of her servants to risk losing even one, or she feared what else might be done with them.
Perhaps he should engage Annani in a conversation regarding her Odus and try to convince her to reconsider by pointing out all the possible advantages.
“We should take a road trip to the nearby towns,” Amanda suggested.
Syssi shook her head. “I’d rather stay nearby in case Sari needs us. We can go to the lake again. That’s always fun.”
Kalugal glanced at his watch. “What is taking Jacki so long?”
“Sari is probably grilling her about her transition,” Syssi said. “She asked me a lot of questions, but I couldn’t answer most of them because I was unconscious during the start of mine, and I didn’t dream anything or hear anything that went on around me.”
“Same here,” Callie said. “I wasn’t unconscious the entire time, but I don’t remember much of it.”
Brundar wrapped his arm around her in a rare public display of affection. “You were injured and given strong painkillers.”
As the door flew open and Jacki came rushing out looking all flushed, Kalugal jumped to his feet and asked the question that was on everyone’s lips. “Did something happen to David?”
A happy grin spreading over her face, Jacki shook her head. “David is doing much better. He no longer needs the ventilator to breathe, and his other vitals are back to normal.”
“That’s fantastic,” Amanda said. “But why is your face all red? Did you run the entire way to tell us the good news?”
“Yes, but I have more.” Jacki turned to Kalugal and wrapped her arms around his neck. “We are pregnant.”
“I knew it.” Amanda clapped her hands. “Congratulations!”
Kalugal was aware of people slapping his back and congratulating him and Jacki, but he remained speechless.
Jacki frowned. “Say something.”
“How?”
She chuckled nervously. “Do you need me to tell you about the birds and the bees?”
“I mean, you are still transitioning. Bridget said to wait six months before we try.”
“She said that about using Merlin’s fertility potions. This happened naturally.”
“It’s the Fates’ will,” Kian said from behind him. “Count yourself lucky.”
Kalugal didn’t feel lucky. He felt anxious.
Terrified was more accurate.
He wanted a child, but he wanted Jacki more, and if pregnancy was dangerous to her because she was still transitioning, he would rather she aborted even if it meant never having children.
Jacki was his life.
“What did Bridget say? Is it safe for you?”
Understanding dawning, Jacki’s eyes softened. “She said that if my body accepted the pregnancy, then it was ready for it, and I should be fine. She suggested that we move into the village sooner rather than later, though, so she can keep an eye on me.”
Kalugal turned to look at Kian over his shoulder. “Do you mind if we move into the vacant existing houses until our section of the village is ready?”
“You are welcome to move in whenever you want.”
“I will bring most of my men with me.”
“That’s fine. You can bring all of them.”
“I have to leave several behind to keep packing my artifacts.”
Kian put his hand on his shoulder. “No worries, cousin. Whatever you need is yours.”
“Thank you.”
“This calls for a celebration.” Kian clapped him on the back. “I’m going to get us cigars and whiskey.”
Jacki laughed. “Isn’t it too early?”
“It’s never too early for that,” Anandur grinned.
Kalugal couldn’t care less. Lifting Jacki off the ground, he strode over to the nearest chair and sat down with her in his arms. “I would love to later, but now I want to be with my wife.” He kissed her gently.
“Are you