but it would have to wait for later.
David shrugged the shirt on. “Who is going to tell her about the Olek and Gudbrand confusion? You or I?”
“It’s your story, so you should be the one to tell it. But if you want, I’ll start, and you can just fill in the missing details.”
He stepped into a pair of shoes and pushed his pants a little lower so there was no gap between the hem and the shoes. “It’s okay, I’ll do it. I only hope that she doesn’t get too upset.”
“She won’t. Annani is eager to welcome you into the family, and she even brought a huge flower arrangement.”
“Maybe she does that to welcome every transitioned Dormant.”
“I doubt it.” Sari threaded her arm through David’s. “I think she’s going to be as relieved as we are that you were not Gudbrand.”
“I hope that you’re right.”
61
David
When David entered the living room together with Sari, they were welcomed with a round of applause.
Amanda and Dalhu had already arrived as well, and he wondered whether Kalugal had been informed about his successful transition.
Annani rose to her feet and opened her arms. “Welcome to the family, David.”
He didn’t want to embrace her, but to refuse was out of the question.
“Thank you. I’m just glad to be alive. The immortality is a bonus.”
Kian clapped him on the back. “Wait until all the good stuff kicks in. Then you will really be grateful for the gift you’ve been given.”
“Speaking of gifts. Has Kalugal been told? I owe him a big thank you for everything.”
“He and Jacki are coming.” Kian sat back next to Syssi. “I don’t know if Sari told you the other good news. Jacki and Kalugal are expecting.”
As David’s heart made a happy flip, his legs lost their solid footing, and he swayed. What if Jonah reincarnated as Jacki and Kalugal’s baby?
He felt as if the stars had aligned and the cosmic order had righted itself. It had to be so.
Sari caught his elbow and steadied him. “Are you alright?” She regarded him with concern in her eyes. “You look paler than usual.”
“I need to sit down.”
She led him to an armchair and sat down with him. “What happened?”
“Jonah,” he murmured. “I have a feeling he’s going to come back to me sooner than I thought.”
Sari nodded. “Fates willing.”
Amanda regarded them both with curious eyes. “Don’t leave us in the dark. Who is Jonah, and what’s his story?”
As David cleared his throat and readied to answer, the door opened and Ojidu came in, rolling a cart in front of him. Kalugal and Jacki were right behind him.
“Congratulations.” A big grin spreading over his face, Kalugal walked up to David and offered him his hand. “I knew that you would make it. How are you feeling?”
“A little dazed.”
“Congratulations,” Jacki said. “To both of you.” She smiled at Sari. “I can imagine how relieved you are.”
Kian pulled out two chairs for the newcomers. “Take a seat. David was just about to tell us an interesting story.”
“Before I do that, I hear that congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you,” Jacki said.
How was he going to tell them that he believed his brother was going to be reborn as their baby?
It was only a feeling, which could be more like wishful thinking than a premonition. He had no proof, and if he told them what he believed, they might get upset.
“So, what’s the story with Jonah?” Amanda asked again. “And how is he connected to Jacki and Kalugal’s baby.”
Damn. Now he had no choice.
“Jonah was my twin brother, and he died five years ago. I’m hoping that he will reincarnate in the clan. Perhaps even as your baby.”
“Was he a good man?” Jacki asked.
“He was charming, brilliant, and driven.” He didn’t add that Jonah had lacked compassion and had been arrogant and self-absorbed. His brother might be different the next time around.
“My kind of guy,” Kalugal said. “I’m not sure I believe in reincarnation, though.”
“What I’m about to tell you might convince you.” David clasped Sari’s hand. “Jonah came to me while I was in a coma. He told me that we have reincarnated many times as brothers, or good friends, or as father and son.” He looked at Annani. “The Clan Mother knew us as Gudbrand and Olek.”
Annani’s eyes widened. “Jonah was Olek?”
“No. Jonah was Gudbrand. I was Olek.”
Those who knew the story looked just as stunned as he’d expected them to be, and the goddess seemed doubtful.
“How can that be? You have dreamt about me. I had