Something shifted in Jade's energy, a subtle closing off, like a door being shut.
"General threats," she said. "Humans discovering us. Government agencies getting too curious. Various dangers that come with trying to live secretly in a world increasingly filled with surveillance technology."
Eluheed didn't believe that was the whole truth. There was something else, something she wasn't saying. But he wasn't in a position to challenge her, not when they were entirely dependent on the goodwill of these people.
"You're so thin," Sarah blurted out, then flushed. "I'm sorry, that was rude. I just mean—your waists are so tiny. Why is that?"
"The Kra-ell live on blood," Jade explained. "Animal blood," she added quickly when Sarah gasped. "Our digestive system is far more efficient than yours. We extract every possible nutrient, waste almost nothing. We simply don't need as much internal space for food processing as you do."
That actually made sense to Eluheed. In his travels, he'd encountered various people with different dietary adaptations. Some desert tribes could survive on minimal water. Some mountain people had enhanced lung capacity. Why not a species that had evolved to process blood with maximum efficiency?
"Fascinating as this anatomy lesson is," Anandur said, "we should discuss logistics. Once Lord Navuh is stable enough for transport, which we are told should be in the next twelve to eighteen hours, we're leaving. Another plane is en route to pick us up. The one we arrived on isn't large enough to carry everyone, and it doesn't have the medical equipment necessary to keep Navuh alive during the flight."
Eluheed noted the careful phrasing. They expected Navuh to survive, at least in the short term.
"California," Rolenna said, and there was wonder in her voice. "I've read about it. The Pacific Ocean. Hollywood. San Francisco."
"The village isn't far from those places," Yamanu said. "It's hidden in the mountains, deliberately isolated, but you'll be able to tour whatever you please."
The ladies were excited. They'd seen movies and read books depicting a world they could only dream of joining. Now that world was opening up to them.
"What about Navuh and Areana?" Tamira asked. "Are they also going to the village?"
Eluheed couldn't see the clan bringing someone as dangerous as Navuh to their safe space. Even badly injured and at death's door, that male shouldn't be allowed anywhere near their civilians.
"They are not," Anandur said. "We are taking them to a secure medical facility in a different location. Areana is naturally free to join the rest of you in the village, but she wants to stay with her mate."
"What about us?" Eluheed asked. "Tony and me. We're not related to you. We are not the immortal descendants of gods."
Anandur's grin was sudden and unexpectedly warm. "You're joining the ladies, of course."
Relief flooded through Eluheed. He'd been prepared to beg if necessary, to offer his services as a shaman, to promise anything in exchange for the clan's help to find his sacred charges. Hedidn't know yet if they would help him, but at least they were not turning him away.
"Tony." Anandur turned toward the guy, his grin widening. "You're going to find a surprise waiting for you in the village. An old friend of yours who went to great lengths to search for you after you had disappeared."
Tony blinked, confusion evident on his face. "What? Who?"
"Your old colleague, Kaia."
The name hung in the air like a struck bell.
Eluheed heard Tula's sharp intake of breath.
He remembered Kaia from the vision he'd had of Tony’s life before he’d gotten lured to the island. The guy had been in love with her.
"Kaia," Tony repeated, his voice an octave higher than usual. "What is she doing in the village?"
"She is an immortal now," Yamanu said. "She met one of ours, they fell in love, and she discovered that she was a Dormant. William induced her transition."
Tony's face fell for a moment but then brightened. "I'm happy for her. I can't wait to see her and the guy who captured her heart."
Eluheed glanced at Tula, expecting her to be relieved that Kaia was no longer a competitor, but she looked disappointed instead.
He turned to Yamanu. "When do we leave?"
"As soon as the second plane arrives and Lord Navuh is stable enough for transport," Anandur said. "Twelve to eighteen hours, like I said. In the meantime, we'll get you all settled in the quarters here. You can rest, clean up properly, get your things laundered, and get used to the idea of freedom."
If there were two planes, why not send everyone other than Navuh and Areana and a small team of Guardians to the village? Eluheed wanted to ask but decided to keep quiet. They must have their reasons. Perhaps they weren't ready to absorb so many new people in their village and needed time to arrange accommodation for them.
