"Should we start eliminating them now?" One of the eight asked for the others.
"That's actually a good idea, but we can't make it look like assassinations."
"Accidents?" Dave asked.
"Yes, but not here on the island, where they could be investigated. We should start with those who are currentlyabroad and then send others to replace them once they are dealt with."
28
ANNANI
Ogidu entered Annani's receiving room and bowed. "Master Kian is here to see you, Clan Mother."
She set her tablet aside and smoothed the silk of her gown, waiting for her son to enter.
"Good evening, Mother." Kian walked to where she was sitting and kissed the cheek she offered. "I apologize for not calling in advance. I hope it's okay."
She smiled. "You know that you are always welcome." She patted the spot next to her on the couch. "In fact, I would love it if you stopped by my house every evening on your way home, but I know that your time is limited, and you want to spend it with your wife and daughter." She leaned away and regarded him with a smile. "I assume that you want to discuss something with me that you thought was not appropriate for the phone."
A slight smile tugged at his lips. "You know me too well."
"I raised you. I should hope I know you."
"Areana and the others are on their way," Kian said. "Areana and Navuh are with the Guardians on Kalugal's jet. Tula, with the other ladies and the two humans, are with Yamanu on the clan's plane. They'll arrive tomorrow."
Annani was aware of that, but hearing it again made it more real somehow. She was going to see her sister. The weekly calls they had established since Carol had infiltrated the harem a couple of years ago could never bridge the chasm of time and distance that separated her and Areana. Tomorrow, she would finally hold her sister in her arms for the first time in five thousand years.
Her hand rose to her chest. "I cannot wait to introduce her to Ell-rom and Morelle. I could not tell her about them before, but now I finally can. She will be so excited to discover that we have another half-brother and sister." She chuckled. "Our father was quite fruitful for a god. I must have inherited my excellent fertility from him."
Annani had given birth to five children, which was unheard of for a goddess, and if the soothsayer was right, she would have two more once she found Khiann.
"Good times." Kian smiled. "We've captured Navuh, we have a chance to finally halt the global rot he cultivated, and you have your sister back. I feel hopeful about the future for a change."
Annani laughed. "To hear you say that gladdens my heart, but as we both know, Navuh was the small big bad wolf. The real big bad wolf is on Anumati, plotting the Fates know what. I have not heard from my grandmother in months, and I am worried about her. "
Ani, the queen of Anumati, had embarked on a long tour of the colonies, not because she had been eager to do so but becausethe Eternal King had demanded it of her. He either suspected her of plotting against him or had some other nefarious reason for getting her out of Anumati. The good news was that Aru had not heard from his twin Aria, which meant that the queen was not dead. Otherwise, all Anumatians would have been informed of her passing, and Aria would have contacted her brother telepathically to let him know.
Kian nodded. "I didn't forget about the Eternal King, but he's a worry for the future. Navuh and his spreading rot was an immediate concern. It still is. Whoever has taken over for him on the island is keeping the order because we didn't pick up any signs of fighting, and everything seems to be business as usual over there."
Annani frowned. "One of his adopted sons could have taken over. Have you spoken with Lokan about it?"
"He says the only one who could possibly hold it together is Losham, but there must be more to it because the other brothers would not have accepted Losham as their new leader without a fight."
"I wish we had a spy in there."
Kian smiled. "Turner is working on it. With all the foreign construction workers on the island, it's possible to smuggle in a spy, just not an immortal one."
"We are so fortunate to have Turner." Annani lifted her hand to signal Ogidu. "Would you like some tea, Kian?"
"I would love some. Just no snacks. Syssi is expecting me for dinner."
Ogidu bowed. "I shall have tea ready momentarily."
"Thank you." Annani smiled at her Odu and turned her attention back to Kian. "Let us worry about the war of succession on the Doomers' island some other time. Right now, we need to focus on welcoming the new members of our community. I assume you or Amanda have spoken with Ingrid about their accommodations?"
He nodded. "Ingrid is preparing a house for Tamira and Elias, and one for Tula and Tony. The other ladies will share two three-bedroom homes. Hopefully, they will find partners among our bachelors, and we will have to allocate more homes to them."
"Good times," Annani repeated Kian's phrase from before.
