Areana pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
The SUV followed the ambulance down a spiraling ramp that led deeper and deeper underground. They passed level after level of parking, for the building's human residents, no doubt. But they kept descending until they reached what appeared to be the bottom level.
This one was different. A heavy gate blocked the entrance to the parking area, but as the ambulance stopped in front of it, it slid open, allowing both vehicles through.
Kalugal parked, and Areana was out of the SUV before he turned off the engine. She rushed toward the ambulance where Julian and the nurse were unloading Navuh's gurney.
His chest rose and fell, aided by the breathing tube down his throat. He looked so vulnerable, stripped of all the power and presence that made him who he was.
Hildegard opened a door labeled as Maintenance, and she and Julian maneuvered the gurney through.
Her family followed through the same door, and when the entire group was in, Julian locked the door behind them. "We are heading to the clinic."
"We'll wait for you in the penthouse," Kalugal said. "Annani is already there, so try to wrap things up here quickly." He glanced at the gurney and the prone figure on it, and his lips twisted in a grimace. "You don't need to stay by his side. He doesn't even register your presence."
Areana turned to look at him. "Don't you want to escort him to the clinic?"
Kalugal's jaw tightened. "No. I don't."
"Kalugal—"
"I don't want Darius near him. I don't want him to be frightened."
Navuh looked scary with all the tubes and wires attached to him, and his sickly pallor. Kalugal was right about that, but shehad a feeling that wasn't the reason he didn't want little Darius anywhere near his grandfather.
She nodded. "I understand. I'll meet you at the penthouse in a few minutes."
They separated at the elevators, her sons and their families heading up toward the penthouse levels, while Areana followed the medical staff toward the clinic.
The elevator descended rather than rose, carrying her deeper underground. When the doors opened, she stepped into a utilitarian corridor that was designed for function without giving much thought to aesthetics. Concrete walls, fluorescent lighting, and cameras mounted at regular intervals. Someone had tried to soften the look by hanging art reproductions at even intervals, and it helped a little, but the place still looked stark.
A tall man and a short woman were waiting for them further down the corridor, and as they neared their destination, she recognized Kian from the video call Anandur arranged for her and Annani on the submarine. Given the white coat the redheaded woman was wearing over casual clothes, she was the doctor.
"Areana." Kian smiled and stepped forward to greet her.
"Kian." She accepted his brief embrace. "Thank you for allowing this, and for everything else. I'm forever in your debt."
"Nonsense. I'll accept nothing but love from you. We are family, and we take care of each other."
It was such a nice thing to say that Areana felt tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. "You have my love and my gratitude, nephew of mine." She stretched on her toes and kissed his cheek.
He looked a little uncomfortable with the display of affection, but he recovered quickly. "Let me introduce Doctor Bridget."
The redhead stepped forward with a warm smile. "Lady Areana. I am glad to see you free at last and reunited with your family."
Another punch to the gut, every word a tent-pole of her new reality.
Free at last.
Reunited with her family.
Behind them, Julian cleared his throat. "Can we continue with the pleasantries later? I have a patient in critical condition waiting to be admitted."
Kian's gaze shifted to the gurney where Navuh lay, giving him a brief, perfunctory glance, but that split second was enough for Areana to see the derision and disgust Kian felt toward him.
Her stomach twisted. She shouldn't expect mercy for Navuh from Kian. From any of them. The only reason Navuh was still alive was that Annani had commanded it.
"Mother is anxiously waiting for you upstairs." Kian returned his attention to her. "You should go."
