The furniture was modern and sleek but warm, crafted from exotic woods and lacquered. It wasn't ostentatious, but there was a subtle display of wealth in the quality of the materials and the attention to detail. Eluheed suspected this had more to do with the clan's interior designer than the leader of the clan.
Kian rose from behind his desk as they entered, gesturing toward the conference table. "Please, have a seat."
As Kian joined Eluheed at the oblong table, Shai set the paper bag in front of his boss. "Bon appétit."
"Thank you, Shai." Kian reached inside and pulled out a couple of pastries. He offered one to Eluheed. "The café offers excellent almond croissants."
"Thank you." Eluheed accepted the pastry, though he'd just eaten a similar one, and his stomach was tied in knots.
"I'll be back with coffee in a moment," Shai said. "How do you take yours?" he asked Eluheed.
"Black, please."
Shai nodded and disappeared, leaving them alone.
Eluheed took the opportunity to study Kian more closely. The clan's leader was exceptionally good-looking and well-dressed. His light brown hair fell in soft waves to his shoulders, but that was the only soft thing about him. His blue eyes were intelligent and intense. Kian was not someone to trifle with, but he wasn't an aggressor or a tyrant either.
It showed in the casual way he'd offered the pastry, in the assistant who treated him more like a friend than a superior.
Kian served his community. The community didn't serve Kian.
"At the party, you mentioned needing a rescue and significant resources. I was sufficiently intrigued to grant you an audience. Now is your chance to present your case."
Kian was implying that Eluheed shouldn't waste his time and should start talking.
Before he could respond, Shai returned with two cups of coffee, setting one in front of each of them. "Anything else?"
"That's all for now," Kian said. "Thank you, Shai."
The assistant nodded and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
Eluheed lifted his coffee cup, bringing it to his lips and using the moment to gather his thoughts. How much should he reveal? Kian seemed trustworthy, but seeming and being were not the same thing. He'd survived this long by being cautious and keeping his secrets locked up.
But caution had also kept him from retrieving his charges, which was a dereliction of his sacred duty.
He was at an impasse.
Breaking his silence and sharing his secret was also a form of betraying his vows, but when the choice was between doing something other than praying for a miracle, he'd rather be doing something. He had no choice but to take a leap of faith.
An educated leap of faith, which meant that he needed to find out more about Kian and his character, and the fastest way to do that was a reading.
"Before I share what I came to discuss," Eluheed said, "I would like to offer a gesture of goodwill."
Kian arched an eyebrow. "What kind of gesture?"
"My gift allows me to see things. Sometimes the past, sometimes the future, and sometimes dangerous plots before they have a chance to materialize." Eluheed met Kian's eyes steadily. "I could find out if anyone is plotting against you, if there are threats you're not aware of."
Kian chuckled. "The only one plotting against me is currently lying paralyzed in our clinic. I'm not particularly worried about anyone else. I know about the service you provided to Navuh, but I'm not him. My people are not planning to turn on me."
Eluheed assumed that Areana had told Kian about the service he had provided to Navuh. No one had debriefed him since he'd arrived at the village, which he found odd. He should have been questioned.
"Sometimes I see more than plots." Eluheed smiled. "Sometimes I see love interests, weddings, and future children."
Kian looked intrigued. "I've already found my one and only, and I've already had a beautiful wedding, but Syssi and I would love to have another child. Perhaps a boy this time just to even things out. I would be overjoyed to have another daughter, but Syssi really wants a boy."
"Then perhaps I can offer some insight. If you're willing. I will need to touch you to get a reading."
"Do you go around randomly touching people? Taking their measure without their knowledge?"
