In a way, Navuh was grateful that Lokan had managed to flee successfully. If he had been caught, Navuh would have been forced to execute him. A leader could not show weakness by sparing a traitor, not even his own son, and Areana would never have forgiven him for that.
Perhaps he would never have forgiven himself either.
But that was in the past. Right now, he needed to focus on the present and the complication created by Losham. Getting Khiann out now would be much more complicated, and without getting Annani's mate to her, Navuh wasn't getting his freedom.
"How did you find out about the traps being sprung?" he asked.
Annani's expression didn't even flicker. "We have our ways."
They definitely had a spy on the island. The question was whether this spy was someone whom Losham trusted, and who had access to sensitive information. It could also be a low-level operative who had heard the explosions and managed to communicate with the outside world.
Either way, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Navuh had always assumed the island was impenetrable, its communications monitored and controlled, and its inhabitants compelled to obey.
Apparently, he had been wrong.
Again.
He hadn't foreseen his own son betraying him either.
"Since you seem to know what's happening on my island," he said as casually as he could, "perhaps you could fill me in on the details? I've been somewhat out of the loop lately."
Annani chuckled at that. "Really? You expect me to update you on the state of your island?"
He shrugged, enjoying finally being able to move his shoulders. "I thought you might enjoy gloating. I'm certain nothing good is happening over there, especially after the breach. Losham is going to have to fight for his life."
That got a reaction, not from Annani, whose composure remained infuriatingly perfect, but from her son.
Kian, who until now had been standing near the door and playing the part of a wall ornament, took a step forward so he was in Navuh's line of sight. "Why would Losham have to fight for his life?"
Navuh arched an eyebrow. "I thought you knew what was happening on my island."
"We know some things. Not everything."
"Clearly." Navuh let the word hang in the air for a moment, savoring the small victory. They had a spy, yes, but he had to be low-level, perhaps one of the many humans currently working on the island.
With Navuh gone, Losham had human construction crews arriving to perform repairs and no one to compel them into silence. That provided the clan with ample opportunity to sneak in a spy, but a human wouldn't know much of value. He could report on whether the place was orderly or if fighting had brokenout, and he could report on the explosions in the mansion, but not much more than that.
Still, it was more than Navuh had at the moment.
"If you tell me what you know, perhaps I can fill in the gaps."
Kian's jaw tightened. "That's not how this works."
"Isn't it?" Navuh shifted on the bed, enjoying the fact that he could actually shift now. He was regaining more functionality every day, his immortal body slowly healing the massive damage it had sustained. Hopefully, he would be able to walk again in a matter of weeks, not months as Bridget had predicted. "You came here for information. I have information. It seems to me that an exchange would benefit both parties."
Kian was about to answer when Annani lifted her hand to stop him. "I came here for answers about Khiann. I want to know if there is any chance that he survived the collapse."
Navuh studied her for a long moment. The goddess was good at hiding her emotions, but he was an excellent observer, and he could see the cracks in her armor that she was struggling to hide. She held herself too still, too rigid, as if any movement might reveal her panic.
She was terrified, and beneath the fear there was also a desperate hope that she was trying very hard to suppress.
"Of course, he survived," Navuh said, waving a dismissive hand.
The hope in her eyes flared so bright it was almost painful to witness. "How?"
"Does not matter. What matters is that it is now much more difficult to retrieve Khiann because the entrance to his chamberis blocked by tons of debris. Did you really think I would risk damaging my most valuable bargaining chip? Khiann and his companions are perfectly safe."
He could see the hope spark in Annani's eyes, and he couldn't help but pity her just a little despite hating her and everything she stood for.
