Page 65 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

Cassandra came over with another plate and handed it to Khiann.

Geraldine pulled a chair over and sat down beside him.

"You've met my grandson. Roni, over there, the one with the dark hair that needs trimming. He is a genius. There is no one better than him at infiltrating restricted information. And Sylvia, his mate, can turn off machines with her mind, or destroy them, depending on how strong a pulse she sends. Sometimes she does it on purpose when the Guardians need her help disabling equipment, but sometimes her ability leaks and things just go poof. That's why William prefers that she not visit Roni at his lab."

"Poof," Khiann repeated.

"Poof." Geraldine gestured with her arms. "Now, enough with the stories. Eat before it gets cold."

Khiann picked up the fork, took a bite of the brisket, and his eyebrows rose.

"You see?" Geraldine beamed. "I told you. That's the difference between a machine cooking and a person cooking. Love."

"It is very good."

Geraldine turned to Annani and waited until Annani took a bite herself. "Good, right?"

"Excellent."

That made her happy, and she leaned back in the chair. "I can keep telling you stories while you eat. Eric, my son-in-law, flies planes. He flew me to Scotland once. Have you been to Scotland? No, of course you haven't. You've been asleep." She laughed again, and it was impossible not to at least smile. "He used to be a pilot in the armed forces, but then he retired, bought a couple of planes, and started a little business. Then he met Darlene and discovered that he was a Dormant. After he turned immortal, he sold his planes, and now he flies for the clan. Tell me when you're full, and I'll stop."

Khiann looked at Annani over Geraldine's head and smiled. She gave him the tiniest shrug, telling him there was no stopping Geraldine once she was on a roll.

It was Kian who eventually rescued Khiann. He came over with Syssi and Shai, and then Allegra dragged Evie and E.T. over to see Khiann's chair.

"No, Evander." Syssi scooped him up. "The wheels are dirty. You don't put dirty things in your mouth."

"It's a constant battle," Shai said. "You can't leave anything within his reach."

"I have a question," Khiann said. "If you do not mind answering."

"Ask away. I am a walking, talking source of endless trivia."

Khiann smiled, but Annani had a feeling he did not get the joke. "You are Kian's assistant, correct?"

"Yes."

"What does an assistant do?"

"Everything," Kian said before Shai could answer. "He could run the clan tomorrow if he wanted to."

"That's not true," Shai said. "I might remember every detail of every deal and even make recommendations, but I don't have the sixth sense Kian has, and besides, I don't want the responsibility. I value my sleep."

"It is not a sixth sense," Kian said. "It is experience."

Shai nodded. "Perhaps. But you have that something extra. Making decisions comes naturally to you. It doesn't to me. If I had to run a business, I would be paralyzed with indecision."

Khiann nodded. "I would like to have an occupation," he said. "When I am able. Annani tells me that I used to be good at commerce, but I do not remember any of it. I cannot even read or write, so I cannot start learning."

"You will," Kian said. "Patience, Khiann. First, get back on your feet."

"Rome was not built in a day," Shai said.

"What is Rome?" Khiann asked.

"An empire that no longer exists, but the saying remains. To build something great takes time and patience."

"Cake," Alena called from the dining-room doorway. "It's time."