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The truth was that he had no idea how he would pull any of it off. The entire clan, including the Kra-ell and Kalugal's people, numbered in the hundreds, and most of them were not trained in undercover work. Even those who were, like Mey and Eva, wouldn't want to leave the comfort and security of the village to embark on missions abroad.

Kian needed a damn miracle.

"Okay, people." He pushed to his feet. "We are not going to solve the entire global mess in one sitting, and we all have things to do."

As people began to stand, he offered handshakes and pats on the shoulder in reassurance he didn't feel.

Once everyone left, he exhaled, letting the tension slip from his shoulders. He walked to the wall of windows behind his desk and looked out over the village. The café was busy as always, with people sitting around the small tables, chatting, drinking their coffees, and eating their sandwiches or pastries. Two Kra-ell children were on the swings in the playground, while their mothers sat on a nearby bench. Everything seemed so normal and serene, while the world outside their small haven was unraveling.

Kian stared at the trees, the gently waving greenery, and thought of nuclear fallout leveling entire cities. The imagery in his mind was too ghastly to contemplate, but ignoring it was foolhardy.

Such an unimaginable outcome would be the real cost of inaction. A cost none could afford to pay.

He pressed a palm against the cool glass of the window, letting the sunlight warm him from the other side, and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

Despite his two millennia of experience, he was still constantly challenged with new, unprecedented, and seemingly more daunting threats.

This new chapter in the clan's history might mean stepping out from the shadows onto the global stage. Perhaps not openly, but in the same clandestine manner the Doomers had been operating for thousands of years.

7

ANNANI

Annani sat on the terrace behind her house, enjoying the fresh morning air. It was crisp, carrying the fresh green scent from the surrounding mountains, and usually it was enough to bring her peace even when her mind was troubled, but not today.

Ogidu stepped outside, holding a tray with a cold bottle of sparkling water, a tall glass with several ice cubes, and two chocolate chip cookies on a small plate. "I brought these for you to taste, Clan Mother."

"Thank you." Annani reached for one of the fragrant cookies that were still warm from the oven. "I am sure it will brighten my day."

"Is there anything else you require, Clan Mother?" he asked.

"No, thank you." Annani smiled at him. "Is everything ready?"

He dipped his head. "I have prepared a selection of juices for the children and teas for the older family members. Would you like me to bring them out here when your guests arrive?"

"Yes, please. It is a lovely day, and it would be a waste to spend it inside."

The younger children would appreciate the freedom of the outdoors instead of sitting still on the living room couch or at the dining room table, which reminded her that there was not enough seating for Kyra's large family.

"Can you please bring a blanket to spread over the grass for the children?"

"That is a wonderful idea, Clan Mother. I will do so expeditiously."

As Ogidu retreated inside, Annani's smile faded, her thoughts returning to her grandmother and her concern for the queen of Anumati.

The Eternal King had sent his wife on a so-called diplomatic tour of the Anumatian colonies, and the queen could not take Aria with her without it looking too suspicious. Ani, Annani, and Sofringhati had debated for days whether the queen should attempt to include Aria in her entourage. Still, it had been Ani's final decision not to take Aru's twin for fear of exposing her importance.

The king was far too shrewd not to suspect something, especially given the almost daily visits of the queen to the Supreme Oracle's temple.

Aru and Aria had created a bridge between worlds, enabling communication between Ani and Annani, and keeping that connection a secret was vital.

Annani had learned much about the political landscape of Anumati and the threat posed by the Eternal King. Most importantly, though, Annani had found an ally and a confidant in her grandmother.

She missed their nightly sessions, and she worried about the Eternal King's motives. When her grandfather wanted someone removed without political complications, he sent them on missions to dangerous colonies where deadly misfortune could befall a god with plausible deniability of any wrongdoing.

The king controlled the media, so news of such misfortunes was usually contained, but Annani hoped that her grandmother could not be easily eliminated without causing a major uproar. Not only was Ani loved by the people of Anumati, but she was also the representative of the noble families controlling all major manufacturing conglomerates. Even the king would think twice before daring to anger them. Those royal families were his power base, and he could not afford to lose their support.

That being said, the Eternal King was notoriously paranoid, constantly searching for traitors in his inner circle, so if he had even the slightest suspicion that his wife was plotting behind his back, he would find a way to get rid of her.