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Arezoo's face fell, but she didn't argue with her mother.

Kyra herself still wasn't sure about what she was supposed to do in the village. Everyone had to contribute in some way, but Max encouraged her to take her time and figure out what she wanted to do.

Working for Eva's detective agency appealed to her, but she wasn't ready to take on a full-time job that would take her away from the village for days. Her relationship with Max was too new to take breaks from, and she'd just found her daughter, her sisters, and even a new cousin.

Besides, Max was more than happy to cover any and all of her expenses, which were relatively modest. She hadn't ordered anything new since returning from the mission, and now that Jasmine had forced her to take a small portion of the clothing in her overstuffed closet, Kyra wouldn't need to go shopping anytime soon.

She could allow herself to be a little spoiled for a while. It was okay not to be one hundred percent self-reliant at all times.

"Everyone has been so nice here," Arezoo said. "But I still feel shy about asking people if they need a babysitter. They don't know whether they can trust me with their kids. It's an awkward situation. Besides, I mostly stay home with my mother, sisters, and cousins."

"I know someone you should meet," Kyra said. "You've met her, but you were so out of it when we were rescued that you probably forgot about her. Her name is Drova, and she was part of the rescue team that got us out of that hellhole. She's a Kra-ell, a bit younger than you, but she's a powerful compeller, which is why she's training to become a Guardian despite her young age."

Interest sparked in Arezoo's eyes, but then her shoulders slumped. "What could I possibly have in common with a girl like that? And a compeller? I don't want someone to take my will away from me."

"She won't do that because it's against the rules to use compulsion on anyone unless it's to save lives." Kyra put her hand on her niece's arm. "Give it a try. If the two of you don't hit it off, then you don't, but maybe you will."

"Fine," Arezoo agreed grudgingly. "How do I go about meeting the Kra-ell girl?"

"I could arrange something if you'd like."

Soraya cleared her throat. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why not?" Kyra asked.

"I'm concerned about the influence." Soraya folded her arms over her chest. "I don't want Arezoo to get ideas into her head about joining the Guardian training program."

"She can't even if she wanted to," Kyra said. "Not as long as she's still human."

Soraya let out a relieved breath. "That's good to know."

"I'm not a child, Maman," Arezoo bristled. "I'm nineteen, and I'm not easily influenced by anyone. Stop worrying about me."

Soraya's expression softened. "I know, sweetheart, but I can't help it. You will always be my baby even when you have babies of your own."

Feeling a little emotional over the tender exchange between mother and daughter, Kyra decided to shift the conversation to another area of interest. "Have you met any immortals who caught your eye?"

Arezoo blushed. "Not really. As I said, I rarely leave the house."

"That's for the best," Soraya interjected. "She's not ready to date yet. It's too soon."

Kyra raised an eyebrow at her sister. "She's nineteen, Soraya. And the sooner she transitions to immortality, the better. You know that."

A tense silence fell as mother and daughter exchanged looks. Finally, Soraya sighed. "Yes, I know. But everything has happened so quickly. Is it wrong to want a little more time before my daughter takes such an important step? It's not something that should be rushed, you know. She needs to find true love."

"I would like to meet more people," Arezoo said quietly. "I don't know how to do it here."

"The gym is a good place to socialize," Kyra suggested. "And you could ask about a part-time job at the café. It's where everyone gathers, so you'd get to know most of the village residents while working there."

Hope brightened Arezoo's face. "Great ideas, Aunt Kyra. I need to do both." She glanced at her mother. "You just said that I need to find a job."

Soraya looked conflicted but nodded. "We could inquire about a part-time position at the café, but schooling comes first."

"Of course," Arezoo agreed quickly, as though afraid her mother might change her mind.

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