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"Exactly," Din agreed. "The human mind is remarkably adept at filtering out what doesn't fit its understanding of reality."

"Have you heard of the Piri Reis map?"

Fenella shook her head.

"It was created by an Ottoman admiral in the sixteenth century. What makes it extraordinary is that it shows the coastline of Antarctica without ice—something that shouldn't have been possible, as humans didn't discover Antarctica until the nineteenth century. Its coastline beneath the ice wasn't mapped until much later, using modern technology."

Fenella frowned. "Did it match?"

Din nodded. "The admiral claimed that he compiled the map from older sources, including some dating back to Alexander the Great's time, but I believe the ultimate source was the gods, who had aerial views of the earth and mapped it completely. That knowledge was preserved in ancient libraries and charts, but it was fragmented and degraded."

"So, the gods had satellite imagery?"

Din nodded. "Not only that, but carvings were also found in Sumer that look a lot like today's satellites. The technology was probably a little different, but the purpose was likely the same."

As the sunlight began to fade, casting longer shadows through the pavilion, Din realized they'd spent longer there than he'd expected. Fenella didn't look bored, for which he was thankful, but soon the place would become completely dark, and they needed to get home.

"I've been talking your ears off." He cast her a sheepish smile. "You should have stopped me."

"I enjoyed every moment." She took his hand, which sent a jolt of electricity through him.

It was time to mention dinner.

"Do you like ribeye steaks?" he asked.

She laughed. "Who doesn't? Why? Are you offering to cook some for me?"

Wow, that was much easier than he'd expected. Fenella had practically invited herself to dinner. Then again, she probably assumed that Thomas would be there. He needed to tell her they would be alone and allow her to bow out if she wanted.

"Thomas is out on a mission tonight, and he very generously offered the use of his kitchen and some excellent steaks from his freezer. I could cook for you, if you'd like."

"I'd like that very much." She offered him a bright smile. "Dinner sounds lovely, but do you actually know how to cook, or is this going to be an experiment?"

Din laughed, the tension draining from his shoulders. "I can manage a decent steak and some sides."

"Well then, Professor MacDougal," she said, the use of his formal name sending an unexpected thrill through him, "lead the way to this promised feast."

26

KYRA

Kyra pulled out her phone and glanced at the time. "It's getting late. Do you know how long it will take for Vrog to be done with Parisa's boys?"

Max should be getting home any moment now, and the tension in the invisible thread connecting them was slowly growing taut. She kept busy during the days he worked at the keep, but any separation that was longer than a few hours was difficult. She'd even offered to join him in the dungeon, but he'd refused, saying that confidential stuff was happening and only Guardians were allowed there. Kian had had to clear her previous visit to the dungeon, and there was no reason for her to be there again.

He was probably trying to protect her from the ugliness of his job, but she'd seen enough during her lifetime to harden her soul and not let things like that get to her.

Soraya shook her head. "Vrog doesn't work with a timetable. He takes as long as each child needs."

"That's commendable," Kyra murmured.

The sound of small feet in the hallway drew her attention, and a moment later Cyra appeared in the kitchen, her dark curls tousled from sleep, clutching a well-worn stuffed rabbit. She spotted Kyra and hesitated, her expression turning shy.

"Hello, little one," Kyra said softly. "Did you have a good nap?"

Cyra didn't answer, instead looking to her mother with solemn eyes.

"Come here,habibti," Yasmin said, opening her arms.