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A child's drawing was not going to help them with more information about Khiann's whereabouts, but perhaps it would help Cyra process the dream.

The girl nodded, a flicker of her usual brightness returning to her eyes.

"Just one more question. How long have you been dreaming about the beautiful man?"

"After meeting the pretty lady."

So, Kyra's suspicion was probably right, and Cyra had the ability to tap into the consciousness of those around her. That would explain her earlier bouts of moodiness, as she might have been affected by others.

Still, Kyra wasn't an expert by any means, and her assessment might be completely wrong.

"Go wash your hands for dinner," Yasmin said, kissing the top of her daughter's head before setting her down. "Ask Essa to help you reach the sink."

As the child scampered off, Yasmin turned to Kyra with worried eyes. "What was that about?"

"I think your little girl has psychic abilities, which isn't really surprising given that Jasmine and I have a touch of those as well. I think that she tapped into the Clan Mother's mind. The goddess believes her husband, Khiann, is in stasis somewhere in the Arabian Desert, not dead as most believe, and she wants me and Jasmine and maybe even Fenella to find him."

"And you think my four-year-old daughter somehow saw him through the goddess's mind eye?" Yasmin sounded incredulous.

Kyra nodded. "It also might not have been the first time since you said she used to get moody like that on other occasions. You have to tell Vanessa about it and have her talk with Cyra. A young child like her must have difficulty processing adult issues she inadvertently gets exposed to by touching people's minds."

Yasmin shivered. "That's terrible. How do I shield her from that?"

"I wish I knew." Kyra sighed. "I hope Vanessa does."

"This has been just a bizarre day," Rana muttered. "First, we learn that we're distantly related to a Scottish bartender, and now my niece is having visions of an ancient god? What's next?"

Before Kyra could respond, the doorbell rang, and a moment later, Parisa walked in with her four boys and Max in tow.

Kyra's heartbeat accelerated, and a smile bloomed on her face. She rose to her feet and pulled Max into a brief embrace. "I'm sorry I wasn't home when you got there."

"I didn't get there. I met Parisa on the way, and she told me you were here, so I joined."

"Excellent. I'm glad that you did," Yasmin said. "We are about to have dinner."

He leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I don't want to impose. Kyra and I should leave."

"Don't you dare." Yasmin cast him a mock glare. "Family doesn't impose, and the more the merrier."

He flashed her one of his charming smiles. "Okay, if you insist."

"I do." Yasmin motioned for Soraya and Rana to join her in the kitchen, and the three started a well-coordinated dance of preparing a quick dinner for their not-so-small clan.

"How did you boys do with Vrog?" Kyra asked.

"He's great," Tyrus said. "I like studying on my own much more than going to school and listening to boring teachers."

Zaden seconded his brother's opinion with a nod. "Where is Essa?" he asked.

"Helping the little ones wash up for dinner," Yasmin said.

As the four boys headed down the corridor to search for their older cousin, Parisa turned to Kyra. "I'm worried about the older boys and their induction ceremonies. How exactly is it going to happen, and who is going to organize it?"

"I have no clue." Kyra shifted her gaze to Max. "Can you shed some light on that for us?"

"Certainly." He sat on one of the stools and pulled Kyra to him to sit on his knees as if it was the most natural thing to do. "But maybe we should do that after dinner with the boys present. I'm sure that they are just as curious as you are."

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