Page 17 of Dark Island: Rescue

Areana poured more tea, pressing the cup into Tula's hands. "Drink. And eat something, please. The baby needs nourishment even if you have no appetite."

Tula obediently took a piece of cheese and chewed mechanically. "What will you tell Annani on Wednesday?"

"The truth. That you're pregnant and desperate.That Tony loves you and wants to raise the child with you. That Tamira has found love with Elias and dreams of freedom. That all four of you are willing to risk everything for a chance at a real life."

"What if she says no?"

Areana's jaw tightened with determination. "She won't. Annani owes me a debt she can never fully repay, and she knows it. I've never asked her for anything before. She won't refuse me this."

"You sound very certain."

"I am." Areana squeezed Tula's hand.

The promise hung between them, fragile as spun glass. So many things could go wrong. The extraction could fail. Navuh could discover their plans. The enhanced soldiers could wreak havoc again.

But Areana pushed those fears aside. Some betrayals were necessary. Some secrets were worth keeping. And some loves, like the love she felt for this younger woman who'd become like a daughter to her, demanded sacrifice.

"I should go." Tula set her empty cup down.

"I'll give you some tea to brew at night. It should help you sleep better." Areana walked into the kitchen and withdrew a tin can containing the calming blend. "Steep it for five minutes in hot water and drink it before bed. It will help you sleep."

"Thank you." Tula took the tea and pulled Areana into a tight embrace. "What will you tell the others after we are gone?" she whispered in her ear.

Areana leaned away and cast her a sad smile. "I will mourn your demise alongside them. They can never know the truth."

7

KIAN

Safe Harbor came into view through scattered clouds as Kian looked out the jet's window. The island emerged from the Indian Ocean like a rough-cut emerald, oval in shape and steepled in greenery as it had appeared on the satellite photos Kalugal had shown him when he'd first proposed this ambitious project.

From this altitude, he could make out the airstrip running along the island's spine—a concrete scar through the tropical vegetation.

"Isn't it lovely?" Kalugal said from across the aisle.

Allegra pushed to her knees, freeing herself from the seatbelt, and peered out the small window. "Daddy, is that our island?"

"Yes, we share it with Uncle Kalugal, but you need to sit down with the seatbelt on. We are about to land."

If things went according to plan, it would become much more than just another piece of real estate. It would be their proving ground, their training facility,and their first line of defense against Navuh's growing army of enhanced soldiers.

As the jet banked left and began its descent, more details became visible. Rocky outcroppings sheltered the natural harbor on the eastern side, while steep cliffs guarded the western shore. Between them lay a collection of industrial buildings that had once housed miners and would soon accommodate their human trainees.

"How many people resided in these dormitories?" Syssi asked.

"About two hundred." Kian leaned over to tighten Allegra's seatbelt. "Cobalt mining isn't a small operation. The infrastructure they left behind is a perfect foundation for our needs, but it requires some updating."

If the program succeeded, they would have to build many more barracks.

Jade leaned forward from her seat behind them. "This place reminds me of home."

Syssi turned to look at her. "Which one? The one in Karelia or Anumati?"

"Anumati, of course. It was hot and humid, not cold and wet like Karelia."

"I'm glad you like it," Kalugal said. "If this goes the way we hope, perhaps more of your people would like to relocate here and take part in the building of this new army."

Jade cast him a mock glare. "Trying to get rid of us?"