Page 28 of Dark Island: Rescue

"Of course." Aliya looked worried. "Did something happen?"

"I'm not sure." Wonder returned the tray to the counter and walked out of the café.

She heard Esag's footsteps behind her, having to hurry to keep up with her fast pace.

"Wonder, wait." He caught her arm, pulling her to a stop in the shade of an oak tree. "We need to think about this. What can Annani actually do? The Brotherhood's island is a fortress. We can't just storm in and rescue Tula."

"The clan rescued Carol."

"Carol was one person with an extraction plan already in place. This is different."

Wonder yanked her arm free, anger flaring hot and sudden. "This is my sister, Esag. She's pregnant and terrified and somehow desperate enough that she reached out through whatever impossible connection allowed her to appear in your vision. We have to do something."

"I'm not saying we shouldn't. I'm saying we need to be smart about it." His voice was maddeningly calm, reasonable. "Annani is impulsive, and she will want to charge in right away and save Tula, but doing so without a plan will only get people killed and won't help your sister."

She wanted to argue, but he was right. The fury drained out of her as quickly as it had risen, leaving her feeling hollow and scared.

"I wish Anandur were here. He would know what to do."

"Where is he?"

"With Kian on that new island that the clan acquired." She looked at her watch. "I should call him, maybe get Kian involved."

Esag grimaced. "It was a vision, Wonder. It felt real, and it felt current, but you know that visions can be of the future. Maybe Tula is not pregnant yet, but will be? Do you really want to get Kian and Annani involved before we know for sure?"

She frowned. "How will we know?"

"Simple. On Wednesday, ask to talk to Tula and confront her about it."

She shook her head. "I can't wait until Wednesday. I need to at least tell Annani and have her ask Areana to let me speak with Tula. She's always there during those calls, keeping watch for Areana."

11

ANNANI

Annani lifted the teapot and refilled Morag's cup, the jasmine-scented steam curling between them in the afternoon light filtering through her living room windows. Morag was in the middle of describing her latest architectural project, a meditation pavilion she had been commissioned to design by a famous spa, when the doorbell rang.

Morag put her cup down. "Are you expecting anyone, Clan Mother?"

"No." Annani frowned. "I wonder who that is."

A moment later, Ogidu entered her reception room and bowed. "My apologies for interrupting your afternoon tea, Clan Mother. Mistress Wonder and Master Esag are here to see you. They say that they have an urgent matter to discuss with you and that it cannot wait. I showed them to your office."

Annani's chest tightened. Esag and Wonder arriving together was unusual, and combined with the urgency of their visit, it was worrisome.

Annani set down the teapot and turned to Morag. "I am so sorry for cutting our afternoon short, but it seems that there is an emergency requiring my immediate attention."

"Of course, Clan Mother." Morag rose gracefully, smoothing her skirt.

"I promise to arrange another meeting soon," Annani said, walking her guest to the door. "Perhaps next week?"

"That would be lovely." Morag dipped her head. "I hope whatever has come up resolves quickly."

As soon as Morag stepped outside, Annani motioned for Ogidu to bring Wonder and Esag to her reception room.

"What has happened?" she asked as they walked in.

Wonder opened her mouth, then closed it, seeming to struggle for words.