Page 40 of Dark Island: Rescue

She woke with tears streaming down her face, her hands clenched into fists. The room was still dark, still quiet, but everything felt different. The anger she'd carried for five thousand years had shifted somehow. Had become more complicated.

15

ANNANI

At sunrise, Annani stepped out of her home and took a deep breath. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and jasmine from the gardens. Behind her, Ogidu's steady footsteps followed—close enough to assist if needed, far enough to give her the illusion of solitude.

This was her favorite time of day, before the village stirred to life, when she could walk the paths without having to stop and chat with anyone. She made a point of meeting with at least three clan members every day, but the early mornings were her own.

Mostly.

A tall figure was walking toward her, and she recognized the shape and the long gait. Wonder opened the café at six-thirty in the morning, but this wasn't the way to the café, so that was not where she was heading.

"Good morning," she said as she reached Annani. "May I join you on your walk?"

She was dressed for work in jeans and a soft cream-colored sweater, her long dark hair pulled back in a practical ponytail.

"Of course. But who is going to open the café if you are here?"

"I asked Aliya to open for me. I wanted to catch you before I started my day."

"So, you did." Annani continued walking.

Wonder fell in step with her. "Did you talk to Kian?"

"Not yet."

"Annani—"

"I know." Annani paused to smell a rosebush, though her mind was elsewhere. "I did not want to bother him before we have confirmation."

"I just think that it would be beneficial if he had some warning. If he could start thinking about options."

Annani resumed walking. "Did you tell Anandur about Esag's vision?"

Wonder shook her head. "We talked last night, but I didn't mention it. I thought it would be better coming directly from you and not hearsay. Your word carries weight."

"I appreciate your restraint." Annani glanced at her old friend. "Though I suspect Kian would take anything Anandur reports seriously, despite your mate's reputation. Kian knows when Anandur is clowning around and when he is serious."

"Maybe. But this is about mobilizing clan resources for a rescue mission, and Kian might give it more serious consideration if it comes from you."

Wonder was so anxious that Annani decided to humor her despite her reservations. "I will call Kian whenI return home from my walk. It is still early enough in Safe Harbor so I know he is not in bed yet."

"Thank you." Wonder let out a breath. "Would you mind if I join you? I would like to be there when you talk to him."

"Of course, you can join me." She threaded her arm through Wonder's.

As Annani completed her regular circuit, the sun climbed higher, and Ogidu rushed over with her sunglasses.

"Thank you." She took them from him and put them on. "I am working on my sun tolerance." She told Wonder. "I try to expose my eyes to the early morning sun and then again in the evening."

Wonder frowned. "I don't think it works like that, Annani. Your eyes are sensitive to sunlight because of how they are designed. You can't build up tolerance."

Annani looked at Wonder down her nose, which was quite a feat since Wonder was a whole head taller than her. "I can do whatever I put my mind to."

Wonder chuckled. "That I believe."

Back at her house, Ogidu prepared fresh tea while Annani and Wonder sat on the couch in the reception room.