Page 28 of Dark Rover’s Luck (The Children Of The Gods #95)

28

SYSSI

"I need a word with you." Annani motioned for Syssi to follow her inside the house after most of the guests had left.

Syssi had been expecting that, and she had already planned on summoning another vision about Khiann.

"I am worried about Queen Ani," Annani said as she closed the door to her home office. "She has been sent on a diplomatic tour of the colonies by the Eternal King, and you know what that means. Since she could not take Aria with her, we have not had contact. Is there any way you can check on her? Ask to see if she is okay?"

Syssi hadn't expected that. She'd known about Ani's trip, of course, Annani had told her about it, but she hadn't expected the goddess to request a vision about her grandmother.

"Of course." She sat on one of the small armchairs flanking a round table.

"I cannot help fearing for her life." Annani sat down on the other one. "The Eternal King might have discovered Ani's connection to the resistance or her communication with me and decided to get rid of her."

"I'm sure Aria would have known if anything happened to the queen. It would have been big news on Anumati, and she would have let Aru know."

Annani regarded her as if she'd just found a cure for cancer. "Why did I not think of that? Of course, Aria would have informed Aru. As long as there is no news, it is good news, right?"

Syssi nodded. "If you want me to summon a vision about Ani, I will, but I'd rather not muddy the waters, so to speak. We need to concentrate on Khiann. Last time I asked for a clue about his whereabouts, I got Kyra instead. I'm glad that I did, and I'm overjoyed that we could save her and Fenella and the rest of the family, even if it meant postponing the search for Khiann."

Kian's and Allegra's joint birthday party had had to be postponed as well, but that had been a small sacrifice to make.

They'd had a small celebration at home, with two cakes and two candles and lots of presents for Allegra, but the village-wide celebration had to be moved and was finally happening this Saturday, provided that nothing else came up.

"Kyra was a clue," Annani said. "And now we have discovered that Fenella is related to Kyra. There is a pattern forming, I am sure of it, I am just not sure what the Fates are trying to show us. All that my gut tells me for now is that Kyra, Jasmine, and Fenella need to combine powers to find Khiann."

"I agree," Syssi said. "And I'm certainly willing to try again."

"When would you be able to attempt another vision?"

"After Allegra's birthday party," Syssi said. "I'm so preoccupied with the preparations that I won't be able to focus solely on Khiann. I need a clear head and proper preparation if I'm going to get this right this time. In the meantime, Amanda can test Fenella, and maybe the results will give us additional clues."

"So, after the birthday bash?" Annani asked.

Syssi nodded. "I will probably need a couple of days to calm down, meditate, and bring myself to a receptive state."

"I appreciate the effort you are putting into this. I wish I could lend you my powers somehow."

"Maybe you can," Syssi murmured, an idea occurring to her. "We haven't tried this yet, but what if Morelle can siphon the power from you and channel it into me?"

"That is an interesting thought," Annani said. "She channeled the energy she siphoned from me and from Kian into inanimate objects, but maybe she can channel it into people. The problem of doing so is that it might be dangerous. As much as I want to find my Khiann, I do not want to lose you while trying."

"Right." Syssi rubbed her temple. "There must be a safe way to test this. I just can't think of any."

The Clan Mother leaned toward her. "There is. The same way that we are testing Ell-rom's ability."

"On humans?"

Annani shrugged. "We have Doomers in the dungeon. Morelle can test her ability on them."

Syssi was surprised that the goddess was so callous with the lives of those Doomers, but Annani had changed her outlook recently. Her optimism had taken a nosedive after the slaughter the Doomers had ordered in Mexico, and recent global events had only made it worse. The world was not heading in the direction of peace and prosperity. It was galloping in the other direction.

"Morelle is not as soft-hearted as Ell-rom," Annani continued. "She would have no qualms about testing her powers on those monsters."

Syssi wasn't sure of that, but she didn't want to contradict the Clan Mother. Annani probably knew her sister better than she did.

"You should ask her," she said. "See what her opinion is on that. After all, it's her power, and she knows more about it than we do."

"I shall call her later," Annani said. "Now, I need your advice on what to get my son and granddaughter for their birthdays." She chuckled. "Not celebrating birthdays in the clan was a practical decision. It made things simple."

Syssi leaned back in the chair, glad that the conversation had shifted to lighter topics. "Allegra is easy. Just get her the frilliest dress you can find, and she will be ecstatic. Kian is a little harder to please."

She blushed when she thought about the private gift she'd gotten him. It was a gift that kept on giving—many nights of exquisite pleasure.

Annani regarded her with a knowing smile. "I will not ask what passed through your mind right now. I have a feeling that it is very naughty."

Syssi covered her flaming cheeks with her hands. "It's unfair that you can read me so easily."

Annani laughed. "Anyone can read every thought that passes through your mind. You are like an open book. But try to concentrate for a moment and give me an idea for a gift."

"Cufflinks?" Syssi tried. "A rare whiskey bottle, perhaps?"