Page 36 of Dark Shaman: Love Found (The Children Of The Gods #99)

CAROL

C arol checked her watch as she climbed the stairs to Kian's office. It was nine a.m. sharp, and she was proud of not being late for a change. It was something she'd learned from Lokan, who was punctual to a fault.

The door swung open before she could knock, and Kalugal nearly bowled her over as he walked out.

"Carol!" He caught her elbow to steady them both, his grin so wide it looked almost painful. "What perfect timing."

"Perfect for what?" she stepped away from him. "What has you so disgustingly happy this early in the morning?"

"I'm buying an island."

"Of course, you are." Carol shook her head, amused. "Let me guess—tropical paradise where you can build a lair and plot world domination? "

"Close. It's where we're going to train our exoskeleton army.

" He was practically vibrating with excitement.

"You and Lokan should come over for dinner tonight so I can tell you all about it.

Kian has been on my case for not updating Lokan.

After all, he knows our father better than I do, so Kian wants to hear his opinion on the plan. "

Carol shook her head. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That's why I want us to meet for dinner."

"We can't leave the keep right now. Lokan induced one of the paranormals last night. We're waiting to see if he starts transitioning."

Kalugal tilted his head. "Really? Which one?"

"Jeremy. He's a remote viewer."

"Congratulations on your first baby. I suppose this makes you and Lokan parents now. Should I send cigars?"

Carol rolled her eyes. "It's not quite the same thing."

"No, but it's close. You're anxiously waiting to see if your efforts bear fruit. Sounds like expectant parents to me."

"When you put it that way..." Carol chuckled. "If you are willing to lower your standards a little, you and Jacki could come to our place. I could order Chinese from the Golden Dragon, which is everyone's favorite."

"I wouldn't regard visiting Amanda's old penthouse as lowering our standards, but I have to ask Jacki if she's okay with leaving Darius with Shamash for the evening. "

"Bring him along. I would love to cuddle my little nephew."

He shook his head. "Jacki could use a break, and besides, I don't want to expose my little boy to the kind of conversation we are going to have. I want him to enjoy his childhood for as long as possible."

"That's wise." Carol pulled him over to kiss his cheek. "Lokan will be happy to hear that you are coming over. Now go buy your island. I'm late for my meeting." She knocked on Kian's door.

"Come in," he called.

She found him standing at a coffee maker, which was producing concerning gurgling sounds. "Good morning, Kian. Is that a new addition to your decor?"

He turned to look at her and smiled. "It is, but I have a feeling that it won't last. It's the fourth pot I've made today, and it's already making strange noises.

Kalugal said the coffee was good, but he was vibrating like a tuning fork from excitement, so I don't know if I can trust his opinion on it. Would you like a cup?”

"Fates, yes."

Carol accepted the mug gratefully, wrapping her hands around its warmth. "I met Kalugal outside, and he said something about buying an island."

"He is. Or rather, we are. It's in the Indian Ocean, a little over three hundred miles from Navuh's island."

Carol nearly spat out her coffee. "What are you two planning to do? Build a base in Navuh's backyard? "

"That was my reaction, too. But Kalugal made a compelling case about hiding in plain sight." Kian settled behind his desk. "But you're not here to discuss Kalugal's ventures. How did the interviews go?"

Carol set down her mug and pulled out her tablet. "I interviewed twenty-three females over the past five days. The response was more positive than I expected, but not everyone I talked to was suitable for the task."

"I trust your judgment on that. So, what do we have?"

"My top three candidates are Marlene, Teresa, and Grace." Carol pulled up their files. "All three are beautiful and sexy, which matters for this type of work. But more importantly, they can all thrall."

Kian nodded. "Not all immortal females can do that."

"Very few can. Since they don't have the need to use it like the males do, they don't bother to learn."

Males had to master thralling because they needed to make their partners forget seeing fangs during intimate moments.

Females didn't have that prerequisite. The only strange traits they had were glowing eyes that were easy to explain away and their strength and stamina, which could be explained easily enough as well.

"Marlene is my top pick. Like me, she spent a good chunk of time in France and absorbed the culture.

She's working in an upscale boutique in Beverly Hills and is bored out of her mind.

She jumped at the chance for something more challenging.

" Carol swiped to the following profile.

"Teresa is teaching Romance languages at a community college, but she admitted that she misses some excitement in her life. "

"And Grace?" Kian asked

"She's a poet, and she's not working outside the village. She's got natural charisma and a gift for making people trust her. Plus, she claims that her thralling is particularly subtle."

Kian wrote the names on his own tablet. "What about the reluctant ones?"

"Bathsheba, Regina, and Greta." Carol pulled up their files. "They didn't say no, but they have reservations."

"What are they?"

"The obvious things. Bathsheba is worried about the honey-trap aspect. The thought of seducing targets for information feels wrong to her."

"That's understandable."

"I told her that not all intelligence work requires seduction.

Sometimes it's just about being in the right place, asking the right questions, becoming someone's confidant and feeding them the right ideas.

She said she'd think about it." Carol moved to the next profile.

"Regina's issue is different. She's willing but worried about her abilities.

She's young and doesn't think of herself as much of a seductress.

The girl oozes sex appeal and doesn't realize it.

She could be the best of the lot because men are suckers for her type.

Also, I can mold her into exactly what we need. "

"And Greta? "

Carol sighed. "Greta is conflicted. She did work like this during World War II, and it left a bad taste in her mouth. She has the experience, but not the will."

"I can understand that."

"I didn't push her, but I told her that the offer stands if she changes her mind."

Kian leaned back in his chair. "So, we have three definite candidates and three potentials. That's a good start."

"I spoke with Eva, and she agreed to help me with the training." Carol took a sip of the coffee. "I think twelve weeks will be long enough to teach the ladies all they need to know."

"I'm glad she's willing to help."

Carol nodded. "Yeah, me too. Eva has expertise that I don't like surveillance techniques. How to observe without being noticed, how to record details without anyone noticing that you are doing that, how to spot when you're being watched. Eva will handle most of this."

"That's good."

"I will teach them to gather information.

How to ask questions without seeming interested, how to get people to open up, and how to recognize valuable intelligence versus gossip.

I've spent years doing exactly that for my own amusement and for money.

I will also teach them seduction and manipulation.

Not just the physical aspects, but the psychological ones, which are much more important.

How to become what someone wants, how to create emotional connections that feel real. "

"I assume that's the part they're nervous about."

Carol laughed. "Yeah. I thought they would be anxious about combat training, but they are happy to learn self-defense and how to handle weapons. They are worried about the things that should come naturally to them."

"Not everyone is as gifted in those arts as you are."

"True." Carol didn't bother to play coy.

"Is twelve weeks enough time?" Kian asked.

"I hope so. It depends on what they bring to the table. How natural they are at the various things they need to learn to do." She set down her tablet. "The bigger question is, where do we send them once they're trained?"

Kian seemed to have been waiting for her to ask that. "I've marked several politicians who need nudging in the right direction. I'll forward the list to you once I have it finalized. How soon can you start the training?"

"Two weeks. I need time to set up the curriculum, assemble the instructors, and prepare the facilities."

"What facilities? Aren't you going to use the underground training center?"

"Yes, but I want to use the one in the keep. Since Lokan and I are staying over there now, and we are also in charge of the paranormals, it would make things easier for me. "

"That makes sense. Are you sure you can handle both tasks, though?"

"They are related. Some of the paranormals might join the spy program." Carol checked her watch. "Speaking of which, I should head back. It's been almost twelve hours since Lokan induced Jeremy. We are all anxiously waiting for his transition to start."

"I want you to know that I appreciate what you and Lokan are doing," Kian said. "It's a lot taking on both projects."

"Honestly, after our previous mission, this is nice and safe."

"Don't jinx it."

Carol laughed. "Good point." She stood, collecting her tablet. "Do you want me to email you a summary of what we talked about?"

"A few bullet points would be appreciated. I also need you to come up with a budget."

"I will. Although, to be frank, money is not the real currency here.

" She sighed. "This kind of work changes you if you don't have the right constitution for it.

I enjoy wearing different costumes, and I don't mean clothing.

I'm a chameleon, but I always remember who I am under the mask.

Not everyone can do that. Some forget who they really are, becoming the role they are playing.

Some have a hard time forming connections with targets while knowing they'll betray them, and living in constant fear of discovery is not a life everyone can handle either. "

"You handled it exceptionally well."

She smiled and patted her curls. "That's because I'm special."