Page 23 of The Survivors (The Children of the Sun God #4)
Lena
“I never thought I’d find peace in a world of chaos, but here, with Isaak, I feel like maybe—just maybe—there’s a future worth fighting for.”
A lot happened while I slept. All good things for us. Not so much for the men who’ve abused us all our lives.
Our creator—someone I’m only learning about. Ioannis kept us ignorant. I knew I was different than the men they sold me to outside of these caves, but I didn’t know I was a demigod.
With each generation born to them, they stole a bit more of our history. Never telling us where we came from. We never understood why the only sons born in this herd were from the men who purchased us like cattle.
Isaak and the others who came with him sit around the fire after supper every night and teach us. Each taking turns with the version they were taught.
Michail had a flair for storytelling. The children loved listening to his strange voice. He called it an accent. He comes from another country. I’m told we’re in the United States and his country is below ours. A place named Venezuela.
Isaak showed me a map on something he called a phone. I’ve been able to speak with Colin on this phone. It’s like magic. I understand neither the map nor the phone.
When I get frustrated, he encourages me to be patient. One day, I won’t ever remember the things I didn’t know before he came into my life.
Serafim still calls him patér , but I prefer to call him Sunshine. My son told me that he thought Isaak was made of sunshine because of the color of his hair. The nickname stuck for me.
I’ve felt the warmth of the sunshine on my face a few times. Here in the labyrinth, it’s as if we only get a layer of the sun. We’re in a portal, I’m told. What’s a portal? It’s been explained to me. However, I have yet to understand.
Niki twirls around the fire, showing off one of her new dresses Michail gifted her. My sister is an adult, although still childlike in some ways. She told me she’s going to Venezuela with Michail when I’m ready to leave.
Violet left with her mate, Peter, and his herd yesterday. Georgia went with them too. She’s the only one who didn’t have a mate show up looking for her.
I’m told she has one somewhere, and he will find her one day.
Colin and his mate are afraid that Ioannis and Ambrose will find them before we do. That fear is my motive to pack up and leave soon.
I’d have left days ago if not for Sunshine insisting that I’m at full strength for the journey.
“Let’s invite him to kiss us right now,” Sara suggests after Michail finishes telling us about the mating ceremony ordained by Helios.
The men hold their breath.
Niki plops down next to Michail. “I’m ready.”
Indira and Kore nod in agreement.
I look at Isaak. “I want to wait for Colin. Is that okay?”
He squeezes my hand. “That was always the plan.” His eyes twinkle anytime mine meet his. I don’t understand the feelings flooding my lady parts when he does that. I’m too embarrassed to ask him. And I don’t think any of my sisters would know the answer.
Isaak scoops a sleeping Serafim into his arms. I follow them to our tent. With one last glance, I look behind me at the others inviting Helios to bless their mating.
Their commitment to each other prompts my next words. “Sunshine, I want to go to Colin. Tomorrow. Don’t ask me to wait another day. He needs us. It’s time.”
I don’t miss the look of longing on his face. Longing for what? I’m going with him. What more does he need from me?