by I. T. Lucas
What could she do?
Sari claimed that her mother’s only power was the ability to control human minds as well as those of immortals, but that was enough to kill.
In fact, it was the most terrifying weapon in existence.
She could command someone’s heart to stop beating, or have him plunge a knife into his own chest, or jump off a tall building.
If she chose to, she could even kill everyone in the audience and those listening to her in the other locations. All it would take was a command to kill, and they would turn on each other.
Could she compel entire nations to go to war?
As the clapping and cheering stopped, the goddess lowered her arms. “Now that the accord is in force, let us hasten its implementation. Kian and Kalugal have already made their pledges, and now it is your turn.” She looked at her son and her nephew. “With your permission, I will now proceed to compel everyone’s adherence to the agreement.”
When both nodded their approval, David wondered whether it was out of fear or reverence.
“Thank you.” She turned to the crowd. “If anyone objects, please raise your hand now.”
When no one did, in the assembly hall or on the screens, David became convinced that they all feared the goddess. There was no way that everyone was a hundred percent on board with their leaders’ decision to sign the accord, and they would have voiced their objections if they weren’t afraid of the goddess’s retribution.
She waited a moment longer before continuing, “I am overjoyed at the unanimous approval.”
As applause started again, Annani lifted the parchment off the table and scanned it for a few moments before turning back to the audience.
“I will not follow the exact wording of the accord because it is too lengthy and addresses the clan and Kalugal’s community separately. I will attempt to combine the pledges, so they apply to everyone equally. Besides, I do not want to keep you here longer than necessary. Food and drinks await you, and I know that you cannot wait to celebrate.”
She was good, making herself appear friendly and concerned with her people’s wishes and desires, but David saw right through the act. Like other totalitarian leaders, the goddess was a master manipulator.
When the chuckles and clapping subsided, and Annani lifted her arms, it dawned on him that he was going to be compelled along with everyone else.
With a sinking feeling in his gut, David realized that it was too late to back out.
“For the purpose of this pledge, the term ‘combined community’ will mean all clan members present and future, and all of Kalugal’s people, present and future.”
She looked at Edna. “Is the all-inclusive term acceptable, counselor?”
The clan judge dipped her head. “Yes, Clan Mother.”
“Very well. That will make things simpler for all of us.” The goddess smiled. “From this day on, you will never reveal, hint at, or in any way contribute to the discovery by humans or immortals unaffiliated with our combined community the location or whereabouts of any and all of its members.”
David could feel the power of the goddess’s compulsion settle over him like a warm blanket. Despite what Sari had said about her mother’s compulsion being uncomfortable, it wasn’t as suffocating or oppressive as he’d expected.
It felt reassuring.
Perhaps it worked differently on humans?
The fact that it felt good didn’t mean that it was, though. It was just another mental trick to ensure compliance.
The goddess smiled at Edna. “Does that wording cover it as far as keeping our existence secret?”
“It does, Clan Mother.”
“Very well. I shall continue. You will never do anything to jeopardize the combined community’s safety, its members’ various business endeavors, and its humanitarian efforts.”
For some reason, the second paragraph of the pledge had Kalugal grinning from ear to ear, which made David wonder why. He didn’t know the guy well, but something about that wording must have given him an unexpected advantage.
The goddess continued. “You will never intentionally cause harm to any member of the combined community or allow others to do that if it is in your power to prevent it.”
David wouldn’t have harmed any of them even without the benefit of Annani’s compulsion, but for some reason, it felt good to have that conviction reinforced.
It was like promising himself to eat healthily and get enough sleep. Willpower wasn’t always enough, and it was beneficial to have the good intentions fortified.
“If an outside force threatens the combined community or any parts of it, you will participate in the defense effort to the best of your ability and follow the orders given by the combined community’s military command.” She turned to Edna. “Does that cover it?”
“Almost. You need to make your own pledge, Clan Mother.”
Annani smiled. “Thank you for reminding me.” She turned to the audience. “I pledge to use my compulsion power on the combined community only to enforce the accord, ensuring peace and cooperation between our people.”
David couldn’t find fault with any of it, and given the enthusiastic standing ovation, neither did any of those affected by the goddess’s compulsion.
Maybe he had been wrong about her being a master manipulator?
The goddess lifted her hand. “If I missed some items, they will be addressed at a future time. Also, individual pledges will be collected by Kian, Kalugal, Sari, and myself when we return to our respective locations. Thank you all for allowing me to compel you.” She dipped her head and sat down on the throne-like chair between Syssi and Jacki.
Sari pushed to her feet. “Let’s move to the celebratory part of the evening. Food and drinks will be served on the back lawn.” She turned around to look at the three screens. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, everyone.”
As people started getting up and moving toward the two exits, David debated whether to climb onto the stage and join Sari, or to follow Anandur out and wait for her on the back lawn.
She solved his dilemma by coming down to him. “That must have been strange for you. The compulsion part, I mean.”
“Not really.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. “It wasn’t my first experience with compulsion. Kalugal used it on me before.”
She chuckled. “I forgot that he compelled you to come on the trip with him.”
“I don’t think he did. I agreed to come voluntarily. He compelled me to sleep through the entire flight, though.”
She tilted her head. “Did you feel a difference between his compulsion and Annani’s?”
“When Kalugal did it, I didn’t know that I was being compelled, so I didn’t pay attention to how it felt. But Annani’s compulsion felt good for some reason. Like a warm security blanket.”
“Did it feel familiar?” Sari attempted a nonchalant tone.
David wasn’t fooled. Despite her brave talk about assuming the win, she was still concerned about his past life encounter with her mother.
“Not at all. It was a strange and unfamiliar feeling, but I was surprised that it didn’t feel oppressive. I expected it to feel like mental pressure, not like a promise of a better future.”
He didn’t voice his suspicions about the manipulative nature of the feeling. For one, he didn’t want to offend Sari, and even more importantly, he couldn’t accuse Annani of something he had no proof of.
63
Sari
Awake in bed, Sari stared at the ceiling and debated whether to get up or enjoy a lazy morning in bed with David.
It was still early, and he was sleeping peacefully, his handsome face looking younger and more relaxed in repose.
Poor guy needed the rest.
The accord signing celebration had lasted until two o’clock in the morning, and when they’d gotten back to her apartment, they’d made love twice.
She should have been more mindful of his human limitations, especially since tonight was his inductio
n ceremony, and David was already sleep-deprived after the two previous nights.
She’d been pushing his human limits, and he’d done his best to keep up, which hadn’t been too shabby. He’d satisfied her thoroughly and completely, and Sari could only imagine what their lovemaking would be like after his transition.
Ah, to finally experience the incredible bliss of an immortal male’s bite. The thought alone was enough to reawaken her desire.
Regrettably, it would take up to six months for David’s fangs and venom glands to become fully operational.
Provided that he transitioned.
He was going to.
She had to believe it.
She should also let him sleep through the day to recuperate, which meant no leisurely morning sex, not even cuddling.
Carefully slipping out of bed, she reached for her robe and shrugged it over her shoulders. If only she could’ve shrugged off the uneasy feeling churning in her stomach with the same ease.
Last night had been a success. The signing of the accord had gone well despite Annani’s improvisations, and the mood at the party had been joyous and hopeful. Everyone had had a great time, except for her.
Sari wished she could blame it on anxiety for David’s successful transition, or mental exhaustion after all the preparations for the ceremony, or the sleepless nights, but the real culprit was her irrational jealousy.
Every time she’d caught her mother stealing glances at David, it felt like a needle prick in her heart, and when she caught him glancing back, the pain had been even worse.
She had to get the story out of Annani, or she would go nuts.
After getting dressed, Sari tiptoed out of the bedroom, closed the door as quietly as she could, and pulled out her phone.
She was about to call her mother and tell her that she was coming over, but then changed her mind and decided to check with Alena via text instead.
Are you awake?
Mother and I are having breakfast. Would you like to join us?
Perfect. I’m on my way.
“Good morning, Sari,” her mother welcomed her with a bright smile. “I didn’t expect you to be up so early.”
Sari pulled out a chair and sat across from Alena. “I usually wake up at dawn.”
“Yes, but today you had an excellent reason to stay in bed.”
Apparently, the rumor about David moving into her apartment had spread already. Which was fine with her. He was hers, and Sari wanted everyone to know that.
“David is asleep, and I didn’t want to wake him up. He needs his strength for tonight.”
Annani nodded. “Indeed. Make sure to wake him up for lunch, though. He needs to consume a hearty meal, but not too close to his induction. It is recommended not to enter the match with a full stomach.”
Was her mother’s concern genuine?
Annani’s initial response to David hadn’t been positive, and later she’d confirmed having a bad experience with his other self.
“I need to know what happened between you and David, Mother.”
“Nothing happened between us. I just met him.”
“You know what I’m talking about. What happened between you and the man he reminds you of?”
Annani waved a dismissive hand. “It has no bearing on my feelings toward David, so stop worrying about it.”
Sari shook her head. “Alena didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Annani looked at her eldest daughter.
Alena shrugged. “It’s between you two, and maybe David. In my opinion, though, you are making a big fuss over nothing, and what happened in the past should stay there. It’s up to Sari whether she wants to tell you about it.”
It was a tough call.
Alena was right. Keeping the story from her mother would be the smart thing to do. If Annani didn’t associate David with the guy who’d given her trouble a long time ago, she wouldn’t harbor ill feelings toward him.
Except, the covert glances Annani had been stealing his way proved that she was still troubled by what she sensed about him, and that was when she had no idea that he’d been dreaming of her for years.
What could be even worse was that she might find him attractive rather than troubling.
Not that Sari could blame her mother for having eyes. David was gorgeous, but he belonged to her and was therefore off-limits to all other immortal females, including goddesses.
Moving him into her apartment was a clear sign to all interested parties that he was no longer on the market.
She had to find out what happened, though. Sweeping the problem under the rug was not the solution. She would keep obsessing about it, and it would be detrimental to her relationship with David.
“David saw you in his dreams, Mother.”
“What kind of dreams?” Annani’s voice hitched.
“As a teenager, he read a book about a powerful sorceress who was immortal. She left such an impression on him that he dreamt about her for years. Except, the woman in his dreams didn’t match the book’s description, not even close. She looked exactly like you. The gist of those dreams, or rather nightmares, was that he desired and feared her at the same time. She was a temptress, but David knew that if he succumbed to her charms, the price would be his life.”
Annani tried to hide how strongly she was affected by what she’d just learned, but Sari could see it in her eyes.
Schooling her expression, her mother arched a brow. “What does David make of that?”
“David believes in reincarnation. He thinks that he met you in one of his previous lives, and that’s why he superimposed your image on that of the fictional character from the story.”
“I see.” Annani folded her arms over her chest. “I believe in it as well.” She chuckled sadly. “I even convinced myself that each of your fathers was an incarnation of my Khiann.”
“Maybe they were,” Alena said.
Annani shook her head. “It was just wishful thinking. Deep down, I knew that they were not him. I like a certain type, so naturally there were similarities, but that was all. My Khiann has not returned to me yet.”
Sari leaned back and mimicked Annani’s defensive pose. “I hope that you don’t think it’s David.”
“Oh, no. I know precisely who he is. Or rather was.”
“How can you remember one specific lover? You are five thousand years old. There have been so many.”
Annani nodded. “Over the years, many men desired me, and many feared me, and some did both. But there was only one case where I felt the same. A man who I desired and feared at the same time.”
“Tell me about him.”
“There is not much to tell. He was resistant to thralling. Not immune, which was why I did not realize it before allowing him in my bed. He noticed that something was different about me and got suspicious, and then when I denied his accusations, he became agitated. In that state, he was immune to thralling and to compulsion, which left me vulnerable. I am physically stronger than the average human male, but he was a big guy, and without my mental advantage, I felt defenseless against him. It was a very uncomfortable feeling.”
“What did you do?”
“I managed to convince him to let me go, and then I fled. I feared that he would come after me.”
“What about your Odus? They could have defended you.”
“If it came to that, my secret would have been exposed. I could not allow it to happen.”
Sari doubted that was the entire story, but given her mother’s closed-off expression, this was all she was going to get out of her.
But there was just one more question she had to get an answer to. “You keep stealing glances at David. Is it because you are attracted to him?”
Annani’s eyes widened. “Of course not. How can you even think that? I would never desire my daughter’s mate. I kept looking at David to reassure myself that he was not a volatile and unpredictable male like the one I encountered all those years ago.”
“And your
verdict is?”
“So far, David seems very even-keeled. But I need more time to observe him. I suggest that you do the same.”
“And what should I do if he exhibits volatile traits?”
Annani sighed. “Then you might have to let him go. Immortality does not cure personality flaws. But I do not think that it will come to that. A soul grows with each new cycle of life. It retains wisdom and learns compromise and compassion through its own suffering. If David is the reincarnation of the man that I encountered all those years ago, his soul has gone through many cycles, purging bad qualities and acquiring good ones. This might be his final destination.”
64
David
David woke up feeling more refreshed than he’d felt since his arrival at the castle. The bedroom was steeped in darkness so he had no idea what time it was, but given that he didn’t feel tired for a change, it must be late.
Sari wasn’t in bed with him, though, and that was disappointing. He’d hoped to wake up with her in his arms.
It was Saturday, so she hadn’t needed to get up early, and the whole point of him moving into her apartment was so they could go to bed together every night and wake up in each other’s arms every morning.
Or at least that was the main motivator for him. Sari’s considerations were more political. She’d done it to make their relationship official.
Perhaps there had been some emergency she’d had to attend to?
As far as he knew, no activities had been planned for the day other than his induction ceremony, which was scheduled for eleven o’clock at night.
He’d hoped to spend the day with her touring the castle grounds, or perhaps the castle itself. So far, he’d only seen a small portion of it.
Did it have a basement? A dungeon?
The main structure was centuries old, so it must at least have cellars. Even the newer wings looked quite old, so they should have underground facilities as well.
If Sari was busy, he could go exploring on his own, or maybe ask Miranda or Archie to give him a proper tour.