Page 24 of Dark Destiny: The Fates' Bargain

It was probably hiding a camera.

There were visible ones too, which was almost generous of them, including one mounted in the corner of the living room where the walls met the ceiling, angled to cover most of the room, and another in the bedroom.

"That one," he said, nodding toward the bedroom camera. "Are we to provide nightly entertainment to the men in security?"

"It's off," Daniel said. "Bedroom cameras stay off unless there's an emergency."

"Like what?" he asked.

"The fire detectors go off, a medical emergency that is picked up by the camera in the living room or phoned in. There are phones here and in the other room. If you need help, you just pick up the receiver and press zero. It will connect you to security, and they will send whoever is needed."

"Of course," Navuh said even though he didn't believe him.

Later, when they were alone, he would show Areana what to do about the camera in the bedroom. A pair of underwear or a sock would be enough to cover it.

12

ANNANI

Life continued while history was being made.

Annani scanned the village square, which looked exactly as it did on any ordinary evening. Across the open lawn, two Kra-ell children chased each other around the base of the climbing structure while their mothers sat on a bench. The outdoor café was packed even though the kiosk was closed, and only vending machine fare was available.

Somewhere in the pond among the reeds, frogs were making a ruckus.

It was all so pastoral, so ordinary, or as ordinary as it got in a community of immortals, Kra-ell, humans and gods. There were five gods total, six if she included Areana, and only a few were aware of what was about to transpire.

"Where would you like to wait?" Kian asked. "Inside the clinic or in the café?" He nodded toward one of the café's outdoor tables.

He had also offered that they wait for the chests' arrival in the underground garage, but that seemed silly since the ones they were welcoming would not be awake for the welcome.

"The clinic," she said without moving.

"Okidu reports that he is turning into the tunnel." Kian tapped his earpiece. "You can still change your mind about waiting in the garage."

Okidu and Onidu had participated in the mission, and Ogidu had driven the bus to the airstrip to collect them, but Okidu considered the bus his, so she was not surprised that he had taken command of it upon his return.

She could picture it rolling to a stop between the concrete pillars, the doors opening, and the Guardians distributing the chests between them to carry to the elevators that would take them up to the glass pavilion. From there it was only a short walk across the square to the clinic, too short a distance to justify a golf cart, so even though the chests were heavy, they would be carried by Guardians.

"Do you want to go in now or wait to see them arrive?"

"I want to see them come out of the pavilion," she said.

They didn't have long to wait. The procession came into view, rounding the office building, two Guardians to a chest, five simple, wooden chests that looked like crates of ammunition but held cargo far more valuable. The Guardians walked briskly but carefully, their expressions projecting the solemnity of the moment.

A woman at the café stood halfway out of her chair to look, then sat back down, sensing that she should not approach.

Anandur led the procession, and when his gaze landed on her waiting at the entrance to the clinic, he dipped his head.

"Evening, Clan Mother, Kian. We come bearing gifts, but regrettably, the presentation leaves a lot to be desired. Okidu refused to make a stop for us to get red ribbons, flowers, and balloons. He said that you want us to hurry and bring Khiann to you, and that you don't care about decorations." Anandur shook his head. "I told him that a celebration of this magnitude demands it, but he would not listen." He leaned closer to Kian. "Yamanu forgot to transfer ownership to me, so your butler didn't feel obligated to follow my commands."

"I'm glad he didn't," Kian said. "Let's keep moving, people. We don't want anyone to accidentally drop a chest."

Annani appreciated Anandur's attempt at lightening the mood, but she agreed with Okidu's assessment.

She waited by the door as the Guardians passed her by, dipping their heads in greeting. When the last chest was in, she and Kian followed them inside.

The Guardians maneuvered the first chest into the elevator, and Annani and Kian took the stairs instead of crowding in alongside it.