Page 42 of Dark Destiny: The Fates' Bargain

KIAN

Turner arrived first, as he usually did, which was no surprise.

"You're early," Kian said, dropping into the chair next to his at the conference table.

"That's because I want to get the best seat," Turner said.

Was that a joke?

Turner didn't tell jokes, but the conference table was oblong, so how did he decide which seat was the best?

"I'm not even going to ask." Kian lifted the coffee carafe and poured Turner and himself a cup.

"It's the one next to you," Turner explained. "When I come before the others, chances are that you will pick the chair next to mine."

Kian lifted a hand to his chest. "I feel so special."

Turner frowned. "You are the leader of this community. Of course, you are special."

That sounded like another joke, or a tease, but since it was coming from Turner, it was neither. The guy lacked a sense of humor.

Onegus came in next, followed by Lokan and Kalugal, who came together, but Kian doubted they had coordinated their arrival.

Toven got there last. "So, we are calling Losham again." He pulled out a chair. "Better brace ourselves for it."

"I expect a tantrum," Kian said. "We destroyed two tunnels, cutting the military side off from the resort side, and we blocked the secret tunnel that led from the mansion to the harem. Losham is crippled, and probably in full panic mode."

Next to him, Turner nodded. "He's not in a good place, that's for sure. The Eight were his most valuable asset."

Kian shifted on his chair so he could face him. "What's their status?"

"Volkov prepared the drug they depend on the same night they arrived. The Eight helped him set up the lab in the keep's kitchen and got their first dose no more than an hour later. Petrov joined Volkov the next day, in a limited capacity. He's still recovering from the gunshot wound."

"How are the Eight doing?" Kian asked. "Any complaints?"

Turner tilted his head. "They are settling in, and I haven't heard them complaining about their accommodations, but Volkov's girlfriend is upset about how they are being treated. She thinks it's unfair they're kept in the dungeon level while she and the scientists get a penthouse. I did my best to explain why precaution was necessary, and she understood, but she stillthought that it was unfair and that they should be given the benefit of the doubt."

"I feel bad about that too." Kian rubbed a hand across his jaw. "But I'd rather feel bad than sorry. What's your read on them?"

"Hard to say." Turner leaned back. "They were jittery as hell before the first dose, but tried their best to hide it, which indicates control. I was looking for the signs of withdrawal, so I noticed the tremors and twitching. I was there to see them getting the first dose, but I didn't stay, so I don't know how fast it worked."

"The Guardians stationed with them say that they are much better today," Onegus said. "They are calm, cooperative, and polite, which is surprising for males that grew up in the Brotherhood war machine. Doomers are not known for their good manners." He glanced at Lokan and Kalugal. "No offense, but you two do not represent the average Doomer."

"No offense taken," Kalugal said. "And I agree that Doomers usually are not polite. I'm curious to meet them." He turned to Kian. "Can I visit? I'm a council member, but I wasn't told where the hidden entrance is." He smirked. "Just so you know, I could have figured that out with ease, but I didn't bother."

Kian didn't doubt that Kalugal could have found the entrance, but he doubted very much that he hadn't.

"You forget how well I know you, cousin. You wouldn't have been able to sleep at night until you solved the mystery."

"That is true, but I also know how upset you would be if I discovered your secrets, so I let it be."

"In any case, don't go. If you even suspect where it is, they can pick it up from your brain, and the village is the only thing I can still protect from them in case they are not what they seem."

Kalugal sighed dramatically. "Fine. How long until you decide that they are okay to join our community?"

"I don't know," Kian admitted. "Two or three weeks at least."

Turner tapped his pen on his yellow pad. "Frankly, I don't know what you hope to learn from watching them for a few weeks. They will be on their best behavior because they know they are being evaluated."