64. Syssi

64

SYSSI

A t the sound of the front door opening, Allegra let out an excited squeal. "Dada!"

She never failed to recognize the sound of her father coming home, even when she couldn't see the front door.

It was a sixth sense.

"Hello, my lovelies," Kian said.

At the sound of his voice, the tension in Syssi's chest eased. "How was the meeting?" She pushed to her feet and greeted him with a kiss.

Kian wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Productive and entertaining."

Syssi raised an eyebrow. "Entertaining? That's not a word I usually associate with council meetings."

Kian chuckled, sat on the floor, and pulled Allegra onto his lap. "Hello, sweetie." He kissed her cheek. "Are you having fun at home with Mommy?"

"Nana," she said in that resolute tone of hers.

"Yes, sweetheart. We are going to Nana's in a bit."

He turned to Syssi with a smile. "People left humorous comments on the clan's bulletin board in response to the request for the perpetrator to come forward. One person suggested it might be mischievous spirits upset about the lack of ghost-friendly amenities in the village and demanded we immediately install more rattling chains and creaky floorboards."

Syssi laughed. "That's funny. Did you check with Anandur to see if it was him? That sounds like something he would say."

"It could be, even though he denied it. He suggested we form a task force to investigate spectral activity, and he did it with a straight face."

Syssi shook her head. "That was him for sure."

"I think so, too." Kian studied her face for a moment, his expression softening. "Are you okay?"

"I am. I needed a good laugh." She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Kian cupped her cheek and deepened the kiss, but their daughter wasn't about to be left out of the fun and grabbed his chin with her little hand. "Lala." She pouted.

Lala was how Allegra referred to herself and what she wanted was clear enough. Kian obeyed the command, peppering her face with kisses.

Allegra's pout melted into giggles as she basked in her father's attention.

As Allegra's giggles subsided, Kian glanced at his watch. "We should head out."

"I just need to put my shoes on." She pushed to her feet and walked over to the couch where she'd left them.

After gathering Allegra's things, they headed out the door with their daughter riding on Kian's shoulders and Syssi carrying a small bag with a few toys and a diaper change.

As they walked toward Annani's home in the village, Syssi ran through the vision again in her mind, organizing the details and strategizing the delivery. She didn't want to disappoint Annani, but she didn't want to oversell her vision either.

"It'll be alright." Kian seemed to sense her unease. "My mother is the strongest person I know, and she will not fall apart because you don't have a definitive answer for her."

As they approached Annani's door, Kian shifted his grip on Allegra's legs to one hand and rang the bell with the other.

After a moment, the door swung open to reveal Oridu, his face impassive as always. "Welcome, Master Kian, Mistress Syssi, and Mistress Allegra," he said in his melodious voice. "The Clan Mother is expecting you. Please, come in."

The Odu led them through the living area and into the dining room, where a table was already set for lunch, and a highchair was ready for Allegra. The only one missing was Annani.

The Odu pulled out a chair for Syssi and then for Kian. "The Clan Mother will join you momentarily," he announced before gliding silently out of the room.

As Kian settled Allegra into the highchair, Syssi took in the spread before them. The table was laden with an array of dishes, some of them Kian's favorites and some hers.

Annani always made a point of treating Syssi as a beloved daughter, and Syssi never failed to appreciate it.

Kian leaned over and took her hand. "Trust in your gift, my love. It will not steer us wrong."

Syssi wanted to say that her gift might decide that it was better for them not to know what had happened to Khiann, but she kept it to herself. There was no need to repeat what Kian already knew, especially not with Annani within earshot.