48. Annani

48

ANNANI

D iffused by the marine layer, the morning light streamed through the dining room windows as Annani watched her brother and sister and their mates gather for breakfast. These morning meals had become precious moments, opportunities to observe her newly found siblings settling into their new lives. The Odus moved around them, serving coffee and fresh pastries.

"I plan on visiting Roni today," Jasmine said, accepting a cup of coffee from Ogidu. "I want to go over the information he's gathered about my family. I just wish he had time to dig into the rebellion in Kurdistan and find some clues for us, but he is busy with a big project, so he only has a few minutes to spare."

Ell-rom's wince meant that her brother was well aware of what was occupying the hacker's time these days. Roni was hacking into the pedo networks, as Kian referred to them, and preparing for the Avengers' first mission on Tuesday. The closer they came to activating the new division, the closer Ell-rom came to testing his deadly ability on actual humans, and the thought troubled him deeply.

Annani needed to change the subject to disperse the dark cloud hovering over Ell-rom's head.

"This evening, we're all invited to Syssi and Kian's for dinner. It has become something of a family tradition, their Friday dinners, though they do not always work out, and sometimes we have to gather on another day. We try to have the family together at least once a week. It is important for the children." She smiled. "And for me. This is one of the main reasons I stayed here so long instead of going back to the sanctuary or visiting Sari more. I feel a little guilty about that, but not enough to make me leave."

"At least you are getting a break from hosting today," Morelle said. "I know that you enjoy this, but it's tiring even for me, and I'm not the host."

Annani laughed. "Oh, my dear Morelle. You will get used to it. Your years of solitude are over."

Morelle nodded. "It's difficult to adjust, and sometimes it gets overwhelming, but I'm still so glad to be here." She turned to Brandon and took his hand. "I love being part of this community, and I think it is time for me to stop being a guest and become a resident."

Annani had a feeling where Morelle was going with this, and she braced for what her sister was going to say next.

"I believe it is time Brandon and I move into his house. I'm mostly recovered, and I don't need to be taken care of. Although, I have to admit that I don't know the first thing about preparing a meal, and Brandon's culinary skills are almost as scant." She turned to Jasmine. “That's why I think you and Ell-rom should move in with us. If you can spare the time, you could teach us to cook."

Jasmine grinned. "With pleasure. Frankly, I've been feeling like we were overstaying our welcome, but I was afraid to bring this up." She turned to Annani. "The last thing I want is to upset you, Clan Mother, so if you prefer that we stay longer, of course we will."

Part of Annani wanted to say yes and insist that her newly found family stay close, but she knew this was for the best. "I would love for the four of you to stay here forever, but I know that you need your own space, and I am glad that Brandon is inviting you to live in his house. No houses are available in this part of the village, and I want you all nearby." She couldn't quite resist adding, "You must visit me at least once a day, though. I insist."

"We will whenever possible," Jasmine promised. "But are you sure it's okay?"

Annani sighed. "Of course it is, my dear. I will resume the audiences with my people that I have paused during your stay, so it is not as if I will be all alone in here and bored. And if you visit me every day, you will make it up to me." She turned to Brandon. "Your life is changing drastically, Councilman Brandon. From a bachelor who barely bothered to visit the village, you have not only moved back, but you now have a mate, and you are inviting her brother and his mate to live with you. That is quite an adjustment. Are you sure you are ready for that?"

He nodded. "I am more than ready."

Morelle did not look as enthusiastic as her mate, which was not surprising. Annani had noticed that her sister was still struggling with aspects of her relationship with Brandon.

She wished Morelle would come to her for advice, but with Brandon constantly hovering, the poor girl could barely breathe.

It reminded Annani painfully of Khiann and how even their deep love had not prevented him from feeling trapped within the palace walls. That was why she had agreed to let him lead the caravan to Egypt or Kemet, as it had been called back then. It was a decision she had spent millennia regretting, believing it had led to his death.

But if her theory was correct, and her father had compelled the witnesses to falsely testify that Mortdh had murdered Khiann, then that decision had actually saved his life. If Khiann had stayed in the palace, they both would have attended the assembly where all the other gods had been killed.

Then again, if Khiann had not left, Mortdh would not have supposedly murdered him, there would have been no assembly and no bomb, and all the gods would still be around. The Eternal King's assassins couldn't have taken advantage of all the gods being assembled in one place to take them out and blame it on Mortdh in case anyone ever came from Anumati to investigate the tragedy.

So perhaps it had all been her fault after all.

"What's wrong?" Ell-rom's voice broke through her circular thoughts.

"Just giving myself a headache thinking in loops," she admitted, rubbing her temple.

"Can I help?" Morelle asked. "I have a knack for untangling complicated webs."

"That you do, my darling sister. The mental exercise I was engaged in was rather futile," Annani said, "but I don't mind sharing it. Perhaps you can help me untangle it."

She explained her thoughts about Khiann, the assembly, and the complex web of cause and effect that had led to so much tragedy. As she spoke, she watched her siblings' reactions—Ell-rom's thoughtful frown and Morelle's sharp focus.

Brandon and Jasmine shared a similar look of empathetic concern.

"It's not your fault," Morelle said firmly when Annani finished. "The Eternal King's actions and Mortdh's choices are not your responsibility."

"Everything that happened flows from them, not from your decision to let Khiann travel," Ell-rom added. "You can't blame yourself for other people's evil deeds."

Their quick defense warmed her heart.

"Besides," Jasmine said softly, "if everything hadn't happened exactly as it did, none of us would be here now. We are all just threads in the Fates' tapestry."

"That is true," Annani conceded. "The Fates don't share their plans with flesh and blood creatures, and their game includes thousands if not millions of threads. It is impossible to comprehend even if those threads are shown to us. Until they are woven into the tapestry, they are meaningless."

She studied her family around the breakfast table, those precious people who had come into her life through such unlikely circumstances. Perhaps there was no point in questioning the path that had led them here.

"When do you intend to move?" she asked Morelle.

"I thought we should do it today. It's not like there is much involved. It's a few minutes' walk to Brandon's house, and all we need to do is carry our clothing there."

Jasmine winced. "That's easy for you to say. I have a lot of luggage."

"That's not a problem," Brandon said. "Once everything is packed, Ell-rom and I will take care of it. I can get us a cart, or we can just make a few trips."

Annani did not understand the rush, but she understood and appreciated her sister's decisiveness.

She was the same way. Once she made a decision, she did not wait before acting upon it.