Page 13 of Dark Rover's Luck

"Go ahead," Yasmin said softly. "But just one for now."

As they settled down, the initial tension began to ease. The younger children gravitated toward the refreshments, while the teenagers remained slightly on edge, their eyes constantly flicking to Annani's glowing skin.

She could have subdued it or eliminated it completely, but since they were now members of her community, they needed to get accustomed to seeing her glow.

"Your home is beautiful," Soraya commented, probably to start a conversation. "I mean, the entire village is beautiful. It is like something from a dream."

Annani laughed. "Wait until you see my sanctuary in Alaska. That is a true dream made manifest."

"So, this isn't your permanent home?" Rana asked.

"I have two homes. I used to spend most of my time in my Alaskan sanctuary, but that was when I had my daughter Alena as a companion. After she found her mate and moved here, I found myself spending more and more time here. After all, three of my children live in the village."

Yasmin nodded. "I want to live next to my children, too, so I understand."

"What's special about the sanctuary?" Donya asked. "You said that it was even prettier than the village, but Alaska is in the north, and it is covered in snow."

"That is a very smart observation." Annani smiled at the girl. "The sanctuary is a magical place that is even more secure than the village. It is a tropical paradise that is hidden under a dome of ice. No one knows where it is or how to get there other than my Odus, and they will never reveal my secret."

The children looked at her with wide eyes.

"Do you have pictures?" Zaden asked.

"I do." Annani produced her phone from the hidden pocket in her gown and scrolled through her photos. "Here you go. You can pass the phone around. I only took pictures of the main grounds. The private chambers are nice, but they are not as special."

The oohing and ahhing was music to Annani's ears. She had designed her sanctuary herself, and the builders had made her fantasy a reality. Those humans had been thralled to forget what they had built, and none of them were still alive.

"Did you build it yourself?" Arman asked.

Annani smiled. "I envisioned it, and many skilled people helped bring that vision to life."

"How old are you?" Arman blurted out, earning a sharp look from his mother.

"Arman! That's not polite," Parisa scolded.

"Curiosity is natural." Annani smiled. "I am over five thousand years old."

The boy's eyes widened. "You are lying."

His mother nearly fainted, pulling him to her as if she expected Annani to smite him for the insult.

Annani lifted a hand to stop her, a smile still playing on her lips to show that she was not angry. "It is logical for the boy to assume that I am lying because he knows that no one lives that long." She shifted her gaze to Arman. "I am not human, my dear boy. I am a goddess, which means that I am immortal, have glowing skin, and can also do impressive mind tricks. But I cannot create things out of thin air or perform any other magic. I am just different than most of the people on Earth."

Arman nodded, but he seemed terrified of saying anything else, more out of fear of what his mother would do than Annani.

"I imagine that you have gained much wisdom," Soraya said, her voice respectful but with an underlying note of caution.

Annani understood the careful approach. These women had lived under oppression, where those in power demanded unquestioning obedience. They would naturally be wary of another authority figure, no matter how benevolent she appeared.

"I have lived long and seen much," Annani acknowledged. "But I learn new things every day. I understand your caution. You have come from a world where power was often abused, and where those with authority demanded submission. I want you to know that is not how we operate here. Your thoughts, your questions, your doubts—all are welcome. I do not demand faith or obedience. The only thing I will not compromise on is the safety of my people, and that might mean some restrictions on your freedom of movement, but only temporarily. Consider it a period of adjustment, a preparation for a new life of safety and freedom for you and your children."

Yasmin's eyes filled with tears. "My husband died to give us this chance."

A hush fell over the gathering.

"Yes," Annani said softly. "And his sacrifice will not be forgotten or wasted. Your children will grow up free, Yasmin. They will be able to become whoever they wish to be and have eternity to do so. You are all going to turn immortal, starting with the older boys."

"It's always the boys," Azadeh murmured. "Why can't it be the girls first?"

---