Page 12 of Dark Shaman: Love Found
"Her wisdom rubs off occasionally." He smiled, then grew serious again. "Is there anything I can do?"
She shook her head. "No. I simply needed to share the burden with someone who understands. The Odus are wonderful, but they cannot truly comprehend the weight of missing someone you love."
He took her hand. "You can always come to me. I might not be the best at providing emotional support, but I will always be there for you."
Annani was touched, and as tears prickled the back of her eyes, she decided it was better to change the subject than start shedding tears in front of Kian. As wonderful as her son was, he would not know what to do with that. "I visited Tim. The transformation is remarkable."
Kian accepted the change of subject gracefully. "Bridget says it's one of the most dramatic she's seen. The growth is unprecedented."
"Hildegard seems quite devoted to his care."
Kian's expression turned speculative. "It's unexpected. They seem like oil and water—both prickly, both quick with cutting remarks."
"Perhaps that is precisely why they match so well. Neither has to pretend to be softer than they are." Annani thought of the way Hildegard had looked at Tim, the gentle way she had read to him. "The heart makes curious choices."
"That it does." Kian paused. "I know it doesn't help, but I believe Areana is safe. She's survived five thousand years of Navuh. She knows how to navigate his moods and how to keep herself protected. One missed call doesn't mean disaster."
"You are right. It does not help." Annani smiled to take the sting from the words. "I appreciate the attempt, though."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Shai entered. "I apologize for the interruption, but Kalugal is here. He says he needs to talk to you urgently."
Annani's heart leaped. Perhaps he'd heard from Areana after all. She stood quickly, Kian rising with her.
"Send him in," Kian instructed.
Kalugal entered with an energy that filled the room. His expression was animated, but Annani could see immediately that it was not about his mother. The disappointment was crushing, though she tried not to let it show.
"Aunt Annani." He dipped his head. "I didn't expect to find you here."
"I was restless after your mother missed her call."
His face fell. "Still no word?"
"Nothing. But you said you had urgent business?"
Kalugal glanced between them. "It can wait."
"No." Annani straightened her spine. "You said it was urgent. What is it?"
"Project Titan," he said to Kian. "My team found three more potential island sites and identified two additional engineers who would be perfect for the team. But we can discuss this later?—"
"Project Titan?" Annani interrupted. "What is this?"
Kian and Kalugal exchanged looks. "A military initiative we're developing," Kian said.
"Tell me about it." She needed the distraction, needed something to focus on besides her fears for Areana.
As they outlined the plan—exoskeletons for human soldiers, a private island for training, and stolen engineers to develop the technology—Annani found her mind engaging. It was ambitious, risky, and exactly the kind of bold action they needed to counter Navuh's growing power.
"Bringing so many humans into our operations, even peripherally, increases our exposure risk exponentially," she said when they were done.
"We've thought of that," Kalugal assured her. "Compartmentalized information, need-to-know basis. The human soldiers won't know about immortals. They'll think they're training for a private military organization."
"Until they face Navuh's enhanced soldiers and realize they're fighting something that is not human," Annani pointed out.
"It can be explained," Kian said. "Drugs. And we won't even be lying. We just won't mention that the monsters were strong even before the chemical enhancement."
As they continued discussing details, refinements, and potential obstacles, it helped having something concrete to focus on. But underneath, the worry remained—a constant ache that would not ease until she heard Areana's voice again.
