Dark Secrets Absolved (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Book 46)

by I. T. Lucas

  Ronja and Annani would get along great.

  “Is it far?” Ronja asked.

  “It’s a ten-minute walk.” Sari and David fell in step with his mother and sister. “If you are tired, I can ask Okidu to get the golf cart.”

  Ronja cast her an incredulous look. “I’m fifty-seven years old, not ninety-seven. Frank and I used to take long walks on the beach every other day, provided that the weather was hospitable.”

  “You are too touchy, Mom. Sari was just being polite.”

  “I know, dear. I am indeed a little touchy on the subject. In my head, I’m still young and beautiful, and I hate having to face the mirror, which in this case is Sari.”

  “Just to remind you, I’m nearly a thousand years old.”

  Ronja waved a dismissive hand. “When you look like you are twenty-five, you feel and act accordingly.”

  “Look, Mom.” Lisa pointed. “They have a playground with swings. And an office building and a café.”

  “This place is much bigger than yours,” David observed. “Is your brother’s community larger?”

  “It is. And when Kalugal’s new place is done, it’s going to grow even more.”

  “That’s nice.” Ronja frowned. “But where is everyone?”

  “It’s Saturday night. Most of our clan members are single, so they are probably out hunting.”

  “At night?”

  Lisa chuckled. “They are hunting for hookups, Mom, not ducks.”

  “Oh. Well, I guess that’s a better sport than shooting poor birds. Less cruel, that’s for sure.”

  “You eat them, so you shouldn’t mind hunting them.”

  Instead of answering, Ronja shrugged.

  As Sari had observed, sometimes that was the best way to stop Lisa from dragging out an argument to infinity and beyond.

  As they reached Kian and Syssi’s house, Okidu opened the side gate and bowed. “Dinner is being held outdoors tonight.”

  By the sound of it, the backyard was packed with people, and Sari wondered who Syssi had invited.

  “Welcome!” Syssi walked over to them and pulled Ronja into her arms. “I want you to meet everyone.” She let go of Ronja to hug Lisa, and then Sari and lastly David. “I invited the entire family so you could meet everyone. Except for Annani and Alena, of course. But you will meet them later at the wedding.”

  Apparently, Syssi considered Anandur and Brundar and their mates as her family too, and also Rufsur and Edna. It was a nice gesture to invite the people David had met in Scotland.

  “Hello.” Amanda sauntered over. “Welcome to the village.”

  Another round of hugs ensued, and then Amanda started making the introductions.

  “Everyone, this is David, Sari’s mate. The lovely lady on his right is Ronja, his mother, and on his left is the lovely Lisa, his sister.”

  “Hi.” Nathalie came forward with Andrew and Phoenix, then Eva and Bhathian with Ethan, then the brothers with their mates, and lastly Carol, Kalugal, and Jacki.

  Grinning, Ronja shook Kalugal’s hand. “So, you are the one responsible for getting my son and Sari together.”

  “Guilty as charged.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.

  “You have my thanks. I was afraid my David would remain an old bachelor.”

  “Let’s sit at the table,” Syssi said. “It’s warmer under the heaters.”

  When everyone was seated, Ronja leaned closer to Sari. “You are very fortunate to have such a big, loving family.”

  “It’s your family now as well.”

  “I love it,” Lisa said. “I just wish there were some kids my age here and not only grownups.” She smirked. “Or ancients. I have no idea how old everyone is.”

  “It’s not polite to ask,” David said. “Immortals don’t even celebrate birthdays.”

  “Yes, we do,” Amanda corrected him. “Just not all of them because that would get tiring. We celebrate in centuries instead of years.” She smiled at Kian. “My brother’s bi-millennial birthday is coming up, and we still haven’t decided how to celebrate it and when.”

  “Don’t make a big production out of it,” Kian said. “We can celebrate it in conjunction with David and Sari’s wedding.”

  “No way!” Syssi took the words out of Sari’s mouth. “Sari and David’s wedding is a grand event, and it deserves its own celebration.” She smiled at Kian. “Someone once told me that the clan needs as many celebrations as possible. So why celebrate once when we can do it twice?”

  Sari lifted her glass of water. “I second that opinion.”

  Kian shook his head. “I didn’t mean that it would happen at the same time. But since everyone is already coming for the wedding, we can celebrate my birthday the next day.”

  “I like it.” Amanda leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “A three-day celebration. We just need to find a third reason for a party.”

  “Why do you need three?” Sari asked.

  “Because a three-day party sounds better than a two-day party, and three is a lucky number.” She shifted her gaze to Dalhu. “Any ideas, darling?”

  He shrugged his massive shoulders. “Maybe Sari’s people moving to the village? If they are already coming for the two parties, they might as well stay.”

  Everyone seemed to want her to make the move, but Sari wasn’t going to cave. “That’s not on the table. In addition to the strategic considerations, the village is too small to contain the entire clan, even when taking into account the two new developments.” She turned to Kian. “You might be able to squeeze in enough houses for our current numbers, but what will you do when more mates and more children arrive? You will have to move the entire community elsewhere.”

  Kian shrugged. “We will address the problem when it becomes relevant.”

  Sari was saved from having to continue the discussion by Okidu’s arrival.

  He bowed to Syssi. “Dinner is ready, mistress. Should I serve it now?”

  “Yes, please.”

  67

  Kian

  Kian had a feeling that no matter what solution he offered, Sari would find an excuse for why moving her people into the village wasn’t doable. She simply didn’t want to do it, which was fine. He wasn’t going to pressure her. But he wanted her to admit the real reason.

  After Okidu was done serving and everyone had dug in, he waited until she looked his way. “We have plenty of time until we run out of space, and if that happens, we will find another solution. We can purchase adjacent plots of land and spread out, or we can build more densely.”

  “I hate to point out the obvious.” Kalugal dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “And coming from me, it’s a little hypocritical, but if Sari and her people move into the village, that will double the traffic in and out of here, and humans will notice.”

  “Kalugal raises a valid concern.” Sari smiled triumphantly. “Besides, the main reason for us staying in Scotland is that maintaining the two centers is strategically advantageous.”

  Lisa shook her head. “I don’t know anything about strategic advantages or disadvantages, but the traffic problem is easy to solve.” She blushed and shifted her eyes to her plate. “But what do I know. I’m just a guest here.” She speared a piece of broccoli with her fork.

  Kian liked the girl’s spunk. “I would love to hear your idea. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see clearly what those on the inside cannot.”

  Lisa cast a quick glance at David, and when he nodded his approval, she put her fork down. “This is Malibu, right? I recognized the area before the limousine’s windows turned opaque. There are many hiking trails in these mountains, and that provides a perfect excuse for a campsite. You could build one near your private access road, and that would explain the extra traffic. It’s going to be fake, of course. You can buy a bunch of motorhomes and park them there. If Sari and her people decide to move here, they can even stay in them until their houses are ready.”

  Ronja chuckled. “I know where Lisa got the
idea from.” She turned to Sari. “For the past couple of years, we were trying to book a space in a campsite near Mammoth Lakes, but their website always showed no vacancy and advised to try later. You could do the same. Make a website for the fake campsite that claims to always be fully booked.”

  “Awesome idea,” Anandur said. “How come we never thought of that? We can put Guardians there on rotation and do some outdoor training. That way, the place wouldn’t look deserted.” He leaned back and put his arm on the back of Wonder’s chair. “What do you say? Would you like to go camping with me?”

  “I would love to.” She shifted her eyes to Kian. “Are you considering the idea seriously?”

  “I am. Even without Sari’s people moving into the village, the fake campsite would add another layer of security.” He leveled his gaze at Sari. “I don’t think that Sari wants to move, and the rest is just excuses, am I right?”

  She shrugged. “I love Scotland. And unless I have to, I would rather not move.”

  “Then that’s the end of the discussion.” Kian lifted his fork. “Although if you moved, David could be close to his mother and sister.”

  There was a long and uncomfortable moment of silence, but then Ronja put her hand on Sari’s and smiled. “We will visit during every school vacation, and once Lisa graduates from high school and goes to college, we might move in with you and David.”

  “I will fly you both on my private jet,” Kalugal offered. “I’ve taken a liking to that old castle, and I wouldn’t mind taking Jacki for more vacations there.”

  “I’ve never flown on a private jet.” Lisa sounded excited. “You are officially my favorite person, Uncle Kalugal.”

  “Uncle.” He grinned. “I like that.”

  Kian wasn’t sure what humans called their various family relations, but he was sure that Kalugal wasn’t Lisa’s uncle. He was Sari’s cousin, and Lisa was Sari’s future sister-in-law. What did that make them?

  Lisa looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. It just slipped out. My friend Roxie calls all of her older family members aunts and uncles, and she has many of them. It’s always uncle this and aunt that.”

  “It’s okay.” Kalugal reached over the table and patted her hand. “I would love being your uncle. In fact, I’m sure everyone around this table wouldn’t mind being your aunt or uncle.” He glanced at Phoenix, who had fallen asleep in her father’s arms. “Except for the little ones. To them, you will be Aunt Lisa.”

  “Hmm.” Amanda tapped a finger over her lips. “That does make life simpler, especially in a community of immortals who are all related to each other. I refer to everyone as my cousins, but when I was a young girl, I thought of everyone as my aunts and uncles.”

  “How old are you, Lisa?” Carol asked.

  “I’m fifteen.”

  “We have a fourteen-year-old boy in the village. He can be your initiator.”

  Lisa grimaced. “If you are talking about Magnus’s son, he is only thirteen, and I’m not letting a thirteen-year-old anywhere near my neck, thank you very much. He’s just a kid.”

  “Parker is almost fourteen,” Amanda said. “And he is a fine young man. When you move into the village, I’ll introduce you two. Maybe you will like each other. The sooner you transition, the better.” She looked at David. “It will give your brother much-needed peace of mind.”

  “Can he even, you know…” Lisa blushed crimson but continued. “Can he even produce venom? I mean, it’s only a kiss, but maybe he’s too young for that.”

  Lisa slumped back in her chair. “I really don’t want to talk about it.”

  When Amanda opened her mouth, Sari lifted her hand. “Let it go, Amanda. Lisa will tell us when she’s ready.”

  “Fine.” Amanda crossed her arms over her chest. “Let’s talk about your paranormal talents instead. I need to test you and your mother. Can you come to my lab at the university, or do you want to wait and do that after you move to the village?”

  “After.” Ronja cast her an apologetic look. “I want to finalize everything back home as soon as possible, so Lisa and I can move into the village and start our new lives. Testing our talents, if we have any at all, is part of our new beginning.”

  “Makes sense,” Amanda agreed. “Would you like to at least see your new home? Or do you want to wait until you move in?’

  “I want to see it,” Lisa said. “Can we, Mom?”

  “Of course. We can stop by the house on our way back.”

  68

  David

  “What an amazing house.” Ronja stood on the front porch. “I didn’t expect it to be so big. It’s just Lisa and me.”

  “We have only two sizes. A two-bedroom and a three-bedroom.” Kian opened the door. “We decided to give you the three-bedroom, so Sari and David can stay with you when they visit.”

  “Thank you.” Ronja’s eyes misted with tears. “Can I give you a hug?”

  As Kian stiffened, David put a hand on his mother’s shoulder, but the big guy nodded. “We are family now.”

  Ronja didn’t wait for another invitation and leaped at him like an over-excited fangirl. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know what Lisa and I would have done without your and Sari’s help.”

  Looking embarrassed, he patted her back. “I’m glad we could be there for you.”

  “Mom.” Lisa stood in the open doorway. “If you really want to thank Kian, you will stop crying all over his fancy jacket.”

  “Sorry.” Ronja let go of him but then opened her arms and beckoned Syssi into them. “I promise not to cry on your sweater.”

  David hoped that the emotional outburst didn’t signal deeper trouble. His mother had kept herself super busy during the past week, and she had him and Sari to keep her spirits up. But they were leaving, and she was going to be alone with Lisa, who was doing her best, but she was just a kid, and she was grieving too.

  Perhaps he should stay until they were ready to move into the village?

  Sari had to go back home, so there was no avoiding that, but he didn’t have to join her. Except, the thought of being separated from her even for one week twisted his gut, causing real physical pain.

  Hell, he couldn’t think of a day without her.

  What was wrong with him?

  He wasn’t the clingy type, never had been, so why couldn’t he stomach being away from the love of his life even for a day?

  “Why are you rubbing your chest?” Sari looked at him with worry in her mesmerizing blue-green eyes.

  He waited until his mother and Lisa had followed Kian and Syssi into the house. “I’m afraid to leave them alone, but you have to go back to work, and I can’t even think of staying here without you. It hurts in here.” He rubbed his chest again. “What’s wrong with me?”

  “Nothing.” Smiling, Sari wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. “It’s the mated bond. When it’s fresh, it is really difficult for new mates to separate, but I heard that it gets easier with time.”

  He let out a relieved breath. “I was starting to question my mental stability. But that doesn’t help solve the problem of my mother and Lisa.”

  “You can call them five times a day and make sure that they are okay.”

  “I can do that, but Ronja is a master of putting a brave face on and pretending as if everything is alright. Unless I’m with her, I wouldn’t know.”

  “But Lisa would. You can ask her how your mother is doing.”

  “I guess so. Lisa is mature for her age, but she’s still a kid. She shouldn’t be responsible for her mother.”

  “I have an idea. I can ask Kian to send Bowen to help them pack and run errands. That way, they will have company to cheer them up, and things will get done faster.”

  “You are the best, my Sari. How did I get so lucky?”

  “We are both lucky for having each other.” She took his hand and led him inside.

  “Can you believe this house?” Lisa opened the sliding doors to the backyard and took a peek. “I
t’s like something from a home decor magazine. Everything is picture-perfect. Do you want to see my room?”

  “Sure.” They followed her down the hallway.

  “The master bedroom is on the other side of the house, and the two additional bedrooms are on this one. They both have queen-sized beds and desks and bookcases and even a couple of armchairs. I chose this one.” She opened the door. “It’s twice the size of my bedroom at home.”

  “It is a beautiful room,” David agreed.

  Lisa plopped down on the bed. “I want to move here already. I just wish I could show this to Roxie, but I can’t.” She looked at Sari. “I’m dying to test Kalugal’s compulsion. Can I call Roxie, and see if I can tell her about this place?”

  Before leaving Syssi and Kian’s home, Kalugal had compelled Ronja and Lisa to keep everything about the village and about immortals a secret. Lisa wouldn’t be able to tell her friend anything.

  “Better not to risk it,” Sari said. “Come on, let’s find your mother. It’s getting late.”

  They found Ronja admiring the master bathroom, while Syssi and Kian waited for her in the hallway.

  Sari stayed behind to talk to Kian, and David followed Lisa into the spacious bathroom.

  “I always dreamt about having a tub like this.” Ronja sat on the jacuzzi’s lip. “I can’t wait to try it out.”

  “And I can’t wait to move into my new room.” Lisa offered her a hand up. “We need to hurry up and finish packing the house so we can come live here.”

  “I’m going as fast as I can.” Ronja let Lisa pull her up. “There is just so much stuff.”

  “Would having Bowen there to help you speed things up?” Kian walked in with Sari and Syssi. “He can carry things, run errands, and even cook when needed.”

  Ronja shook her head. “I would love to have Bowen’s help, but he’s a Guardian, not a butler. He would hate having to do that.”

  “He will be thrilled to help,” Sari said.

  “You really think so?” Lisa looked doubtful.