by I. T. Lucas
People in love were doing strange things for even stranger reasons. Like Kian refusing to go home and change from his sweat-saturated clothes because he was scared shitless of Syssi—a little thing who weighed maybe a hundred and twenty pounds and was as gentle as a dove.
Instead, the guy had showered at the gym and sent Anandur to get him some of Brundar’s clothes—adamantly refusing to let Anandur go to his and Syssi’s penthouse for his own. Again, for no good reason other than being scared of Syssi’s scorn.
It was good that Kian hadn’t asked for Anandur’s. After donating a large portion of his wardrobe to Dalhu, he was already running low. Another trip to Walmart was unavoidable. It was either that or doing laundry.
Guess which was more likely to happen.
Kian took a deep breath, held it in, then released it in a slow stream through his mouth. “Just open the goddamned door,” he barked.
So much for calming down—
Let the games begin.
As Anandur pushed open the door, he implored the fates that he’d find the lovebirds out of bed and decently attired. Neither Kian nor Amanda would survive a repeat of what had happened in the cabin.
It was a huge relief to see the two seated on the couch—busy doing nothing naughty—enjoying a civilized breakfast.
With a quick glance at the ceiling, he mouthed a heartfelt thank-you to the heavenly fates.
But then Amanda had to open her big mouth.
“Hello, Kian, and welcome to my new place of residence. Though, please knock next time you visit.”
“As if you ever knock on my door before barging in—uninvited!”
“Duly noted, from now on I promise I will. Please take a seat, brother mine.”
Oh, boy, she is pushing it. Not smart, girl. Not smart at all.
Surprisingly, Kian did as she asked and planted his butt in a chair. Anandur took the opportunity to sidle behind him and mime to Amanda to cut it out, then plonked himself in the other armchair.
“You can’t stay here, Amanda.” Kian served the first ball in the match.
“I don’t see why not,” Amanda countered.
Pity that it was too early in the morning for a drink because this was going to take a while and Anandur would have loved one. Hell, he was sure all of them could use one.
Eh, what the hell. “Drink, anyone?” He got up and opened the bar.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Apparently Kian shared his opinion.
“Dalhu? Amanda?”
“I’ll have what you’re having too,” Dalhu said.
“Nothing for me, I’m fine with coffee,” said the one with the biggest set of balls in the room.
Anandur poured three shots of whiskey, and after handing the guys their drinks returned to his chair.
Kian took a small sip and grimaced. “It’s really too early for that.” He lowered the glass to the table. “I hate beating around the bush, so I’m going to be blunt. There is no way in hell I’m going to allow you to stay here with the Doomer. Is that clear?”
“And there is no way I’m leaving. Is that clear?”
A strained moment of silence stretched between the siblings as they locked eyes, each trying to stare the other down.
Damn, this could take a very long time.
Neither was going to relent.
Luckily, a soft knock on the door saved the day. Expecting Okidu and a tray loaded with an assortment of munchies, Anandur got up and opened the door. But instead of the butler, he found Syssi and Andrew, and what was worse, no food.
“I thought we should be here,” Syssi said.
“I’m with her.” Andrew pointed to his sister.
Well, this was going to get even more interesting…
Because there wasn’t enough drama to begin with…
Anandur let the door swing all the way for the newcomers to come in.
Syssi’s hand flew to her chest. “Oh my God! This is amazing. You’re so talented, Dalhu.” She walked around the room touching the various portraits of Amanda, before settling next to her on the couch.
“Thank you.”
“Impressive,” Andrew mumbled as he drew out one of the dinette chairs and swung it around so it faced the couch.
After that, no one said a thing. Andrew cleared his throat a couple of times, and Syssi kept glancing at the pictures and shaking her head in wonder.
Kian was the first to break the silence, training his eyes first on Syssi and then on Andrew. “I don’t know what you were hoping to achieve by coming down here, but if you thought you’d be able to pressure me into changing my mind, you have another think coming.”
Andrew raised his hands, palms out. “I’m just an impartial observer. I came to prevent unnecessary bloodshed and provide my lie detector services—if needed.”
“And I want to ensure that you guys are civil to each other, and maybe help negotiate a compromise,” Syssi said so quietly it was almost a whisper.
Brave girl. It took guts, putting herself in the middle of a showdown between the warring siblings. And the only reason someone as gentle as her would volunteer to referee between the snarling beasts was her love for both Kian and Amanda.
Amanda wrapped her arm around Syssi’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Thank you, but I can manage Kian on my own.”
“No one is managing me. My word is final.”
“Oh, yeah? You’re not the boss of me.” The professor threw out her preschool challenge.
“The last time I checked, I’m still the regent of this keep, and it is my job to ensure everyone’s safety, including my spoiled, bratty sister.” Kian was making a valiant effort to keep his tone in the human range, and not to snarl like a beast, probably on account of Syssi. But with the way his eyes were glowing and his words slurring he was fooling no one.
“I’m perfectly safe with Dalhu.” Amanda crossed her arms over her chest and slumped back into the couch.
Kian opened his mouth to answer when Syssi stopped him by raising her hand.
“This back and forth hurling of meaningless statements and insults is going to achieve nothing other than widening the rift between you.” She leveled her eyes first on Kian then on Amanda and then back on Kian. “I suggest that you state your case, one at a time and without interjections from the other. Amanda, you go first. Only when she’s done, you’ll have your turn, Kian. Agreed?” Syssi looked at Kian until he gave her a tight-lipped nod.
“Thank you,” Amanda said.
“Just try to be less antagonistic, deal?” Syssi rested her hand on Amanda’s thigh.
“I’ll do my best.” Amanda plastered a pleasant expression on her gorgeous face.
What a pity that Kian was immune to his sister’s looks as well as her antics.
“I wish Dalhu’s past were different, but it is what it is.” Her face turned somber and her tone lost its playful shade. “It wasn’t easy for me to come to terms with it—his part in Mark’s assassination, in particular, was a hard nugget to swallow. It has taken a lot of thinking and soul-searching for me to realize what my gut has known all along.”
Her voice was almost a whisper. “Dalhu and I share a connection, a strong one.” She glanced at the guy before returning her focus to Kian. “I don’t know what it means yet, but I need to find out. If I don’t, I’ll spend the rest of my life wondering what if.”
She chuckled. “Who am I kidding, other than a lock and key, there is no way I can stay away, even if I wanted to. The pull is too strong. I don’t know if it has been decreed by the fates or if it’s nothing more than powerful immortal pheromones, but the fact remains that I need to be with Dalhu.” She leaned forward and picked up her coffee mug, taking a few sips before returning it to the table.
To Kian’s credit, he waited to see if she was done.
But she wasn’t. “It’s not only a compulsion, though. During the short time I’ve known Dalhu, he showed me a side of himself that he’s never shown anyone—not since his transitio
n. He’s been sheltering that vulnerable part of himself behind heavy armor, one he’s been forced to erect in order to survive in the Doomers’ camp. But the fact that he managed to keep the spark alive, and not let the darkness infiltrate and consume this last shred of his soul, proves, to me at least, that he is worthy, and that he should be given a chance to prove himself. After all, since Dalhu has sworn alliance to me, to us, he has demonstrated his commitment in every possible way.”
Amanda took a deep breath and reached for Dalhu’s hand. “Moving down here is the only solution I can think of. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dalhu would never harm me or do anything to endanger the clan or me. But I understand that the rest of you are still wary of him, and I don’t blame you. Therefore, even though I would’ve preferred for Dalhu to move into my comfortable penthouse, I’m willing to move down here and share with him this excruciatingly humble abode. I already asked Onidu to pack some of my things and bring them here. With the nonexistent closet space in this tiny apartment, my poor butler will have to schlep up and down every day.” She harrumphed as if to emphasize the great sacrifice she was making.
In truth, though, for the princess to come slumming it in the dungeon it was probably a big one.
When no one said a thing, she announced, “That’s it, I’m done.”
“I kind of like the idea of a lock and key. I’d throw you in solitary confinement and wait for you to shake off the addiction. Tough love and all that, for your own good,” Kian deadpanned.
If looks could kill, the dude would’ve been annihilated by the fury in Syssi’s eyes.
Amanda emitted a deep throaty growl, something that sounded like a lioness readying for the kill.
Andrew shifted in his chair, probably getting ready to jump and defend Kian in case Amanda went for her brother’s eyes.
The air in the room felt so dense that it could’ve been chopped into a salad, dressed with the bitter juices of resentment and garnished with a sprinkle of shredded nerves.
The knock on the door couldn’t have been better timed.
Thank the merciful fates for Okidu.
The snacks would provide a much-needed time out. And maybe chewing would help bring down the hostility.
CHAPTER 37: DALHU
Hanging by a thread, Dalhu barely managed to contain the rage from bubbling up to the surface. It was so fucking damn hard to refrain from punching something or at least clenching his fists.
But he couldn’t afford even the slightest show of anger.
Regrettably, as much as he craved to get his hands on Kian and throttle the asshole, it wouldn’t be in his best interest—rather counterproductive. The whole thing was resting on Amanda’s ability to prove that he was harmless.
A wolf turned sheep.
And for her he was even willing to go ‘baa’…
Her heartfelt speech had helped convince Syssi and Andrew, but it had done nothing to Kian. The jerk just wasn’t willing to listen. Dalhu must’ve been deluding himself thinking that Kian’s attitude toward him had improved.
That last nasty remark proved that nothing would ever change the guy’s opinion. For Kian, a Doomer was a hell-spawned creature that could never rise above his origins.
A creature he would never allow his sister to be with.
Amanda wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, and right now she seemed on the verge of losing it and attacking her brother, which would only serve to escalate the situation from bad to catastrophic.
Should he wrap his arm around her?
Prevent her from lunging at Kian?
A gentle knock saved him the trouble, providing a much-needed distraction. Anandur got up to admit whoever it was, and everyone’s eyes followed him to the door.
“Clan mother…”
“I was wondering where all of you were,” Annani said as she glided into the room.
Kian stood up and offered her his chair.
The Goddess glanced at the walls and a smile spread across her face. “Such beautiful portraits of my daughter. I feel the love practically radiating from the drawings. Could I have one, Dalhu?”
“Of course, as many as you want. I can always make more.”
“That would be wonderful. Maybe I should have you draw mine as well.” She sat down in the chair Kian had vacated. “Thank you, dear.”
“I’d be honored.” Dalhu finally regained control of his voice.
Was he worthy of such honor? Not really, he wasn’t that good, but he would do his best.
“I tried to phone you, Kian, as well as you, Amanda, but instead got only that annoying voicemail thing. Is there a reception problem down here in the lower levels?” she asked, then continued without waiting for an answer. “I had to contact security, and this nice young man, Steven I believe is his name, told me I could find you here, and that Andrew and Syssi were with you as well.”
Kian grimaced, looking guilty as if his mother was accusing him of deliberately ignoring her phone calls.
Amanda’s brows drew tightly together. “How could Steven have known that Syssi and Andrew were here? I told him to turn off the surveillance.”
“And I told him to turn it back on as soon as I was informed of your shenanigans,” Kian said.
Amanda jumped to her feet and pointed a finger at Kian’s face. “So you think you are above the law? That it doesn’t apply to you because you are the almighty regent? I declared this as my new residence, and last I checked, no surveillance is allowed inside clan members’ private lodging. You can call Edna and verify this if your memory is faulty.” Her voice had been getting louder and louder, until she was practically shouting.
But Kian wasn’t impressed. “My memory functions perfectly, sister mine, and if you have done your legal research thoroughly, you would’ve realized that when a clan member’s safety is in jeopardy, issues of privacy can be overridden.”
The smug look on Kian’s face was begging for Dalhu’s fist.
Amanda placed her hands on her hips and leaned forward so her face was inches away from her brother’s. “Oh yeah? And who decides which situation qualifies as jeopardy? You?”
“Yes.”
Exasperated, Amanda threw her hands in the air and turned to Annani. “That’s just great. Our code of law needs a serious rewrite, Mother. We preach the virtues of democracy while practicing a convoluted form of constitutional triarchy, for lack of better definition.”
Annani regarded her daughter coolly. “Sit down, Amanda.” She waited until her command was obeyed and turned to Kian. “Do not look so self-satisfied, Kian, I have had it with your pigheaded attitude as well.”
The Goddess waved her hand and Dalhu felt a containment field snap into place. Smart move. There was no need for the guys in security to witness Annani admonishing her children.
The Goddess’s intense gaze returned to Amanda. “Our code of law might need some small adjustments, but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with it or with the way we govern ourselves. We are not a country. We are a large family that is organized as a corporation because we also own a huge business conglomerate. Our clan members are treated as preferred stockholders who are entitled to a share of the profits but have no voting power. The main difference between us and other businesses is that we also hire our own shareholders for the higher up positions. Still, we do it based on their capabilities, not their popularity.”
Amanda scoffed, “Do other corporations also police their shareholders?”
“I am sure they do so to enforce nondisclosure agreements and such. And, naturally, our unique situation dictates deviation from the norm.”
It seemed Amanda had exhausted her rebuttals. She slumped back, leaning slightly on Dalhu as if seeking comfort from his closeness. With a move that was guaranteed to infuriate Kian, Dalhu wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
Let’s see if the dickhead dares to say something derogatory in his mother’s presence.
Annani waited for a moment, but when no
one voiced an objection, she smiled magnanimously and continued. “Now that the legalities are cleared up, could you please tell me what the big fuss is all about, Amanda?”
Amanda perked up. “I want to be with Dalhu. I would like for him to move in with me, but if it’s not possible…” She slanted a glare at Kian. “Because some people are ultra paranoid, I would like to stay down here with him, and, naturally, I want the surveillance removed. There are enough cameras in the corridor outside this cell to assuage the fears of those who can see only the worst in people.”
Brave behind her mother’s protective shield, Amanda was once again goading her brother. Evidently, the smart professor wasn’t a wise negotiator.
“I think this is a reasonable request. Kian? And please, try to be reasonable as well.” Annani arched a brow in warning.
It was clear that the Goddess, bless her soul, was putting her little foot down, and Kian would be forced to accept the fact that Amanda was staying. But mindful of her son’s position, Annani had left the door open for some negotiation.
Kian was a jerk and a hothead, but he was definitely not stupid. His mother’s message wasn’t lost on him.
“Fine, she can stay. But so does the surveillance.”
“What?” Amanda blurted.
“Wait, I’m not finished. It’s just a precaution. The recording will go straight to a dedicated server without anyone listening or watching—not unless there is a reason for alarm or something happens to you.” Kian slanted a baleful look at Dalhu.
Annani beamed. “That sounds like a good compromise. You see? Amanda? Kian is being reasonable.”
But Amanda didn’t look happy. “Hold on. If you are insisting on cameras, then I see no reason why Dalhu can’t come live with me in my penthouse. You can rig the whole place up to your heart’s content, and we can live in the comfort of my apartment.”
“That’s a no, like a no way in hell.”
“Why not? You can even have William put a cuff on Dalhu so you’ll know where he is at all times.”
“Not good enough. He’ll still be able to communicate our location to his brethren. And even if you manage to convince me that the probability of him doing so is one in a million, I would still refuse to accept the risk. Too much is at stake.”
