Dark Secrets Unveiled (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Book 45)

by I. T. Lucas

  “You can ask Kri about her experience, or Eleanor.”

  Richard grimaced. “I don’t trust anything Eleanor has to say. But I will gladly talk to Kri. Stella will also trust her feedback more than Eleanor’s.”

  “If Stella doesn’t want to do it, you can go for a solo adventure.” William cleared his throat. “That being said, the Perfect Match Studios made all of their virtual adventures available to us, and they created amazing environments for couples that are highly customizable. You can really go wild with your choice of adventure.”

  Richard’s appetite had already been whetted enough, but William’s last comment had his imagination soaring to new heights. He had to convince Stella to have an adventure with him.

  “One more thing,” William said. “The programs designed by the Perfect Match Studios use avatars, so you can actually be someone else inside the adventure, and not just pretend it. It’s incredibly liberating.”

  “Will I remember it after it’s over?”

  “Of course. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

  “True. But what if Stella and I want to do it as ourselves?”

  “Do you mean that you want to enter the adventure with the awareness of who you really are?”

  “Yes.”

  “It takes away from the fun. The idea is to let go of your fears and inhibitions and not take them with you. That can only be achieved with full immersion.”

  “But is it possible?”

  William nodded. “The programs that we designed in house are simpler, and you can retain awareness of who you are.” He took his glasses off and wiped them on his shirt. “But since you are the only human that I can test the machines on, I prefer for you to do the full immersion version. Most of the intended users will be immortals, but just in case we get Dormants or more humans in here, I want to get a human’s feedback and compare it to that of an immortal.”

  “I’ll think about it. When do you need an answer?”

  “There is no rush. Let me know whenever you and Stella are ready, and I’ll set it up for you.”

  49

  Stella

  “Can I get you coffee?” Richard pulled out a chair for Stella. “Something to snack on?”

  “Maybe later.” She sat down. “You said that you had something important to discuss with me.”

  When Richard had called asking if she could meet him at the café, Stella had tensed. Usually they met in the evenings, and sometimes for lunch, but rarely in the mornings. What was so urgent that it couldn’t wait for later in the day?

  Sitting next to her, he took her hand. “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

  That was the last thing she’d expected him to ask her.

  “That’s what you dragged me out of the house for? To ask where I would like to go?”

  “Yes. It’s very important.”

  He was stifling a smile, so maybe it was a joke.

  “I told you already. I would like to visit Finland. Lapland in particular.”

  “And if you could have any adventure that you can imagine, what would it be?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You could visit the Space Station, travel to Mars, climb Mount Everest, visit the ancient Mayas. Use your imagination.”

  “You are confusing me. What is it all about?”

  “Virtual adventures. I spoke with William earlier, and he is looking for volunteers to test the new machines he and his team built. He tried it himself, so I know that it’s perfectly safe. He just wants feedback on what can be improved.”

  She’d heard about it. “Those are designed for virtual hookups, right?”

  “Originally, yes, and that’s the majority of the existing programs. But we don’t have to do that. We can try one of the new themes that William’s team designed. Kri and Eleanor did a ski adventure together that involved springing a spy out of a Siberian top-security prison and a chase through the snow.”

  “Sounds exciting. But if the choice is between a romantic getaway and a spy chase, I’ll take the romance.”

  He grinned. “I hoped you would choose that. William says that the Perfect Match themes are amazing and highly customizable. You can design your dream encounter as well as your dream guy. The program uses avatars, and while you are in it, you forget who you are in the real world so you can have a completely immersive experience.”

  Pulling her hand out of Richard’s, Stella leaned back. “Frankly, it sounds scary. I’d rather not be one of the first to try it. I want to hear what others who went through it have to say.”

  She had no intention of ever trying it, no matter what others reported. If she lost awareness of who she was, she might blurt out things that she shouldn’t. It was too risky.

  “You can talk to Kri and William. Or even Eleanor. I don’t like the woman, but if you do, that’s fine with me.”

  “I don’t like her either.” Stella crossed her arms over her chest. “People don’t change overnight, and until recently, she was luring people into servitude in the government program. She is not a good person.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” He smiled. “We think alike, you and me.”

  “Not really. You seem eager to lose yourself in a virtual adventure, while I’m scared of it.”

  “It’s perfectly safe. William is not a brave guy, and he wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t. He said that he had the best time of his life.”

  That was one hell of an endorsement.

  “He did?”

  “Yeah, and Kri said the same thing. She wants to do it with Michael next.”

  “I need to think about it.”

  Richard smiled. “At least it’s not a flat no. I consider that good progress.”

  “What if I say no?”

  “Then I will be disappointed. William needs my feedback as the only human in the village, so I will have to go solo, which isn’t going to be nearly as much fun. I want to do that with you.” He leaned forward. “Think about it, we will be the first couple to try the sexy virtual experience in the village. We will be pioneers.”

  It was tempting.

  She hadn’t traveled in years, and with the virtual program, she could go practically anywhere without leaving the safety of the village.

  Then another thing occurred to her. If she blurted out her secret during the adventure, would it count as breaking her vow?

  She wouldn’t be herself, and she wouldn’t remember her real life, which meant that she couldn’t be held responsible for the actions of her avatar.

  Except, if she didn’t remember her old life while in the program, she wouldn’t remember her secret either. Perhaps it was safe to indulge in a virtual fantasy.

  It could be so liberating, but it required courage that she’d lost somewhere along the way.

  Motherhood had changed her. From a free spirit who had walked into danger without giving it a second thought, she had become fearful and overly careful.

  Her once free-spirited life had become stifled, stagnant, and dull.

  She didn’t regret any of it. Vlad had been worth every sacrifice. But now that he was an adult, perhaps it was time for her to find the old Stella who had lived for adventure.

  Except, it was difficult to break the new mold she’d built, the habit she’d adopted, and go back to how she used to be, careless and free.

  “I don’t know. It still scares me to lose my identity and become someone else.”

  “Only for three hours. You can experience a two-week vacation at no cost and no real danger. When was the last time that you traveled or did anything exciting?”

  She smiled. “Last night, and the night before, and the night before that. You excite me, Richard.”

  His eyes softened. “That’s the best compliment I’ve ever gotten.”

  “From me?”

  “From anyone.”

  50

  Sari

  Sari had spent another night in the waiting room, but most of it hadn’t been spent sleeping.r />
  Miranda had brought her a folding table, an office chair, and a pile of files, so Sari had had everything she needed to catch up on work. It had been nearly four in the morning when she’d given up the fight to keep her eyes open and had collapsed on the cot.

  It hadn’t been a deep sleep. She’d heard Bridget and Steven conversing in hushed tones, and she’d been aware of them tiptoeing around her to go in and out of David’s room, but since none of that had sounded urgent, Sari had kept dozing. But it was time to get up and check on David.

  “Good morning.” Bridget sat on one of the chairs. “I have good news for you.”

  Sari sat up. “That’s something I’m eager to hear.”

  “Steven and I removed the ventilator. David is breathing on his own.”

  Letting out a breath, Sari closed her eyes. “Thank the merciful Fates.”

  “That’s not all. David’s blood pressure has stabilized, and his temperature is down.” Bridget smiled. “I wish we could bottle Annani’s blessing. It seems to be incredibly effective.”

  “Her blessing was reinforced by over two hundred well-wishing voices.”

  “Then we need to bottle that as well.”

  Sari pushed to her feet. “I need to use the bathroom, and then I’m going to see David.”

  “I’ll get you some coffee.”

  “Thanks.”

  It had been on the tip of her tongue to ask Bridget if she thought that David would wake up soon, but Sari had chickened out. After hearing the good news, there was no harm in indulging in a bit of wishful thinking and hoping that he would. She didn’t want to get a negative answer that would squash her hope.

  Once she was done in the bathroom and had donned a fresh outfit, Sari returned to the waiting room.

  Bridget handed her a steaming mug of coffee. “Here you go.”

  “Thank you.” She took a sip. “Is it safe to take it into David’s room?”

  “Just don’t drink it over the bed. Do you want me to get you breakfast?”

  “Thanks for the kind offer, but I’ll have Ojidu get it for me. Would you like some as well?”

  “I already ate, and Steven is in the dining room now.”

  As Sari pulled out her phone to call Ojidu, the door opened, and Jacki walked in. “Good morning.” She cast a tight smile at her. “How is David doing?”

  It was a little early for visitors, and Jacki hadn’t visited David before. Perhaps she wanted to get it out of the way and have the rest of her day free.

  “Much better. He is off the ventilator and breathing on his own.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” Jackie slanted a look at Bridget. “Can I talk to you in private?”

  “Of course.” Bridget motioned toward Steven’s office. “We can talk in there.”

  Apparently, Jacki hadn’t come to see David. And since the only thing an uninjured immortal female would need a doctor for was pregnancy, Sari felt a little jealous.

  A few moments later, Jacki stepped out of the office, holding a small plastic container in her hand. “I hope that you don’t mind if I use the bathroom in the other patient room. Bridget told me that you’d commandeered it.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” Sari looked at the container. “Are congratulations in order?”

  “That’s what I want to find out. Kalugal doesn’t know why I’m here. I told him that I wanted to visit David, so I don’t want to use the bathroom outside the clinic in case someone sees me with this.” She lifted the container.

  “I understand. You don’t want him to get his hopes up.”

  “Precisely.” Jacki sucked in a breath and then let it out in a whoosh. “Bridget says that I’m probably not pregnant because I’m still transitioning, but I have a feeling that I am. I’ve been tired the entire time we’ve been here, and things that normally don’t bother me make me nauseous now.”

  “Go in there and find out. I wish you good luck.”

  “Thank you.”

  As Jacki ducked into the other patient room, Sari went into David’s, but she left the door open.

  “Hi.” She leaned and kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy to see you without the ventilator. The doctors say that you are much better. Your blood pressure is back to normal, and so is your temperature.” She sat on the chair and took his hand. “I hope that means you will wake up soon.” She glanced at the open door. “Jacki just went into the bathroom to pee in a cup. She thinks that she’s pregnant, and I can’t help but feel a little jealous. If you don’t mind, I would like us to start working on making a baby as soon as you are up to it.” She chuckled. “How’s that for an incentive?”

  Naturally, there was no answer, but something in David’s peaceful expression had changed. Was that a ghost of a smile?

  She had surely imagined it.

  Turner had received the same blessing as David, and people had prayed for him as well. Still, it had taken him over two weeks to wake up from his coma. He’d been older than David at the time, and not in the best of health, so maybe David would wake up sooner, but it wasn’t going to happen today.

  Except, Jacki’s pregnancy was a good omen, and Sari had a strong gut feeling that he was going to wake up sooner rather than later. It might be just wishful thinking, but she had learned a long time ago to trust her gut.

  As her mother liked to say, sometimes the gut was smarter than the brain.

  51

  Kalugal

  “This place is a hidden gem.” Kalugal leaned back in his chair. “I love the view from here.”

  Kian nodded. “I wonder why it’s not getting more use from the castle’s occupants.”

  Amanda snorted. “Because it’s too damn cold out here most of the year. The Highlands have two pleasant months at best. The rest of the time, it’s miserable out here.”

  Other than Annani, Alena, and Wonder, who’d gone with Miranda to choose tapestries to take back home with them, and Jacki who had suddenly decided that she had to visit David, the rest of their group was having after breakfast coffee on the library terrace that Callie had discovered the day before.

  “They should put up outdoor heaters.” Kalugal put his empty cup on the table. “That way, they could use this lovely covered terrace for a little longer than that.”

  One of the Odus rushed over with the carafe in hand. “Would you like more coffee, master?”

  “Yes, please.” He lifted the cup for the Odu to refill.

  The cyborgs were a useful bunch, and it was regrettable that Annani had refused to let William take one of them apart to discover how they worked.

  If the materials they were made of were available, they could produce many more to serve the village.

  Leaning back in his chair, Kalugal imagined every home with an Odu serving its occupants. But that would only be the beginning. They could be used as gardeners, garbage collectors, even construction workers. Kian would no longer have to bring in Chinese crews for building projects in the village.

  Naturally, the technology should be closely guarded and not allowed to fall into the hands of humans, but as long as the cyborgs were confined to the village, that should be safe.

  It was a nice dream, but it wasn’t going to happen. The goddess was either too fond of her servants to risk losing even one, or she feared what else might be done with them.

  Perhaps he should engage Annani in a conversation regarding her Odus and try to convince her to reconsider by pointing out all the possible advantages.

  “We should take a road trip to the nearby towns,” Amanda suggested.

  Syssi shook her head. “I’d rather stay nearby in case Sari needs us. We can go to the lake again. That’s always fun.”

  Kalugal glanced at his watch. “What is taking Jacki so long?”

  “Sari is probably grilling her about her transition,” Syssi said. “She asked me a lot of questions, but I couldn’t answer most of them because I was unconscious during the start of mine, and I didn’t dream anything or hear anything that went on around me.
”

  “Same here,” Callie said. “I wasn’t unconscious the entire time, but I don’t remember much of it.”

  Brundar wrapped his arm around her in a rare public display of affection. “You were injured and given strong painkillers.”

  As the door flew open and Jacki came rushing out looking all flushed, Kalugal jumped to his feet and asked the question that was on everyone’s lips. “Did something happen to David?”

  A happy grin spreading over her face, Jacki shook her head. “David is doing much better. He no longer needs the ventilator to breathe, and his other vitals are back to normal.”

  “That’s fantastic,” Amanda said. “But why is your face all red? Did you run the entire way to tell us the good news?”

  “Yes, but I have more.” Jacki turned to Kalugal and wrapped her arms around his neck. “We are pregnant.”

  “I knew it.” Amanda clapped her hands. “Congratulations!”

  Kalugal was aware of people slapping his back and congratulating him and Jacki, but he remained speechless.

  Jacki frowned. “Say something.”

  “How?”

  She chuckled nervously. “Do you need me to tell you about the birds and the bees?”

  “I mean, you are still transitioning. Bridget said to wait six months before we try.”

  “She said that about using Merlin’s fertility potions. This happened naturally.”

  “It’s the Fates’ will,” Kian said from behind him. “Count yourself lucky.”

  Kalugal didn’t feel lucky. He felt anxious.

  Terrified was more accurate.

  He wanted a child, but he wanted Jacki more, and if pregnancy was dangerous to her because she was still transitioning, he would rather she aborted even if it meant never having children.

  Jacki was his life.

  “What did Bridget say? Is it safe for you?”

  Understanding dawning, Jacki’s eyes softened. “She said that if my body accepted the pregnancy, then it was ready for it, and I should be fine. She suggested that we move into the village sooner rather than later, though, so she can keep an eye on me.”