Page 24 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

"You are always the first I call."

"I'm honored."

"Amanda is next. Then Sari. By the way, Sari has already booked a flight. She and David are arriving Sunday."

"I know. Sari called Syssi."

It wasn't easy to drag Sari out of Scotland, and Kian was grateful for every occasion that forced her to come to the village.

"How long are she and David going to stay?" he asked.

"Didn't Sari tell Syssi?"

"She might have, but I forgot to ask."

"A week with an option to extend. Sari wants to be here for Mother. She knows how important this is." Alena was quiet for a moment, but Kian could feel she wasn't done yet. "I have a feeling that Khiann's return will usher in a new era for the clan."

Kian's chest tightened with unease. "Syssi said the same thing."

"She did? When Syssi says things like that, it's as good as done."

"I know." He ran his fingers through his hair. "She didn't have a vision, but I know to take even her premonitions seriously. The question is whether the new era will be better than what preceded it or worse."

"It has to be better," Alena said. "Mother is the heart of the clan, and right now it is beating stronger and faster because she is happy. As long as Khiann doesn't disappoint her, it's going to be for the better."

"I hope so. Who else is on your to-call list?"

"Esag." She said the name with extra weight, but he ignored it. "Then Ell-rom and Morelle."

He hadn't thought of them. They hadn't known Khiann, but they were close family, and they had gone through a similar ordeal.

"I'm glad you thought of them. Does Mother remember that she has a sister and a brother who care about her?"

"She does, but right now, Khiann is her entire world. She delegates the updates to me. She hasn't spoken with Sari either."

Kian shook his head. "That's not like her, but then, I can understand. If it was Syssi on that bed, I would ignore everyone else and dedicate my attention to her."

"Yeah. I hope she will become more inclusive in a few days."

"I hope so too. What about Areana? Is she on your list?"

"I'm leaving that one to Mother," Alena said.

Kian arched a brow even though they weren't on a video call. "Why the exception? You are calling everyone else."

"I don't know. It just feels right to leave her to Mother."

"Has she called Areana?"

"I don't think so."

Kian looked at the ceiling.

His aunt was living in a converted cell three levels under downtown Los Angeles with the male who had kept Khiann in a box for five thousand years. His mother might have mixed feelings about calling her sister.

He could call Areana himself. She would tell Navuh, and the small revenge would taste sweet.

"Instead of calling Areana, you can call Kalugal and Lokan. Tell them about Khiann's progress and mention that their mother would like to hear it."