Page 55 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

"We don't need a week," Kian said. "We need just three days."

There was a long silence on the line. "Say that again?"

"We go on Thursday morning, your time. Schedule the meeting and have Bertram arrive at the hotel the night before."

"Finally." Losham exhaled. "I'll schedule the meeting first thing tomorrow morning. I'll let you know if I hit any snags. I hope you are flexible."

"We are. Did you come up with a legitimate pretext for the meeting?"

"Of course." Losham sounded much more confident now. "A loyalty affirmation. Every one of them stands before the camera and his peers to renew his oath to Lord Navuh. It is exactly the sort of thing my father used to do to reinforce his control over the senior commanders."

Lokan nodded. "That's good. The oath ceremony also solves your other problem. You need them to stay in the room, and nobody leaves an oath ceremony early."

"Correct," Losham said. "They will stay for as long as I keep talking, and I can keep talking for a very long time. Bertram will be standing beside me on the other side of the island, watching the troublesome top commanders swear loyalty to Navuh and then get annihilated. I will tell him this is what happens to those who are disloyal to me, and in turn he will tell everyone about the outside force I command. No one will dare to plot against me again."

"A win for both of us," Kian said.

Losham was quiet for a moment. "Do you know that every time you've called, I thought you were calling to tell me that the operation was postponed? Or reconsidered? Or that the clan had decided it was too expensive?" He snorted. "Five of the junior brothers are currently deciding which of them is going to kill me, and the irony is just beautiful. On Thursday morning, I'll settle it for them."

"So, it is agreed," Toven said. "You will send for Bertram and instruct him to arrive Wednesday evening. You will schedule the conference for Thursday morning and keep it in session until we strike. If there is a problem with the scheduling, you will let us know tomorrow, and we will adjust accordingly."

"You did not need to do that, you know," Losham said. "I don't need to be compelled to follow your instructions. You are giving me a gift."

"I know, but I like to make sure. Repeat it back to me, please."

Losham repeated it word for word.

"Thank you," Toven said. "That will be all for today. We will call at the same time tomorrow."

Onegus switched off the device. "He hates us. He loves what we are doing for him, but he still hates us."

"Of course, he does." Kian leaned back in his chair. "I would be worried if he didn't."

20

YAAF

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Yaaf asked Bowen.

The Guardian set the takeout bags on the counter. "What is it?"

"We want to speak with Kian," Yaaf said.

The Guardian frowned. "About what?"

"About how much longer we will be stuck here. We think the probation period has been long enough. Turner said two to three weeks. It has been four, and no one is telling us anything."

"That's problematic." Bowen rubbed the back of his neck. "I hear you, and you are right, but Kian has good reasons not to come here in person to talk to you."

"We're aware of his reasons." Yaaf pulled out a stool and sat down. "It can be done via a video call, or even a regular phone call. He can wear the filtering earpieces."

Bowen leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. "If you want this to work, you need to prepare and present your case in a compelling way so he might actually listen and not shoot it down right away."

That sounded good in theory, but the collective didn't know what they could say to convince Kian. Words didn't mean much if they were not backed up by deeds, and their deeds should have been enough to earn them Kian's trust already. What could they say that would top what they had done on the island?

Yaaf shook his head. "What do you suggest we include in that presentation?"

Bowen didn't answer right away, probably going through the same mental exercise the collective had just done. "Make a list of reasons why you want to move to the village. Kian might be under the impression that the current arrangement works for you."