“It truly is a beautiful place, Kian. You have done a marvelous job.”

He and Annani headed a small procession as he showed her around the village, with Anandur and Brundar close behind them, followed by Annani’s three Odus.

Okidu and Syssi were at their future village house, preparing a small family celebration for Annani.

“Thank you. A lot of people contributed their creativity and hard work to make it what it is.”

She threaded her slim arm through his. “But you came up with the concept.”

“No, not really. It was also a group effort.”

Annani laughed, the beautiful sound sending birds into a chirping frenzy. “I am trying to pay you a compliment but you are making it difficult. How about organizing everything and making sure that it actually got built? Can you take credit for that?”

“I can. Thank you.”

“Finally. Can we stop by Nathalie and Andrew’s? I want to kiss that adorable baby of theirs.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. You’re not the kind of guest who can show up unannounced.”

With a sad smile, his mother nodded. “That is what I do not like about my status. All that formality and procedure creates a distance between my family and me. I would have liked to just walk in and say hello.”

Kian leaned so he could whisper in her ear. “It’s not like you discourage all the fuss. You thrive on that.”

Annani shrugged. “I need to entertain myself somehow. Life can become very boring after so long.”

“True. But you never seem to be bored or restless.” He waved a hand. “You’re regal and awe-inspiring.”

Her smile was radiant as she lifted her face to look at him. “Thank you. I think that is the nicest thing you ever said to me. Except for I love you, that is. Those are the words I appreciate the most.”

Before she had a chance to lay the guilt trip on him, Kian teased, “You’re also stubborn, irrational, and impulsive, and I worry about what you will do next every time you visit.”

Annani pouted. “Why did you have to spoil it? You were always so contrary.”

“You call it contrary. I call it responsible.”

She waved a hand. “Life is all about balance. If all you have are responsibilities, you are not really living. And if you never take any risks, you remain stuck in one place. I think I am very reasonable regarding my balancing act. I am cautious but not overly so. Not everything that you consider risky, actually is.”

“True. But it’s enough to make me lose sleep.”

“We cannot have that. You are cranky enough as it is.”

Kian arched a brow. “Why? Did Amanda complain about me?”

“She did not have to. You are one big stress ball. I can see it in your shoulders and your posture. You should take another vacation.”

It was true that he was tense, but for once it had nothing to do with his workload. He was still trying to figure out how to ask Annani to donate her blood for Turner. It had been difficult to do so for Andrew, whom Annani considered close family. Turner was nobody to her.

On top of that, Kian and Annani were never alone, and it wasn’t something he could talk about in front of other people. He needed to figure out a way to do it with no witnesses to overhear them.

The problem was that they were staying in the village for the duration of her visit, and he couldn’t ask her to come to his office without it looking suspicious. Annani could shroud their conversation, but Syssi would feel the barrier. Maybe he could send her on some errand.

The Odus could stay. Their loyalty to Annani was absolute. Their programming made sure of that.

The other problem he was trying to solve was how to keep the blood chilled until he could find an opportune moment to inject Turner. It wasn’t as if he could ask Bridget to provide him with a medical cooling unit, and sneaking one into the village would not be easy either.

Did he even need specialized equipment for that? Maybe a simple home appliance would do? That was another thing he needed to research.

Lucky for him, this was the age of the internet, and one could learn almost anything online, even how to build a nuclear bomb.

“Why are you frowning, my son? Is the prospect of another vacation with your wife so disturbing to you?”

“What? No, of course not. I have a lot on my mind.”

“Care to unload? This is what mothers are for, you know.”

Hmm. That could be just the opening he needed. “In fact, I could use some of your sage motherly advice.” He leaned closer and whispered, “But a conversation of this sort should be private, and there is not much privacy to be had here.”

Annani waved a hand. “It could be easily arranged.”

“How?”

“I would just tell Syssi that I need a little alone time with my son.”

“She’ll feel offended.”

“No, she will not. I want to discuss with you a problem I am struggling with, and I require privacy. I am not obligated in any way to share my troubles with my daughter-in-law.” Annani hadn’t bothered to say any of that quietly. The whole point was for his bodyguards to hear her.

“True.”

And he was not obligated to reveal his mother’s secrets either. That could work. Not that it would make him feel any less guilty about hiding things from Syssi, especially not after the big fuss he’d made about her keeping secrets from him. But at least her feelings wouldn’t get hurt.

“When do you want to discuss your problem?”

“As soon as possible.” She smiled. “I am not known for my patience.”

“No, you’re definitely not.”

“I am tired, Kian. Let us go home,” Annani said when they finished touring the property.

“Of course, Mother.” He bowed his head before leading her back to his and Syssi’s home.

“You’re dismissed for tonight,” he told the brothers. “Go home and rest. Tomorrow you need to show up early and start preparing the site.”

The opening ceremony was going to be held outside in the village square. Chairs had to be brought in and arranged in rows, tables needed to be covered with tablecloths and decorations. The brothers were on chair duty, while the other Guardians, old and new, were in charge of driving the guests in. The Odus were going to be busy preparing food and setting the buffet tables.

The brothers bowed to Annani.

“Goodnight, Clan Mother,” Brundar said.

“Say hello to Callie for me, and tell her to come see me tomorrow after the ceremony.”

“I will, Clan Mother.” He bowed again.

“Goodnight. See you tomorrow bright and early,” Anandur said with much less formality than his brother.

“Goodnight.” Annani waved them off.