Chapter 17
SYSSI
Syssi stood near the edge of the green with Kian, a glass of sparkling water in her hand, watching the crowd gather, and doing the thing she loved most at events like these, which was observing.
She had been a people-watcher long before she'd met Kian and had become immortal, and the transition from watching humans to watching immortals hadn't changed the fundamental pleasure of the activity.
People were people, regardless of their lifespan, and their behavior at parties was universally predictable.
The extroverts gravitated toward the center.
The introverts claimed tables near the periphery. Some showed off, others judged.
Arezoo's mother and aunts were constantly inspecting the buffet even though the Odus had it covered.
The afternoon was warm and clear, typical weather for Southern California, and the village residents were arriving in clusters, dressed in their party attire and smiles for the soon-to-be newlyweds.
As usual, Amanda had transformed the village green into an elegant venue.
Round tables dotted the lawn, each draped in a white tablecloth that glowed faintly in the late setting sunlight.
The centerpieces were arrangements of white roses and greenery interspersed with small candles in glass holders, simple enough not to dominate the table but pretty enough to catch the eye.
The effect in the late afternoon light was warm and inviting, the kind of setting that encouraged people to linger and talk and refill their glasses.
The buffet stretched along the far edge of the green, and it was impressive in its length and variety.
Five Odus manned the stations, and what struck Syssi about them was not the similarity of their stocky bodies and their plain faces but the joy which they seemed to be exuding.
It could have been nothing more than a good emulation of human emotions, or it could be one more step in their evolution, bringing them closer to being sentient.
As cherished members of this community, it was possible that they were genuinely happy to contribute to the celebration.
Okidu was at the carving station, slicing roast beef, Onidu was managing the seafood display, Ovidu was in charge of the desserts, and Oridu and Ogidu were stationed at opposite ends of the line, handing out plates and utensils and overseeing the operation.
Absent were Annani's third Odu, Oshidu, who had stayed in Alaska to pilot clan members between the sanctuary and the nearest towns, and Sari's butler, Ojidu, who was with her in Scotland.
Music played through speakers that had been mounted in the trees, the playlist curated to fit the ambiance of a cocktail party. The songs were contemporary enough to feel current and mellow enough to allow conversation, and Syssi suspected that Shai had assembled it.
Amanda was making the rounds in high heels despite their impracticality on grass. How did she do that without her heels sinking into the ground? Was she putting all her weight on her toes or somehow hovering?
When Arezoo arrived with Ruvon, Syssi forgot about Amanda and the buffet and the Odus and everything else.
The girl looked stunning.
It wasn't a word that Syssi used often because overuse diluted it, but there was no other word that fit. Arezoo walked across the green beside Ruvon, and conversations stopped mid-sentence.
Her dress was a deep, hot-lava red with a structured corset bodice that showed off a narrow waist, and a skirt of layered tulle that floated around her as she moved.
Her dark hair had been swept into an elegant style, her makeup was flawless, and she wore heels that added at least four inches to her petite frame.
They were red like the dress, but they weren't spiky like Amanda's.
The chunky heel didn't sink into the grass, and Arezoo's gait was sure and confident.
Ruvon looked dashing in a tailored dark suit that fit his broad shoulders and slim frame impeccably. His white shirt was open at the collar, but the most striking thing about him was the expression of pride that he was making no effort to conceal.
They were gorgeous together. The former Doomer and the girl who had arrived at the village too frightened to speak above a whisper, who had found in each other something that the universe had apparently decided they both deserved.
"She looks so beautiful," Syssi said. "And so bold. I would never have suspected that she had it in her to wear a dress like that."
Kian nodded in agreement. "Ruvon's chest is so puffed up with pride that it's about to burst."
The couple made their way through the crowd, stopping to accept compliments and hugs, and Arezoo's cheeks were flushed, either from pleasure or self-consciousness or both, and that made her look even lovelier.
Drova's transformation was even more shocking than Arezoo's. She wore an elegant black pantsuit that was the fanciest thing Syssi had ever seen her wear, and her black hair was loose, cascading down her back and curling at the ends. She even wore eyeliner.
Syssi wondered what kind of bet Drova had lost to agree to the beauty treatment because there was no way she would have done it voluntarily.
Ruvon and Arezoo reached the stage that had been set up near the buffet, where a microphone stood on a stand, and Ruvon stepped up.
He adjusted the height. "Good evening, everyone," he said. "Arezoo and I want to thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate with us. I'll keep this short because I know none of you want to hear speeches tonight."
A ripple of laughter.
"We're saving those for the wedding. Tonight is just about eating, drinking, and enjoying each other's company. The Odus have prepared an incredible spread, the bar is open, and if anyone needs me, I'll be the one standing next to the most beautiful woman on this lawn."
As the crowd responded with cheers and applause, Ruvon stepped off the stage and returned to Arezoo, who was looking at him with such adoration in her eyes that Syssi felt tears prickling the back of her eyes.
"They are so much in love," she whispered.
Kian wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I wish them to keep falling in love with each other every day as we do."
"That's sweet." She lifted her head and kissed his cheek. "You should save it for your speech at their wedding."
"I'm not going to speak at their wedding.
" He tightened his arm around her. "And tonight, I'm going to enjoy spending time with my wife.
I love our daughter with everything I have, but sometimes I want you all to myself.
I was very glad when my mother decided to babysit the little ones and not to join the party. "
Syssi was a little worried about the goddess handling Allegra, Evie, and E.T. without the Odus there to help her, but Annani had dismissed her fears, saying that they would be fine and to stop worrying. If they got fussy, she would just sing to them, and they would calm down.
It wasn't boasting.
Annani's singing voice carried a special quality that only goddesses possessed, and it was so beautiful that even babies were enthralled by it. No matter what they were upset about, they stopped fussing and just listened.
"Do you want to stand in line at the buffet or wait until the line gets shorter?" Syssi asked Kian even though she knew his answer to that. He would hate standing in line with everyone.
"I can wait for the food, but I would like a drink."
She smiled. "I would like a drink too."
The bar was self-serve, and since the other guests were lining up at the buffet, there was no one there.
"Moscow Mule?" Kian asked.
She nodded. "That would be perfect."
He poured the mix of vodka and ginger beer for her, neat whiskey for himself, and they went to find a place to sit. They found a table near the periphery because Kian preferred not to be the center of attention if he didn't need to be.
Their solitude didn't last long, though. As people collected the buffet offerings and started looking for a place to sit, Eluheed and Tamira walked up to their table.
"May we join you?" Eluheed asked.
"Please." Syssi gestured to the empty chairs.
Tamira was a gorgeous female even by immortal standards, and today she wore a purple dress that was the perfect shade for her.
"This is lovely," Eluheed said.
"The flowers are a nice touch," Tamira added. "I wonder what Amanda will do for the wedding."
"Probably something more elaborate," Syssi said. "She has a special talent for designing weddings around the personalities of the couple. Though in Ruvon's and Arezoo's case, I have no idea what that could be."
"Books," Tamira said. "When I was in the new market the other day, I heard Arezoo's aunts gushing over how Arezoo and Ruvon had bonded over Persian poetry."
Syssi chuckled. "I would never have suspected a former Doomer of being a fan of poetry."
"Wonders never cease," Kian murmured while glancing at his phone.
Was he referring to the phone call they'd gotten from the Russian scientist on the island? Had he told Eluheed about it?
She doubted he'd had time to talk to the shaman. The call had arrived yesterday, and since then, Kian had been constantly on the phone with Turner, Onegus, and Toven.
"Trouble?" Eluheed asked.
"Perhaps." Kian lifted his head and put the phone on the table. "What can you tell me about Dimitri Volkov and Constantine Petrov?"
"Kian," Syssi admonished. "Now is not the time for this."
"The second phone call is tomorrow, so it's not like I have much time. Besides, Elias lived in Russia for a long time, so he has better insight into the character of people from there. I want his take on the scientists."
"Where in Russia did you live?" Syssi asked.