Chapter 14 Annani
ANNANI
Annani watched the numbers on the display as the elevator descended into the underground structure beneath the village, each floor marking another layer of protection between her people and the outside world.
The parking garage, the gym, the emergency supplies.
All the practical necessities of their hidden existence were compressed into reinforced concrete and steel.
But tonight, none of that mattered except for the war room, where her son was coordinating the most audacious rescue they'd ever attempted.
As she stepped out of the elevator with Ogidu, her silk gown whispered against her legs, and she wondered how such tactile sensations could register at a time like this, more so than any other.
Perhaps life was more appreciated, more keenly felt, when someone who had been a constant in her life was at death's door.
A constant thorn in her side, but that was beside the point.
Navuh was injured, possibly dying, but he was in their custody. Areana was finally free, but distraught over her mate's condition, and Tula, who was the reason for this entire operation, had gone back into the harem to get the others out.
Annani was so proud of her. This was the Tula she remembered. The girl who'd climbed a sapling that was not sturdy enough to support her weight in order to save a kitten.
She was a hero at heart.
The war room door stood open, and the voices drifting out were all well familiar to Annani.
For a long moment, she listened to Turner's clipped tactical assessments, to Onegus's cultured tone, and to Kian's commanding one.
Pride swelled in her chest, mixed with the familiar ache that never quite left.
Kian looked so much like Khiann, even though he had been fathered by a human.
She'd chosen the man precisely for his resemblance to Khiann, her beloved, her perfect mate who had been taken from her before they could create a child together.
"Mother," Kian said as she walked in. "I wasn't expecting you." He pulled out a chair for her at the round conference table.
Subtext, she should have called, but Annani was impulsive, and she did not like to be told no.
She sat and arranged the folds of her gown around her knees. "I was too impatient to wait for updates. I would rather be right here and receive them as they come in."
"Coffee?" Wonder stood up and headed to the coffee station in the corner. "It's still fresh. I made it only a few minutes ago."
Annani usually preferred tea, but for some reason, tea did not seem appropriate for a war room.
"Thank you. That would be lovely." She accepted the cup when Wonder returned. "Any new developments since we last talked?"
Kian angled himself so he could face her. "The extraction was successful. All nine evacuees are on their way to the submarine. Navuh is still in critical condition, but stable."
"What does that mean? Critical and stable seem like contradictory terms."
"I'm not a doctor." Kian lifted his half-empty coffee cup and took a sip. "I'm just repeating what Julian told us."
The irony of it was not lost on Annani. The tyrant who had held her sister captive for millennia, who had orchestrated countless atrocities, had nearly died in an act of pure love.
"How is my sister handling it?"
"As well as can be expected under the circumstances. Esag finally managed to convince her to change into dry clothes."
"Is there any way I can talk to her?"
Annani did not know much about submarines, but since it was not the first time the clan was using one in a rescue operation, she knew that communication was limited.
"You can," Turner said. "The submarine submerged again after Navuh was brought inside, but the captain is keeping the antenna up."
She frowned. "Is it safe? Someone could spot the antenna."
"It's a calculated risk," Turner said. "Given the circumstances, the small risk of exposure is an acceptable trade for the ability to communicate with the sub."
Kian pulled out his phone. "I'll call Anandur and have him set up a video call."
Annani's heart started galloping. She was finally going to see her sister, actually see her and talk to her face to face. Well, screen to screen, but it was much better than voice-only.
Kian held the phone to his ear. "Anandur. My mother arrived a few minutes ago at the war room and she wants to talk to Areana. I thought it would be wonderful for them to finally talk face to face. Can you find Areana and get her somewhere private to talk?"
"I'm right on it,“ Anandur said. "I'll take her to the officers' cabin. It's not as fancy as it sounds, but it is private."
Annani's excitement grew by the second. Five thousand years had passed since she had last seen her sister's face.
She had hoped against hope that Areana had survived, but she had only gotten confirmation after Carol had infiltrated Navuh's harem.
The communication device they had smuggled onto the island had been voice-only, but it had been one of the happiest days of her life when she had heard her sister's voice and knew for certain that Areana was alive.
"Here." Anandur's voice sounded through Kian's phone, "The connection is secure. Take as long as you need. I'll be right outside if you need anything."
Kian handed Annani the phone, and as she lifted it, the screen shifted, and then Areana's face appeared.
Annani's carefully maintained composure shattered.
They started crying simultaneously, shedding rivulets of tears for the five thousand years of their separation. Her sister's beautiful face crumpled with emotions that mirrored her own.
"You have not changed a bit," they said in unison, then laughed through their tears at the synchronicity.
"Well, we are goddesses," Annani managed, wiping at her cheeks with shaky fingers. "Of course, we did not change." She frowned at the screen, taking in her sister's appearance. "What are you wearing?"
The question was so absurd, so perfectly banal in the midst of this chaos, that Areana laughed. She pulled the phone back to show the oversized sweatpants and t-shirt that swallowed her frame.
"Esag was kind enough to lend me his clothes.
I'm even wearing his socks because I have no shoes.
" The laughter died as quickly as it had come, her face crumpling again.
"Annani, Navuh's condition is so dire. The doctor is doing everything he can, but the injuries are so extensive. I don't know if he's going to make it."
Before Annani could respond, Areana shook her head, "He has to.
He will. Navuh is the strongest male I know.
He will fight to come back to me." Fresh tears streamed down her sister's face.
"I'm begging you, Annani. Not as a goddess, not even as your sister, but as a female who loves her mate and can't live without him.
Please, grant him clemency. I know what he's done.
I know that you think he deserves death a thousand times over, but—"
"Sister." Annani's voice was steady despite her own tears. "We will do everything in our power to save his life, but he will have to be contained. You understand this, right? Your mate is extremely dangerous."
"I know." Areana said, looking relieved. "I expect nothing less. I didn't even dare hope for this much. I know that you need to lock him up. All I'm asking is to be locked up with him. He's my mate and I love him. I've loved him for five thousand years, and I can't—I won't abandon him now."
"I would never separate truelove mates," Annani said softly. "Whatever containment we arrange, you will be together. You have my word. Naturally, I hope you will leave the cell to see your sons and your grandson. Darius is just precious."
"I can't wait to hold them all." Areana wiped at her face with the bottom of Esag's shirt. "Thank you. Thank you for being so merciful, so accommodating."
Annani smiled. "I know you do not see it that way, but to me, this is a great day of celebration.
We will probably make it into an annual happening to commemorate the day my sister was finally set free, when Navuh ceased to be a threat, and when his entire harem of immortal ladies was rescued.
Think about it. Your charges, the ladies you have protected all these centuries, are finally free. You succeeded in getting them out."
A ghost of a smile touched Areana's lips. "It wasn't my doing. It was an accident, but you are right. The only real victim of tonight is my mate." Her smile faltered. "I hope he doesn't hate me forever for what I have done. For what I have cost him."
Areana was sinking again, and Annani needed to steer her toward more positive thoughts. "You're going to see your sons soon. And your grandson. Focus on that." She turned to Kian and waved him over. "Let me introduce you to my son. You have spoken, but you have never seen each other."
Kian moved to stand behind her chair, bending so his face would be visible in the camera. The moment he appeared on the screen, Areana gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Dear merciful Fates," she breathed. "How is it possible that he looks so much like Khiann? The eyes, the jaw, even the way he holds his shoulders."
"I have a type." Annani sighed. "I chose Kian's human father because he looked remarkably like Khiann. Naturally, no mortal could truly look like a god. Not like my perfect Khiann. But he came close."
Kian put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "Hopefully, you will soon be reunited with him."
Annani had told Areana her theory about Khiann being in stasis, but she had a feeling that her sister did not believe it.
Areana's brow furrowed deeply, and for a moment, her expression went completely blank.
"What is it?" Annani asked. "What are you thinking?"
Areana shook her head. "Something tickled the edge of my consciousness, but I'm too frazzled to form a coherent thought right now. Between Navuh's condition and everything that's happened tonight, I can't process this. It's too much."
"That is understandable," she said gently. "You are handling this very well."
Areana cast her a skeptical look. "I'm hanging by a thread. Do you think it's possible for Kalugal and Lokan to call Anandur's device? I would love to talk to them, to see their faces as they are now."
"Of course. I'll call them immediately and have them contact Anandur's number."
"Thank you." Areana's eyes welled with fresh tears. "For this and everything else. For sending help when I asked for it. For saving Tula and the others. For giving Navuh a chance at survival despite everything. I just can't thank you enough."
"You're my sister," Annani said. "I would move heaven and earth for you. I almost did."
A watery laugh escaped Areana. "You kind of did. A submarine full of rescuers is pretty close to moving heaven and earth."
"Rest now," Annani urged. "Try to eat something, even if you do not feel like it. You need your strength."
"I will. And, Annani? I love you."
"I love you too, sister of mine. Always and forever."
When the call ended, Annani stared at the black screen, emotionally drained but somehow lighter than she had felt in a long time.
Kian squeezed her shoulder. "I'll call Kalugal and Lokan and have them call Anandur to talk to her."
"Thank you." She covered his hand with hers. "Thank you for making this possible. I might not know much about submarines, but I know it is not like renting a car. It must have cost the clan a fortune."
"It did, but I can't think of a better use for our money than saving family."