Page 64 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

That was a thread they could actually follow. "Do you remember more details? Anything distinct about their architecture or layout?"

Syssi closed her eyes. "There were crumbling stone walls. Pieces of broken columns were strewn about, weathered by centuries of sand and wind." She paused, her brow furrowing. "I think I saw hieroglyphs carved into the stone. Some looked like depictions of birds and flowers, and others I didn't recognize."

Kian quickly pulled out his phone and opened his notes app. "This is good. Keep going. Any other details you can remember?"

She opened her eyes. "I'm afraid that's all. Maybe I should summon another vision."

He shook his head. "This is a good start. I don't want you to summon another vision so soon. I'll ask Shai to do an internet search for ancient ruins in the Arabian desert that match this description. It might not narrow things down a lot, but it might give us a place to start."

Syssi nodded. "Should we talk to Jasmine about the vision?"

"Not yet. Let's see what Shai comes up with."

"I'm sure that another vision is needed, but I'll wait a few days before I attempt it again. What are we going to tell your mother?"

He winced. "Nothing. Not until we have something concrete."

"Yeah, I guess you are right."

For a few minutes, they sat in silence, and then Syssi stirred in his arms. "What if we're interpreting the vision all wrong?"

Kian pulled back to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"Well, we're assuming the vision is about finding Khiann because that's what I asked for, but I also asked about Khiann when I was shown the twins' pod, so it might be trying to tell us something else." Syssi's eyes lit up with renewed energy. "Maybe this isn't about finding Khiann but something that Jasmine needs to do. Or maybe something that's going to happen to her? After all, the vision showed me her, not Khiann."

Syssi's intuition had proven invaluable time and time again, but he had a feeling that she was wrong this time. Jasmine had already found her happily ever after, so the Fates were not making her the star of the story this time. They had a job for her to do. She had a valuable gift that would only get stronger onceshe transitioned, and it might help them find what they were looking for.

46

ROB

After Toven left to call the goddess's son, Rob sat in stunned silence, struggling to process the idea that not only were immortals real but that he was about to become one.

It felt like something out of a science fiction movie, and yet, this wasn't fiction.

"I'm so glad that Toven is here to make that call," Margo said. "Kian is a great guy, but talking to him is not easy. He's always so gruff and impatient."

A small smile played on Mia's lips. "He's a little grouchy, that's all, and his bark is worse than his bite. Nevertheless, everyone knows not to bother him on the weekend and interrupt his family time, so I'm also glad Toven is making the call. He is one of the few people who Kian is not going to bark at."

"I think that's admirable," Rob said. "The guy has his priorities straight." The words caught in his throat as memories of Lynda flooded his mind. He sighed heavily. "Unlike some people I know and wish I didn't."

The room fell silent, the weight of his unspoken pain hanging in the air.

It was startling how much insight he had gained in a few hours—things he had been aware of but had suppressed. Lynda had convinced him that she was interested in the same things he was, but it had all been a big lie. She didn't want a big family with lots of kids like he did. She wanted to travel and see the world with her flake of an ex-boyfriend.

Well, he was her ex no more. Now, he was her current boyfriend.

A humorless chuckle escaped Rob as a new thought occurred to him. He was sure that if he did a little research about the guy, he'd find that he had recently come into money. Lynda wouldn't have dropped him for a poor dude who couldn't support her lifestyle.

The sound of the sliding door opening pulled Rob from his brooding, and when he shifted his gaze to look at Toven re-entering the room, he was glad to see that the god seemed in a good mood.

His talk with the boss must have gone well.

"Kian is okay with whatever I suggest," Toven announced. "If you still want to start the process right away, you can come with us to the village. Mia and I will gladly host you in our house while you attempt the transition, and we will watch over you." He gave him a sad smile. "It would have been nice if you had a mate to sit by your side while you are transitioning, but I have faith that you will find your one and only sooner rather than later."

That was such a nice thing to say.

Rob blinked, touched by the words and by the offer. Toven barely knew him, and yet he was willing to open his home to him during what promised to be a life-altering experience. "That's so very kind of you," he said. "But I can stay with Margo. I don't want to impose."