Page 81 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

Nodding, he kissed her lips. "You are right. It was perfect, but I need to get over my aversion to blood. I hope Julian's got the synthetic type for me to try."

Jasmine tensed, worried that he wouldn't be able to tolerate even the synthetic version, which would crush his hopes. "You can do it, and you will, but don't get discouraged if you can't the first time. Rome was not built in a day."

When he frowned, she waved a hand. "I keep forgetting that you are not from around here." She snorted. "Talk about an understatement. Anyway, Rome is a great city that was built over many centuries, and it is used as an example to remind people that great accomplishments take time, effort, and patience."

Ell-rom nodded. "I like that one. I hope I remember it." He kissed the tip of her nose and straightened. "I should be going. Will you be here when I return?"

"I will." She was a little uneasy about Ell-rom going alone, but he was not only adamant about going to the session with Julian by himself but also about not taking the walker. "Be careful. Don't try to show off."

"I'm going to be very careful." He headed for the door of their bedroom.

"Hold on." She rose to her feet. "Let me at least escort you to the elevator."

He cast her a reproachful look. "Your friends are waiting for you to join them for coffee."

Frankie and Margo could wait a few more minutes, but this wasn't about them. It was about Ell-rom being sick of her hovering over him and treating him like a child.

"Okay." She let out a breath. "I'll see you when you get back."

When the door closed behind him Jasmine felt a familiar urge to rush after him, to make sure he made it to the clinic safely, but she forced herself to remain in the room, acknowledging that her overprotective instincts, while well-intentioned, were becoming suffocating to him.

The helicopter mom routine would drive anyone crazy, Jasmine acknowledged, but the protective instinct was hard to resist. She needed to at least inform Julian that Ell-rom was on his way and without the walker, so if he didn't make it, the doctor would look for him.

Reaching for her phone, she dialed Julian's number.

He answered right away. "Good morning, Jasmine. What's up?"

"Good morning, Julian. Ell-rom's on his way to you, but he insisted on going without me or his walker. I just want you to be aware that he is coming, so if he doesn't make it, you will know to go look for him or let me know, so I'll do that."

"No problem. I'll text you when he arrives, and if he takes too long, I'll look for him."

"Thank you, Julian. I really appreciate it. Just don't tell him I called. He thinks that I'm mothering him."

Julian laughed. "What's wrong with that? Most men love to be mothered."

Perhaps those who had good mothers who hadn't smothered or neglected them.

"Well, Ell-rom doesn't like it, but I was too worried not to call."

"That's okay. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you."

58

KIAN

Kian rapped his fingers on the conference table. "After much deliberation, I have decided that we have no choice but to compel the truth from the Kra-ell. Since we don't want to appear as if we are discriminating against them and assuming they are to blame without having proof, we will need to question everyone. Toven will use his ability to compel the Kra-ell, my mother will question clan members, Kalugal will handle his men, and Arwel will deal with the humans. Any objections?"

Jade shook her head, which was a relief. If anyone had reason to oppose his plan, it would have been her, but then refusing to subject her people to Toven's compulsion would have cast suspicion on her as well.

Kalugal leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "Are you sure that you trust me to conduct an internal investigation?"

Kian met his gaze. "To be frank, I don't suspect your men or our clan members. As I said, the Kra-ell remain our primary suspects, but in the interest of fairness and to avoid anyaccusations of discrimination, we will question everyone. You are a compeller, so you can compel the truth from your people."

Edna lifted her hand to get his attention. "When do you propose to begin this questioning?"

Kian considered for a moment. "Wednesday. That gives us time to summon the big assembly on Tuesday and inform everyone of what's about to happen and why. We want to be transparent about this process to avoid any further rumors or speculation."