Page 85 of Dark Awakening: New World

They had suggested a grand destiny for Morelle, but what did that mean for Ell-rom?

57

KIAN

Kian leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin as he listened to Onegus's report.

"The thefts have stopped," the chief said. "The sabotage as well. It seems our increased surveillance has scared off the culprits."

Kian shifted his gaze to Jade. "Your opinion?"

"They're just biding their time," she said. "The moment we lower our guard, they'll be back at it, probably in some new form we haven't anticipated."

"Did your interrogation of Borga and her group yield any clues?"

Jade shook her head. "They deny any knowledge of the incidents. I used my modest compulsion power to force them to tell me the truth, but my ability was limited. Perhaps someone more powerful should interrogate them."

Onegus cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable, which wasn't like him. "Did you speak with Drova?"

Peter had reported that Kagra suspected Jade's daughter and her friends of being involved in the so-called pranks, and Kian could just imagine how Jade had taken it.

Jade's posture stiffened. "I did, and she also denies having anything to do with it."

Kian felt a surge of frustration. He could deal with enemies from without, but enemies from within were a different story. He hated policing his own people, and even more so, he hated investigating them for committing crimes.

"We need answers, and we need them now. I'm tired of tolerating saboteurs in our village."

Onegus shifted in his seat. "What do you suggest we do? Question everyone who lives here?"

"That's precisely what I'm going to do. I asked Toven to come over, and I'm going to ask him to help in the investigation. He can question each resident of the village and use his abilities to force them to tell the truth. We'll start with the Kra-ell and then move on to clan members."

"What about the humans?" Onegus asked.

"You can assign them to any of the guardians. Arwel, with his empathic abilities, would probably be the best choice. He should also assist Toven when he's compelling the Kra-ell and immortals to answer him truthfully."

"That will take forever," Jade said.

"Not necessarily." Kian leaned back in his chair. "He will ask each person two simple questions." He lifted one finger. "Did you take anything that didn't belong to you from the mailroom or anywhere else in the village?" He lifted a second finger. "Did you deliberately cause malfunctions of our security shutters, garbage incinerators, or any other equipment?"

Jade nodded. "That's good. First, find the ones who did it and then find out why."

"Precisely," Kian said.

Onegus shifted his gaze to Kian. "Have you spoken with Toven about this?"

"He's on his way here now," Kian said. "I have no doubt he'll offer his help."

Jade leaned forward. "Do you need me to stay for the meeting with Toven?"

Kian shook his head. "No, you and Onegus can go."

A short while after the two had left, a knock on the door announced Toven's arrival, and Kian rose to his feet to greet him.

"Good morning, Toven. Thank you for coming."

"You sounded like you needed me urgently. What's going on?"

Kian felt a twinge of guilt for causing the god to be unnecessarily alarmed. "We are not under attack, and for now, the situation is under control, but I need your help to prevent it from escalating." He walked to his desk and opened the drawer where he kept his cigars and cigarillos. "How about we take this to the roof? I could use a smoke, and it's a nice day out there for now. Later, it will get too hot to venture out there."

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