Page 36 of Dark Rebel's Reckoning

"She at least speaks the language," Donya murmured.

"That's true," Arezoo agreed. "It's a small advantage." She cast a suspicious glance at Jasmine and then back at Kyra. "You also have a relative who came to rescue you."

Kyra didn't miss the fact that Arezoo used the general term 'relative.' She'd obviously heard Kyra referring to Jasmine once as her sister and then as her daughter.

Sooner or later, they would have to explain to the girls what was going on, but it wasn't her decision. Her hosts had to decide when and how they wanted to enlighten the girls about the people surrounding them.

"So that's settled?" Syssi asked with mock cheerfulness. "The four of you will stay in these two adjacent bedrooms?"

Arezoo nodded. "We will. Thank you so much. The rooms are beautiful."

"Excellent." Syssi continued down the corridor. "This is the master suite." She opened the double doors and turned to Kyra. "I think you should stay in this one. The girls will feel more comfortable with you next door."

The room was so stunning that Kyra had a hard time formulating words. "Yes. Of course. I will be more than happy to stay in this gorgeous room." She walked in and spun around, taking in the four-poster bed on the elevated platform, the sitting area facing the fireplace, the bookcases overflowing with books. "I could live here for the rest of my life."

Syssi laughed. "I said the same thing the first time Kian brought me here."

"Sounds romantic," Fenella commented from behind them. "Where am I going to sleep? On the pullout couch in the office?"

"There are three more bedrooms in the other penthouse. Let's head over there."

"I don't want to be alone," Fenella muttered under her breath. "I'm very grateful and all that, and this is the fanciest place I've ever seen, but…"

"You won't be alone," Syssi said as she opened the double doors to the other penthouse. "Jasmine and Ell-rom will be staying here with you."

Jasmine arched a brow. "We will?"

"Well, yes. Someone who knows their way around the keep should stay here to take care of them until we figure out what's next, and I'm sure you want to spend as much time as you can with your…I mean with Kyra, now that you've found her."

"I do. But we don't have anything here. Ell-rom and I will need to go to the village and pack a bag. We can do that at night after everyone settles in."

Laleh looked suddenly stricken. "You're leaving us alone?"

Syssi's expression softened. "The building is completely secure. There are Guardians stationed on the two floors below?—"

"I'll stay," Ell-rom interrupted gently. "Jasmine can pack for both of us."

The relief on Laleh's face was immediate, and Kyra felt a surge of appreciation for her future son-in-law. There was something about him that radiated goodness and naturally put others at ease, a quiet strength that promised protection without demanding anything in return.

"Then it's settled," Syssi said. "Let's return to the other penthouse and eat lunch."

"Yes, let's." Kyra didn't need to be asked twice.

The delicious aromas wafting from the dining area had been teasing her senses since they arrived.

When they gathered around the table, she found an impressive spread of dishes—grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and warm bread.

There was something odd about the butler. He didn't look young or pretty like the other immortals, but Kyra sensed that he wasn't human either. She wanted to ask Syssi about him, but with the girls listening, she had to wait.

Now that they all wore the translation earpieces, conversations that had once been private no longer were. The girls didn't yet know they were surrounded by immortals.

"This is incredible," Kyra said instead, savoring a bite of perfectly seasoned chicken.

"I am most gratified that you find the meal satisfactory," the butler responded with a perfect British accent and a dip bow that was almost comical.

Fenella, who was seated across from Kyra, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She seemed to have noticed the same strangeness about the butler that Kyra had.

The conversation flowed naturally as they ate, carefully avoiding sensitive topics, with Jasmine telling stories about her acting career and Syssi talking about her baby daughter and showing everyone her pictures on her phone. No one mentioned captivity, torture, or the Doomer waiting in the dungeon below.

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