The trio made their way across the yard which was a beehive of activity.
Maddie was seated to Faye’s left, giving her the highlights of what she’d missed during her coma. Erik was at the grill tending a rack of ribs. Zach was bringing folding chairs from the shed while Griffin was setting up a card table as an extension of the picnic table.
“Time to get everyone acquainted.” Cassie stepped forward to perform introductions.
Once greetings had been exchanged, the pythia seated Chris and Daniel on the bench beside Maddie and poured them both glasses of iced tea.
At that moment, Hannah and Sarah emerged from the kitchen.
Cassie ran forward to take the bowl Hannah held out to her. “The cole slaw! I can’t believe I forgot it twice.” She promptly thumped the elusive salad down with the rest of the food.
Hannah and Zach lifted Sarah into the chair between them at the folding table.
“I’m seventeen, I just helped save the world, and I still get stuck at the kiddie table,” the tyro complained.
“With me, Zachary,” Hannah said pointedly as she took her place. “You’re sitting at the kiddie table with me.”
“Oh, yeah.” He smiled sheepishly at his gaffe. “Best seats in the house.”
Erik shut down the grill and laid another platter of ribs on the groaning board before seating himself to Faye’s right.
Griffin took the middle spot on the bench next to Erik, leaving room for Cassie on the end.
The pythia assessed the offerings to make sure nothing had been forgotten. Giving a nod of satisfaction, she sat down and announced, “That’s it. Everybody dig in.”
The assembled guests required no coaxing, and for several minutes nobody spoke as a flurry of hands passed plates and bowls around the table. They made small talk for much of the meal, commenting on the various dishes, the warm summer weather, and other bland topics. When Daniel asked about Lars, he was informed that the guide would be coming to the States for the Concordance ceremony honoring all the Arkana personnel who had helped prevent doomsday. While the adults conversed, Sarah contentedly ate her food and watched all the oddly-dressed people surrounding her.
“Zach, I must say, my flower garden looks splendid.” Faye couldn’t keep a note of wonder out of her voice.
The teenager shrugged. “I wasn’t going to let everything fall apart just because you were napping. I knew you’d come back eventually.”
His ancestor smiled warmly. “Thank you for your unwavering faith in that favorable outcome.”
Daniel squirmed in his seat, apparently recalling that the Nephilim were responsible for Faye’s injury.
As if sensing his discomfort, the memory guardian smoothly changed the subject. “And how are the Nephilim faring under your leadership, Daniel?”
“It’s an uphill battle,” Chris answered on his behalf.
The new diviner eyed his companion with mild reproach. “My methods aren’t universally approved.”
Faye nodded sagely. “Changing established patterns does take time.”
“At least I have overwhelming support from the brotherhood for disarmament. It didn’t take long for word to spread about my father’s death. Most in the congregation are interpreting that event as a warning from God. They’ve readily agreed to return to the original mandate to live apart from the Fallen and await the End of Days as pacifists.”
“Speaking of pacifism,” Erik chimed in. What’s your plan for the lab? Not my happiest place on earth.”
“I’m working with Dr. Aboud’s successor to dismantle the operation and destroy the research files,” Daniel said. “Once that’s done, the facility itself will be demolished.”
“The Arkana still has one hundred and fifty plague dispensers to get rid of,” Maddie reminded him.
“I’ll put you in touch with Maskeen,” Daniel suggested. “He’ll help you transfer the virus back to the lab where it can be disposed of safely.”
“Now that the compounds have been demilitarized, I should think that some Nephilim might want to return to the outside world,” Faye ventured.
“A smaller percentage than I’d like.” The new diviner sighed. “I’m instituting rehabilitation programs for the ones who want to go. The brotherhood certainly has the financial resources to make that possible. I myself will be leaving once I’ve undone as much damage as I can.” He glanced at his daughter. “Sarah and I are moving into an apartment in the city.”
“What about your other wives and daughters?” Hannah asked in surprise. “You won’t forget about them, will you?”
Daniel smiled bleakly. “They’ve chosen to stay. I can’t force them to see things my way, but Sarah is different. She’s still very young, and her mother is gone, so it’s up to me to decide for her.”
“I like being outside,” his daughter informed them all over a spoonful of potato salad.
“There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Out of the mouths of babes,” Chris said. “Too bad she can’t convince her elders at the compound that outside is better for everybody.”
“If it were up to me, I’d dissolve the organization altogether,” Daniel stated flatly.
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Hannah enthused. “Especially for the consecrated brides and their children. What’s stopping you?”
The new diviner hesitated. “The message Cassie received from Jedediah Proctor, that’s what. He made God’s plan for the Blessed Nephilim quite clear.”
Daniel’s Arkana listeners reacted strangely to his comment. They all turned toward Cassie expectantly.
The pythia flushed. “Uh...”
Maddie tapped her long fingernails on the table. “That’s your cue, kiddo. You insisted we do this, remember?”
Cassie winced. “I should learn to keep my mouth shut.”
“You did say it would be better if he received the news from you,” Griffin hinted.
The pythia transferred her attention to the new diviner. “Yikes, this is awkward.” She smiled fleetingly. “OK, here goes. Daniel, you’ve helped the Arkana in so many ways that we consider you an ally. That’s why we feel we owe you an explanation about what happened on Ahkka Mountain.”
Daniel peered at her uncomprehendingly. “I don’t need an explanation. I saw it all unfold with my own eyes.”
“Yeah, that’s just the thing.” Cassie faltered. “Do you remember what your father said right before he died? He claimed that nothing he saw
