Sarim's Scent by Juliette Springs

explanation. He knew the truth of it even as he demanded to know where she had gotten her “tattoo”. So shocked by what the symbol meant, he was unable to respond to her questions, and instead of answering, he sent her to sleep.
    He would have to alert his father eventually, but first he had to come to terms with this new situation himself. No doubt his father would be ecstatic at the unexpected bonus gained from Operation Seduction Victoria. This new information would play right into his father’s hands. No one was sure the other Dalili Nakissas existed. Children of the Shadows were supposedly mysterious, elusive creatures who were looked upon with envy and fear. They hardly revealed themselves to Taalib Dumas because of the way they were regarded. Abus had been known to lock them up and keep them for their exclusive use.
    Sarim had no idea the treasure his heir was. Khafil’s gut tightened. Sarim would use her to further his purpose and gain absolute control of all Taalibs. However, since she was mated by someone not of his choosing, Sarim would be unable to control her, or her powers.
    Dalili Nakissas, Victoria’s clan, had the rare privilege of being intermediates to the Darvan Gods. They alone were held in favor to the Gods who were often indifferent to the plight of their worshippers. They had the potential to sway the Gods’ opinions and request favors from the Gods as well. If they were harmed, whoever was responsible was tortured and executed. There were a few drawbacks to this. They had the task of carrying out the punishment the Gods gave to Taalib Dumas who broke sacred laws. One of their most powerful gifts was their ability to enter inside a being’s body (human, Taalib Duma, whatever), take on their persona and do what they wanted as that being. Some were even rumored to predict the future. He wondered which gifts Victoria had been bestowed with.
    Her first loyalty was supposed to be to be her mate. They were now interlinked, their life forces forever interwoven. He knew once she found out about his deception, her loyalty to him would be nonexistent. But she would need him. While she didn’t have to feed, she would now live off of his energy. Whenever he fed, she would gain the benefits and strength of the feeding as well. If he was injured, she suffered as well.
    “Khafil, I summon you.”
    His head jerked up as he heard his father’s voice in his head. He stood. It was time he updated his father on the change of events.
    His father was standing alone in his receiving room when he entered the doorway. He had his back to him, but Khafil was no fool. His father was aware of his presence as soon as he had entered the Imvura residence. Since his father was the leader of this branch, he had his own quarters in the stronghold, which was comprised of several sleeping quarters, servant quarters, and a feeding station, living quarters, and meeting rooms. The Imvuras held all meetings in the stronghold, and the main meeting room was located in their leader’s quarters. Khafil had lived in those quarters as a child. They were luxurious and spacious. His father always demanded the best and would cut no corners to make sure he got it.
    Khafil admired his father’s unwavering determination. He had fought long and hard to have the Imvuras recognized and respected as a branch of the Taalib Dumas. Since a majority of the Imvura’s looked like Anglo-vaxens, they were treated with contempt and not considered true bloods due to their mixed heritage. His father appeared to be an Anglo-vaxen. His eyes were blue, hair blond, and complexion milky.
    Khafil had gotten his complexion from his mother’s side of the family. She was from the Soga Brotherhood. His mother and father had enjoyed a long, prosperous marriage that had lasted for many years before he was born. His father had loved and respected his mother and had never gotten over her untimely death at the hands of an assassin. An assassin whom his father believed