by I. T. Lucas
“It wasn’t cute,” Magnus grumbled. “Just small. I didn’t want to frighten the kid.”
“Or me.” Vivian handed Bridget a coffee mug and another one to Magnus. “He’d used the same illusion to convince me first. I asked for a dragon, and Magnus showed me one that wasn’t threatening. I thought it was very considerate of him.”
The looks the two were exchanging were so full of mutual adoration that it was almost too sweet.
Had she and Turner looked like that at the start of their relationship?
Hopefully, they had been more restrained with their show of affection. Two mature adults shouldn’t act like love-sick puppies, at least not in public.
Taking another sip of coffee, Bridget stifled a chuckle. Evidently, the saying about partners growing more alike over time was true. She was starting to think like Turner.
Putting the mug down, she asked, “Do you know what’s involved in turning a dormant boy into an immortal?”
With a serious expression on his face, Parker nodded. “Magnus told me it involves getting bitten. I wanted him to do it, but he said he can’t get aggressive with me because he likes me too much.”
“Can you suggest someone?” Magnus asked.
They didn’t have any boys Parker’s age in the village. The youngest guys were the troika of Jackson, Gordon, and Vlad. Gordon was away in college, and Vlad would probably scare the kid, which left Jackson. Roni, who was about the troika’s age, was on a plane to New York, and he wasn’t as nice of a guy as Jackson.
“Jackson. He’s nineteen, but that's the youngest we have.”
Parker shifted uncomfortably. “I hope he’s not an asshole.”
Vivian cast Bridget an apologetic glance and then frowned at her son. “Parker, please watch your language.”
Ignoring the exchange, Bridget lifted the mug and took another sip of coffee. “Jackson is very nice. I’m sure you’re going to like him. He and his buddies have a rock n’ roll band.”
As the boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement, Bridget knew she’d said the right thing.
“Awesome. When can I meet him?”
“First, let’s have that checkup to determine if you’re ready.” Bridget put her empty cup down on the coffee table and got up. “Ready?”
Parker glanced at his mother.
“Do you want your mom to come along? It’s fine if you do.”
He shook his head. “No, that’s okay.”
Wrapping her arm around his shoulders, she walked him out. “It shouldn’t take long,” Bridget said for the adults’ benefit. “We’ll be back in less than half an hour.”
Parker walked with as much enthusiasm as if he was on his way to the principal’s office. Shuffling his feet, he avoided her eyes.
As they entered the elevator, he cleared his throat. “What are you going to check, Doctor Bridget?”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I have a son, you know. And besides, you are about to become an immortal, and we are not very bashful about our bodies.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes, really. We take pride in them. That doesn't mean that it’s okay to stroll around naked, but it’s not a big deal if someone happens to see you walk out of the shower.”
“Even girls?”
“Yes. Even girls.” Bridget opened the door to her old clinic.
He followed her into the exam room. “But it’s not a sure thing that I’m a Dormant.”
“It is not. But I have a good feeling about you.” She motioned for him to hop on the exam table. “Take your shirt off.”
She went through the motions of listening to his lungs, and then feeling for his glands, just to have him get used to her touch. “Lift up your arms.”
“You have armpit hair. That’s a good sign. Did you notice any changes in the size of your penis and testicles?”
Blushing profusely, Parker nodded.
“A lot of change, or just a little.”
“I think it’s a lot.”
“Would you mind if I check?”
He shrugged.
When she was done, he sat up and quickly zipped up his pants. “So what do you think, am I ready?”
“You certainly are. You can come down and put your shirt on. We’re done.”
He hopped off the table. “Is it going to hurt? I mean the bite.”
“Yes. But only for a few seconds. Once the venom enters your system, the pain will go away, and you’ll feel euphoric.”
“Does it feel like taking drugs?”
“I wouldn't know.” She guided him out the door. “I’ve never tried any. Not even when I gave birth to Julian, and he was a big baby.”
“Why didn’t you? It’s okay to take them for pain, right?”
“Yes, but I didn’t want to. I was afraid to miss out on the experience. One of the downsides of immortality is a very low birth rate. I’ll probably not have another child. Very few of us get more than one. Most don’t get even that.”
“Yeah, Magnus told me how lonely and hopeless everyone was until you started finding Dormants. I hope you find many more.” He looked down. “You said that there are no boys my age in the village. Are there any girls?”
She shook her head.
“So if I transition and become an immortal, I will have to find a Dormant too.”
Bridget chuckled. “When you are immortal, age becomes irrelevant. Once you’re fully grown and ready to date, you might catch the eye of an older girl or even several of them. Since you’re not related to us, you’ll have many to choose from and it won’t matter that they are older than you.” She leaned closer. “I’m many decades older than Turner.”
His eyes widened. “How old are you?”
“That, my dear Parker, is not a question a gentleman asks a lady.”
15
Vivian
“We have twenty minutes,” Magnus whispered in Vivian’s ear as Bridget left with Parker.
Putting his hands on her waist, he drew her to him and kissed her softly. “You’re tense,” he said.
“I’m anxious. I should’ve gone with him.”
“He’s safe with Bridget.”
“I know. I meant for moral support.”
He lifted a brow. “Yours or his? Because the kind of questions Bridget is going to ask him are not what a boy his age wants to answer in front of his mother.”
“Like what? That he’s growing pubic hair? He told me that.”
“Did he also tell you that he started masturbating?”
Vivian waved a dismissive hand. “Parker is too young for that.”
“Not really.”
Given his superior sense of smell and hearing, Magnus might have noticed something she’d missed. “Do you know that for a fact?”
He shrugged. “I know that I did it at his age. A lot.”
She had a feeling Magnus knew more than he was admitting to, probably out of a sense of loyalty to Parker. Would Josh have done the same thing?
They’d had no secrets from each other. If he had suspected Parker had started doing it, he would’ve told her.
But maybe that was the prerogative of a father as opposed to a future stepparent, who had to prove himself to the kids over and over again. Gaining a stepchild’s approval was hard, and losing it was easy.
She pulled out of his arms. “I’m going to brew fresh coffee.”
The carafe was still half full, but it would give her something to do.
Magnus followed her to the bar area. “Do you want to go out for lunch later?”
“Let’s hear what Bridget has to say first.”
“Right. Maybe she’ll give us a reason to celebrate. That will determine the kind of restaurant we choose to go to.”
Vivian nodded even though she wasn’t sure what result she was hoping for.
Everything was happening too fast. Magnus had assured her that boys’ transition was easy, and that nothing bad was going to happen to her son. Nevertheless, it was a big deal, and it was scary, and s
he would’ve appreciated more time to mentally prepare.
“I hear them coming,” Magnus said.
A moment later Parker rushed inside, his big grin telling her all she needed to know.
“I’m ready.”
A few seconds later, Bridget followed him inside. “He was so excited to tell you that he ran all the way from the elevator.”
Parker was jumping up and down. “When can I do it? And where? Is Jackson going to come here, or do I go to him? How does it work?”
“There is a ceremony involved.” Bridget sat on the couch. “Come sit with me, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“I’ll get coffee.” Vivian walked over to the coffeemaker.
“We have a ceremony to celebrate a Dormant’s transition. Close relatives and friends gather to watch the fight, which usually happens in the gym. Then Kian says a few words about the young man and his readiness to attempt the transformation. Two people vouch for the boy’s readiness. In your case, Magnus and I will vouch for you.”
“What about the mother?” Vivian handed Bridget a mug of fresh coffee.
“Not considered objective.” Bridget took a sip and turned back to Parker. “After that, the initiator is chosen. Naturally, he gets chosen beforehand, but for the ritual’s sake, Kian asks for a volunteer. When the initiator steps forward, he will ask you whether you accept him. If you do, you also pledge to honor him with your friendship and your respect from now on.”
“But I don’t know the dude who’s going to do that. How can I promise that? What if Jackson is a douchebag?”
Vivian gasped. “Parker! Language.”
Bridget lifted a hand. “That’s okay. He’s right. Normally, the boys know each other. Perhaps we should arrange for Parker to meet Jackson before the ceremony. But first, I need to ask Jackson if he is willing.”
Vivian frowned. “Is there a chance he’ll refuse?”
“It’s considered an honor. I’m sure he’ll accept.”
Parker grinned. “I can’t wait. I’m so excited.”
“Don’t forget that it’s not going to be fun for you,” Vivian said. “You’re going to get beat up or wrestled down, and then you’ll get bitten. And it’s going to happen in front of people.”
Parker shrugged. “It’s so worth it. I’m going to get lots of money.”
Bridget arched a brow. “What are you talking about?”
Vivian shook her head. Parker was a glutton for presents. Every birthday, he nagged her to invite all the kids in his grade, not just his class, so he could get more presents. Gift cards were his favorite.
“It’s a thirteenth birthday celebration, right? It’s like a bar mitzvah. My friend Nick is a little older than me, he had a huge party and got close to ten grand in presents.”
Magnus chuckled. “Dream on. We don’t celebrate birthdays.”
“I don’t get it. There is no party after the ceremony?” Parker asked. “Like with food and music and people dancing and presents?”
Bridget glanced at Magnus. “No, but that’s not a bad idea. We should have a party.”
“Awesome.” Parker rubbed his hands.
“Don’t expect money,” Magnus said.
Parker didn’t look happy. “So what do you usually bring people on their birthdays?”
“Since we don’t celebrate them, nothing.”
Parker’s shoulders slumped. “Bummer.”
“We can start a new tradition and tell everyone to bring presents.” Bridget patted his knee. “But the best one is going to be your immortality. Is there a better present than that?”
“You’re right. Magnus said that I might get a superpower.”
Bridget arched a brow. “Really? Because that’s news to me. What kind of superpower are we talking about?”
When Parker cast Magnus an accusing look, Magnus shrugged. “With his mother and sister being telepathic, I figured Parker would at some point develop the ability as well. Or maybe something else.”
Bridget looked doubtful. “Most immortals don’t have any special abilities other than thralling and shrouding. Very few have additional gifts. I don’t have any.”
“I don’t either,” Magnus said. “But I know several people who do. Arwel said that his telepathic ability started manifesting only in his twenties, and Yamanu told me that his incredible thralling ability increased gradually. He wasn’t always as powerful. So you never know.”
Bridget nodded. “True. Still, it’s rare, and I don’t want Parker to have false expectations.” She turned to him. “Immortality comes with a lot of bonuses. You’ll be stronger, faster, your senses will be much sharper. I think that’s super enough.”
“But what happens if I don’t transition?”
“We will have to erase the memory of us from your mind, and the same goes for your mother. Because if you’re not a Dormant then neither is she.”
Parker looked at Magnus. “I don’t want to forget you.”
As tears pricked at the corners of Vivian’s eyes, she looked away, staring at the cabinet above the wet bar. Would fate be that cruel to her and her children?
Magnus got up and went to sit next to Parker. “I know in my gut that you will transition.”
“Do I have to give the presents back if I don’t?”
Magnus laughed. “You’ll get to keep them no matter what.”
16
Magnus
“I’m going to call Kian and get the ball rolling,” Magnus said after Bridget left.
Vivian took the empty mugs to the sink. “Everything feels so rushed.”
Scarlet, who’d been napping the entire time Bridget was there, got up and nudged his leg.
“I need to take her out. If you don’t mind, I’ll call Kian while walking her.”
Now that the cards were on the table, Magnus had no reason to have a private conversation with the boss. Even if Kian asked him about Vivian, he could deflect and mention that Parker was there. But it was something to do while Scarlet took her time sniffing every tree on the way.
“That’s okay. You can tell me about it later.”
“How about going out for lunch when I come back?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Before leaving, Magnus kissed Vivian’s cheek and high-fived Parker. When he was out of the building, he dialed Kian’s number.
The phone rang for a few seconds before the boss picked it up. “What’s up?”
“Sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but we have a very interesting development. Bridget gave Parker a checkup, and she says he is well enough into his puberty to attempt transition. When he does, it would confirm that Vivian and Ella are Dormants as well, and they can all move into the village.”
“That’s brilliant. Whose idea was it?”
“The kid’s. After I talked with you, Vivian and I decided that we would move to the village, and that she would attempt transition as soon as Ella was back. That way if she wasn’t a Dormant, we would have to erase only weeks from her memory, not months. But when we told Parker the plan, he offered to go first. I hadn’t thought of him because he’s not thirteen yet, but according to Bridget he’s ready.”
“Congrats and good luck.”
Magnus rubbed the back of his neck. “Who usually makes arrangements for the ceremony? Sari’s secretary does it in Scotland. I don’t know who’s in charge here.”
“Shai can make the arrangements, and I will preside. It’s not a big deal. We can do it in the keep’s gym. Are you going to initiate him?”
“Parker is like a son to me. I can’t summon aggression toward him. Bridget suggested Jackson. She’s going to ask him if he’s willing.”
“Good choice.”
“Parker wants a party.”
Kian chuckled. “A chance of immortality is not enough for the kid?”
“He wants a celebration like his friend’s bar mitzvah, with food and music, and most importantly, lots of presents.”
“That’s a first.” Kian laughed. “I have to m
eet that kid. But anyways, if you want a party, talk to Amanda. That’s her specialty.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Let me know when’s the ceremony. I’ll have to reshuffle things to make time for it, but initiating a Dormant is a priority.”
“Thank you.”
Magnus clicked the call off and scrolled for Amanda’s contact.
When he told her what this was about, she squealed so loudly his ear went deaf for several minutes.
“Don’t worry about a thing, darling. I’ll have everything ready by tonight. Tell Parker to take a good nap so he’ll have the energy for a midnight ceremony.”
That was a surprise Vivian wasn’t going to like. She already felt rushed. Having the ceremony tonight was going to send her into panic mode.
“We are not in that big of a hurry. Can’t we do it tomorrow, or Tuesday?”
“Sorry, but I can only pull it off today. I work during the week. Right now I have nothing to do, and I love organizing a party.”
He tried a different tactic. “Parker wants presents. How are people going to buy him stuff on such short notice?”
“I’ll tell everyone to either give him cash or print out gift cards. You don’t have to go to the store for them anymore. Besides, you said he was envious of his friend getting lots of money for his bar mitzvah. Parker is going to prefer cash.”
That was true.
“I don’t know if Bridget asked Jackson yet.”
“Hold the line. I’m going to call him and get back to you. Great choice, by the way.”
The woman sure worked fast. Less than two minutes later she was back on the line. “Jackson said that he would love to do it.”
“Hold on. Parker and Jackson should meet first. Parker will be less anxious if he gets to talk to his initiator before the fight.”
“That might not be the best idea, darling. If Jackson likes Parker, which I’m sure he will, then it will be difficult for him to summon aggression toward the kid. Parker is much smaller and younger than Jackson. But, I can send you a picture you can show Parker. Jackson is very photogenic.”
“Thank you. I hope it will help.”
“I’m going to mobilize the two Odus to make the food, and anyone else that I can rope into volunteering to help with the decorations and the tables and chairs. If you want it to be a surprise for Parker, keep him away from the gym level.”
