by I. T. Lucas
Syssi glanced at her watch. “How come he is not back yet?”
“He said something about meeting with the hacker. William wants access to the driving license records so he can run his facial recognition software when it’s ready. He is looking for cases of two different names with the same face decades apart.”
“That could really help us to find any immortals hiding in the States. If there are any.”
“And it can put Andrew in jail. I hate that he’s taking such risks.”
Syssi smirked. “If he gets caught, we’d take care of it. Send several immortals to eliminate evidence and thrall everyone involved to forget.”
“You can do it? I thought it was against clan law.”
“Not if security is at stake. Then anything goes.”
That was news to her. “Good to know. Did anyone tell Andrew?”
Syssi crossed her legs. “I’m sure he knows.”
“I’m not sure at all. My poor guy might be stressing for nothing.”
Syssi sighed. “I wish we could employ that hacker of his instead of Andrew having to ask favors of him all of the time.”
“We can’t. Apparently Roni had been a naughty boy and hacked into government stuff when he was a kid. They made a deal with him. He works for them and is kept under semi-house arrest. He can’t go anywhere without a handler accompanying him.”
“So how does he manage to do the things he does for Andrew?”
Nathalie shrugged. “At work, under his supervisors’ noses.”
Syssi frowned. “If he gets caught, and it’s only a matter of time until he does, I’m not sure Kian can authorize a swipe to save his ass, only the minimum required to protect Andrew. Without that kid, we will have no one to hack for us.”
“I don’t think they will put Roni in jail. He is too valuable to them.”
“But they will keep a better eye on him.”
The door opened, and Andrew walked in. “Keep an eye on who?”
Nathalie felt her cheeks get warm. She wasn’t supposed to talk about the work-related things Andrew had told her.
Too late. He’d caught her red-handed, or was it red-mouthed?
“Roni. I was telling Syssi about how he does his hacking under his supervisors' noses. Syssi says it’s only a matter of time before he gets caught.”
Andrew walked over to the kitchen and pulled out a cold Coke can from the fridge. “I agree. But there is not much I can do about it. I wish we had someone else who was as good. I’m tired of playing matchmaker for that kid.”
Syssi arched a brow. “Matchmaker? What do you mean?”
The tips of Andrew’s ears got red. He popped the lid on the Coke and gulped it down as if he hadn’t heard Syssi’s question.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m waiting, Andrew.”
“I don’t need to tell you anything.”
She huffed. “Fine. Be like that.”
Andrew’s shoulders slumped, and he plopped down on one of the armchairs.
“I guess I can tell you since it’s not a government secret. But I’m not proud of it. For his first gig for us, Roni asked me to arrange a hookup for him. He’d just turned eighteen and was confined to the apartment they gave him in the office building. There was no way for him to meet girls. Besides, he was a scrawny nerd with an overinflated ego and an unpleasant attitude. I doubt he could’ve scored with anyone even if he were free.”
“And you did it? How?”
“Sylvia agreed to meet him. It was up to her to choose; either to thrall him and make him believe that he was a virgin no more, or actually do it. Long story short, the two are still seeing each other. I don’t know why, but she likes him.”
Syssi tapped a finger on her chin. “You say he’s a scrawny nerd with an attitude and she still likes him?”
Andrew took another long gulp from his Coke can. “He’s no longer that scrawny, he started working out, and his attitude has improved a lot, but his ego is still overinflated. Sylvia has a positive effect on him.”
Syssi smiled and uncrossed her arms. “Your Roni might be a Dormant.”
Andrew almost choked on the Coke. “Say again?”
“Think about it. He has a special ability. Hacking undetected from a government office where everything is under surveillance and recorded requires one hell of a talent. And then you have Sylvia liking him enough to keep seeing him even though he is far from charming or good-looking.”
Andrew slapped his thigh. “You may be right. Wow, the implications are tremendous. Imagine him working for us full time. Between Roni and William these two could rule the world.”
Syssi chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that. Maybe it’s not such a hot idea after all.”
Andrew’s loud slap must’ve startled Phoenix, and she whimpered in her sleep. Nathalie put her hand on the bassinet and started rocking it gently. “Even if he is a Dormant, how do you propose to test it? We can’t bring him here for a sparring match together with his handler, and have Roni bitten right in front of him.”
Andrew got up and sat next to Nathalie. “No, we can’t. But if we put our heads together, we can figure something out. He could become a huge asset to the clan.”
Chapter 38: Tessa
Pretending to dust the bookcase closest to the sliding doors, Tessa tried to listen to what Eva and Jackson were talking about out on the patio. But it was no use. The slider was closed, and they spoke in hushed voices.
What had Jackson to talk about with her boss? And why hadn’t she been invited to join the conversation? Were they talking about her?
Most likely.
Crap. She hoped it wasn’t about Eva’s misguided attempts to protect her and scare Jackson off. Not that he was easily scared. Even the formidable Eva couldn’t do that. But it would be a shame if the two people Tessa cared most for in the world were fighting because of her.
Damn it. She needed to adopt some of Wonder Woman’s attitude.
Tessa pushed the slider open and stepped out onto the small backyard. It was eerie the way both Eva and Jackson stopped talking and turned to look at her. She kept going until she was standing between the two of them.
They were both so much bigger than her.
Whatever. Size didn’t matter. Attitude did.
Tessa put her hands on her hips and glared first at Jackson and then at her boss. “Whatever the two of you are talking about you can do it in front of me.”
Jackson reached for her hand. “You’re right. I was just asking Eva’s advice about something I wasn’t sure about.”
“Are you sure now?”
“I think so. Your boss likes the blunt, take-no-prisoners approach. So here it goes. I need you to come with me to meet my cousin Kian, but I can’t tell you what it’s about until we are in his office. Eva and Bhathian are going to be there as well.”
Oh, God. Did it have anything to do with going after the monsters who’d hurt her? Did Jackson want her to tell Kian about it with all of them present?”
She’d told him she would talk to his cousin, but he’d told her it wouldn’t be necessary. And now he wanted her to do it with an audience?
She pulled her hand away. “No. I’m not going to do it.”
Jackson looked puzzled. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“No, I don’t.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. If he wanted to play dumb so be it. “The things I told you in confidence, and you asked my permission to tell some of it to your cousin—the big shot who could do something about it.”
Jackson slapped his forehead. “I’m such a moron. It has nothing to do with it, but I totally see why you’d think it does. It’s about something completely different.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Like what?”
“I can’t tell you yet. But I can promise that you’ll be doing very little talking and a lot of listening. Does that help?”
Of course, it did. Jackson knew her w
ell. “Am I going to like it?”
“I’m pretty sure you will.”
“Fine. When are we going?”
“He’s expecting us at nine-thirty.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah. It’s urgent and that’s the only time he had available today. Kian is a very busy man.”
Tessa glanced at her watch. “It doesn’t leave me much time to get ready.”
“You’re fine the way you are.”
“I’ll feel more comfortable wearing something nicer.”
“Then go for it.”
Eva took her elbow. “I’ll help you choose.”
Jackson opened the slider and let them go in first. “I’ll wait for you in the kitchen. Is there anything to eat?”
“Leftover sushi.”
“It will do.”
Fifteen minutes later Tessa walked into the kitchen in a pair of cream-colored pants, a black short-sleeved blouse, and black, two-inch pumps.
“You look very elegant.”
“Thank you. That was the intention. I want to make a good impression on your big shot cousin.”
“Where is Eva?”
“She’ll be down in a minute.” After helping helped Tessa choose an outfit and do her makeup first, Eva needed a few minutes to touch up her own appearance. Not that it was needed, the woman was always perfectly put together.
On the drive to downtown, Eva turned on the radio, and they listened to a comedy station, but no one laughed.
Tessa was too busy stressing over what the hell Kian wanted with her, while Jackson and Eva seemed deep in thought.
Turning into an underground parking of a high-rise, Eva kept going down until she reached a huge garage door. The thing started rolling sideways as soon as her car got nearer. Did she have a sensor? And if yes, why would Eva have one?
Did she know Jackson’s cousin?
Tessa got the strong feeling that the people she cared most about were conspiring against her. It seemed they were all in cahoots. Including Kian, Jackson’s big-shot cousin.
When the big door finished its trek, Eva drove in and parked next to a black Porsche. There weren’t many cars on that level, but the few there were looked pricey. Whoever this private parking belonged to was affluent.
Eva cut the engine and stepped out. Jackson got out from the back seat and opened the door for Tessa.
He looked nervous as he offered her his hand. “Let’s go. We are cutting it fine. It’s almost nine-thirty and Kian appreciates punctuality.”
They entered one of the elevators and Jackson pressed a button that looked like it marked another parking level, one that was a few floors below that one. But when the elevator doors opened, she saw a wide corridor with a wall made of white painted concrete blocks. Not what she imagined Jackson’s cousin’s offices would look like.
After passing several plain looking doors, they reached one that was double in size and had glass panes. Behind it, was a very lavish office.
Jackson knocked on the glass panel and then opened the door for Eva and Tessa to go in first.
Bhathian, who was already there, got up to welcome them, his large frame blocking from view whoever was sitting behind the desk in the back, which was probably Kian. He kissed Eva’s cheek, shook Tessa’s hand, and then Jackson’s. “Let’s sit over there.” He turned sideways and motioned to the large conference table taking up most of the space in the room.
Tessa glanced at the other man, who at that moment got up from behind the desk and started walking toward them.
Her breath caught.
The imagery that came to her mind defied her atheistic views. Where Jackson beauty was that of a naughty angel, and Bhathian’s that of an enforcer leading sinners to hell, Kian’s was that of a god.
So blindingly beautiful that he seemed not of this earth. He smiled and offered her his hand. “Hello, Tessa. I’m Kian.”
Even his voice was perfect.
She just stared, too awestruck to move a muscle. It took Bhathian’s chuckle and Eva’s hand on her shoulder to break the spell. Her hand shook as she lifted it.
Kian’s touch was very gentle. “I promise I’m not as scary as I look. You’re perfectly safe here.” The tone of his voice, more than his words, had an oddly reassuring effect. Tessa felt herself relax.
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that he wasn’t scary, only too beautiful, but despite his friendly tone, she had a feeling Kian would’ve not appreciated her being so forward.
She needed to act respectfully.
The man exuded an aura of importance. Despite wearing jeans, not even a designer brand, he had the bearing of royalty.
“Hi, Kian. Can I call you Kian? Jackson didn’t tell me your last name.”
“Kian is fine. Please, make yourself comfortable.” He walked her over to the table and pulled out a chair for her. Right next to his at the head of the table. Jackson sat on her other side. Bhathian and Eva sat across from them.
A short man dressed like a butler entered the room with a large tray. “Good evening, master. Would you like me to put the tray of hors d’oeuvres on the table or on the buffet?”
“On the table is fine. Thank you, Okidu.”
The man bowed his head. “Yes, master.”
Tessa’s mouth gaped and then snapped shut. Master? What century were these people living in?
On the other hand, it fit with her impression of Kian being a royal. Was he some kind of prince? Did it make Jackson royal too?
While holding the large tray in one hand, the butler proceeded to place in front of each of them a small plate, a tiny fork, a crystal goblet, and a folded cloth napkin. When he was done with that, he put an oval platter of snacks right in the middle. Next, he walked over to a cleverly concealed fridge and brought several bottles of sparkling water.
He bowed again. “Should I serve the coffee now, master, or later?”
“Later. Thank you.” Kian dismissed the butler who retreated walking backward and closed the door behind him.
Kian waved a hand at the platter. “Please, help yourselves.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Bhathian picked up his plate and loaded it with several little treats.
Jackson reached for one of the sparkling water bottles, opened it, and filled everyone’s goblets.
Tessa wished they would all be done with the niceties and get to the point of this meeting. Her throat felt tight, and she wasn’t sure she could handle a single sip of water.
Kian surprised her by reaching for her hand and covering it with his. “You’re probably wondering why we are all here.”
Duh, you think?
Instead, she said, “Yes, I do.”
“You’re a very special woman, Tessa. We believe that you’re a carrier of very unique genetic traits. We are not certain, but the indicators are strong.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Immortality.” He chuckled when her mouth fell open. “It’s difficult to accept, but I ask that you listen to what I have to say with an open mind and reserve your questions for after I’m done. Can you do it?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He took a sip from his goblet. “Except you, all of us here are immortal. Eva, Bhathian, Jackson and myself. Nathalie who you’ve met is one too. In fact, she is Eva’s and Bhathian’s daughter.”
As bizarre and as unbelievable as what Kian was saying sounded, it had a ring of truth to it. A lot of little things that seemed weird to her before suddenly made sense. Like Eva’s motherly attitude toward her crew, like her aversion to reading things off the screen, even her style of clothing. Everything except her looks fit someone from a different generation. Besides, Eva was right there to vouch for Kian’s veracity. She might have kept things from Tessa, but she had never lied to her.
Kian smiled. “I see the wheels turning in your head. You felt that something was off about us before.”
“Eva always behaved like a woman in her late fifties and not her late twenties.”
Eva chuckled. “Late seventies. But thank you for the compliment.”
Tessa’s eyes widened, and she turned to Jackson. “How old are you? Are you really eighteen? Or are you ancient too?”
“I take it back,” Eva murmured.
Jackson took hold of her other hand. “I’m really eighteen.”
That was a relief. “And Bhathian?”
“I’m older.”
That wasn’t saying much, but maybe he was sensitive about his age.
“The reason we are telling you this is that there is a way for a dormant carrier of our genes to be turned immortal. It’s a complicated process, and you’re not ready for it yet. But because you and Jackson are getting closer, it’s becoming exceedingly difficult for him to keep hiding from you what he is, and he asked my permission to tell you the truth.”
She cast Jackson a puzzled look.
He smiled and gave her hand a little reassuring squeeze. “Patience. We’ll get to the details soon.”
“I agreed, but under certain conditions,” Kian continued. “As far as the human world is concerned, we don’t exist, and it’s crucial for our survival that it remains that way. We entrust you with a secret that if revealed will destroy us. I know that Eva is dear to you, and so is Jackson. Their lives and the lives of all of us are now in your hands. Do you understand how serious it is?”
“I do. Your secret is safe with me. You can ask Jackson. I’m very good at keeping secrets.”
“I need a binding oath from you.”
“What’s a binding oath? Do I need to swear on a Bible? I will if you want me to, but as an atheist, it will not mean much to me.”
“Not the Bible. Swearing on Eva’s life will do.”
Tessa cast a quick glance at Eva who nodded her approval. Pulling her hand out of Kian’s, Tessa put it over her heart. “I swear on Eva’s and my own life that I will never tell anyone about you or any other immortals. No one will ever hear me say that immortals exist.”
Kian nodded. “That will do.” He looked at the others. “We are done. If you have questions, which I’m sure you have, Jackson can answer them for you. If you need a more scientific explanation about the genetics and the process of transitioning, I suggest talking to my sister. Amanda is the real expert on that.”
