Dark Stranger Immortal

by I. T. Lucas

  “You know I love it there. Why would I want to leave my own paradise? And anyway, I cannot bear to be away from my little ones for long. They are the joy of my life, and I will miss them too much. It has been so long without any children at my place, and now I have two new sweet babies and a toddler boy. You should come visit me and spend some time surrounded by their adorable sounds and smells. It would do you a world of good.”

  “I wish I could, but my workload is becoming impossible. I have so much to do, I feel guilty every time I steal a few hours to be with Syssi. It's ridiculous.” Kian pushed out from the chair and started pacing again, his fingers raking his messed up hair.

  “My darling, sweet boy, that is because you are still doing things the way you were doing them two hundred years ago. It was okay to do everything by yourself when things were simpler, and we were not as diversified. But thanks mainly to you, we've become huge. You have to hire professional help, have a team of directors to manage each arm of our holdings separately and report to you. It would free a large chunk of your time to do as you please. You may even decide to study business management at a university.” She looked at him hopefully.

  It was a conversation they had before; his mother suggesting he should get some form of formal education and him maintaining that he didn't need it and didn't have time for it.

  Kian had never gotten to study in any learning institution, higher or lower. What he knew, he had learned from Annani and on his own, and in his opinion, it was enough. If he wanted to learn something new, there were books available on nearly every topic, and the few times he'd needed further explanations, he'd found a leading authority in the field to teach him.

  Less time-consuming and way more efficient.

  The main advantage of going to any kind of school was socializing, which was fine for the young with no responsibilities on their shoulders. But that didn't mean that graduating from some college or university made them experts or necessarily qualified them for the job.

  Only experience did that.

  “I don't know if I can trust others enough to relinquish control to them. And anyway, I don't know where to find qualified people. That undertaking alone will take time I don't have.” He paused his pacing to look at her stubborn expression and knew she wouldn't let it go.

  “We have several young clan members who have graduated with honors from top universities. Two with Masters in business management, one with a degree in industrial management, and one with a law diploma specializing in business. And those are just the top ones. There are others who may be not as studious but are just as qualified. I can send them your way for interviews.”

  “How do you know all that?”

  “I keep tabs on my progeny. They all spent their early childhoods in my sanctuary, and I care about them and what they do with themselves after they leave.” She smiled. “Being called the mother of the clan means more to me than just an honorific or a figure of speech,” Annani added with pride.

  “In that case, sure… Maybe the time has come to let the younger generation show what they can do…” Kian plopped down on the chair, letting his head drop on his fists.

  Annani went on, “Another advantage of hiring the young professionals will be quieting the simmering unrest in the ranks. Many are frustrated, thinking that our top management positions would always be unattainable to them. You need to demonstrate that you are willing to share the spotlight with others and let more of the clan members climb up and have important jobs.”

  Annani seemed to have the thirty-thousand-foot view he lacked, and evidently, was much better informed. He should have known what was going on under his nose; should have been more connected to his people. But be that as it may, right now he was too depleted to get energized by the prospect of doing things differently, or to plan a shift in his management style.

  “I gave you a lot to think about, so you would not be bored when I leave. Let me know if anything changes. I will be up at Amanda's penthouse.” Annani slid down from the hospital bed. “No, do not get up; it is easier for me to kiss you when you are sitting.” She took his face in her small, delicate hands and kissed him on both cheeks.

  Kian covered her hands with his. “I want to keep your presence here a secret from everyone but the Guardians and council members. So make sure to use only the dedicated penthouse elevator, and if you need anything, send Onidu for it. I don't want someone noticing your servants and figuring you're here. Keep them at Amanda's place. Please.” Too used to issuing orders, he checked himself at the end. This kind of tone wouldn't do with his mother. Even under extenuating circumstances.

  Annani nodded at him imperiously and headed for the door.

  Once she'd left and he was alone again with Syssi, Kian moved the chair closer to the bed, and holding her hand, rested his cheek on her soft palm. Comforted by the touch he closed his eyes, and in no time, the monotone sounds of the monitoring equipment lulled him to sleep.

  It couldn't have been more than a few minutes when the sense of someone creeping around the room woke him up. He jumped, alarmed and ready to pounce on the intruder. But as the cobwebs of his dreamless slumber cleared and his mind registered who had made the sounds that woke him up, Kian slumped back into his chair and blew out a relieved breath.

  “You scared the crap out of me, jumping like that!” Bridget held her hand over her racing heart. “I thought you were asleep.”

  The spike in adrenaline used up what little boost he'd gotten from his few minutes of sleep, and Kian felt just as exhausted as he had been before. “I was…” He sighed.

  “I brought you your breakfast—courtesy of Okidu. It's on the rolling tray behind you, but be careful when you reach for it; the coffee is hot.”

  “Thank you.”

  Pulling the cart to him, Kian lifted the coffee mug to his lips and took a few sips of the hot brew. “How is Syssi doing? Any improvement?”

  “Much better. Her fever is almost back to normal, and her blood pressure has stabilized. Heart is doing well; brainwaves are fine… By the look of it, she is dreaming. She should be waking up any time now. Just as soon as her body is done accommodating the main changes that are taking place.”

  Turning away from Syssi, Bridget looked him over, and with a hand on her hip, cast him a disapproving look. “Kian, you need to eat, drink, wash your face… No offense, but you look like shit. I have toothbrushes in the bathroom cabinet. Use one!” she ordered, pointing a finger at the bathroom door and waiting till he returned from freshening up, then scowled at him until he took several bites of his sandwich.

  Satisfied, she opened the door to leave just as William poked in his flushed face. “I've got it!” he exclaimed, and pushing past Bridget shoved a tablet at Kian.

  Frowning at the guy, Kian whispered, “Slow down and keep your voice down… What is it?”

  “Sorry,” William continued in a hushed, breathless tone. “I checked the security camera recordings from all of the stores I could hack… on and around Rodeo Drive… Amanda's last known location… My boys helped… It was really hard to find all of them… and then it took a long time… to go through all that footage… But we got it… Press the play arrow on the tablet… and see for yourself… I just wish there was an audio… but at least we have the face… of her kidnapper.” William's relatively short explanation was delivered between one pant and another. Evidently, the guy had exerted himself running all the way from his lab with his exciting news.

  With Bridget and William hovering behind his shoulders, Kian braced for what he was about to see.

  It began with what he immediately recognized as a Doomer entering the store, up until the hulking guy had left with Amanda. Kian replayed it two more times, starting with Amanda's terrified expression when she had seen the Doomer, through the disturbingly sexual way she had reacted to his bite, and ending with her leaning her head on his shoulder when they had left the store. It wasn't her fault, Kian kept reminding himself, sickened by the overtly sexual display
—she had been high on the venom and had no control over her reactions.

  “Interesting…” Bridget commented from behind his back before quickly turning away.

  “Interesting? That's what you have to say about it?” Already livid from what he had seen, Kian lashed out at her for what he considered to be a grossly inappropriate response.

  “I apologize. I know how disturbing it must have been for you to watch this. It's just that it was the first time I had an opportunity to observe the way it works between an immortal male and female, and couldn’t help but being fascinated by the physiology of it. I wasn't commenting on the fact that Amanda was kidnaped, and that we fear for her safety… Of course, I'm distraught over it.”

  “What the hell was so fascinating?”

  “You've experienced women's reaction to the venom, Kian. But I haven't… I… just wondered how it would feel… I'm sorry…” Bridget blushed and turned away.

  Her discomfort finally clued him in. The woman had been aroused by what she had seen. Rationally, he could understand her yearning for that which she couldn't have, but emotionally he was repulsed by her response. Afraid his disgust would show on his face, he turned to William.

  “Good job, William, give Onegus a good close-up of the fucker's face, and have him distribute the picture to each of the Guardians and the police.”

  “I will. Is there anything else I can do?”

  “If there is, I cannot think of it now. Go get some sleep, you look beat.” It was already late morning, and judging by the guy's red eyes, he had spent the whole night staring at computer screens.

  CHAPTER 44: YAMANU

  Propped against the clinic's hallway wall, Yamanu glanced up from the book he had been reading to see Michael winding between the bodies of Guardians sleeping on the carpeted floor.

  The kid was heading his way.

  “Yamanu, I need your help, man.” Michael's pained voice grabbed his mentor's immediate attention.

  “What's wrong?”

  “I think I need to see a dentist, and I'm not allowed to leave. Is there anybody you could bring in here? I wouldn't ask, but I can't take it anymore. I took Motrin and it did nothing for the pain… I don't know what else to do…” The poor kid looked tortured.

  “Let me see… Open your mouth…” Yamanu took a peek. “Don't be a wuss…,” he said as Michael flinched away from his finger, then gently probed the guy's swollen gums. “Just as I thought…” Yamanu grinned and clapped Michael's back. “Welcome to immortality… You're growing fangs and venom glands, and it hurts like a son of a bitch. I know, still remember it as if it happened last week though it was ages ago. It was that bad.”

  Michael remained speechless, his mouth still gaping as he stared at Yamanu's happy face in shocked disbelief. “You're shitting me, right?” he finally said.

  “No, I'm not. But let's ask the good doctor's opinion if you don't trust mine.” Yamanu took Michael by the shoulders and turned him towards Bridget's office.

  “Hold on, I want Kri to come with us…” Michael walked over to where she was sleeping on the floor.

  “Kri… wake up, sweetheart. I have great news.” Michael brushed his hand over her arm.

  Kri sat up with a start. “Did they find Amanda? Did Syssi wake up?”

  “No, unfortunately not… But Yamanu thinks I'm transitioning, and we are going to see Doctor Bridget to confirm it. I would really like for you to be there with me.”

  With a surge, she got up and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Michael! This is wonderful. I can't believe it… I'm so happy for you.”

  “I'm happy for us…” The kid grinned.

  Puppy love. Yamanu rolled his eyes.

  CHAPTER 45: KIAN

  Nauseous with fatigue, Kian finished his coffee and took a few more bites of the sandwich, making an effort to shove some food down his tight throat and into his empty stomach. But swallowing was a pain, and he dropped it back on the plate.

  With a grimace, he kicked the rolling cart away.

  Turning back to Syssi, he enfolded her small hand with his own, and closing his eyes, rested his forehead on her open palm.

  For a moment, he wasn't sure whether what he'd felt was real or his imagination playing tricks on him, but he could've sworn he had felt Syssi's finger brush lightly over his cheek.

  Slowly, he lifted his head, hopeful, and yet afraid it was just a phantasm.

  Her eyes were open, and as a profound sense of relief washed over him, the small, pitiful smile she managed for him was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

  She lifted her arm with marked effort, reaching for his cheek. “Wha…” she tried to talk but managed only a croak.

  “Hold on, baby. I'll get you something to drink…” Kian rushed over to the tray and poured a glass of water from the pitcher. “I need a straw…” Frantically searching through the cabinets, he found what he was looking for in the one above the sink.

  “Here you go, sweetheart…” Kian lifted the head of the bed and brought the straw to her lips. “Slowly, I don't know much about this, but I don't think you should drink a lot at once… Where the hell is Bridget when we need her?” He looked for the call button.

  “I'm here.” Bridget knocked once before barging in.

  “The monitors in my office sounded the alert. Welcome back, Syssi.” She smiled.

  “Back from where?” Syssi whispered around the straw.

  “You were unconscious since yesterday afternoon, and we've been worried. I'll run some tests and take a blood sample to see where we're at.”

  Syssi drained the glass. “Did I transition?” she asked hopefully.

  “That's what the tests are for. We'll know in a moment.” Bridget pulled a syringe and a small surgical knife from the supply cabinet, placing them on her tray.

  Kian grabbed her wrist. “What's the knife for?”

  “I'm going to make a small cut to see how fast it closes. It's a crude but conclusive test. We'll know right away.” She looked at him pointedly, waiting for him to release her.

  “It's okay, Kian. I want to know. Let her do it.” Syssi extended her arm, offering her palm to Bridget. Then she motioned for Kian to refill her glass with the other.

  “Make sure it's tiny and doesn't hurt!” He released Bridget's wrist to pour Syssi more water. Holding the glass with the straw to her lips, he grasped her free hand. “Squeeze my hand if you feel pain.”

  Bridget rolled her eyes and quickly slashed with her knife.

  A line of bright red blood formed over the cut, more of it welling as the seconds ticked away with the three of them watching and holding their breath.

  “It's not working…,” Syssi whispered, a few tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “No, look!” Bridget lifted Syssi's hand, bringing it close to her eyes. “It's closing!” She took a small gauze square from her tray and wiped the blood away. The skin underneath it was already knitting back together, and the small scar faded right before their eyes. In less than a minute, there was no sign of the incision.

  “Welcome to immortality, Syssi. To completely transition will take up to six months, but the major change has already taken place. Your body heals itself fast, and it will just keep improving.” Bridget smiled at Kian and Syssi's relieved faces. “You're the second one I've welcomed today.”

  “What?” Kian eyes shot to her.

  “I have Michael in the next room, suffering like a trooper through growing venom glands and fangs. I offered to knock him out and spare him the pain, but he refused. Told me he wants to witness his change. I wonder how long he’ll hold out on the painkillers when he realizes it may take up to a month for these beauties to grow.” She beamed proudly—as if she had just delivered two new lives into the world. And in a way she had.

  “I'm so happy…” Syssi sniffled, returning Kian's gentle embrace.

  “Can I take her upstairs now?” Kian asked. If he never had to see the cursed sick room again, it would be too soon.

  “Let me
just take a few blood samples, and then you're free to go, Syssi. But take it easy until you feel stronger. Small liquid meals to start with, and then nothing heavy for the next twenty-four hours. After that, eat as much as you can stuff into your stomach. You'll need the fuel.”

  Kian brushed his hand over Syssi's hair. “I'm going to step outside for a minute and tell everybody the good news. They all kept vigil for you, sweetheart. None of the Guardians left this corridor unless they absolutely had to…” He smiled at her and kissed her hand. “It looks like they all have fallen under your spell…” He paused. “My mother flew over to be with you as well, and she wants to meet you as soon as you're up…” He stopped when he saw Syssi's terrified expression.

  “She is here?” Syssi whispered. “I can't see her now! I must look like a wreck… Oh my God! She already got to see me looking like this, didn't she?”

  “You're being silly. She said you're lovely…”

  “I don't care. I want to shower and get dressed before I meet her. Please, Kian, don't let her see me before I do…” Syssi pleaded.

  “I won't. I promised to let her know as soon as you were awake, but I'll tell her you want to freshen up… Deal?”

  “Thank you!”

  Later, after Bridget was done with her tests and released Syssi into his care, Kian carried her all the way up to his penthouse, despite her protests that she was okay to walk on her own.

  Then when he let her down in the bathroom, she shooed him away like some annoying pest. For some inexplicable reason, the mulish woman refused his offer to wash her, insisting she was well enough to do it by herself.

  As if that had anything to do with it.

  He wanted to take care of her… needed to…

  Eventually, he dropped the argument only because he didn't want to upset her so soon after all she had been through.