by I. T. Lucas
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s good.”
Mey frowned. “You don’t sound sure.”
“You healed much faster than a human, but a little slower than an immortal. Usually, it takes about a minute.”
Mey closed her eyes. “Everything seems to be going differently with my transition. Any ideas why?”
Bridget shrugged. “I’ve given it some thought, and in my opinion, it probably has to do with the ancestor who transmitted the godly genes through your matriarchal line. She might have been a bit different. Perhaps the god who parented her had different attributes than the others. It’s even possible that some of the gods played around with genetics and changed things. Up until now, we’ve only had Annani as a source of information about the gods, and hers was limited because she was very young when the others perished, and she wasn’t overly studious in her youth. But now that we have contact with Areana, she might know a little more. She is several centuries older than Annani.”
That sounded encouraging.
Mey was different because she was a descendant of another line, and the gods had not been all the same with the same powers. Perhaps the goddess hadn’t heard about talents like Mey and Jin’s because she hadn’t been well-informed and not because none of the gods had them.
“I have another question,” Yamanu said. “Kian wants us to leave tomorrow for the ski resort. Do you think that Mey is ready to travel?”
“Kian is taking Julian with him, so you will have medical help if you need it, but there is no reason that you will. Just take it easy and don’t go skiing. You are not ready for that. If you get tired, Yamanu can carry you around.”
Mey grimaced. “I’m toothless. I’m not going to leave the hotel room or cabin or whatever place Kian is arranging for us unless I absolutely have to. Hopefully, by the time we find Jin, I will have teeth that look normal.”
39
Kian
On his way to visit Mey, Kian decided to stop by Bridget’s office in the clinic.
“Come in, Kian.” She waved him in. “I see that I’m not the only one working on a Sunday. I’m not complaining, mind you. Any day that I can welcome a new immortal into the clan is a cause for celebration. I’m willing to sacrifice each one of my Sundays for that.” She smirked. “I’ll just take a day off on Monday.”
“I’m not working.” He closed the door behind him. “I was on my way to visit Mey, but I wanted to ask you what’s the deal with the fangs.”
“I guess you heard it from Syssi?” She motioned to a chair.
“She came home all shaken up.”
Bridget arched a brow. “Why? I understand that it’s unusual, but it’s not a cause for concern. If they grow to be noticeably large, Mey can have cosmetic dentistry done on a regular basis.” She chuckled. “It will be like going for a manicure, only instead of nails, she will get her fangs filed down. Vivian can finally make use of her skills as a dental esthetician again.”
“It’s not that. Syssi had a strange vision in which she saw a tall, beautiful woman with fangs as large as a male’s, supervising the loading of Odus into space shuttles.”
Bridget frowned. “That’s strange indeed. What does she think it means?”
“No clue. What are your thoughts on the subject?” Kian asked. “How can it be possible? Are Mey’s genes mutated?” He rubbed his chin. “Could it be a case of hermaphroditism?”
“The possibility occurred to me, but I didn’t want to mention it to Mey. She is freaking out enough as it is. Another possibility is that the ancestor who started her line was different. Perhaps it went back to the god who fathered or gave birth to the immortal female who passed her genes through the generations to Mey and Jin.”
“Is there a genetic test you can run?”
“I don’t have the equipment or the time to do extensive genetic research, and we can’t send it out either.” She smiled. “Unless you want a Guardian to deliver the sample in person, thrall everyone in that lab to forget what they discovered, and then erase all the data. Just make sure that he is prepared to spend months there.”
“Perhaps we can get the equipment. What’s involved?”
“It’s not something we can do here. Most labs can’t do it either. Gene sequencing takes a lot of time and resources. There are approximately six billion base pairs in each human diploid genome. Ours probably have more.”
Kian had no idea what she was talking about, and he didn’t have the patience to hear a long lecture either. Besides, it didn’t really matter. As long as Mey transitioned and gained immortality, he was good. His curiosity would have to remain unsatisfied.
“Did you conduct the rate of healing test?”
Bridget nodded. “It took her a little longer than average, but it was still rapid compared to a human’s.”
“That is what’s important.” He rose to his feet. “Thanks for the update. I’m going to congratulate the happy couple now.”
Bridget smiled and nodded.
“One more question before I leave. Will Mey be okay to travel tomorrow?”
“I don’t see why not. She is going to be low on energy, though, so it would be best for her to rest as much as possible. But other than feeling weak, she’s doing great. The first stage of her transition has gone smoothly, aside from the fangs, that is. She is not happy about the prospect of a toothless vacation.”
“Yeah, I can see how that could be a problem.” He opened the door. “Which room is she in?”
“Second one on the right.”
“Thanks.” He stepped out and was about to close the door when Bridget stopped him.
“Leave it open. I like knowing who is coming or going.”
“As you wish.”
On the way to Mey’s room, Kian decided it would be best if he didn’t mention the fangs. Mey was upset about it, and she didn’t know why it was happening to her either, so there was no point in bringing it up.
He smiled as he knocked on the door. Syssi would be proud of him for being sensitive about Mey’s feelings.
Yamanu opened up. “Kian, I didn’t expect you to come.”
Damn, he should have texted or called instead of just showing up. Evidently, his emotional intelligence still sucked. “Is it a bad time? I just came to congratulate you two.”
“No, it’s good.” Yamanu looked over his shoulder. “Kian is here.”
“Don’t let him just stand there,” Mey said. “Invite him in.”
Yamanu opened the door all the way. “You heard the lady. Come in.”
Propped up on several pillows, Mey held her hand over her mouth. “Hi, Kian. Excuse the hand, but I have an embarrassing problem that I prefer for you not to see.”
“That’s okay. I just came to say congratulations and ask how you are feeling.”
“Thank you. I’m better today, except for the missing teeth, that is. I don’t know how I’m going to travel like that.”
“You have nothing to worry about. We are flying in a private jet, and Turner found us a private cabin that can accommodate all of us. No one is going to see you.”
“Except for our group,” she said.
“Except for us. But we are family now. Besides, your new teeth might grow in a couple of days. The first stage of transition is marked by rapid growth.”
Mey’s eyes widened. “Oh, my God. I need a measuring tape. What if I grew even taller?”
“I don’t think you did,” Yamanu said. “In fact, other than the teeth, nothing about you has changed, and I thank the merciful Fates for that.”
Bridget must have heard her question and walked in. “I’m going to take your measurements before you go home, and Julian is going to take more during the trip.”
Looking down at her toes, Mey wiggled them under the thin blanket. “I don’t seem to be longer.”
Yamanu took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Even if you gained an inch, I’m still seven inches taller than you. You can wear heels, and we can go dancing. Onc
e your teeth grow in, that is.”
Bridget lifted a finger. “I have a solution for that. You can wear one of those masks that filter germs. No one will think that’s odd.”
Mey chuckled behind her hand. “Because I’m Asian?”
Bridget shrugged. “You can use the stereotype to your advantage.”
40
Yamanu
“It’s good to be home.” Mey walked out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her lithe body and another one around her head.
“You’d better get dressed. Arwel is on his way to pick up more of his stuff.”
Mey grimaced. “I feel bad about him moving out. And I also feel bad about him seeing me without teeth.”
Yamanu took her hand and pulled her down to sit on his lap. “He is coming with us to West Virginia, so he is going to see your cute toothless smile anyway.” He kissed her lips.
She’d lost weight during her transition that she couldn’t afford to lose, and he was determined to fatten her up as soon as Julian said it was okay for her to eat solids again.
“Only you could think that I look cute like that. Others will think that I got my teeth knocked out by an abusive partner.”
“No one is going to think that. They know better.”
“In our group, sure. I’m talking about humans.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe that I’m talking like that. I was a human up until two days ago, and now I’m suddenly something else.”
“You are still my lady Mey. The one and only.” He lifted her up and placed her on the bed. “What do you want to wear? I’ll bring it to you.” He walked over to the closet and opened the door.
“I can dress myself.” She started to get up.
“Sit.” He pointed with a finger. “Just tell me what to get you.”
“The grey sweatpants, the red T-shirt and the red hoodie. Can I at least pick up my panties? They are right here in the dresser drawer.”
“I’ll get them.” He opened the drawer and pulled out a pair of black ones. “These okay?”
When she nodded, he tossed them to her.
She caught them effortlessly, her reflexes already faster than what they had been as a human.
He smirked. “Did you see that? You are starting to move in immortal speed.”
“You are right, I am. That’s awesome.” She dropped the towel and pulled the panties on.
Yamanu salivated, but he swallowed it quickly. Mey was in no shape for bed sports. Instead, he ducked into the closet and pulled out the items she’d requested.
Handing them to her, he tried not to stare at her breasts. “Don’t you need a bra?”
“Nope.” She pulled the T-shirt over her head. “I’m going to wear the hoodie over it so there’ll be no nipples showing. I’m too tired for a bra.”
He didn’t know a woman needed to feel energized to wear one, but he wasn’t going to say anything and appear insensitive.
When Mey was dressed, he lifted her up in his arms and carried her to the living room.
She chuckled. “Is this how it’s going to be from now on? You are going to carry me everywhere?”
He put her down on the couch. “Just for the next day or two until you feel better. Do you want something to eat?”
“Do we have ice cream?”
He smiled. “In fact, we do, thanks to Callie. She filled the fridge with ready meals and the freezer with an assortment of ice cream.”
Mey’s eyes brightened. “Did she bring cookies and cream?”
“I believe so.” He headed to the kitchen and opened the freezer.
There were about twenty small containers of ice cream in different flavors, each one an individual serving. He found the one Mey craved and brought it to the living room. “It has a little spoon under the lid.”
“Oh, I know.” She opened the container. “This is my favorite brand, and Callie is my new favorite person.” She smiled at him sheepishly. “After you, of course. But seriously. How awesome is she?”
“Incredibly so.”
“Once we are back from the trip, I’m going to invite her and Brundar and Wonder and Anandur to dinner.” A wistful look flitted through her eyes. “And maybe my sister will be here to help me prepare it. Jin is a better cook than I am.”
Yamanu sat next to Mey on the couch. “I hope so. But if not, you can count on me for help. I don’t know much about cooking, but I can cut and peel and clean.”
“You are the best.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.
The front door’s buzzer going off ended their cozy moment, and Yamanu got up to open the door for Arwel.
“Congratulations!” His friend walked in with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and champagne in the other.
Yamanu pulled him into a bro hug and slapped his back. “Thank you.”
“Hi, Arwel.” Mey started to get up, holding her hand in front of her mouth. “I’m so happy that you are coming with us to search for my sister.”
“Don’t.” Arwel handed the flowers and the bottle to Yamanu and rushed to intercept her. “You should take it easy.” He gave her a gentle hug. “Welcome to the clan, Mey. I’m so glad that your transition was uneventful.”
Mey cast Yamanu a questioning glance. “I guess you haven’t heard about the fangs.”
Arwel frowned. “What fangs?”
She lowered her hand and smiled. “My canines fell out. Evidently, I’m growing fangs.”
“That’s definitely not uneventful.” Arwel sat next to her on the couch. “Any idea why this is happening?”
“Bridget thinks it’s something that I inherited from my original ancestor.” She sighed. “I was freaked out at the beginning, but I’m starting to get used to the idea.”
“I think a female with fangs is sexy.”
“That’s what I said.” Yamanu put the flowers on the counter. “But Mey doesn’t believe me.” He pulled out a pot and filled it with water. “I really need to order a few vases for the house. We are running out of pots.”
Arwel chuckled. “I’ll get them for you as a housewarming gift.”
Mey reached for his hand. “Why are you moving out? I want you to stay.”
Arwel patted her hand. “You and Yamanu are a mated couple. You need your privacy, and with me around, you are not going to have any even with your door closed. Besides, the guy I’m moving in with is Carol’s old roommate Ben, and he is lonely now that she has left. He is looking forward to rooming with me.”
The same argument that had worked on Yamanu seemed to be working on Mey as well.
She smiled. “Then, you have to visit often.”
“I will.” Arwel pushed to his feet and turned to Yamanu. “If you help me schlep things over to Ben’s, I can be done faster and get out of your hair.”
“We are in no hurry to get rid of you, but I’ll help you.” Yamanu started following Arwel to his bedroom when his phone buzzed on the counter.
Snatching it, he was surprised to see it was from Alena. Did she want to visit Mey?
Frowning, he read the text. “I have bad news for you, Mey.”
She tensed. “What?”
“You’ll have to put a bra on after all. The Clan Mother is leaving tomorrow, and she wants to see you and congratulate you on your transition beforehand. Alena is asking if you are well enough to come over and say goodbye.”
Mey groaned. “I can’t say no to the Clan Mother. If not for the freaking missing teeth, I would have loved to go over and say goodbye to her.”
“Let me help you.” He bent, attempting to lift her into his arms.
“Stop it. I can walk.” Her tone left no room for argument.
“Would you at least lean on me?”
Mey sighed. “Fine.” She turned to Arwel. “I’m sorry that I can’t stay and that Yamanu can’t help you schlep things.”
He waved a hand. “I’ll manage. When the Clan Mother issues a summons, you don’t say no. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
41
Ann
ani
“I wish you the best of luck on finding your sister and your life with Yamanu.” Annani pulled Mey into her arms.
The girl was stiff as a broomstick, evidently shocked by the contact. Taking pity on her, Annani let go.
Mey bowed. “Thank you, Clan Mother.”
Annani shifted her gaze to Yamanu. “Take care of her. Mey is still recuperating from the change and reeling from the new reality that you have brought her into.”
He dipped his head. “I will do my best.” He smiled. “If she lets me.”
Annani cast a stern look at Mey. “You should not exert yourself, and you should not worry your mate by refusing his help.”
Stifling a smile, Mey bowed again. “Yes, Clan Mother.”
Annani patted her arm. “When you have your sister back, and you and Yamanu decide on a wedding date, let me know. I will do my best to preside over it.”
Mey nodded. “It will be a great honor, Clan Mother.”
When Yamanu and Mey left, and Ovidu closed the door behind them, Annani glanced at Alena. “What do you make of that?”
“The fangs?”
“The fangs and the Odus. I find it most unsettling.” She walked over to the armchair, sat down, and lifted her feet onto the ottoman.
“I don’t see why. Bridget's theory sounds logical.”
“It does, but contrary to what she assumes, I knew most of the gods and what their special talents were. I was not running around and having fun. I was being groomed to become the next ruler, and my father had me sit in the throne room every day and listen to the proceedings.”
Alena walked into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge. “Even so, I’m sure you didn’t meet everyone. There might have been some minor gods that your father didn’t bother with, and one of them might have produced an offspring with a slight mutation.” She chuckled. “Perhaps that’s how the veil became a thing. A female who wanted to hide her fangs might have started that fashion.”
