by I. T. Lucas
“I know, right? Now you know why your he-man antics have no effect on me. I have lots of experience dealing with that.” Syssi playfully bumped his shoulder with her head.
“Imp…” Kian cupped her neck, and holding her pressed against him, buried his nose in her hair.
Syssi sighed. “Andrew had to take charge. With our parents always busy elsewhere, he practically raised my younger brother and me. But he is a great guy, and I love him. I bet once you’re done with your macho posturing, you guys will get along great… He cares about Amanda, you know… Yesterday at that lunch there was definitely something going on between them.”
“You know Amanda. She would flirt with a wooden post… It doesn’t mean anything.” Kian sighed, missing his sister with all her little annoying habits and her never-ending drama. He would never admit it, but he enjoyed all that brouhaha she created around her. She was fresh, and fun, and lively… Oh hell, he really hoped his mother’s vision was true…
“Perhaps…” Syssi said. “I had a feeling it was more than that, though. It looked like they really liked each other. Found each other interesting, beyond the physical attraction. It wasn’t just Amanda’s usual act.” Syssi took a drag on her cigarette, collecting her thoughts. “I want to tell Andrew the truth. He has to have all the facts if he is to bring Amanda home safely. Besides, as my brother, he is also a Dormant. You should offer him the same deal you offered Michael and me.”
Kian ran his fingers through his hair and grimaced. “You’re right. He should know. Although I hate to do it under these circumstances. What if he refuses the offer? I can’t thrall him until after the mission without compromising him, and in the meantime, he’ll have us by the balls.”
“You can trust Andrew. He’d never do anything to endanger my safety, and I’m one of you now.”
“I can just imagine his response…” Kian chuckled. “Who is going to lay it on him?”
“I’ll do it. But you’ll have to supply the details and the proof. Regrettably, I don’t have fangs to show him or the ability to create illusions. Or do I?” Syssi looked at him hopefully.
“I don’t know. You might. I’ll try to explain how it is done once things get back to normal.” Kian leaned into her, taking her mouth in a hungry kiss. “I can’t wait for us to enjoy ourselves with each other without some calamity hanging over our heads…” he whispered once he let go of her lips.
“Me either,” Syssi whispered throatily.
“I can’t believe you two are making out at a time like this!” Andrew snapped. “Can’t you control yourselves?”
Syssi and Kian exchanged knowing glances.
“Take a seat, Andrew. There is something I need to tell you, and you’d better be sitting for this.” Syssi gestured toward the lounger across from them.
“Don’t tell me you’re pregnant and running off to Vegas to get married…” Andrew looked them over, his expression only half-joking.
“No, I’m not pregnant. Not yet, anyway…” Syssi smiled at Kian and winked, teasing Andrew for sounding like an old prude. “But I did go through an interesting change recently… a change you might consider for yourself.”
“What are you talking about?” Andrew frowned. “Let me guess… A fanatic cult? Self-help nonsense? New health diet?” He taunted his sister with his absurd suggestions.
“No, and stop it. You’re not playing nice. But anyway, back to what I was trying to say. I wish I could tell you all of this under less stressful circumstances, but we decided that it is important for you to know what you’re dealing with on this mission. So here it goes…” Syssi took a long breath, bracing for what she was about to reveal.
“Kian, Amanda, and the rest of their extended family, as well as their enemies, including the one that abducted Amanda, are the descendants of the gods of old. They are near immortal, immune to all mortal diseases, and can regenerate from all but the most severe injuries, which makes them almost indestructible. Also, some of them have the ability to cast very convincing illusions; fooling mortal minds into believing whatever they project. Their own minds are resistant to that kind of manipulation, so they cannot fool each other… Do you understand now why a team of mortals would fail against this kind of an opponent? That’s why you need Kian and his men with you.”
Andrew stared at Syssi as if she had lost her mind, then turned to Kian with what looked like an intent to harm. “What kind of drugs have you been feeding her?”
“Would you like a demonstration? Hand me the knife you have strapped to your calf, and I’ll prove it to you.”
“Are you nuts? I’m not going to give you my knife…”
“If I wanted to do you harm, it would have been already done. I need the knife to cut myself. I think what you’ll see will convince you.”
Still shaking his head, Andrew pulled the knife from the holster strapped to his calf and handed it to Kian. “Knock yourself out…”
Kian ran the sharp blade over the inside of his forearm, watching the blood well. The cut closed itself almost as soon as he made it, the small scar disappearing a few seconds later.
“Wow, you healed much faster than I did. Is it because your blood is purer?” Syssi looked amazed at the speed with which his body had regenerated.
Kian nodded, affirming her assumption. “Do you need more proof?” He turned to Andrew. I can project Godzilla, or Spiderman, or anyone else you could think of… Take your pick.”
“If it weren’t my own knife, I would have thought it was a trick… I’ve never seen anything like that… But just for kicks… humor me with an illusion.” Andrew shook his head. “What you claim is so out there, I feel I need more to be convinced it’s for real.”
“Anything in particular?” Kian smirked.
“Surprise me…”
“Okay, that’s one I haven’t done in a while…”
Andrew’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the sight of the huge Phoenix bird that appeared in Kian’s place. Syssi, on the other hand, was still looking at where it perched on the chaise as if she was waiting for something to happen.
“You can’t see it anymore, sweetheart. Your mind is now immune to thralls and illusions. But if you close your eyes and focus, you’ll see it.” Kian smirked at Andrew’s shocked expression when the guy heard him talk out of the bird’s beak.
“Okay, you can drop the bird. I believe you… Explain why Syssi couldn’t see it?”
So the guy wasn’t completely stupefied and noticed their tale-tale exchange.
“That’s because she was turned into one of us. She, and you as her brother, are rare possessors of our dormant genes, which we can activate. You are only the second Dormant male we had discovered, with Syssi being the first and only female, and as the rest of us are all related, that makes you a very valuable asset, especially to the females of our clan. Until now, their only choice of partners were mortals, with all the limitation that entailed. I’ll spare you the history and the complicated explanation. When we get Amanda back, she’ll fill in the details. It’s her field of expertise.”
“So what are you saying? Syssi is immortal now, and you intend to turn me as well?” Andrew frowned.
“No one will force you to do it. It’s your choice. But why would you choose not to? Are you so tired of living that you would refuse near-immortality?” Kian arched his brow.
As he regarded Kian, Andrew’s expression revealed his skepticism. “I need to know more. I’m sure there is a catch somewhere. Like selling my soul to the devil or something like that. There is never something offered for nothing.”
“You’ll get all the info after the mission and will have time to decide. The transition is not easy on the body, and it seems that the older the body, the harder it gets. So you cannot attempt it now. You have a team to lead. But after…” Still holding the blade, Kian raised his hands in the air to indicate the open possibility.
Andrew took it back and returned it to its holster, then pushed up from the lounger. “We
have a rescue to plan… Or do you lovebirds need some more time alone?” He grimaced at the sight of their entwined hands.
“We do, but time is not on our side…” Kian kissed Syssi’s hand and leaned to whisper in her ear. “Tell Okidu when you’re ready to see my mother. You don’t want to offend her by making her wait too long. And by the way, only the Guardians and council members know she is here, and, of course, the Odus. I want to keep it this way. So don’t mention it to anyone besides them.” He kissed her cheek before pushing off to stand.
“I’ll be back to fill you in on the details after we formulate the plan.” Kian cast one last glance at Syssi’s concerned face before heading out with Andrew.
Once Kian had closed the door behind them, Andrew pinned him with hard eyes. “If I can trust my judgment about you at all, after that little demonstration of yours, I think you love my sister. And in that case, you have my blessing. But if you ever hurt her…”
“Yeah, yeah… You’ll chop me into small pieces. I get it… No worries, Andrew. I’m going to spend my very long life loving Syssi and protecting her from all harm. You have my word.”
CHAPTER 50: SYSSI
Nothing could have prepared Syssi for Annani’s splendor. The goddess’s radiance and palpable power were so overwhelming that she had an urge to curtsy.
Instead, she reclined her head respectfully.
“Oh, my dear girl, you look so much better already. Poor Kian was going out of his mind with worry. He loves you very much… Come, sit with me.” Annani took Syssi’s hand, leading her to sit on Amanda’s couch much in the same way her daughter had done.
“So, how do you feel? Anything different?” She patted Syssi’s hand in a motherly gesture that belied her much-too-young appearance.
It was really disconcerting, this dichotomy between the goddess’s youthful looks and the ancient power and wisdom of her eyes. But surprisingly, there was also mischief and liveliness in them—more so than in the eyes of her much younger progeny.
“There is nothing truly significant. I feel healthy and vital, and my senses are sharper than they used to be. I hear and see better and smell… that’s actually the weirdest part; I think I can smell emotions. Am I imagining it?”
“No, my dear, you are not imagining the smells. The body secretes different hormones for different emotions and each has its own unique smell, some more pungent than others…” Annani chuckled and winked at her.
Syssi peered down at their entwined hands. What do I say next? How do you conduct a conversation with a goddess?
Annani was friendly and her smile was genuine. But it was impossible to forget what she was. She was freaking aglow! And not in the metaphorical sense!
“Come on, Syssi, you must have thousands of questions. Ask away. You are going to become the mother of a new clan—our best hope for the future of the last five thousand years. I am here to guide you and help you, so you do not have to do it all on your own. My vast experience is at your disposal.” Annani gave Syssi’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Oh, my God, when you put it like that, it terrifies me. I’m not ready to become this queen bee. I pray Amanda finds more female Dormants, so I can share this burden with others. I don’t think I can handle that much responsibility on my own.” Syssi kept her eyes downcast, ashamed of her cowardice.
“I hope there will be more like you too, but it is beside the point. When I started on this journey, I was an immature, spoiled girl with no idea of what would be required of me. I stepped up to the plate, and so will you, but with the added benefit of my guidance and help. I am older than most civilizations, you know. There is very little I have not seen or done…” She joggled both brows suggestively.
Syssi had to smile, Annani reminded her so much of Amanda with her outrageous persona. “How do you do that? After all this time and all you have seen, you still have your sense of humor and a glint of excitement in your eyes. I get depressed reading the headline news… There is so much suffering and misfortune out there… I find it hard to stomach. It weighs me down.”
“The answer to that is multifaceted.” Annani’s demeanor turned serious. “You read the news and feel powerless to do anything to make it better. You can only bear witness to all that suffering, and that helplessness depresses you. I, on the other hand, am fortunate to have the means to change this world for the better. And although we suffered many setbacks through the millennia, and the progress is slow, things are getting better. As my efforts bear fruit, I feel fulfilled. I have hope. My dream lives. That is the major source of my happiness, the knowledge that good will prevail in no small part because of me…”
Annani paused, and a bright smile enlivened her perfect face as she continued. “And there are my little ones, my grand-grandchildren. I am surrounded daily by their innocence and their unconditional love. I see them grow and blossom into wonderful people… well, most of them anyway… They fill my heart with love and pride. And last but not least, I make sure to have fun… if you know what I mean… lots of fun…” Annani’s voice dropped an octave, her demeanor reverting to playful and mischievous.
Then she smiled like an old sage and squeezed Syssi’s hand. “So you see, my darling, what I was trying to do with my longwinded speech about my fabulous self—was guide you to your new destiny. You are not helpless anymore; you are no longer a powerless witness to evil; now, you are part of the force for good. But as wonderful as having a purpose and working toward your goals is, the heart needs more to thrive. You have a wonderful man to love, to look after and to guide. I know you think you are too young and inexperienced and wonder what guidance you could possibly provide someone like Kian. But he needs you more than either of you realize. My darling son feels like poor Atlas, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he needs you to lend him yours.”
“I’ll do what I can… I have a minor in business and could possibly take over some of his less important tasks. Though I don’t think I’ll be much help really. I have a lot to learn before I’d be of any use.”
Annani dismissed Syssi’s concerns with a wave of her hand. “Oh, I am not talking only about his work. I have already talked him into hiring some of our young professionals for that. But you, my dear, could help him choose the right people for the job. What Kian needs assistance with the most is creating a cohesive team. My son is a natural tactical leader and does great as a commander-in-chief, which served him well in the past when an autocratic style of leadership was the norm. Except, he has never developed the skills necessary for diplomacy and building a strong business team. You, on the other hand, with your sweet nature and humble disposition, could be the glue that binds them together. Everyone likes you; you are approachable.”
“Except, I’m not assertive, and I shy away from confrontations. Not exactly the traits of a leader…” Syssi tried and failed to pull her hand out of Annani’s grasp.
“Bah, but that is exactly my point. You will balance Kian’s excess of those traits. As a cool, logical seer, you will probably hold more sway than my hotheaded, obnoxious son.”
Syssi regarded her with wary eyes. “I’m not exactly a seer, and Kian is not that obnoxious…”
“So, I have exaggerated a little… Your precognition ability is a very rare gift, even among my kind. And in all likelihood, it will grow progressively stronger now that you have transitioned. And as to my son… Kian takes after me. Being obnoxious runs in the family.” Annani laughed, the musical chimes sound of her laughter so beautiful it raised goosebumps on Syssi’s arms.
She chuckled. “If you say so…”
“Yes, I know what they say about me: the good and the bad. Anyway, back to what I was trying to explain. You have to have balance in your life and not forget to have fun. Those who neglect that crucial ingredient, in the long run, become more dead than alive. So make sure to make fun a priority for you and my son.” Annani winked and squeezed the hand she wouldn’t let go of.
“I hope Kian and I will be happy wit
h each other. Though I don’t know how we are going to keep our love and passion fresh. With so many years ahead of us, is it even possible?”
“This is the beauty of our peculiar physiology. You will crave each other above all others and always find bliss in each other’s arms. But that is only the physical part, the rest is up to you. Tragically, I lost my love at the start of our lives together, so I do not have personal experience with long-term relationships. But I was fortunate enough to witness some wonderfully fulfilling truelove matings, and even some of the arranged marriages blossomed into love and thrived. So to answer your question; yes, it is definitely possible.”
“I hope you’re right. I love Kian passionately, but we have only just met, and it scares me to think things might change—that I’d make mistakes and ruin it somehow…”
“Do not fret. If the foundation is strong, it will withstand some rattling. It may even provide some spice… after all, making up after a fight is fun…” Annani smiled a knowing little smile.
“Again, I hope you’re right…” Syssi sighed.
“Come here, sweet child…” Annani pulled on Syssi’s hand with surprising strength for someone so small and seemingly fragile, embracing her tightly. “If my son ever does anything to upset you, he will have me to deal with.” She kissed Syssi on both cheeks then leaned back a little and looked into her moist eyes. “As of now, you are my daughter, and I want you to think of me as your second mother. I will always be there for you, even if it means boxing Kian’s ears or kicking his posterior occasionally… You hear?”
“Thank you…” Choked up with gratitude at the wholehearted acceptance, Syssi sniffled as tears slid from under her lashes. Never, not in a million years, would she have expected that kind of pledge from the goddess.