The Immortal Affliction

by M. K. Dawn

  “Fine,” Darrien groaned. “We need a plan.”

  “We have about two hours until sunset.” Nikko paced the living room. “Her sedative should wear off by then.”

  “Yes, but then we go back to screaming her head off.” Darrien banged on the counter again. “How is that any better?”

  “For years, Evie stood in front of the camera and fooled the world into believing she was an advocate for Sanguines,” Samantha said. “Maybe she can pretend not to be in pain.”

  “Pretend not to be in pain?” Ethan recalled his transformation and there was no way she could mask it, not when every bone in her body broke and pieced itself back together. “No way.”

  “If we give her a small amount of the sedative?” Nikko suggested. “It could be enough she could manage the pain and still be mobile.”

  “Ethan?” Samantha’s fingers brushed his arm. “She’s your sister. It’s your decision. If you have another idea…”

  He didn’t. “Guess it’s our best shot.” A light whimper came from the bedroom. “Sounds like she’s waking up. I’ll talk to her. See if she’s up for it.”

  Ethan entered the bedroom and found Evie sitting up, her back against a cracked wall. “What’s happening to me?”

  “You’re in transition.”

  She swallowed. “What? That’s impossible. Women…the gene’s not strong enough.”

  He kneeled beside her. “For some it is; for you it is. You’ve already made it this long.”

  “How long? Hours or days?” When he didn’t answer, she asked again. “Hours or days, Ethan?”

  “Hours, but that’s a good sign.”

  Evie hugged herself, body wracked with tears. “It’s not. Something's wrong. I can feel it.”

  “That’s just your body changing. It will pass, I promise.” He gave her a second to digest that before continuing. “There’s something else. The boat leaves tonight. An hour or so. The captain won’t let you board if you’re sick.”

  Her eyes met his. “Leave me here then. You have my notebook. It’s not everything, but it’s enough to set you on the right track.”

  “No. We’re not leaving you behind. Either we all get on this ship or we find another way. But that means you must fight the pain. We’ll give you a small dose of the sedative to help, but you’re going to have to pretend you’re fine.”

  “I can’t.” She slid down the wall and collapsed to the ground, her knees tucked in to her chest. “There’s so much pain.”

  “Evie—”

  The door swung open and Darrien stormed in. “Nikko says we need to leave in a few minutes. I’ve got the sedative.”

  “Give it to me.” Ethan tapped the syringe and stuck the needle in Evie's arm, careful only to inject her with a fourth of the dose. “It won’t be long before it kicks in.”

  Evie’s body relaxed as the medication washed through her system. “Better, but still a lot of pain.”

  “Can you get up?” Ethan knew they needed to head out, but he didn’t want to push her.

  Darrien huffed and bent down, getting right into her face. “Babying her isn’t going to work. Tough love all the way. Evie, get your ass up.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. First step: on your feet.” He wrapped his arm under hers and stood her up. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

  Evie’s legs trembled. “It hurts.”

  Ethan stepped forward. “Stop, Darrien. Can’t you see she’s in pain?”

  “Back off,” Darrien warned. “I know it hurts, honey. Every bone in your body is breaking and repairing itself. But you’re a strong woman who can do anything she puts her mind to—even this. Wallow in the pain now and in the car, but when you step on those docks, you push it all away.”

  “How do I do that?” The quiver in her voice was excruciating, but Ethan also heard something else: determination.

  “Take my hand.” Darrien offered.

  She did.

  “Focus on my touch, the beat of the blood in my veins. Squeeze it if you have to.”

  Evie closed her eyes. “That helps. I don’t know how, but it does.”

  “Good. That’s what I want you to do when we reach the docks. Can you do that?”

  She let out a series of quick breaths. “I’ll try.”

  “I know you can.” Darrien glanced at Ethan. “Look, even some color has returned to her cheeks.”

  He was right; she didn’t look nearly as sick as she had a few minutes ago. “How are we going to explain why she’s squeezing your hand?”

  “Scared of the water. Never been on a boat before. Madly in love with me.” Darrien shot Evie a little wink. “Whatever story tickles her fancy.”

  Ethan could have sworn he heard Evie giggle. “I leave that up to the two of you. And we’ll try to keep the captain far enough away from you both that he won’t grow suspicious.”

  “Ready?” Nikko called from the other room. “The sun will be down by the time we reach the docks.”

  Ethan’s eyes landed on Evie. “Are you good?”

  A hard smile stretched her lips. “As much as I’ll ever be.”

  “I guess that will have to do.” Ethan didn’t like that their entire plan rested on Evie’s ability to mask her pain. If he were in her position when he transformed, he wasn’t sure if he could have done it.

  Samantha and Nikko waited for them in the SUV, Nikko in the driver's seat. Ethan climbed in the back row while Evie and Darrien took the middle.

  Darrien hung close by Evie’s side, keeping an eye on her every move. Ethan had seen a spark of a connection between the two before—Evie had even admitted as much—but the protectiveness Darrien displayed now was new, and in a way, comforting. The fear of leaving Evie all alone had always weighted heavy on Ethan’s mind. Now with their mother lucid and Darrien’s hint of fondness, Ethan no longer felt like he was her only family.

  “The captain will meet us on the dock.” Nikko had a way of explaining things that made stressful situations almost tolerable. “There is no need to worry. He is a kind man with a big heart.”

  “He worked for the Council,” Samantha said with a hint of disgust. “How good could he be?”

  Nikko eyed her from the rearview mirror. “I suppose we could say the same of you, as the daughter of a Council Member.”

  Samantha scowled. “Two completely different situations. I didn’t have a choice, he did.”

  Evie groaned as she leaned forward and rested her head between her legs. “Working for the Council is not always a choice.”

  “Sorry, Evie.” Samantha’s facial features sagged. “You’re right.”

  “The captain grew up in the trade industry.” Nikko took a sharp left out of the neighborhood. “His father was a captain, as was his grandfather and great-grandfather. It’s the only thing he has ever known. After the Blood War, work was scarce. When the Council offered him this opportunity, the pay was too good to pass up. For fifteen years, he’s helped keep his small town from starving to death. A noble act spawned from a dirty deed.”

  “Still, he’ll turn us away if he suspects Evie is ill,” Darrien reminded them all.

  “To protect his crew.” Nikko came to a stop at the entrance of the shipyard. “Illness spreads like wildfire in such confined spaces.”

  Ethan turned to Evie. “Which means you need to prepare yourself to be scrutinized.”

  “I’m ready.” Evie took a ragged breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Nikko parked the SUV in front of a pile of junk and they all exited the vehicle.

  Ethan scanned the area. He’d never seen so many beached boats in his life. Most looked like they were a strong breeze away from crumbling. There were a few others that might have been salvageable if someone took the time to give them a little love.

  “There she is.” Nikko led them around a particularly large pile of parts.

  “That’s the boat you told us about?” Ethan pressed his lips together, trying to suppress a laugh. This
entire time he’d pictured some rinky-dink boat with tight living quarters. “This is a ship. A massive ship at that. What the hell kind of cargo does he transport?”

  “A bit of everything.” Nikko strolled towards the gangway.

  ‘Kind man with a big heart’ wouldn’t have been Ethan’s choice of words to describe the scruffy, tattooed man heading their way. ‘Intense and scary’ would have been more accurate.

  He paused before them and crossed his ripped arms over his protruding chest. “So which one of you had the bright idea to go to Brazil?”

  Ethan steadied his nerves, ready to spout some half-assed reason when Nikko stepped forward. “No questions. That was part of our deal.”

  He grinned, showing off several gold teeth. “Don’t have to get so testy. I’m curious, that’s all. Unless you have something to hide? Name’s Ruford Irvine, but everyone calls me Salty. Welcome aboard.”

  “Nothing to hide.” Ethan moved beside Nikko. “Just a little family vacation.”

  A laugh that sounded more like a hiccup escaped Salty’s lips. “I like you, boy. You got yourself a sense of humor. That's rare these days. Come on board; let’s have a little chat.”

  The final step off the gateway brought with it a sense of relief. They’d made it this far, and now the ship needed to leave the dock. It was big enough they could hide Evie’s transformation. If they could stay under the radar, just maybe they’d get to Brazil without the captain and his crew discovering their true nature.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Darrien held Evie close as they boarded the ship. Her body trembled under his embrace, but she masked the pain with a tight smile.

  The captain and Nikko yammered on about nothing in particular as he led them further. They were an unlikely pair; Darrien would have to ask how Nikko came to know the man.

  “Where is everyone?” Samantha scanned the open deck.

  “They’re below preparing to debark, which should be at any moment.” As if on cue, a horn blared and the gangway pulled back. “There we go.”

  The engines roared and Evie groaned. The medicine was wearing off.

  “If you wouldn’t mind,” Darrien hauled Evie closer, “my girlfriend and I would like to retire to our room.”

  Salty scrunched his eyes and gave her a once over. “What’s wrong with her?” He turned to Nikko. “You assured me everyone was healthy.”

  “We are,” Nikko reached for the captain’s arm. “It’s just she’s—”

  “Nervous,” Darrien completed his sentence.

  Salty inspected her closer. “What the hell is there to be nervous about?”

  “She’s never been on a boat before.” It was the first excuse that popped into his head.

  “Boat!” Salty barked. “This look like a boat to you, son?”

  Darrien hated the term son, but kept his opinion to himself, opting for a more civilized response. “No, sir. I meant ship. Obviously. Evie has never been on a ship before and is a bit nervous. Sea sick and all. Even the bathtub makes her queasy.”

  Ethan’s eyes locked on Darrien. “You don’t say.”

  The hint of annoyance that tugged at the corner of his eyes amused Darrien so he took the lie further. “Seen it with my own eyes.”

  Salty glanced between the two before shaking his head. “Never heard that one before, but she is looking rather puke-ish. I believe we have medication in the sickbay that can help. I’ll have some waiting at dinner.”

  “Dinner?” Ethan glanced at Evie. “We would be happy to join you, though I think Evie will have to take a rain check.”

  “The journey here took a lot out of all of us,” Darrien added. Ethan might have been okay with having dinner with the man—human man—but Darrien didn’t think he or Samantha needed that kind of temptation.

  Salty waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. You have to eat. Besides, guests feasting with the captain on the first night is a time-honored family tradition. Not accepting my invitation would cast a bout of bad luck over the entire trip. My stateroom, fifteen minutes. Nikko, I believe you remember the way.”

  “Yes, sir.” Nikko tipped his head. “We’ll see you then.”

  Salty left them on the deck without another word.

  Nikko glanced upward. “This is not good. Never have I known him to invite passengers to dine with him in his stateroom. He suspects something is not right. As risky as it may be, we must join him for dinner and all must go well.”

  “What will he do if it doesn’t?” Samantha pointed to shore, which wasn’t far, but wasn’t exactly close enough for a leisurely swim. “Not like we can turn around and he can kick us off.”

  “Do not mistake his kindness for stupidity.” Nikko’s eyes met each of them, his voice laced with distress. “He does not know my true nature and I am not sure he would approve. I fear if he suspects we are hiding something that in any way poses a threat…”

  “What?” Darrien growled. “What will he do, Nikko?”

  He dropped his eyes. “He has many ways of dealing with those who jeopardize his operation. None are pleasant. Most are permanent.”

  Darrien raked a hand through his hair. “Awesome. Love the sound of that.”

  Nikko ignored him and instead addressed Evie. “I brought the rest of the sedative. Would you like another shot?”

  When Evie didn’t respond, Darrien lifted her chin. “No pressure, but a lot is riding on this dinner. You think you can make it, or will another hit of the good stuff help?”

  “The pain,” she rasped, “it’s bad, but I’m afraid if I take any more it’ll knock me out.”

  Darrien gave her arm an affectionate squeeze. “If you pass out, at least it’ll be a good reason for us to go to our room.”

  Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Since when are the two of you sharing a room?”

  The ship groaned and lurched as they breached open waters. “Looks like they hit the gas.”

  “What would the reason be for her passing out?” Samantha brought the conversation back to dinner. “How will we explain that?”

  “Intense fear.” Darrien shot Evie a little wink. “Phobia of the open water. I’ll think of something.”

  “We need to head that way.” Nikko waved them inside and down a white, metal ladder. “The situation is not ideal, and I fear we will have to think on our feet.”

  “Any advice?” Ethan followed Nikko down the hall.

  “Keep him talking.”

  Darrien passed Evie off to Ethan and caught up to Nikko. In the narrow hallway, Darrien had to stay at Nikko’s back. There was no way the two of them could fit side-by-side, but he needed to talk to him—get insight on how he knew the man. “How exactly do you know our host and the layout of this ship?”

  “A long story for another time.”

  “Okay. What about the cliff notes? We got time for those?”

  Nikko peered at a digital clock and picked up the pace. “Years ago, I did some traveling, and he was gracious enough to grant me passage.”

  Darrien wanted to press why a pack leader would need to travel, but he didn’t have a chance.

  “Here we are.” Nikko rapped on the door. “The captain’s stateroom.”

  “Enter,” Salty roared.

  Nikko opened the door and gestured them inside.

  Salty sat at the head of the table, a large goblet of wine in hand. “Come in and have a seat where you wish. The cooks brought the food in not five minutes ago so all should be hot.”

  His room, the table, it reminded Darrien of an old pirate movie. Numerous candles lit the room. A variety of cheese, bread, fruit, and wine lined the table centered by a small roasted pig, with an apple in its mouth.

  “Excuse the candles. We try to preserve as much energy and fuel as we can. Plus, the candles…well, they make me feel like a…”

  He trailed off and Darrien couldn’t help but complete his sentence. “Pirate?”

  Salty laughed. “Yes. Please, sit.”

  Nikko took the head of the tabl
e opposite of Salty.

  Darrien sat next to their host and patted the chair beside him. “Evie, why don’t you sit next to me. That way Ethan and Samantha can sit together.”

  Ethan released Evie and she tottered over, nearly falling into her chair.

  Salty scrutinized her every step. “See you haven’t found your sea legs.”

  Darrien rested a hand on her leg, hoping to keep her calm.

  She cleared her throat and muttered, “I guess not.”

  “Here,” Salty passed two pills to Darrien, “give these to her. They’re the medicine I promised. For motion sickness. They should help fairly quickly.”

  “Thanks.” Evie took the pills from Darrien and with a shaky hand tossed them into her mouth, swallowing them down with a swig of water.

  “You’re welcome. The doctor keeps our sickbay fully stocked. Please do not hesitate to ask if you— any of you—require something.”

  “A very generous offer.” Nikko lifted his glass towards Salty. “It is appreciated.”

  They all joined in the salutation and after everyone took a sip of their wine, Salty, who had emptied his glass, reached for the food. “Don’t be shy. Dig in. No need to thank God unless someone feels it’s necessary.”

  “You don’t acknowledge God, but superstitions?” Samantha took a bite of a strawberry. A very slow, sensual bite, if Darrien read the sign right. “You’ve piqued my interest.”

  “You mean a required feast with those new onboard?” Salty’s teeth tore into a juicy piece of meat.

  Samantha cocked her head to the side and ran her fingernail along her bottom lip. “Uh huh. And I bet that’s not the only one.”

  The corner of Darrien’s mouth twitched. Son of a bitch; he didn’t know where this flirty, conniving Samantha had come from, but he liked it. Keep the captain talking, string him along, and he would forget all about Evie.

  The captain chatted on about the multitude of sailing superstitions while they ate. Everyone cleaned their plates of the delicious food except Evie, who hardly took a bite.

  “The food not to your liking?”

  Evie’s shoulders tensed. “Um…”

  “Try not to talk.” Darrien patted her arm. “It’s the motion sickness. Hell, on the stomach.”