Dark Stranger Immortal (The Children of the Gods #3)(37)

Go figure…

Sitting beside her on the bed, he was careful not to touch her as he looked into her eyes, checking for the glazed look he was expecting to find.

Amanda’s eyes seemed clearer, though her pinched expression made it obvious that she was suffering for real. Evidently, there was another thing he hadn’t known about immortal females—their needs were just as overpowering as the males’.

Dalhu sighed. “I have to go and get us some money, but I’ll give you something to make you sleep, making it easier for you until the venom leaves your system. And if you still feel the same when you wake up… then I promise, I’ll take care of you…” Gently, almost reverently, he touched his palm to her cheek and caressed it lightly. “I’ll always take care of you…”

“What do you want from me?” she whispered.

“A future…” He sighed again. “A life partner, a family, everything…”

Gazing at her stunned expression, he held his palm to her cheek for a moment longer. “I know you don’t want this with me right now. But I promise I’ll do everything I can to earn your love. You shall want for nothing…”

Dalhu pushed off the bed, walked over to the dresser, and took one of the motel’s two complimentary water bottles. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a plastic packet and emptied its powdery contents into the water, then shook the bottle lightly.

“Drink!” He touched the bottle to her lips. “It’ll only make you sleep, nothing else.”

Amanda pressed her lips tightly closed and shook her head from side to side.

“We can do it the easy way, with you being a good girl and drinking it all up, or the hard way, with me pinching your nose and forcing it down your throat. Your choice.” Dalhu didn’t want to scare her again, but he didn’t have the time or the patience to play games, which, unfortunately, made him sound harsh.

When she opened her mouth to drink, the fear in her eyes as she looked up at him was something he hoped never to see again.

Dalhu tried to be as gentle as he possibly could, supporting her head and making sure she had time to swallow before he gave her more. But in the end, he had her drink it all.

“Good girl,” he praised, caressing her cheek as he waited for the drug to do its thing.

“I don’t even know your name,” she mumbled.

“Dalhu,” he told her before her lids fluttered down over her eyes.





2 7

K I A N

“M aster, I’m sorry to bother you, but I think you should come up. Mistress Syssi just returned from her excursion and asked me if we have any Advil. She said she is not feeling well and is going to lie down. I called the front desk and they are sending someone up with the medication, but I thought you would want to know.”

“I’m on my way, Okidu.” Kian ended the call and rushed to the elevator.

It’s probably nothing. A mortal coming down with a cold or the flu wasn’t something to worry about… or was it?

As he entered his bedroom, he found Syssi in bed, shivering, looking flushed and sweaty, the down comforter pulled all the way up to her chin.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” He sat down beside her and brushed sweaty strands of hair away from her forehead.

“I’m so sorry…” She sniffled, a tear running down her flushed cheek.

“Whatever for?”

“For ruining our plans… I got all pretty for tonight… and now I’m sick…

I never get sick… why today?” she whined, looking miserable. “I hate it… I hate feeling weak and useless like this… Did you bring me the Advil?” She wiped a shaky hand across her tear-stained face.

“It will be here in a moment, but I think we need to get Bridget to take a look at you before self-medicating.” Heading to the bathroom, Kian texted the doctor on the way, then got two wet washcloths to clean Syssi’s face with.

After wiping off her smeared makeup, he grabbed a clean one and patted her face to cool it down. “Don’t worry about a silly thing like us going out.

We’ll do it some other night. Just concentrate on getting better. Something tells me you’re going to be a very fussy patient.” He forced a smile in an attempt to cheer her up.

“I know, right? Who gets all teary-eyed over a little fever?” She smiled a little smile and took a shaky breath.

“Master, Dr. Bridget is here.” Okidu let the doctor in. “And I also have the Advil Mistress Syssi requested, and a glass of water for her to wash it down with.” He placed the items on the side table.

“May I trade places with you, Kian?” Bridget motioned for the bed, dropping her doctor’s bag on the side table next to the Advil.

“So, what exactly is going on?” Bridget asked as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Syssi’s bicep.

“I feel crappy. I’m cold and sweaty at the same time. I think I have a fever.”

“Any aches and pains? Sore throat? Runny nose?” Bridget removed the cuff and touched the thermometer to Syssi’s ear.

“I feel weak and my bones hurt… can bones hurt? No sore throat, though, and no runny nose… I’m sniffling because I’ve been crying…,” Syssi said in a small voice, dropping her eyes to look down at her hands.