Dark Stranger Immortal (The Children of the Gods #3)(47)

Kian nodded. “Do you know what to do? I’m not good with needles.”

“Do not worry about it, by now I am an expert, and I have everything I need with me. Hand me my robe and go stand guard outside. I do not want Bridget catching us in the act. I will knock on the door when I am done.”

Kian handed Annani her robe and leaned over Syssi, kissing her lightly on her parched lips. “I love you,” he whispered before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Out in the hallway, Kian was greeted by eight worried, questioning faces.

All of the guardians and Michael were still there. The trays of half-eaten food and the blankets strewn out on the floor were a testament to their resolve to stay.

“There’s still no change,” Kian told them as he leaned his back against the closed door and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting until a discreet knock from inside the room signaled it was okay for him to come back.

“It is done. Syssi should start getting better now. Take a seat, Kian. It might take a while.”

As he plopped tiredly onto the chair and stretched his long legs in front of him, Kian wanted to feel elated at Syssi’s increased prospects of making it through the transition, but thoughts of Amanda were keeping him grim.

“I know you are worried about your sister, but I have reason to believe she is not in danger,” Annani said softly as she brushed her knuckles over Syssi’s flushed cheek.

“What makes you say that?” Kian straightened in his chair.

“I dozed off on the plane and dreamt of her. Amanda was lying in an old-fashioned bathtub and smiling. She did not look worried or afraid.” Annani turned back to Syssi and placed her palm over Syssi’s forehead. “I think she is cooling down.”

“How can you be certain of this? It was only a dream.”

“I know the difference between a regular dream and a remote viewing, Kian. You should know better than to doubt me.”

“I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t. You’ve certainly proven some of your dreams are more than just dreams. It’s just hard for me to rely on visions… But even if Amanda is fine at the moment, and I’m tremendously relieved that she is, there is no guarantee she will remain this way. We still need to find her as soon as we can.”

“We will.”





4 2

M I C H A E L

“K ri.” Michael kissed the sleeping girl’s warm cheek.

“Yeah? I’ll get right on it…” she mumbled with her eyes still closed.

“Wake up, sweetheart, you’re dreaming.”

She lifted an eyelid. “What?”

“I just wanted to tell you I’m going to look for some Motrin. I’ll be right back. I didn’t want you to wake up and wonder where I am.”

“Why, what’s wrong?” She sat up.

“I’ve got a headache, and my gums are bothering me.” He had been trying to brave it out for the last couple of hours, but the pain was becoming unbearable.

“Ask Bridget, she might have some… and if not, the guys in the lobby will surely have it…” Kri waved him off and plopped back down onto the blanket, letting her eyelids slide shut.

Bridget had her hands full with Syssi, and the last thing Michael wanted was to bother her with his inconsequential toothache.

Taking the elevator up to the lobby, he stood in front of the mirrored wall and tried to see what was going on in his mouth. Stretching his jaw as far as he could, he checked his teeth. But he saw nothing besides some swelling that he wasn’t even sure was actually there.

I need a dentist.

But as far as he knew, other than Bridget, there were no other doctors at the keep. And he was pretty sure that leaving to see a human dentist was out of the question.

Shit, I hope they have Motrin.

The guy at the front desk gave him a pitying look and pulled out a packet of pills from his drawer. “Here you go.” He handed Michael the square plastic packet, then added a bottle of water. “Hope it helps, kid.”

“Thanks, man. Appreciated.”

On his way back down, Michael emptied the whole packet of Motrin into his mouth and washed it down with the bottle of water.

When he got to the clinic’s level, he didn’t go back to sit next to Kri.

Instead, he paced the winding corridor, waiting for the pills to kick in.





4 3

K I A N

W hen Kian shifted once again in an effort to find a more comfortable position on the rigid chair, Annani frowned. “You should ask someone to roll a gurney in here and catch a few hours of sleep. I will wake you if there is any change.”

“It’ll be of no use. I’m too worried to fall asleep, but there is no reason for you to suffer as well. I’m sure you’d appreciate a comfortable bed after your long plane ride. Though, don’t take it the wrong way; I’m not kicking you out. You’re welcome to stay.”

“I will stay and keep you company for a little longer. I am not tired at all.

The nap I took on the plane was very restful. Did you know it was my first time using the new jet? And I must say, it is a wonderful little thing. The two main seats recline and turn into beds. Can you imagine that on such a small airplane? It even has a shower in addition to the standard facilities. Now that I know I can fly in such comfort, I might visit Sari, Amanda and you more often.” Annani glanced at him, checking to see if he liked the idea.