Dark Stranger Immortal (The Children of the Gods #3)(55)
“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 Spider-man, 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, here is 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 telltale 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’ve 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…”