Dark Secrets Unveiled (The Children of the Gods #45) - I.T. Lucas Page 0,27

my woman with a battle-ax in my hand. I have no idea where this primitive instinct has been hiding my entire life, but it’s definitely here now, and I can’t shake it off. Regrettably, though, I have zero combat skills, and if someone put a battle-ax in my hand, I wouldn’t know what to do with it. I’d probably hurt myself. I feel useless and inadequate.”

“Don’t say that. Not every male was born to be a warrior. You are a doctor, and your job is to help people, not kill them. I doubt that you could have done that even if you had the skills.”

His lips tightened into a thin line, and his brows dipped low. “I will kill to protect you. Never doubt that.”

Even if she didn’t have the ability to scent the intense wave of aggression coming off him, the vehemence in his voice and the coiling of his muscles were enough to give credence to his proclamation.

Under the outer layer of gentleness, of his healer persona, was another one that she hadn’t seen before. At his core, David was a warrior, a protector.

Or so she hoped.

The same traits could easily belong to an undiscriminating killer.

Deflating, David slumped in his chair and rubbed a hand over his forehead. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I’m going through menopause. I’m getting hot flashes.”

Sari frowned. “Do you feel feverish?”

His pale cheeks were slightly pinker than usual.

“No, but I’m a little sweaty. It’s the result of the adrenaline rush that was triggered by my irrational anxiety.” He lifted the fork with the piece of stew that he’d skewered long minutes ago and put it in his mouth. “Let’s change the subject to something that doesn’t trigger me.”

Sari wasn’t convinced. “I want to check your forehead.” She pushed to her feet and walked over to him.

He smiled. “I welcome anything that gets your hands on me.”

His teasing was reassuring, and since the waves of aggression had subsided to almost nonexistent, Sari believed that his strange panic attack was over.

As she put her hand on his forehead, he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. “You know that this is far from scientific, right? Or are immortals also equipped with temperature-reading palms?”

“We are not.” She cupped his cheek. “You don’t feel too warm, but I should ask Steven to bring us a proper thermometer.”

“Don’t. I’m enjoying spending time with just you. I don’t want anyone intruding on that.” Tilting his head sideways, he rested his cheek on her hand and sighed. “Your hand is so soft.” He wrapped an arm around her middle and pulled her closer to him.

She stroked his hair, and for a long moment, they just stayed like that, enjoying the closeness. When his breaths became deeper and more even, and his head became heavier on her hand, Sari thought that he had dozed off, but then he tipped forward and started falling.

“Oh, dear Fates.” She caught him. “David!”

He didn’t answer.

Lifting him into her arms, she carried him to the bedroom, laid him on her bed, and rushed to get her phone from where she’d left it on the dining table.

Grabbing it, she called Steven while running back to the bedroom.

“Get in here right away. David has just passed out.”

“Is he breathing?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’m on my way.”

Tears pooling at the corners of her eyes, Sari sat on the bed and took hold of David’s hand. Her finger resting on his pulse, she was reassured that it was strong and steady.

“It’s going to be okay.” She lifted his hand to her trembling lips and kissed it. “You are transitioning. Kalugal was right, and you have the immortal genes. Now you need to be strong and hold on tight as your body changes.”

There was no response.

Sari kept on talking. “You are going to be immortal, and we will have eternity together. I won’t accept any other outcome.”

She lifted her eyes heavenward. “Dear merciful Fates, please help David transition. I can’t lose him. Please.” She kept praying until the door to her apartment burst open, and Steven ran into the bedroom, with Prescott and Gordy wheeling a gurney behind him.

“We are taking him to the clinic.” Steven scooped David into his arms and transferred him to the gurney.

He threw her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. He’s going to be alright.”

19

Kian

As the door banged open, Kian instinctively positioned himself to shield Syssi. Except, the unexpected and uninvited visitor wasn’t an invader. It was his sister, who seemed to have an incurable