Page 15 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure (The Children Of The Gods #98)

KIAN

" M agnus has volunteered to be Tim's inducer," Kian told Syssi as he put on his jacket. "Or rather, Vivian volunteered him after hearing that no one else wanted to do it."

"That was kind of them," she said. "Magnus is perfect for this."

"Let's hope so. Tim is in no shape to provide a physical challenge, but in his case, he doesn't even need to memorize offensive poetry to irritate Magnus.

He does that naturally. I just hope he's not stupid enough to insult Vivian or Ella.

Even Magnus has his limits, and he might beat Tim into a pulp if he says something about his mate or daughter. "

Syssi lifted a brow. "They are both coming to the ceremony?"

Kian winced. "There will be no ceremony. Just Tim and Magnus in the ring, but yeah. Vivian mobilized the entire family to support Tim because he had no one else."

She frowned. "That's not right, Kian. Tim deserves a ceremony like anyone else.

" She pulled out her phone. "I'm calling Andrew and telling him that he needs to show up.

He's been working with Tim for the past six years.

They might not be friends, but they are coworkers, and he should show his support. "

"Andrew? It's Syssi. Tim's induction is tonight...Yes, I know...That's not the point. He's your colleague, and you should be there...Thank you."

She ended the call and turned to Kian. "Maybe if we shower Tim with love and support, it will encourage him to be nicer."

Kian pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You're sweet, but Tim is probably irredeemable. He's made being ornery into an art form."

"No one is irredeemable."

"Well, he's not a criminal," Kian conceded. "Having no social skills and being proud of it isn't illegal, and that's why we are offering him this opportunity, and who knows? Perhaps it will make things more interesting to have a resident grouch in the village. Every community needs one, right?"

"That's a terrible attitude." But Syssi was smiling as she said it.

They paused at the door to the nursery, where Allegra was sleeping peacefully, one small fist curled against her cheek. The sight never failed to make Kian's heart expand with protective love.

"Okidu," Syssi called softly.

The Odu emerged from his room. "Yes, mistress?"

"We're going to the gym to attend an induction. Please keep an eye on Allegra. If she wakes up and asks for Mommy or Daddy, call me?"

"Of course, mistress."

Allegra rarely woke up at night, so Kian wasn't worried, and even if she did, she would probably just demand that Okidu turn on the television for her. She was a cunning little thing, and she knew who she could manipulate and who she couldn't.

The walk to the gym was pleasant, and the village was quiet and peaceful at night. When they got there, it was already busy, and Kian was surprised to see many more people than he'd expected to be there.

It seemed like Vivian had called around and organized a bigger showing for Tim, who might not appreciate such a turnout for what he considered to be public humiliation.

He was already in the ring with Magnus, the Guardian was saying something to him, and Tim was actually listening and nodding.

The guy wore a tracksuit that seemed brand new and hung loosely on his soft frame, making him look even more out of place in the gym.

"He looks nervous." There was pity in Syssi's voice.

"He should be. He's about to fight a Guardian."

They entered to find Vivian seated on a mat next to the ring, wearing a yoga outfit and displaying an elegant posture.

Ella sat beside her, looking more casual than her mother but similarly excited.

Parker and Lisa sat on Vivian's other side, and several Guardians were standing in a group around Julian, listening to something he was telling them while gesticulating with his hands. Roni and Sylvia were present as well.

As Kian walked over to the group, Vivian waved Syssi over. "I didn't know you were coming."

"I figured I'd add my support," Syssi said, sitting down next to Ella. "Thank you for roping Magnus into this," she said quietly. "Tim's reputation precedes him, and people didn't want to be tied to him with bonds of friendship forever."

Vivian smiled. "My Magnus can be friends with anyone. He will be a good influence."

In the ring, Magnus was demonstrating a hold, moving slowly so Tim could see exactly what would happen. Tim nodded along, but his face had taken on a grayish cast that suggested he was anxious despite his attempts at bravado.

"How is your newest patient?" Kian asked Julian.

"Out of shape but otherwise surprisingly healthy for a guy who thinks exercise is walking from the couch to the refrigerator and back."

Andrew arrived looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "I can't believe I'm here at this hour. People with little kids should be exempt from attending these midnight ceremonies."

"I'm here." Syssi wrapped her arm around her brother's middle. "You'll live."

"You guilted me into it." His expression softened as he glanced at Tim. "He does look like someone who needs all the support he can get."

Kian had planned to keep things simple, but Syssi was right—Tim deserved a proper ceremony. He hadn't brought the ceremonial wine, but the ritual could be done without it.

He walked up to the ring. "Are you two ready?"

Up close, Tim looked even more nervous, sweat already beading on his forehead despite the cool temperature in the gym, but he nodded.

"Ready as I will ever be," he said.

Kian turned to the small crowd and lifted his hand to draw everyone's attention. "We are gathered here to witness Tim's attempt at transformation. He comes to us vouched for by his ability and sponsored by..." He paused, realizing they'd never formally assigned Tim a sponsor.

"By me," Andrew said. "I vouch for him."

"I second that," Magnus added. "In the short time I've known Tim, I've seen his commitment to this process. He asks good questions and listens to the answers."

Magnus was always generous with his praise.

Kian nodded, adapting the formal words in his head. "Tim comes before us, vouched for by Andrew and seconded by Magnus. Who volunteers to take on the burden of initiating Tim into immortality?"

"I do." Magnus stepped forward, his tall frame dwarfing Tim.

"Tim, do you accept Magnus as your initiator? To respect his guidance and honor the gift he offers?"

Tim swallowed hard, his usual sarcasm nowhere to be found. "I do."

"Does anyone have any objections to this pairing?"

Silence greeted the question, though Kian caught a few surprised looks. Usually, this part of the ceremony was a formality. Tonight, the silence carried weight.

"Then let us proceed," Kian said. "Magnus, Tim, you may begin."

Tim shed the top of his tracksuit, revealing a t-shirt that proclaimed 'I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Anti-Stupid.' Evidently, he couldn't resist making a statement, or maybe he just didn't have any plain t-shirts.

"Remember what we practiced," Magnus said.

"I do," Tim said.

"You've got this," Magnus encouraged. "Ready?"

Tim nodded, raising his hands in an approximation of a fighting stance that would have made any Guardian in training wince. Magnus circled him slowly, giving him time to adjust.

"Any time now," Tim said, nervous energy making him bold. "Unless you're waiting for me to die of old age first."

Magnus smiled. "There's the Tim I was expecting. Come on then. Attack me."

Tim lunged forward with all the grace of a tranquilized bear. Magnus caught him easily, using his momentum to spin him around. For a moment, Tim actually managed to stay on his feet.

"That was good," Magnus said. "Again."

Kian didn't know whether Magnus was dragging this out because he hadn't managed to produce venom yet or to give Tim the illusion of actually putting up a fight.

They repeated the process several times, with Magnus gradually increasing the speed and force. Tim was sweating profusely now, his breathing labored, but he kept coming.

"He's got guts," one of the watching Guardians murmured.

The next exchange was faster. Tim threw a genuinely decent punch that Magnus deflected before sweeping Tim's legs. Tim hit the mat face first, or rather stomach first, but immediately started fighting against Magnus's hold, bucking and twisting, his face red with effort.

Magnus's fangs descended, his body somehow responding to the pitiful struggle.

"You weigh as much as a damn car!" Tim hissed.

Magnus shifted his hold, applying more pressure. Tim's struggles became more desperate, less calculated. The scent of aggression filled the air—sweat and adrenaline and the primal response to combat.

"Almost there," Vivian said, but Kian didn't know who she was trying to encourage, Tim or Magnus.

Magnus's eyes were glowing now, his fangs fully extended. He lowered his head toward Tim's neck, and Tim actually whimpered.

"It's okay," Magnus said, his voice rough with the effort of control.

The bite, when it came, was precise. Magnus's fangs pierced the skin cleanly, delivering venom for exactly thirty seconds before he pulled back. Tim's entire body went rigid, then limp.

"Is he okay?" Andrew asked.

"He will be," Julian said.

Tim's eyes had rolled back, showing only whites, and Magnus carefully turned him onto his back. "I hope I gave him enough."

That was why the induction was tricky. Too much could kill, and too little didn't do the job.

"He's fine," Julian announced after checking Tim's pulse.

"I'll take him to the clinic." Magnus lifted Tim's unconscious form.

"I'll come with you," Vivian offered.

Usually, the Dormant would go home and be cared for by his mother, if he was still a teenager, or by his partner, if he was older. However, since Tim had neither, it was decided to take him to the clinic and monitor him there. It wasn't fair to ask Thomas or even Andrew to do that.

"I hope he'll change after his transition," Andrew said as Magnus left the gym with Tim, Vivian, Julian, and Ella.

"Body-wise, he will probably improve. But personality-wise?" Kian shrugged. "Not likely, unless he meets a guiding angel while he's out."

Andrew chuckled. "Perhaps the physical improvement will make him less of an ass."

Sometimes the physical changes brought confidence, and immortality brought peace. Sometimes joining a supportive community brought out the best in people, and sometimes, it just gave them new ways to be difficult.

Time would tell which way Tim would go.