“But first,” Kian said. “There are a few ceremonial words that need to be said.”

Victor straightened up. “It’s not necessary.”

Kian shook his head. “It’s tradition. Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to extract a few promises from you.”

He was joking, of course, but Victor didn’t know that and nodded solemnly.

Kian motioned for Okidu to distribute the traditional wine glasses to everyone.

Once it was done and everyone was holding a glass, Kian cleared his throat. “We are gathered here to welcome Victor Turner into our clan and hopefully immortality. Victor is ready to attempt his transition, and I personally vouch for him. He is worthy.”

Wow, that was a serious deviation from the traditional wording. Bridget wondered if Victor realized what an honor Kian was bestowing upon him by personally vouching for him and not asking the community’s approval.

“I also volunteer to initiate Victor Turner into his immortality. Do you accept me as your initiator, Victor? To honor me with your respect and your loyalty from now on?”

There was no hesitation. “I do.”

Kian turned to the audience. “Does anyone object to any of this?”

When no one said anything, Kian raised his glass. “Let’s welcome Victor into our family and wish him the best of luck with this toast.”

A cheer went up, and someone started clapping, soon to be followed by every person in the audience.

Victor looked speechless, but only for a moment. Turning to the audience, he bowed. “Thank you, everyone.”

Bridget was fighting a losing battle against the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. She hadn’t expected such a show of support.

Syssi’s arm around her shoulders wasn’t helping either.

Bridget was used to relying on herself. Heck, she was used to others relying on her. The show of support was only weakening her.

“I’m okay,” she said, shaking Syssi’s arm off. “I’m not going to collapse.”

“I know. You’re a pillar of strength. But if you need to lean on someone, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you.” Crap, she was behaving like such a bitch to a woman that was nothing but kindness. “I’m sorry, but I’m so stressed out that I feel like I’m going to fall apart if I don’t pretend to be a rock.”

“I understand.”

“Thanks. Remind me to make it up to you.”

“There is no need. Everyone deals with hardships in her or his own way. Do whatever works for you.”

The woman was an angel.

“Now we can spar,” Kian said.

As Victor and Kian started circling each other like a couple of vultures, Bridget felt another arm around her shoulders, a strong and familiar one, and it didn’t belong to Syssi.

“Julian. Thanks for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

Turner was moving much faster than she would’ve thought a human his age could. There was grace and fluidity to his moves, but instead of it being a product of superior genetics, it was the result of many years of hard training.

“Not bad for an old guy,” Julian whispered in her ear.

“Not bad period. Victor is very good.”

Kian was starting to realize that as well, but it seemed he was in no hurry to unleash his full power on Turner. It looked like he was enjoying himself, and the same was true for Victor.

It was all fine and dandy, except that at this rate Kian wasn’t going to produce venom.

He must’ve reached the same conclusion and lunged at Victor, but her guy was fast and slippery, not only avoiding capture but swiping Kian’s feet from under him.

Not expecting it, the big guy went down, but he was too agile and strong to let himself go all the way. Before reaching the mat, Kian swung his body midair and sprung to his feet in a move that left Turner gaping.

But only for a split second.

Victor jumped back, avoiding the second lunge, but Kian kept pushing harder. By now his eyes were glowing, and his fangs were making an appearance.

It wouldn’t be long until the match was over.

Bridget’s gut clenched with dread. There was no going back. It was happening, and all she could do was deal with the consequences.

Julian squeezed her shoulder. “Your guy is a fighter down to his very soul,” he whispered into her ear. “Whatever happens, he is not going to give up without a massive struggle. He is a survivor.”

She was well aware Julian wasn’t talking about the results of Victor’s sparring match with Kian. The thing was going to be over in minutes, maybe even seconds. He was talking about what would happen after. Victor would wrestle with the Grim Reaper himself, and the man was just stubborn and determined enough to win.

If there was even a sliver of a chance, he was going to do everything to get back to her.

Bridget put her hand over Julian’s and clasped it. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I needed that.”

Her son dipped his head and kissed her cheek. She leaned into him, taking comfort in his warmth and his strength. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t be left alone to deal with it. Julian would be there for her.

Taking a deep breath, Bridget forced herself to calm down. It was then that she started noticing things that had escaped her attention before.

This sparring match was unlike any of the others she’d witnessed. No one was cheering, and the gym was eerily quiet as if everyone were holding their breath. It wasn’t lack of support for Victor; the opposite was true. No one dared make a sound lest they break his concentration.

It was a show of respect.

Hopefully, he interpreted it as such. She wouldn’t want him to think that people didn’t care about him as much as they did for Roni, who’d gotten plenty of cheering.

Victor would never admit it, but she sensed that he craved acceptance. As the saying went, no man was an island.

She saw the moment Kian decided it was time to end this. With a determined expression on his face, he tackled Victor to the mat and landed on top of him. Victor tried to get free, but it was no use. Kian was holding him pinned down with an iron grip.

A loud hiss, a flash of gleaming white fangs, and the deed was done.

Victor went limp, and Kian eased his grip on him but didn’t retract his fangs. Time ground to a halt as he kept pumping his venom into Turner’s bloodstream.

As Bridget counted the seconds, a whole minute passed. She needed to intervene and tell Kian to stop before he overdosed Victor.

But before she had a chance to make a move, Kian retracted his fangs and licked the puncture wounds closed.

“Turner is all yours,” he said as he pushed up to his feet.

She rushed to the mat and knelt by Victor’s prone body, checking his pulse first. Relief washed over her when she heard the steady rhythm. All that remained to be done now was wait. Sitting on the mat, she cradled Victor’s head and listened to the sounds his body was making; his heartbeat, his pulse, his breathing.

People came to congratulate her, and she smiled and nodded without paying them real attention. Her sole focus was on the man sleeping peacefully in her lap.

An hour later, she was still sitting in the same position, and he was still out.

“Maybe you should try and wake him up?” Julian suggested.

Only he and Carol remained in the gym to keep her company. The others had trickled out as time dragged on.

“I’ll wait a few more minutes.”

She ended up waiting another hour. He was still out and unresponsive.

“Did it ever happen like this before?” Julian asked.

Bridget shook her head. “No. The other Dormant males passed out for a few minutes and up to an hour, but the transition never started right away. Usually, it happened at night or the day after.”

“Are you sure it’s the transition? Can it be a bad reaction to the venom?”

She shook her head again. “He didn’t go into stasis if that’s what you’re suggesting. His heart rate is normal.”

Against all the odds, Victor was transitioning, but in a completely different way.

Before getting into doctor mode, Bridget sent a quick prayer. Please, dear merciful Fates let Victor survive.

“We need to transfer him to the clinic and hook him up to the monitors. Can you get the gurney?”

“I’m on it.”

Carol knelt next to Bridget on the mat. “Is there anything I can do?”

“You can pray.”

“I will do that.”

“Thank you.”