"Tula told me about getting bitten when she was a girl, and how awkward it was, but since immortal females don't have fangs, I'm not sure how it works for male Dormants."
"You also need to get bitten by an immortal male, but the trigger for his venom production will be aggression rather than sexual attraction. You need to fight him, and there's a whole ceremony around it." Kaia leaned back in her chair. "It's a controlled situation. Nobody's actually trying to hurt anyone. But the physical confrontation is necessary to produce the biochemical response."
Tony tried to picture himself wrestling with an immortal, and the image that popped into his head was comical. He wasn't a weakling, but he wasn't a fighter either and immortals were freakishly strong.
"What kind of ceremony are we talking about? Guys in black robes chanting around an altar in a dark chamber?"
Kaia laughed. "You've seen too many horror movies. It's actually not a big deal. Kian presides over it, recites some traditional words that are all about an eternal friendship between the inducer and the induced, and then there is the drinking of a nauseatingly sweet ceremonial wine." She rolled her eyes. "Men always need something special to feel manly. A simple match followed by a bite wouldn't be dramatic enough."
Tony tilted his head. "There is no ceremony for women? Tula had a party with dancers and food and a lot of pomp."
"Those were the old days, when there were plenty of teenage immortals, and finding a boy to induce a girl was easy. Adult women are induced during sex."
He chuckled. "It's still more fun than what men have to go through. I have to get beaten up."
"I don't think getting beaten up is the goal."
"Tell that to my future bruises."
They shared a laugh, comfortable in the easy camaraderie that had developed between them over the past week. Tony was grateful for it. Given their history, he'd been worried about awkwardness, but their shared interests and mutual respect lent themselves to an easy friendship. Living with her and William was oddly comfortable, but they were a couple and he was a third wheel, and he needed to move out.
Shira had lived alone ever since Fenella had moved in with Din, and he wondered if she would be okay with their relationship getting turbocharged and him moving in with her.
That was probably not a good idea.
He was still human, and she wouldn't want to get attached to him unless he turned immortal.
Tony didn't want a repeat of what had happened with Tula. She'd never lowered her walls and let him in because he was human, and she needed to protect herself from getting attached to him.
"You need to find an immortal male who's willing to be your inducer," Kaia said.
"Any recommendations? Can William do that? I really like him, and I know he will not hurt me."
She shook her head. "I doubt my William is capable of becoming aggressive."
"That tracks with my impression of him." Tony glanced at the door to William's private office, which was so small that it was ridiculous for someone in his position. "Any other suggestions?"
"Guardians. Most of them would be happy to help. It's considered an honor to induce a Dormant. It's essentially giving someone the gift of immortality." Kaia tilted her head. "Anandur would be a good option. He's strong, his venom is potent, and he's also a nice guy. Since your inducer will become your mentor for life, you should pick someone you like."
Anandur was Wonder's mate. Wonder was Tula's sister. Which made any interaction with Anandur awkward by association—a reminder of everything Tony was trying to move past.
"I'd rather avoid Anandur," he said. "No offense to him, but I want someone with no connections to Tula. I need someone neutral."
Understanding dawned in Kaia's eyes. "I get why you would think that, but I'm sure Anandur wouldn't mind."
"I would. It would be easier with someone who doesn't have any stake in my personal drama." Tony drummed his fingers on his desk. "What about his brother? Brundar looks like the quintessential warrior."
"That's because he is. He's terrifying. Are you brave enough to spar with the angel of death?"
Tony frowned. "Is that what he's called?"
"Not to his face, or Anandur's for that matter, but that's what people call him behind his back. He looks like an angel, but he's a killer, so the nickname fits."
"Yeah, I should probably choose someone who smiles from time to time." Tony ran through the list of Guardians he knew. "What about Yamanu? He seems like an upbeat fellow."
"Yamanu's great. He's patient, he's gentle, and he's experienced."
Tony nodded. "Yamanu it is, then. How do I ask him?"
