Page 70 of Dark Shaman: Love Found
"Tim can do without it," Hildegard said from the doorway, carrying a paper bag with his pain medication.
His fangs hadn't started growing yet, but his throat was starting to itch because the venom glands were starting to form. She warned him that the pain would start soon. His canines would fall out, his gums would swell, and it would last weeks.
Fun times.
Not that he was complaining. He was immortal now, and although the increased strength and speed hadn't kicked in yet because he was an emaciated skeleton, his eyesight was incredible, and so was his hearing. He no longer needed glasses for reading. He was also taller and much thinner, but the tradeoff was a bald head with an itchy fuzz where his hair used to be and scrawny arms that made Roni look macho in comparison.
"I know he doesn't need it," Andrew said. "But it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and it would be a shame to miss it."
Hildegard let out a long-suffering breath. "I don't know about that. The whole thing seems barbaric to me. But if Tim wants it, then why not. I'll tell Bridget to expect guests."
As she turned to leave, Tim wanted to call after her and tell her that he didn't want the ceremony because it would be pathetic to have just two or three people to witness it, but something stopped him.
He'd thought no one would come to his induction ceremony, and he'd been proven wrong. There had been a nice crowd of people he didn't know but appreciated for coming.
"I'll make the calls." Andrew followed Hildegard out, leaving Tim alone, but not for long.
Tim was still fighting with the damn socks when Andrew returned.
"Magnus is coming," Andrew said. "Thomas said he'll be here, and I just got a call from Esag that he has heard you are getting discharged, and he wants to congratulate you. That's big since he barely leaves his workshop."
"Esag?" Tim raised a brow. "Who the hell is Esag?"
Andrew looked uncomfortable for a moment, his fingers brushing through his enviably thick hair. "You drew a portrait for him."
"I don't remember drawing a portrait for anyone named Esag."
"Yeah, about that..." Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. "We made you forget who you worked with. Just a little smudging of your memories so you wouldn't wonder about oddities you might notice. It's crucial for the clan's security to keep our identities hidden."
Tim gaped at his so-called friend and coworker. "What can be stranger than seeing a guy who I work with and have known for years suddenly grow two inches taller and lose two decades of age?"
"Not everyone is as good as I am at pretending to be human. We need to be careful, Tim. Now that you are one of us, you will understand why it needed to be done every time you worked for us.
Tim stared at him. "How many times did you mess with my head?"
"Every time. We didn't erase your memories of the portraits you created. You know which ones you sketched for us. Your bank account got fat thanks to what we paid you."
Tim shook his head. "No wonder your boss was willing to pay my crazy fees. He was compensating me for the brain damage you were causing me. Not my talent."
"We didn't cause you any damage. He was willing to pay you because you are the best at what you do."
"Right. So, you scrambled my brains and didn't even compensate me for that."
"We didn't scramble anything," Andrew said defensively. "We just made things fuzzy. Muddled the memories a bit."
"Oh, well, that's completely different. You muddled my brain. I feel so much better."
"You are fine." Hildegard walked in. "Stop being so dramatic. You can't sustain brain damage from infrequent, light thralling."
"Hey," Tim protested. "Whose side are you on?"
"The side of reason. You are perfectly fine, and the ceremony is unnecessary. You're immortal. Case closed."
"It's not about necessity," Andrew insisted. "It's about tradition. Community. Welcoming Tim officially into the clan. Besides, it is done. I invited people over. Magnus, Roni, Thomas, and even Esag are coming. I called Kian, and he might make an appearance as well if he makes it back to the village in time. Anandur and Brundar are with him, so they will come also."
That was starting to feel like a party, and something eased in Tim's chest. He wasn't a pariah. People liked him, even a guy he couldn't remember.
"Actually, I'm looking forward to it," he announced.
