Brianne nodded, but she felt like Callin was holding something back from her and she wanted the full story.
“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.
He shook his head and she put her hand on his arm.
“If you’re worried about scaring me away, don’t be. I’m in this, Callin. I know it’s crazy and we’ve only known each other for a few weeks, but I have never felt this way about anyone before,” she said.
“Okay,” he said quietly. “It’s… well, dragons, and shifters in general, we’re immortal. There are ways we can be killed, but we stop aging and for all intents and purposes, we’re immortal. For example, I could get shot right now and I would be healed in moments unless the bullet was made from Ure, but Ure is so rare that it’s hardly even an issue. I really am twenty-seven, but when I hit twenty-nine, I will stop aging and I’ll be twenty-nine forever. Or at least I’ll look it.”
“You make that sound like a bad thing,” Brianne said.
“Immortality is an awful thing unless you have someone to share it with,” Callin said.
“Oh,” Brianne replied as she saw what he was getting at. “And one day I’ll be too old to be attractive to you anymore and we’ll have to end things between us. Is that what you’re saying?”
“No. God, how shallow do you think I am, Bri? What I’m saying is that as we are now, one day, you will die and I can’t handle the thought of that,” Callin said.
“Hopefully it’ll be a long time in the future. Let’s just not think about my inevitable death for now, huh?” Brianne said.
“But what if it’s not inevitable? There is a tiny percentage of humans who can transition into shifters safely. It’s a long shot, but maybe you’re one of them. I’m not asking you to make the decision right now, obviously, but I’m just putting it out there and asking you if you would ever consider immortality if it was possible for you,” Callin said.
This was new to Brianne. She had no idea humans could become shifters. She sat quietly for a moment while she tried to digest what Callin had told her.
Immortality. Eternal love. The chance to be with Callin forever. And, of course, the ability to shift into a dragon.
She had to admit that sounded good, but it was so early into their relationship. If Callin had proposed, she likely would have said it was too soon, and that was only the question of a mortal life together. The thought of eternity together was almost too huge for her to process.
“I do like you, Callin. A lot. But we hardly know each other. I’m not sure I can make a decision that would mean I was immortal so soon,” Brianne said.
“I know,” he replied. “And like I said, there’s no pressure to decide right now. I just want to know if you’re open to the idea, so I know whether or not I need to prepare myself for the day I lose you.”
“You’re really that sure we’re going to go the distance?” Brianne asked.
Callin nodded.
“Of course. It’s another shifter thing. When we see the woman who is meant to be our mate, we know it with a certainty stronger than anything. There’s no question of us not working out, Brianne. The only question is whether or not you want to do this.”
“I do want to do this. Me and you, I mean. And I might not be a shifter and have your certainty built in, but my own instincts are telling me you’re the one. I just need some time to decide if I can become immortal or not.”
“I understand,” Callin said. “I’m just happy you didn’t run screaming for the hills from the dragon side of me after your dealings with Valerie.”
Brianne laughed softly.
“Me too,” she said. “There is one thing I’m a little worried about, though. You said only a tiny percentage of humans can safely become shifters. If I do decide to do it, then what will happen to me if I’m not one of those people? Will it kill me?”
“It would if we tried it without being sure, but don’t worry. There’s a test you can take to make certain you can turn. I know this sounds crazy, with the odds of you being able to become immortal being so small, but I really think you’ll pass the test. My dragon recognizes you as mine, and I don’t think that would be possible if you didn’t have the potential to become a dragon inside of you,” Callin said.
“And if you’re wrong and I fail the test, then what happens?” Brianne asked.
“Nothing,” Callin said. “I made that sound pretty ominous, didn’t I? But the test is a simple blood test. Humans who can safely become shifters carry a protein called Sanmere in their blood. If that protein is present, you can safely transition. And if it isn’t, then you can’t.”
Brianne was surprised at herself, because all of this information should be freaking her out, and yet it wasn’t. The thought of becoming a dragon should terrify her but it didn’t. Perhaps the strangest thing about her reaction was that she realized the only thing that scared her about any of it was the idea of her not being able to become a dragon, because despite Callin’s reassurances, she couldn’t see any way they could make this work long term if she didn’t become immortal. She would become a burden on Callin and she hated the thought of that.
“You’ve gone quiet. Are you okay?” Callin asked Brianne.
She nodded her head slowly, thinking for a moment.
“Yes,” she said after a brief pause. “I’m just thinking maybe I should have the test. It seems silly agonizing over a decision that I might not even be able to make.”
“So, you’re willing to consider the possibility of turning somewhere down the line?” Callin asked.
Brianne nodded, a quick nod this time. What was there
