Exclusive Interview with Kalen, Hero of Immortals: The Awakening
by Joy Nash

Hello to all you readers out there! Let's give it up for daytime TV's famous talk show hostess, Ophelia. Ophelia is here today with Kalen, the Immortal Warrior hero of Immortals: The Awakening, Book 3 in Dorchester Publishing's hot series, Immortals. Welcome, Ophelia.

(Ophelia, perched on the edge of her couch cushion, turns to the very large, very muscular, very dangerous-looking Immortals Warrior lounging next to her. Kalen's shoulder-length black hair is loose; his dark eyes are piercing. He's wearing a simple white shirt, laced at the neckline, and a Scottish kilt.

Ophelia frowns as she looks at the weapon propped at Kalen's side: a long, deadly-looking spear with a wickedly sharp crystal tip.)

Ophelia (clears throat) :  Kalen, thanks for being here today.

Kalen: (nods)

Ophelia: Right, then. Let's start at the beginning. First of all--you're how old?

Kalen: Two thousand, nine hundred, and seventy five years.

Ophelia: Well. (laughs flirtatiously) You certainly don't look it!

Kalen: (impassive stare)

Ophelia (flustered, consulting notes): I see here that your mother is Uni, Queen Goddess of the Etruscans. Can you tell us a little more about why she brought you into being?

Kalen: Certainly. I was created to guard the fledgling Etruscan race from the zombie horde of the demoness Culsu. (points to his weapon)  I performed this duty with the help of Uni's magical crystal spear. Once Culsu and her army of animated corpses were defeated, I stayed on with the Etruscans as a guardian, teacher, and guide.

Ophelia: Ah, yes. As I understand it, this guardian duty became a source of friction between you and your oldest brother, the Immortal Adrian.

Kalen (scowling): That's right. Adrian had no respect for my role as a cultural guardian. He thought it was a joke--all he cares about is kicking butt. My big brother loves a good fight, anywhere in the world, and always insisted I join him. Don't get me wrong--I was happy enough to help Adrian when I could. But eventually Adrian's calls became so frequent I started neglecting my people's needs. (clenches fist and shifts uncomfortably--his tone turns bitter) My people paid the price.  

Ophelia (perking up): Tell us more about that!

Kalen (tensing visibly):  No, Ophelia. I absolutely will not.

Ophelia (taken aback):  Oh! I see. (shuffles through her notes) Well. Then tell us a bit about your castle on the remote north coast of Scotland. How did you end up living there?

Kalen (relaxing somewhat): Basically, I headed north one day and didn't stop. I wanted to get away from humans.

Ophelia: You certainly did that! No one knew where you were for six centuries. You associated only with magical creatures--Halflings, Brownies, Sidhe---hmm, let's see... (turns over a page) Oh, yes. It says here you had a lover. A Scottish Sidhe half-breed named Leanna. Tell us a bit about her.

Kalen (grimacing): Leanna's a leannan-sidhe. A love muse.

Ophelia (blinking):  Wow. Sounds intriguing. Exactly what is a...love muse?

Kalen: A leannan-sidhe gives magical inspiration to her lovers. They become great artists--but end up giving up their lives in payment. Of course, that wasn't a problem for me, since I'm Immortal. I took up with Leanna because I was desperate for inspiration. She slept with me because she wanted a taste of my Immortal soul. The relationship was... (studies his hands) ...not a healthy one, Ophelia. I can't say I'm proud of it.

Ophelia (looking wise): Then Christine came into your life and changed everything. Tell us a bit about what you thought when you first saw her.

Kalen (looking up, dark eyes showing amusement): I thought the woman was completely insane! What human witch in her right mind would dare challenge a dozen Sidhe half-breeds singlehandedly? (shakes his head) Luckily, I got her away from them fast enough. Once I had her alone, I gave her--

Ophelia (leaning toward Kalen and almost falling into his lap):  Gave her what?

Kalen: A very serious talking to.

Ophelia:  (breathless): And then...?

Kalen (sends Ophelia a reproving look): You can't seriously expect me to spill about that. You must know I'm not a kiss-and-tell kind of guy.

Ophelia (collapsing back on the couch cushions): I suppose not. (sighs) I guess I'll just have to read the book.

Kalen (smirking): I guess you will.

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