Immortalis - Book 1 (The Keeper's Immortals) (19 page)

“The very same way as you are…for the most part.” She said. Jaryn suddenly jerked his head up from where it had lowered to and stared straight into her eyes.

“You’re one of them aren’t you?” he asked her in a mousy tone. She only smiled because he was right as she lifted her left eyebrow. While they were having a conversation, that should have been more private, I was looking around. No one was paying us any attention, other than the ones were sitting with us. Trish mouthed to me ‘What is going on?’ I only shrugged my shoulders not knowing how to tell her what was happening if I even could.

“As for you little miss Nora - you have something that I want.” Emmalee said as she looked at me dead in the eyes.

“What do I have?”

She watched as she glanced at Blake then back to me with a smile. “A few things actually but first and foremost - the katana.”

“I don’t have a katana.” I explained hoping she would believe me. She explained that she knew I was lying but she had also already searched my room finding nothing. Feeling violated I was overjoyed that I had secretly moved the katana to another location.

“You can play your little hiding game all you want, I will find it and the Twilight will happen but when it does remember who has lied to you more?” Emmalee said before she turned to face two others who were always with her; Lucas and Conner. They, without a fight walked off and out of the courtyard leaving everyone more confused than they already were. I stood there for a moment, trying to process everything that had just happened, everything I had just found out while standing next to two people I wasn’t planning on seeing ever again.

“You both need to start talking now.” I said after I slugged them both in their arms, forcing them out of the stupor and back into the real world.

“Not here, come on we’ll go back to Reid’s.” Blake grabbed my arm as he tried to walk with him but I stopped him but holding my feet. He looked back at me, frustrated looking. “Now is not the time to act this way Nora.”

“Is Reid there?” I asked. It was hard enough seeing Blake but seeing Reid at the moment would be overkill. They both said that he was still in Ireland with the others but I still wouldn’t leave. I couldn’t leave Trish, Charlie and Adam after everything they had seen.

“We’ve already said too much in front of them.” Jaryn announced.

“I know you have, Emmalee didn’t help that situation but what if she would come back for them in order to force me to give her the katana. I won’t risk their lives for mine…or yours.” I started firmly. Getting even more frustrated they both agreed to take the three of them with us, if needed Ashwin could make them forget everything but at the moment it was safer if they were with us. I advised the three of them to trust me and to follow me. We all got into the slick sports cars and headed back to the house where it all started. After we had pulled into the garage I stepped out and slowly but surely made my way into the house. Once in the living room I plopped down in the overstuffed leather chair. “God I hate this house.”

“Why?” Jaryn asked as he sat on the couch beside me.

“If I hadn’t met Reid, and I hadn’t gone out with him then I wouldn’t be here in this situation.” I explained. From behind me Blake handed me a shot of whiskey, knowing I needed it.

“I hate to tell ya this beautiful it would have happened one way or another.”

“What do ya mean?” I said after I have drink most of my drink in one large gulp.

“Umm excuse me.’ Trish said in her sarcastic tone that she normally talked with. ‘But can someone please enlighten us on what the hell is going on?” Both Jaryn and Blake let out a deep breath but stopped when they saw me looking up at them. Neither one of them seemed to be able to tell me no.

“She’s my best friend, they all are. I don’t want to lie to them anymore.” I told them, even if Ashwin had to erase everything later on for the moment I wanted everyone to know what was going on in my life because overall this problem might involve them and put their lives in danger. I couldn’t stand to lose one of them over this so knowing would be better than being left in the dark.

Once everything was explained to them they proceeded to tell me about the Twilight and what Emmalee was talking about. “Emmalee wasn’t turned by The Keepers like we were. She’s with the others…the Ambrosian Immortals.” Jaryn explained.

“The Ambrosian Immortals?” I asked unsure of what the difference was.

“There are two kind of immortals. There is us; the kind that were turn by The Keepers and the others were turned by drinking from the Fountain of Ambrosia.” Jaryn continued.

“Wasn’t Ambrosia was said to be the drink or food of the Gods?” I questioned the root of the myth.

“It is, those Gods are the leaders of the Ambrosian Immortals. They are to Emmalee as Ozlem, Lieka and Cade are to us. They pick and choose who they change but their immortals are a bit more temperamental. Out of control, we don’t have anything on them.” Blake said.

“More than you all?” I asked snidely knowing they both had a bloody past. Both guys looked at each other and smiled widely, teeth shining. All of the Hollings had blood on their hands in one way or another whether it was by accident or on purpose.

“We’ve come in contact with some Ambrosians in the past and they’ve always been bad news. They’re nothing but trouble with powers as well, every immortal has a power and their responsible for a lot of things in the world’s history but no one knows other than us…and them.” Jaryn said with a dull tone in his voice. I wasn’t going to even question if this was true or not because I could tell just by the look on his face. Rather than questioning anything that they were saying I turned to the other thing that Emmalee had talked about.

“And the Twilight?”

“The Twilight is a story that has been told about a war between the Immortals of The Keepers and the Ambrosia Immortals. Within the war will be the one who can destroy one group or another by bringing forth the Twilight. Whatever side that person is with shall overcome. That’s what she was talking about.” Blake finished looking towards the floor as if he was ashamed.

“That’s why I have the katana isn’t it? I’m that one?” I asked already knowing the answer. They said that they didn’t know but that was what the others were finding out at that moment. Suddenly Charlie spoke up.

“Wait you have a katana?”

“Yeah, I’ve hidden it where no one will find it though.” I advised.

“Oh you’ve got to be bloody kiddin’ me?” Blake snapped. I knew what he was thinking. He thought history was going to repeat itself.

“No one is gonna murder me before I have a chance to use it but I might use it on you if you don’t watch your tone.” I said as I stepped up to him. I was close enough to smell his scent and the warmth of his breath.

“Go on and try, I’d see ya comin’ remember?” he barked back.

“Only if ya can. You don’t see everything or don’t you remember that?”

“Enough for fuck shake!” Jaryn barked. The others looked on at the three of us without words to express what they were witnessing.

“And you, you don’t get to talk to me.” Blake snapped to his youngest brother suddenly remembering what Emmalee has informed him of; the fact that she was cheating on Blake with his own brother.

“You can’t be mad at me for that. It was ages ago!” Jaryn said standing up from himself.

“Bullshit, I can be mad all I want. I’m beyond mad brother, I’m furious! You were sleepin’ with me wife!” Blake yelled. The word wife made me more uncomfortable than if probably should have but it did, twisting like a knife in my heart. 

“You didn’t love her, I did! We all know that you had countless affairs on the side as well.” Jaryn said, finally admitting his secret out loud. I finally knew his own demon that he had to live with. He hadn’t been married but he did give his heart to someone.

“I was forced into a marriage I didn’t want to be in.” Blake roared.

“But stealing you’re brother’s girl, that’s fine now isn’t it?” Jaryn said back. Blake suddenly stopped and asked what Jaryn was talking about. “I’m talkin’ about you bein’ a hypocrite. You act like we don’t see what is goin’ on between you and Nora. I think the only one who hasn’t seen is Reid because he doesn’t want to.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I finally felt the words form in my head, then as they moved up my throat and out my mouth.

“Stop it! Both of you stop it! Jaryn there isn’t anything going on with us, nothing more than friendship. I think you’re looking for something more so that you can cover up your own shame and I will not be dragged into this. You’re both hypocrites in many ways and I will not stand here and take this.” I said as I stormed out of the room and up the stairs. I would have normally gone outside but I didn’t feel that that would have been the wisest idea at the moment due to the current situation. I headed to the farthest door I could find - a bedroom and fell onto the bed. I was upset at everything that was happening, upset that my life was becoming turned upside down again after it had been calm for so many months. I had always known in the back of my mind that it wouldn’t last though but I had only hoped it would have lasted a little longer than it did. I hid my face in my arms, not wanting to face the world but then I heard a knock at the door.

From the other side I heard a voice that was neither Hollings brother that was in the house thankfully. I told Adam to come in. He sat on the edge of the bed and only looked at me. “I know you probably think all of this is nuts but…”

“Nor…I don’t fully understand anything that’s happening, none of us do but just know that we’re always here for you. You’re one of my best friends and I hope you still feel the same about me. I mean I hope you’ve put our past fully behind us and you’ll let me help if I can?” He said in a kind voice. His embarrassing shy boy act made me smile. He was so different than bother Reid or Blake. He was the boy next door with bright blue eyes, blond hair and killer smile while wearing a lettermen jacket for football. All of the Hollings men were dark haired, dark eyes and darker souls. They all smiled beautifully to hide the monsters they thought they were. Thinking about Blake alone caused me to be weak in the knees but having him as close as he was – it was killing me.

“Of course, I’m way over how we broke up.”

“So what’s up with the tension with that taller one?” He asked meaning Blake. I explained he was a thorn in my side but that was all. Even Adam seemed to think that I was lying about that. I could tell by the way he looked at me. I only smiled and slapped his shoulders. We sat there joking for a while longer when I heard another knock at the door. Adam stood to open the door, finding Blake on the other side.

“Can I come in?” He asked politely. I nodded that he could and Adam allowed him by before turning back to me.

“Are you gonna be okay Nor?” he asked.

“I’m fine Adam, thanks.” I said with a smile on my face, hiding the fact that I was scared to death of what was going to happen between myself and Blake once we were alone.

Fifteen

Just as Adam was leaving he paused in the doorway where he and Blake were starring each other down like wild dogs ready to fight. Although Adam and I had broken up our friendship healed and he had once again become increasingly protective over me, not that he had ever stopped. After the awkward stare down Blake slammed the door behind him and gave me a questioning look. “Nor?” he asked.

“Don’t do that.” I announced.

“Don’t do what?”

“Act like a jealous boyfriend.’ I fell back onto the bed as I let out a deep breath. ‘Adam and I have been friends for a long time. We had a bad break up but were better now, were friends again but that’s all. Just like you and I are…just friends.” Blake sat beside me, leaning towards me. I knew what he wanted but I wasn’t going to allow it to happen. He also knew that I missed him and he didn’t have to see the future to know that. It was written all over my face. I wanted him near me, I wanted him to touch me. Even with all those feeling swirling around within me I still could help but to feel guilty for having them while I knew Reid still cared so much for me. I didn’t know if he had caught on like everyone else seemed to and was denying it or he was truly oblivious to the fact. 

“You missed me yeah?” he said with a smirk.

“I’m not justifying that with an answer. How about we talk about Emmalee?” I said. That was a statement that made him back down.

“I would prefer if we didn’t.”

“Well you don’t have a choice. Answer me honestly - did you really not know that she was alive?” I asked. He shook his head with a sullen look on his face. I couldn’t help but to go to him, pulling him close to me as I comforted him. I knew that he was upset even though he put on a mask for the world. Maybe it was natural instinct to wrap my arms around his head as he held my body, his head on my lap but it felt right holding him. After he pulled himself away he looked up at me with swollen eyes and told me that he didn’t. He thought that she had died centuries ago of the fever, and illness that killed many throughout Europe. “And Jaryn?”

“I don’t want to talk about that either.” He snapped with his eyes glistening, tears wanting to fall but he wouldn’t allow them to.

“You need to talk about it, it’s just me. I’m not gonna judge you and think ill of you in any way. You know that.” He looked up at me and my words must have worked because he finally let his guard down.