Immortalis - Book 1 (The Keeper's Immortals) (3 page)

‘OMG I found him and he asked me out for tonight!’
I sent her. She never took long to reply but if there was more than she could type or she was so excited she felt as she if she couldn’t contain her words, she would call me so when my phone began to ring it didn’t surprise me.

“He what?” Trish asked with cheer in her voice. She was ecstatic for me and that was one of the best qualities about her; she never felt bad if she didn’t have something that someone else had.

“He asked me out to a movie tonight.” I stated again. I was trying to contain myself and not scream in her ear, causing uncontrollable bleeding from her ear and it was hard because I had so much excitement built up inside of me at the moment.

“I’m so happy. Now you stop complaining about everything and live life again.” Trish announced, not meaning to be mean about anything but I understood where she was coming from. I was tired of being the way that I was to. I sure as hell hadn’t been fulfilling my best friend duties, although I tried, she just didn’t know.

“Slow your roll girly, it’s just a date not a marriage proposal.’ I laughed. Suddenly I heard my phone beep. Pulling my phone away from my ear again only to read a text from my brother. ‘Ah damn. I’ve gotta go, Sean is begging for his car back already. I’ll call ya later.” I said before I hung up. Once inside I tossed Sean his keys, not caring what he was yelling at me and hopped up the stairs to my room where I covered my face with a pillow. The rest of the day seemed to drag by and I knew I started earlier than I should have but I was far too excited not to get ready at four thirty. A shower, with a good chunk of my time picking out the perfect outfit, then make up, followed by hair. I’m not an over-the-top kind of girl when it comes to dolling myself up but for this date I wanted to look special without trying to hard. I picked a simple look; jeans and plain tee with a semi plunging neck line just in case he wanted something to look at. My make up was simple as well but then I started to worry about where we were going since he had mentioned food, what if I wasn’t dressed properly? I finally broke down and called Trish as I was the in beginning stages of small panic attack but luckily I had a best friend, who knew how to calm me down in a timely manner, after assuring me that whatever I wore I would be perfect. Once I was breathing normally again I finished up only changing to a top that was bit more feminine just in case. 

The next thing I knew it was six fifty five and soon after my phone rang. I picked it up after I took a deep breath, thrilled to hear Reid’s voice. He apologized for being early but after assuring him that I was ready (and had been for a while) I rushed down the stairs and out the door where I practically ran into him while he was walking to the front door. The walk between the front door and street was a good distance and we met half way.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Sorry, I’m a little old school. I retrieve my date at their front doors.” He laughed.

“Oh well, you made it half way there.” I said with a smile, a bashful one at that.

“That works. You ready to go? I thought we would get food first then head to the movie.” He said as he took my hand within his and started to walk to his car.

“Yeah, I’m dying. I…I’m dressed okay right?” I asked nervously. He laughed at my words but stated that I looked perfect. I never thought of myself as looking that way, I was just a simple girl with simple taste. He wasn’t dressed up to much himself – nice jeans and button up shirt but he rocked it. There was something about any man who wore a dress button up with jeans, relaxed and comfortable – confident. I thought it was sexy.

We ate at the most expensive restaurant in town, how he could afford it I’ll never know because he told me not to ask questions and just enjoy our night together. Warm rolls, endless salad and the best chicken Alfredo I’ve ever had. I was about to explode when he finally paid the check and we slowly but surely strolled out of the building. We picked a thriller to watch, something that wouldn’t terrify me but would allow me to be squeamish so that he would fold me into his arms. Although we didn’t start the movie touching we ended it with his strong arm around me, curled into his body. I hadn’t been held by a guy since Adam and now that I was a feeling it again I realized that I had missed it. As soon as the movie was over he asked if I wanted to go home or back to his place and naturally I chose the latter of the two, not wanting my night to end.

We drove to his house, a large rich looking two story building that was just outside the edge of town surrounded by thick woods with the moon shining down on us. Stopping in the driveway just in front of the door Reid was out of the car and opening up the passenger door without me even blinking. I thanked him and as he closed my door he placed his hand on the small of my back and we walked into the house together. Once we were inside I couldn’t help but be stalled in my footsteps. The place was exquisite. Dark woods, soft lighting made the room intoxicatingly romantic but was still bruiting looking like something a single man would own.

“Your place is gorgeous.” I said still in awe on my surroundings. Reid smiled as he placed his keys and cell phone down on the table that was next to the front door. He then made his way to the small bar that was just off the living room, walked past me as almost with a whisper tone to his voice.

“Thank you, do you want something to drink?” he asked. I turned in a circle just to follow him but smiled once I had caught sight of him.

“I’m good, thank you.” I advised as he poured himself a drink, whiskey by the smell of it. I sat down on the couch and once he had sealed up the clear bottle he ventured over towards me.

“Did you have a good time?” Reid asked me as he sat next to me on the plush couch. I wet my lips and smiled.

“I had a great time, thank you. You’re an amazing guy so I can’t help but to wonder what’s wrong with you.” I told him, only being honest. He was far too perfect so I wanted to find out the flaw now and move past it, if I could.

“What if I don’t have one? What if I’m really this nice?” He asked as he took a sip of his drink.

“You could be. We were both to busy stuffing our faces and watching a movie to be able to talk. I don’t know much about you.” I said, telling the truth. I was suddenly hit with the realization that I was sitting in a house with a man I barely knew and no one else knew that I was here. I really hoped he was crazed serial killer. I didn’t have time for that at the moment.

“Ask me whatever you want.” He said declaring himself an open book.

“Okay well that dinner was ridiculously expensive. You’ve gotta have a great job so where do you work at?” I asked.

“I don’t.’ His words drew me back, that was his flaw. I had fallen head over heels for a thief without a doubt. ‘I invested my inheritance money that my father left me well. He was a man who knew his stocks and bonds.” He explained and I felt myself let out a sigh of relief silently to myself but I still couldn’t help but to wonder if there wasn’t a dark secret about him but I didn’t want to think about that. All I wanted was to continue to have a great time with someone I couldn’t take my eyes off of.

“So what happened to you father?” I asked.

“He died along with my mother in a car accident.” Reid explained. I placed my hand on this forearm, rubbing it gently to show sympathy towards Reid and his story. I said that I was sorry but he shrugged his shoulders, telling me that he was moving past his demons about such a situation. 

“It’s in the past but thank you.” We sat there and talked, drowning in each other’s words and worlds. Suddenly without any warning we heard someone moving swiftly throughout the house. I jumped at the thought of someone else being in the house with us and became alarmed when Reid looked spooked as well. “What was that?” I asked as I stood up next to him. Wetting his lips his lips and looked at me unable to answer my question but once he saw a young man, still older than Reid himself, standing in the middle of his living room he seemed to understand. Quickly he grabbed my hand, pulling me behind him.

“Now, now brother let’s not lie to the young lass.” The strange man said with a thick Irish accent, directing his words towards me. Reid looked back at me then back at the man, not saying anything. The silence was agonizing and the atmosphere was thick, making my stomach turn. I didn’t move, barely breathed but finally inhaled when Reid finally spoke. He really did look spooked at the sight of the tall, well built man.

“Sebastian” He finally squeaked out. Without warning three others joined the one Reid called Sebastian. Two other handsome men and a strikingly beautiful woman who made me feel uglier than I did just after getting up from bed in the morning.

“It’s wonderful to see your face again dear brother. I wish you felt the same way.” The woman said with a curtain amount of annoyance in her voice. I looked at Reid whose jaw was locked tight. I could practically hear his teeth grind together; his eyes seem to light up with fury just at the sight of these four unknown people.  

Three

I stood there terrified, frozen. The one who looked the youngest smiled wickedly at me; his eyebrows arching with wonder. “She’s a cutie Reid. I’m impressed. I’m surprised you had it in you to trap yourself such a looker.” The young one said jokingly. I didn’t know if I should have taken that as a compliment or an insult so I only snickered at him.

“Reid.’ I said turning to him. ‘Who are these people?” He looked at me then turned back to the one he called Sebastian.

“If you all don’t mind I would prefer it if I didn’t air our families dirty laundry at the moment. Let me take her home and then I will come back and gladly talk to you all on some normal plain.” Reid said as he took my hand and turned me around, rushing me to the door only to be stopped by the only one who hadn’t talked yet.

“Where do you think you’re going big brother? You don’t really think that we’re going to let you leave now do you?” The third unknown male said.

“Stop it Blake, let us through. Let me take Nora home and then I’ll be back; I promise.” Reid explained. The one who, I knew was called Blake, looked at me oddly – strangely almost as if he didn’t believe something. His eyes weren’t as harsh for a moment but they harden back up quickly when he refocused his energy towards Reid.

“Bullshit brother, that’s what you said the last time you left us. You’ll be back but left and didn’t think twice about it.’ Blake inched towards Reid’s face like a viper. ‘Tell me I’m wrong Reid. You didn’t care enough about us to stay with us. After all we’ve gone through, we promised to always stay together but you broke that promise without thought and why did you leave? So you can be with her kind?”

“Whoa…my kind? What because I’m not talking with an accent?” I snapped without thought although I didn’t fully understand the situation. I was standing in a room with people who seemed to be shipped straight from Ireland and apparently was the siblings of my date yet he had no accent. My head started to hurt with everything that was happening around me and all I wanted at the moment was to go home.              

Blake slowly turned to face me, showing his teeth as if he was a dog ready to attack me. As fear ran through every inch of my body I did the opposite of what my mind told me to do which was hide behind Reid; I straightened my back and looked straight into his eyes. “No. Your kind as is m…” Blake started only to be cut off by Reid.

“Stop now Blake, you don’t want to do something you would regret that could also put the rest of us in danger.’ Those words seem to make Blake stand down from his fight. ‘Now please, stand aside so I can take her home.”

“Blake.’ Sebastian said. ‘Let them go. I’m sure our brother will return shortly.” Reid nodded towards his brother then grabbed my hand and walked me out. He took me to the end of the walk where we stopped for only a moment until he told me not to ask any question just to get into the car and to hold on. Once we were strapped in he took off like a bat out of hell. I had to admit, to myself only, that I was a bit fearful of losing my life during that car ride let alone the four mysterious strangers that had broken into his house, although they were apparently his sibling. I was so confused and that confusion was all I could focus on as we drove.

“I can’t believe you let them leave Sebastian!” Blake roared showing his temper.

“Calm yourself old one. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing? He is the smart one after all.” Ashwin assured her older brother. Blake turned to her with an ill tempered look on his face. Ashwin was immune to her brother’s looks but they still clashed on some topic although not many and this wasn’t one of them. They all wanted Reid back and this girl was keeping them from getting him.

“Just tell us when.” Jaryn said with a smirk. His mind worked much like Sebastian’s. They were both very cunning and always knew the right move.

“Now, get the girl. She’s how we’ll get him to return.” Sebastian demanded. Without a blink Jaryn was gone, speeding after his older brother on foot rather than using a vehicle, leaving the others follow in the car.

Rather than taking me home Reid took me out to a country road where there wasn’t anyone around for miles. Pushing the speed limit farther than he should, getting stopped by a random police car was the last thing on his mind. Suddenly he stopped the car hard enough to make the dust fly around us and even with a belt buckle around me jolted me forward. I didn’t say anything but I finally built up enough courage to unbuckle myself, turn to him and forced myself to ask the question that had been burning my tongue. “What the hell was that all about?”