The Awakening (25 page)

              "Now that Clay..." Bradley grinned teasingly. "That guy I'd watch."

              Raina nodded and smiled. "You're right."

              Bradley’s blues twinkled..."Now get on in there and finish drooling over your vampire...then we'll stuff ourselves with pizza."

              Raina smiled. "I swear you two are fattening me up for the kill." But pizza sounded awesome right about now.

              Bradley drove her home later on that night. He assisted her with her shopping bags...said a quick goodbye, and hurried home to his Emily. It had been quite a full day. What she thought would be time away from thinking of Nolan, had turned into a Nolan cry fest. She hoped she had gotten it all out of her system.

              "Hello boys," she greeted Percy and Turk.

              Turk jumped on her, and she felt guilty for leaving him all these hours. But he'd been good, nothing was torn up. Quickly she deposited her purse and the few bags she had filled with new spring and summer clothing. She refilled the water dishes for both of them, then let Turk out the front door, not much feeling like going to the back. Too many memories held in that back yard.

              Turks growl alerted her...then she saw him.

              Thanatos walked up the driveway, away from the large black pickup truck that was parked in the road. She wondered if he had been waiting there for long. Hadn't even paid attention when they had arrived home to realize if he'd been there then or not.

              He stopped in the middle of the drive, and stood there, unmoving.

              Raina grabbed Turks collar to keep him from attacking. She wasn't afraid for the man, but for the beast.

              "Hello, beautiful," he said with that smooth charming voice.

              Raina swallowed...where did he learn to talk like that? And why did she react to the sultry voice the same way she reacted to Nolan’s gentle low voice?

              He frowned when she didn't respond.

              Raina found her voice. "What is it?" she whispered.

              He hesitated a long while. His green eyes just studied her closely.

              "Thanatos," she said softly. "What is it?"

              His eyes warmed when she said his name, then they darkened with uncertainty. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "But I had to bring you a message...I'm compelled to."

              "Because of Elenora." She sighed. She nodded, turning to let Turk in, then walked out to meet him. Goosebumps raced along her arms, but she shook off the fear. "Nolan told me how it is."

              He nodded, reached out and touched her shoulder. His fingers squeezed gently, and Raina felt warmth where his hand rested. "So you know...it’s not me...asking this of you."

              Raina nodded back.

              He shoved his hands in his pockets, and looked up at the sky. "She wants you to stay away from him. From Nolan."

              Raina blinked. "Where is she?" She glanced around with a little trepidation.

              "She went home...to her grandfathers. She just came for a visit."

              "And Nolan?"

              His green eyes softened. "He's close...always close."

              "He obviously doesn't think you'll hurt me," she said in a hushed whisper. "But he doesn't want anything to do with me."

              Thanatos didn't argue with her, he just gave a shrug.

              "What does her warning mean? Why should I obey someone who doesn't have the guts to ask me herself...or, I'm sorry...TELL me"

              Thanatos grimaced. "She can be...terrible Raina. I don't want you hurt. You really should heed her wishes. It may be hard...but in the long run...."

              "She's not here though?" she asked again, just to be sure, and to put her fears to rest.

              He shook his head.

              "Why does she feel she must tell me to stay away? Nolan and I...we are..." she paused. What were they?

              "She saw you two that evening. She watched you...and her jealousy made her irrational. I tried to convince her it was nothing. You were simply a friend of our boss and you meant no harm."

              "She didn't believe you?"

              His mouth tipped in a sad smile. "Have you seen the way he looks at you? Have you noticed how you light up around him?" His eyes flashed jealousy. "She knew something was going on."

              "It doesn't help that I made faces at her,” she moaned.

              Thanatos' eyes lit with amusement. "You made dirty faces at Elenora? HA! No wonder she hates you. And no wonder she thinks you were marking your territory!"

              "We're friends, Nolan and I," Raina argued. "At least we were...I don't know where we stand now."

              Thanatos tipped her chin. "If a total stranger to you can tell...don't you think I can tell?  Don't try to play the friend game with me, beautiful. You and Nolan could never be just friends."

              "Yes we can," she hissed. The thought of her life without Nolan at all tore at her insides, and made her ache. She felt panic rise up inside her.

              He held up his hands in defense. "Okay, okay," he growled. "Friends...whatever. She doesn't buy it!" He shook his head, not letting his eyes waver from hers. He didn't believe it either.

              "How does she intend to enforce this "staying away" clause? If I were to be around him now...she wouldn't know? Because she's not here."

              He shook his head, and rubbed his smooth shaven jaw. "Except...." He ducked his head, and cleared his throat

              She looked at him with disbelief. "Except if you tell her."

              Again he grimaced.

              "And would you?"

              He ran a hand through his hair now. "I...I don't know."

              She frowned. "Then you can't say you don't want me hurt," she blamed. She was so tired of the cutting she was receiving. She was surprised it hurt coming from him...the one she expected would hurt her. But the combination of both was too much.

              "Raina," he said softly. "I don't want you hurt, I promise that."

              "Until you need to run to her for something...or I displease you! Thanatos, I'm sorry, but I don't trust your words." Tears were evident in her voice.

              "Please don't say that," he said softly. "I'll prove it to you...At least I will try. I am not a perfect person Raina."

              She shook her head. "What does it matter? I won't be around him...because he has decided to stay away from me. So you're safe for now. Because I won't be the one chasing him! As for you...aren't you a little hurt by her orders? Why is she not ordering me away from you?"

              He frowned. "She must feel I will be loyal to her."

              "Thanatos, you loved her, and now you give her undying loyalty, and for what? For her to use you because she's in love with him? How can you stand for that?"

              The green eyes blazed anger. "I have no choice!"

              She sighed heavily. "For that I'm sorry," she said honestly. "I truly am."

              He swallowed hard.

              "You could have been something else. Nolan told me how it use to be. I believe you would have been better off never having met her. Never experiencing her poison."

              He stood still and silent.

              "I wish I could have known you then. I see it in you now, but you've allowed the arrogance, and the betrayals to change you." She reached up and touched his face tenderly. His pupils dilated at the contact. His hand covered hers, to keep her from moving away. He craved the contact, unlike Nolan who would shy away from it.

              "Is that all you needed to tell me?" she asked after a few seconds.

              He nodded, and let her hand slip away.

              "Good night then," she said wearily. She turned and headed back to the house.

              "Raina," he called.

              She peaked over her shoulder.

              "I hate that you pity me...and I love that you do. But I would do anything....ANTHING to have you look at me the way you look at him." His face was devastating...his eyes were wide with grief. "Tell me what I have to do to earn that."

              Raina bit her lip, and a tear dropped down her cheek. This shocked her, made her grieve herself. "It’s not what you do, you gorgeous green eyed devil," she whispered sadly. "It’s who you are. What she has made you, and what you are capable of, that make it impossible. There is a difference between the two of you that is so evident. You both were dealt the same hand. Nolan didn't let it change him. You did."

              He let out a growl. "I can change that!"

              She shook her head. "I just can't believe that," she said with conviction, and ran for the house.

Chapter 9 Thanatos

            
 
Raina peaked at her phone and frowned. Why had she brought it along? Just so she could see that Nolan had not called her, had not left a message, had not texted her? Yes, that’s exactly why she brought it.

              She had no control...no say. She was odd man out, and it felt awful. She missed him. Him and his gorgeous smile, warm eyes...soft spoken words. It made her stomach ache, and her mind rebel. She had begun to depend on him far too much!

              So, just that quickly, Elenora was calling the shots, and Raina did not like it, not one tiny bit. Her mood was foul this morning, as she and Turk trudged along on their hike. She needed something to distract her, something to weary her body, and hopefully weary her mind. It was all too much, being ordered around by a supernatural being.

              Well of course she'd always believed in the supernatural. God...angels...even to an extent, ghosts. None of them imposed their will on her though. They were kind, benevolent to her. This She-devil was neither. The thought of her claws in Nolan tore fired her up. She did not deserve him!

              "I don't either," Raina whispered to herself. But she was not trying to use him...force his will. If Nolan had become a part of her life, it had been by choice.

              Images of the dark beauty, and Nolan’s sweet spirit, disturbed her. He had obviously decided to obey...she had not heard from him since Thanatos edict…before the edict. He had known what would be expected of him!

              Thanatos had certainly being attentive. Whether it was because he honestly wanted her, or Elenora had ordered his attentions, she wasn't quite sure. Maybe a bit of both...or maybe he had known all along it would have been asked of him.

              She thought of his face last night...the agony in it. Yes, it was his job, but he didn't do this willingly. She found herself wishing he could fight this hold Elenora had over him. It had to be psychological...more than just his love for the girl.

              She jumped, as her dog snorted and growled. Turk was rooting in some leaves, making Raina nervous. She called him back, and he quickly obeyed. The last thing she needed was him getting into it with a creature. She shuttered just thinking of it. She hated snakes! She purposely made her footfall heavier, knowing they would scurry at the sound.

              The green of the forest was increasing, as the days had been warmer. It was no lie the calming affect the color green had. Raina was soon losing herself in the walk. She came to the small stream, and smiled in memory. Soaking wet, freezing, and not giving a hoot. She was with Nolan. She bit her lip and sighed. She should be writing it all down. She needed all the memories she could get of him. He was, after all her turning point in her grief. She may not have him now...but she had her memories.

              She shook her head physically, hoping to push the mental thought away. She'd write them down later. Right now she wanted to be alone with no thoughts of him!

              She whistled to Turk. "Hungry boy?" She sat down on a rock close by, and rooted through her back pack for lunch. Turks wet nose pushed at her hand.

              She laughed and tossed him a sandwich. The long hike had made both of them hungry!

              They sat quietly, enjoying their simple meal.

              Turk finished before her, and leaned against her legs, looking hungrily at hers. She laughed and pushed at his muzzle. "Piggy," she chastised.