Arielle Immortal Journey (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 5) (22 page)

“It’s magnificent!” she cried, eyes glued to the main structure.

Olivia turned to look at her with a smile on her face that seemed to say “I know.”

“It’s a seventeenth-century country mansion, two stories high
with two high towers in the front that you can see, and two in the back that can’t be seen from where we are. However, this manor
structure
was restored a couple of centuries ago. There have been a lot of
changes
inside to make it more comfortable and compatible with
contemporary standards.”

Huge stone planters were placed along the driveway, creating an amazing picture. Trees and flowers covered the land as far as the eye
could see. The front door was beyond words. Large panels were
carved
with graceful patterns and surrounded by a charming acanthus border adorned with hieroglyphics. The stone door frame was
covered with
vibrant blue, orange, yellow, and green painted scenes that
accentuated its massiveness. Someone had carved hieroglyphic texts and symbols right into the stone. Arielle was awestruck. Olivia smiled at Arielle's expression of amazement before glancing at her watch.

“Come, dear, it's ten thirty-five and the meeting will start precisely at eleven. Let’s go inside.” She patted Arielle’s hand
indulgently. Stepping out of the car, Olivia climbed the front steps and crossed
the threshold into the foyer with Arielle by her side. Arielle halted, her eyes growing wide. The foyer was high-domed with walls covered in dark walnut panels complete with stunning gilded
calligraphy and
florid woodcarvings. Blue-gray marble covered the floor. Large porphyry pillars adorned each corner like faithful knights committed to protecting this space. An enormous chandelier hung from the center of a beautifully painted ceiling depicting allegorical symbols in a
cloudless blue sky. She turned to see Olivia watching her inquisitively, waiting. She finally reached over and took Arielle’s hand, pulling her toward a side door that read “Women’s Lockers.” She pushed the door open, and they entered a large room lined with closets on either side.

Olivia didn’t stop until she reached the locker with her name on it. Pulling a key from her pocket she set it in the lock and turned. The
door opened revealing several garments hanging in an orderly
fashion.
On the top were two shelves full of books. Olivia took out two burgundy cloaks. She handed one to Arielle and put the other one
on. “Go ahead,
put it on,” she said, gazing at Arielle with a soft smile. “It’s a
requirement.”

Arielle nodded and took the cloak from Olivia’s hands. She
draped it over her shoulders and slipped her arms through the loose sleeves. She then pulled the two halves around and buttoned up the front.

“Let me see,” Olivia said, placing her hands on Arielle’s
shoulders
and turning her around to get a good look at her. “You look
wonderful! It fits you perfectly,” she said, smiling with approval.

Arielle looked down at herself and then smiled sweetly at Olivia. “Thank you.”

“You’re perfectly welcome,” Olivia said, and turned to walk
toward the door. Arielle followed her back into the foyer. This time they ran right into Professor Allworth who was coming in hurriedly.

“Hello, Colt,” Olivia called out with a soft wave of her hand.

“Olivia, Arielle,” Allworth replied, inclining his head softly. “I’m happy to see you here, Arielle,” he added as he walked quickly to the right toward the men’s locker room. “I’ll see you both inside,” he called out, disappearing behind the door.

Arielle followed Olivia down a long, poorly lit corridor, observing a numinous atmosphere. A shiver ran down her spine as she noticed how mysterious she and Olivia looked in those long
cloaks. She took a deep breath and examined the wooden mahogany panels that lined the walls. They were covered with mysterious, exquisite paintings, and a lot of incredible tapestries that displayed strange symbols just like the ones she saw in the black book Olivia had given her.

There was a sweet smell of lavender in the air. The sanctuary
was in the rear of the building with side rooms along the long
corridor. As they walked slowly, she could see courts through open doors on either side of the hallway.

When they reached the door at the end of the long corridor Olivia lifted her hands, pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, and turning toward Arielle, she whispered, “Put your hood on, it’s obligatory.” She chuckled softly and waved her hand as if to say, “One of the rules.”

Arielle nodded and quickly complied. They crossed the stone threshold, and as they entered the room Arielle quivered. People draped in hooded cloaks filled the room. They appeared deeply
engaged in quiet conversations. Their murmurs bounced off the walls and filled her ears, creating a mystical sensation.

Olivia moved deeper into the room toward the two seats in the front row. Arielle noticed a name etched in the back of Olivia’s chair,
“Ma’at.” Arielle stared at the word, and arched her eyebrows
inquisitively but didn’t ask. Olivia noticed her expression but for reasons Arielle could only guess at she chose to remain silent.

Chapter 17

LIFTING HER GAZE
from the word etched in the back of Olivia’s seat, Arielle walked around and took the seat next to her. She looked
about the room carefully. A series of wide pillars supported the structure all the way around. The walls were white with golden-hued blocks of limestone and sandstone. They were inscribed and
painted with intriguing text and symbols.

At the back section of the room there was an elevated stone platform with a podium draped in a long burgundy cover. Two large
windows with dark, beveled glass kept the inside of the room shadowy. The
room had a transcendent quality that made Arielle feel like she was somewhere sacred. A movement to her right interrupted her reflections. Professor Allworth and a young woman took the seats
next to her.

“Good to see you again, Arielle,” he whispered.

She turned toward them and smiled. “You too, Professor,” she said quietly.

Suddenly, the murmurs subsided and complete silence fell upon the room. Arielle instinctively turned toward the entrance and saw a tall man covered in a purple cloak filling the doorway. His presence
projected an air of strength. Under his arm, he clenched a black
leather book. He stopped for a short moment and took a look around to assess the turnout. He started to walk slowly toward the platform in the front of the room. Arielle suspected this was Burgejion, the head of this secret society. The hood hid his hair, but his face was clearly visible. Arielle took a quick glimpse and was surprised to see the face of a young man in his mid-twenties.

As he drew nearer, his bright hazel eyes fell on Arielle’s face,
and an extraordinary sensation of remembrance rushed through her brain, making her quiver. She looked away for a quick second before turning back and locking eyes one more time. She was startled when surprise coursed across his face. It was as if he recognized her. Her breath seized for a long moment.

Why do I feel that we’ve met? But when? That’s just impossible,
she thought. Yet that was precisely what had just occurred. She knew him from somewhere, but she couldn’t recall. She turned toward him one more time gaze narrowed, but he was staring straight ahead. She
kept her eyes on his back as he ascended the steps, walking
gracefully.
He took his place behind the podium. He set the book down and
began thumbing through the pages. When he found what he was
searching for, he set his hand flat on the page and lifted his head as he looked around the room, a warm smile on his face.

“Good day,” he said softly. His voice trailed and went still as his eyes fell on Arielle’s face one more time. His gaze lingered on her for a pregnant moment. Her eyebrows rose as she held his gaze.
What in the world is happening?
she thought.
Who is this guy? Why do I feel as if we've met before?

An easy smile appeared on his attractive mouth and he turned
away. “I’m very happy to see that we have many new faces in the introductory meeting today, and I want to welcome you with open arms,” he continued in a firm voice. “My name is Brandon Burgejion.” His full name dropped like a bomb in the middle of her
thoughts, scattering her memories in every direction. She forced herself to take a huge breath so palpable she could taste it. The strong feeling that they had met during a significant moment in her life was like a spark inside of her that demanded acknowledgment. So why couldn’t she recall? His name surged through her lips once again and filled her with frustration. She took control of her thoughts.

She looked up and their gaze locked again. He looked as if he read her thoughts and his lips curved into a soft smile. She blinked twice and decided that at any minute she would emerge from this inexplicable moment.

He took a deep breath. Smiling, he stared at the black book in front of him and continued. “Today is your first time with us and I
will familiarize you with the rules of our secret society and our purpose. I will use followup meetings to go into detail of the contents of your black books. I’ll walk you through the pages slowly
and carefully. You will learn your book cover to cover and at the end
you will know, you will dare, and you’ll have the power but you’ll keep silent
.” Something about those last words held power, Arielle thought, and significance of which she was as yet unaware.

“Each symbol has a meaning. Each drawing will clearly be interpreted for you. This knowledge will give you a weapon to help you protect yourself against evil.” His voice turned unyielding.
“Never forget the four elements of our society shown in large script on the first page of your book: fire, water, earth, and air. These elements embody the powers that you will gain, and they will enhance the powers already bestowed to you through your special amulets. There is nothing for you to do but make sure you keep it on your body at all times, especially if you feel you are being threatened.” Arielle shivered at his words as she recalled the incidents with the deadly immortal women in Sebastian’s world.

“I’m sure that each one of you has been invited, and accepted, by
faithful members of our society,” he continued. “Our members are linked by trust and conviction. They are the keepers of the secret books and guardians of our beliefs.” He paused. His eyes fell on
Arielle’s face and he gave her a meaningful look.

Arielle stirred in her seat awkwardly and averted her gaze, looking instead at Olivia sitting impassively and staring at the little black book that was open on her lap. Arielle looked back at Burgejion to find that his gaze had not left her face. She pressed her
lips together anxiously, but quickly he turned and looked toward the back of the room. She shivered lightly as an extraordinary pulse pounded in her chest. She
was absolutely sure that in the short moment their eyes locked he had undoubtedly viewed every emotion, every thought, and every idea in her head, as if her inner self was completely exposed in front of his eyes.

What a strange sensation,
she thought.
He looks extremely young to
be the leader of such an exclusive society.
Her next thought made her quiver like there were cold fingers running down her spine.
Good
God, what if
he can read my thoughts?
She rubbed her hands together nervously and felt moist skin. His deep voice interrupted her thoughts; she
stared at him in wonderment.

“Each one of you will be initiated into our secret society, and will be able to access all the powers hidden to non-members that will protect you from harm. Your initiation will be approved when we have made sure that you are ready for the most potent tool of our
secret society, a binding ceremony that has surrounded every
initiation since the beginning of time. You will find that we work as a group, not against the established authority but for it and the welfare of the powerless. Every initiation has a deep meaning for the initiate and
for us. Your rewards will be the trust and faith that will be
established between each one of you. Your amulet is the major link, and it binds all the members not just here in England but all over the world.” He looked around meaningfully once again and continued.

“When you hear the word 'ritual' in our meetings, it’s not what you might think. This ancient word is referring to an activity, which is always rich in context. Everyone in this group participates. We sponsor elaborate costume balls for charity as well as trips and other
activities to raise funds to help the less fortunate. But the main
purpose of our brotherhood is to uphold the moral values and protect the
innocent from evil.” Arielle was captivated, her eyes glued to his
face, watching his lips move without hesitation.