Arielle Immortal Seduction (26 page)

“I guess it is too late now?” It came out as a question, not a statement.

“Don’t ever say that. It’s never too late when you have the chance to fix a problem that will make your life easier.”

Again he was right.

“I know that Eva is wondering about me and Troy,” he said. “I know she’s trying to figure out what is so different about us. I also know that she’s one of the nicest girls I’ve ever met and that she is very trustworthy. I feel exactly the same way about Gabrielle. You are three very exceptional girls and very lucky that you have each other. They love you unconditionally, and they are genuinely happy for you and me.”

“I know, that’s why they are my very best friends,” she said, smiling through her tears.

“Why did you only tell your father and not your mother too?”

“My mum thought that I was living in an imaginary world and she wanted me to grow out of it. It would have been too hard to make her understand.”

“Did you ever try?”

“Yes, I did a couple of times, but she thought it might be a good idea for me to see a psychiatrist, to talk about the things I was hearing from other people. That wasn’t something I wanted to do.”

Sebastian turned the ignition on and pushed the gas pedal. They drove for a while, and then he finally said, “Don’t worry, Arielle, everyone has secrets. Some secrets are more significant than others. I would not lose sleep over this.”

“What do you think about me, now that you know my secret?”

“I think I love you more,” he said with a smile. “And your father? How did he take it?”

“This is the interesting thing about my father. His mother had the same abilities, so he was not shocked. He didn’t think I was crazy.”

“So, he was open about it?”

“Completely. He told me that this would be a gift that I could use to separate my true friends from my enemies. He said that my grandmother used it to help her get through many difficult times.”

“Well, I think he is right about that.”

“I think he would be right if I had a normal life, but I don’t. My boyfriend is an immortal and so are my enemies.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I can’t hear what you are thinking, and I can’t hear the people that want to hurt me. So what kind of a gift is that?” Pure frustration spilled out of her as she spoke these words.

“Well, that’s a very interesting point,” he said, but he sounded skeptical.

“I know that not all immortals can read minds,” she said.

“How do you know that?”

“I asked Troy if he could read my mind but he said he didn’t possess that gift.”

“He’s right, not all immortals do. But Nathan can see the future, just like Eva, and that’s an extraordinary gift.”

“Troy also told me that immortals couldn’t read each other’s minds.”

“Well, I want to believe that. However, I have enormous reservation about that statement.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Well, I’ve been wondering for a very long time how Annabel knows who I’m with and how I feel about them. And when I say a long time, I mean centuries. No matter where I moved, somehow she always seemed to find me. She always knew that none of my affairs were serious, so she left me alone. But if she can’t read my mind then how does she know all that? I just can’t accept the theory of an informant. I can’t believe that anyone close to me would be providing her with all the details about my life.” He looked deep in thought.

“What about me?” she asked. “What if she can read my mind?”

“I really don’t know, Arielle. I have no theories and no facts. She may be able to read your mind. Actually, now that I think about it, that’s a probability.”

“It makes sense that she could, but I really hope she can’t,” Arielle said, voice trembling.

“I thought it might be someone at my mother’s household that was telling her what I was doing and who I was with. But your point makes more sense to me now. She knew about the ring. She knew that you’re not just a passing affair for me.” He was now staring out the window.

“Sebastian, you are scaring me!”

“I am right here, Arielle.”

“But you’re not with me all the time.”

“You have your necklace for now. And Olivia is working towards a more permanent solution. And you have Eva with her premonitions, and Troy who is going to protect you when I’m not here. I think you’re pretty well covered,” he said, smiling comfortingly.

“Well, you know, there are many ways to hurt a person without touching them. And I’m certainly no match for Annabel.”

He looked at her again, and then turned to stare out the windshield. She could see frustration all over his face as he pinched the tip of his nose. She had only seen him do that once before, when he was extremely angry and full of anguish.

He gave her a quick look again and turned away, staring in front of him, his eyes piercing the night without saying a word. She wasn’t sure if she should say something. And if she should, what would it be? So, she just kept quiet and stared out the window, her head full of bad thoughts. She was sure that her encounters with the crazy immortal women were going to become very complicated. She had great fears about the outcome but no solutions.

Sebastian was still holding her hand and stroking the skin softly with his thumb. He sped up the car as his voice broke the silence, low and soft like velvet. “I don’t want you to worry about this,” he said finally. “I’ll deal with the consequence of my actions.”

“I don’t understand. What actions are you talking about?”

“I was well aware of the warnings from Annabel and that she is not very stable. I should have dealt with her before I got you involved.”

“But you didn’t ‘get me’ involved. I wanted to get involved. I fell in love with you.”

He was quiet again, and she didn’t know what he was thinking. She wished she could use her gift to find out his thoughts and take away the torment he was going through. But that wasn’t going to happen. So, she just waited for him to talk again.

But he didn’t say anything. Instead, he pulled the car into the garage and came around to open her door. Their eyes met, but she didn’t get the same reaction she usually did when she looked into his eyes. He wasn’t unleashing his magical power because he was deeply preoccupied.

As she got out of the car, he gathered her in his arms and held her without saying a word. He sighed a deep sigh, but he didn’t let go of her. She didn’t move until he bent down and took her mouth in a voracious kiss. Her fingers locked at the nape of his neck and held him tight. His tongue found his way into the softness of her mouth and relished the sensation of her sweetness. He groaned with desire, but this time there was a hint of sadness in the sound.

She pulled back from the kiss and releasing him, she steadied herself by leaning against the car. “What’s is going on in there?” she asked, pointing at his head. He smiled vaguely as he put his arm around her waist, and pulled her through the door.

“Let’s go in,” he said, voice uneasy.

She looked at his flawless features and saw that he suddenly looked very tired. There was a crease across his forehead, and his eyes had turned a dark green color. He walked into the kitchen and took a large glass of salve, and drank it down without taking a breath. She watched him take his shirt off and throw it onto a chair, exposing his beautiful chest. At the sight of it, she involuntarily drew in a deep breath. Amazing defined muscles filled her eyes, and a shiver rippled down her spine as her breath caught in her throat. She watched him walk out into the backyard in silence.

She stood in front of the big window and looked at him standing in the twilight. He looked as stunning as ever, but she knew he was deeply troubled. She didn’t fully understand his change of mood, but she knew that she needed to leave him alone.

She walked into the bathroom and washed her face. The water made her feel better. She brushed her teeth and combed her hair, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She was worried about Sebastian. She had never seen him this way before.

He was still standing out in the middle of the yard like a statue lost in thoughts when she walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. She didn’t turn any lights on because it was quite bright in the house with the moonlight coming through the huge picture windows. She watched him quietly for a few minutes, and then went to bed.

She had no idea how much time had passed—she must have drifted off to sleep—when she suddenly felt him next to her. His arms encircled her body and his lips found her mouth.

“Are you okay?” she whispered, against his lips.

“Yes, I just needed to think.”

“Can I help?”

“No, you really can’t. It is all my doing, and I will have to deal with it.”

She held him close, wanting to make him feel safe.

“You are my life,” she whispered.

“I know. I just wish I had been smarter about the whole thing, and gotten rid of Annabel long before I ever set eyes on you.”

“I knew what I was getting into when you told me about Annabel,” she said. “I chose to stay, so you see, it’s not your fault.”

“It’s completely my fault. This is something I should have resolved centuries ago. I just never dreamed that this amazing feeling could exist until I met you. I have lived without it all my life, and that is a very long time. Now I regret not doing anything about Annabel.”

“Please, let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

“Are you tired?”

“No, not really, I just don’t want to talk about Annabel,” she said.

He kissed her neck and moaned pleasurably.

She was dozing off when she heard him saying. “What do you think about all of us going to St. Jean de Luz?”

“What do you mean, all of us?”

“I mean the six of us. Let’s make it a gift to all of us to celebrate our engagements, from you and me.”

“You are joking.”

“Not at all. What do you think?”

She turned around to face him, her eyes full of surprised delight and exclaimed, “I think it’s fantastic! I can’t wait for them to see your house. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, because it’s your house now too.”

“What?” she said.

“I said it’s your house now.”

“My house?” she repeated.

“Yes, Arielle. You are going to be my wife, and the lady of the Gaulle manor. What I have is yours, including my very soul.”

Her head was spinning; it was all too much to comprehend. She felt an incredible warm feeling taking over her. Of course what he was saying made sense, but she just couldn’t believe that she would be the lady of that awesome house.

His voice interrupted her thoughts. “I thought it might make you happy to have all your friends at the house before the new semester begins,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful idea,” she said, looking at him affectionately.

He was smiling as he pulled her even closer and pressed his lips on hers gently. She was now deep in thought as she rolled on her back and stretched leisurely. She locked her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling thoughtfully. She closed her eyes, imagining the effect the house would have on her friends. I know how it affected me as soon as I stepped through that door, she remembered.

Then suddenly she recalled something else, and the face that popped in front of her made her body shiver, her heart thud in her chest, and her lips tremble with anxiety. It was the sight of Annabel glaring at her with all the loathing she held for her. What if she showed up when they were all there? What if she tried to hurt someone? The thought made her tremble and she felt an instant tightening in her chest. She moved her arm and squeezed Sebastian’s hand with unusual pressure, making him look at her with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“What if she shows up at your house while we are there?”

He was quiet for a short time. Finally, he spoke in a low voice. “I don’t think she will do that. But if she does I’ll handle it, and remember, Troy will be there as well. He is just as powerful as I am.”

“I wish all my friends knew the truth. It would make it easier for them to decide if they wanted to take the chance to take this trip with us,” she said.

Sebastian paused before answering. “I think that’s a pretty big step to take with them such a short time before we leave.”

“When were you thinking of leaving?”

“I thought Monday or Tuesday would be good if they all agree. I’m paying for their trip, it’ll be our gift to them, as I said before.”

“You are paying for all of us to go there?”

“Yes, of course,” he said, and she smiled at him.

“That’s amazing. You are the most giving person I’ve ever known.”

His eyes were closed now and he looked so beautiful. Arielle rolled onto her side and kissed his eyelids before she assumed her normal position cuddled in his arms.
How will I ever sleep when he’s not here?
she thought. Well, I guess I’ll just have to stay up until he comes home.

She giggled at the thought and closed her eyes, blissfully secure.