The Awakening (42 page)

              Raina nodded. "Jonathan is lovely."

              He chuckled, taking her hand, and then leading her to the door. "And you are returning tomorrow...to take a ride? And maybe say goodbye to an old man before you head back to Oregon?"

              She smiled brightly at him. "Of course! I would never leave without saying goodbye to you!" She felt as if she'd known Joseph for a long while, not just mere hours.

              He touched her cheek, and then led her to the door. Jonathan was already there, as if he'd read his grandfather’s mind.

              Raina looked from one to another. "How did he...know?"

              "A gift,” Jonathan chuckled.

              "A gift? You said you can only hear fervent thought."

              Joseph grinned at Jonathan. "That’s me my dear. I can grant life...and hear fervent thoughts...Jonathan has only one gift. Thoughts? He can hear them all. Well...all immortals."

              Raina laughed. "Truly?"

              Jonathan smiled. "Not your pretty thoughts my dear. Nolan tries hard, but yes, I read every one of his! That’s how I know you are good for him."

              She blinked at him.

              His dark eyes twinkled with mischief.

              "Have fun with that one," Joseph laughed, as he moved slowly down the hall, in the opposite direction.

              Jonathan offered his arm. “I can dim my gift Raina...and I promise not to eavesdrop on too many of his thoughts, unless I absolutely need to."             

              "I knew you were a gentleman." She took his arm.

              "Now what would you like to do?"

              She grinned. "May I see the alligators again?"

              Jonathan nodded. "Grandfather likes that you've taken to his pets. Not many deem them their favorite animal." He shook his head. "Come, we'll keep entertained until Nolan shows back up. Maybe swap a story or two?"

              She nodded assent. After her conversation with Joseph, she was really starting to miss her protector. She hoped he was having a good time none the less.

              Jonathan pulled two chairs up close to the window for their "view", and motioned for Raina to join him.

              She couldn't help her free falling tummy, when she again spotted the alligators. Her wide smile was next.

              "What an odd, pretty little girl," he chuckled. "I love it though...you're unique, Raina."

              She flushed. "That’s probably why I got so caught up in the life of an immortal?"

              He nodded, his handsome face cracked in a smile. "Probably."

              She sat back, enjoying the back yard paradise. "So...we are swapping stories?" She peaked at him from the corner of her eye.

              He shrugged. "What do you want to hear about Nolan?"

              She shook her head. ” I promised him I wouldn't dig...I won't. I do have a question about...someone else."

              His brow lifted.

              "Don't get mad?"

              He smiled. "At a pretty girl like you?"

              She rolled her eyes. "I've never been called pretty so much in my whole life! Not since Nolan...and even Thanatos entered my life! What is it with you immortals?"

              He chuckled, shaking his head at her. "It’s you Raina. If you could truly see with our eyes...it’s your goodness...your heart..."

              "I am not all good...all heart," she argued.

              "Bull," Jonathan growled. "Believe me, I can tell!"

              She gave him half a smile. "I am flattered by your vote of confidence."

              He shrugged. "Nolan wouldn't be with you if I wasn't right."

              "You've been in his head? Don’t...don't tell me what you've heard," she quickly interjected. "But...it’s all good?"

              "Conflicting," he whispered. "He's crazy over you...and he's scared over you all at once."

              She bit down hard on her lip. "That doesn't sound promising."

              He shrugged. "Nolan is noble. He will always look for the best coarse. In your case...he will do whatever he can to see you safe. Even if that means being away from you."

              Raina made a face at this, not liking it one bit.

              "Enough heavy," he sighed. "What was the question I wasn't supposed to get mad over?"

              She drew in a breath. "What is your father? Nolan paled over him...Joseph refused to speak about him. I...I just have this feeling, I should know something of him...or get side swiped in the future."

              Jonathan's dark eyes went serious. "You are very very perceptive, Raina. And I feel that you are right. My father may enter your life at some point. Especially if you intend on staying with Nolan...and my sister continues to stay in love with him. Or lust...it’s up for debate."

              She frowned.

              "Yeah, I don't like her much either," he chuckled.

              "So...Richard?"

              Jonathan cleared his throat. "Richard, my father, for lack of a better word, is evil. Not Elenora evil...or even Thanatos evil.”

              "Thanatos is not evil," she cut in. She was surprised she could stick up for him. "Just misguided."

              Jonathan smiled. "See...you just went ten shades prettier on me!"

              She blushed.

              "My father is not a good man. He likes to make others miserable. He has a strong hold to family. You won't see Elly or I come to harm by his hand...or my grandfather. He will, however, harm other immortals."

              Nolan! Her first thought set her heart racing.

              "He has no regard for the life of mortals either. My grandfather told you about physical relationships between the two, and the harm that comes to the mortal? My father...he does not care to respect that boundary. He's a man onto himself." He reached over and touched her hand. "I hope he never comes to know you Raina. You are the kind of life he would like to snuff out. Just because he can."

              She drew in a startled breath.

              "He causes pain to anyone he meets."

              She swallowed. "And his gifts?" She was really scared to even know. But she had to know!

              "My grandfather has the gift of immortality to mortals. My father has the gift of mortality to immortals... ending in death."

              She set her hand to her heart.

              "Yeh...he’s all around not a good guy. He stands me, because I am his son...but he usually cannot stand competition. He hasn't hurt Thanatos...he seems to give my sister some measure of joy."

              Raina folded her arms. "To bad Thanatos can't say the same."

              He chuckled. "I do like you Raina."

              She offered him a smile, the swallowed again. "And he's left Nolan?"

              "Because of my sister’s infatuation. He doesn’t even fear the fact that he could get in trouble for such things. Immortals are not without laws. He disregards each one."

              Raina felt anger seep through her. "That’s all pretty messed up," she whispered.

              "Welcome to my life little one."

              “Is it a good life?” She gave him a small smile.

              “It has been a good one for me. What about you?”

              Raina shrugged. “It hasn’t been without obstacles or pain. But it is starting to look up.”

              He chuckled. “Nolan?”

              She nodded.

              “Love is a marvelous thing.”

              She leaned back comfortably, gazing at an alligator sunning himself in the late morning sun. Her eyes wandered back to Jonathan, again peaking at him from the corner of her eye. "What about you Jonathan? Do you have a girl?"

              He smiled. "I've had a few."

              "Mortals?"

              He shook his head. "I do not trust myself to have the self-control to...to even try to be interested. I respect Nolan...envy him even, but I could not do what he is doing."

              She frowned. "So there is no hope for us?"

              He leaned forward, capturing his full attention. "There is always hope, Raina. If anyone can find a way, it’s Nolan."

              "And if he can't?"

              Jonathan sighed. "Let’s dwell on the hope, okay? And the fact that right now...you two can enjoy each other. Even if it involves abstinence."

              She smiled. "I like you Jonathan."

              He chuckled, then without looking over his shoulder, called, "Welcome back Nolan."

              Raina jumped up, a little too eager, but she'd chastise herself later. Nolan’s appearance was always cause for turmoil to her system.

              "You're back."

              He smiled, his warm silvers taking her in. "I thought I'd find you with the gators."

              She shyly advanced to him, and was pleased when his arms went about her. "And making a new friend."

              He tipped her chin so she looked up at him. "Well, I approve of this friendship."

              Jonathan got up, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Does that mean I can visit now and then?"

              "Of course," Raina chimed in. "If you prefer cool and cloudy verses your warm and sunny."

              Nolan squeezed her. "Did you want to go shopping?"

              She made a face.

              "Oh trust me...shopping with me will be a whole lot better than with Emily!"

              "How so?"

              "I'm not taking you for dress shop frills...though, those suit you well. We're going for bike gear."

              Her eyes lit. "Oh, you're right...I can go for a little of that!"

              He grinned at Jonathan. "Come see us soon."

              "We'll see you tomorrow?" Raina looked hopeful.

              Jonathan shook his head. "Work keeps me busy. I will see you though...again, I'm certain." He started out the door, walking with them as they went to exit.

              He turned to Nolan, as a servant opened the door for them. "You keep her safe...you hear? And if you need anything...you have my number."

              Nolan shook his hand. "I appreciate that."

              Raina waved off the offered hand and hugged Jonathan about the neck. "I am very glad to have met you, Jonathan," she spoke sincerely.

              Jonathan patted her back. "Same here little one. Get my number from Nolan...we'll talk again."

              Nolan took her arm gently, but still a little possessively.

              She gave him a smile. "Jonathan and I will be good friends," she stated.

              Jonathan laughed. "Oh Nolan, how your thoughts amuse me. Yes Raina, good friends."

Chapter 15 Stolen Control

            
 
"How was the trip?" Emily’s eyes danced.

              Raina smiled. "Nolan was wonderful."

“Nolan does a body good, huh?" Emily peeked at her from behind her cup, waggling her eyebrows.

              Raina's cheeks burned. "Honestly Emily...do you ever think of anything else?" She gave a shrug. "Nolan is very good to me...we are very good...together"

              “Don’t try to pull the friend card on me!”

              Raina shook her head. "I can be friends with pretty.”

              “Friends!” Emily rolled her eyes, and wiped the coffee foam from her lips. “Whatever it is...I like it," she said gently. "It is very becoming on you Raina, and I am thankful to Nolan...hottie, sweetheart, rogue...whatever he may be."

              Raina nodded. "I like it too. It’s just as complicated as it is fun," she admitted.

              “Yes...the intrigue alone, running and hiding...its jealousy inducing!" Her brown eyes lit. "Come on Rain...you have to give me more answers! I get pat comments about the down and dirty! Has he tried to kiss you again? Any words spoken? Come on, I'm dying here! You have to answer some questions!"