The Awakening (53 page)

              "To protect Nolan," she cried. "He can't face Richard alone!"

              "And how are you going to protect him?"

              Raina bit her lip. "He can't face him alone! He'll be hurt Thanatos!"

              "And what are you going to do, tiny little mortal?" He squeezed her arm. "Nolan will talk to him. Elenora doesn't want Nolan hurt."

              "She’s not with him," she whispered. "Richard would just as soon take Nolan out."

              "What am I supposed to do, Raina?" He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair.

              She had never seen him this way. "I...I could call Elenora."

              "Then she'll know Nolan was going to my home to protect me. Our cover would be blown!"

              "It’s already blown blondy."

              Raina spun around to face Elenora. The voice sent chills up and down her spine.

              "I’ve been to Nolan’s place." She tossed a picture at her. "Who uses a date stamp on their pictures anymore? So, old school."

              Raina fumbled to catch the photo.

              Thanatos straightened, stepping closer to Raina.

              Elenora lifted her brow, catching his action. "You don't look shocked Thanny. Don't tell me you knew too?"

              He frowned. "Knew what?"

              She glared at him. "Don't play the Moran! I know what’s been going on."

              "Do you know Nolan is about to confront your father?"

              She paled. Her beautiful features looked gaunt. "What?"

              Raina nodded. "He found that your father was awaiting me at my house. He...he went to protect me."

              "And you let him?" she cried.

              "I don't "let" Nolan do anything. I'm just as in shock too. I don't even know what to do!" Raina blinked away tears.

              Elenora raised her chin, then spun about and stomped toward the door. "Come, Thanatos, bring the mortal like a good boy. I have to save Nolan’s lovely ass." She snapped at him.

              Raina frowned and looked toward him.

              Thanatos grabbed Raina’s arm, and pulled her along.

              "Where are we going?"

              "Your home."

              "I thought I wasn't allowed to go home?"

              "I guess we have no choice now do we?" The green eyes were withdrawn, angry, but determined.

Chapter 18 Feelings to the Surface

            
 
The house was dark; the moon was hiding as well, when they pulled into the drive. Clouds had gathered, as if they knew this moment should be darkened. It was ominous how quiet and still it was. Nolan’s red charger flashed bright in Thanatos' headlights.

              "Where is he?" Raina whispered, when she saw he was not in the car.

              Thanatos shook his head. "Something isn't right."

              Raina shivered.

              He got out of the truck. "Stay Raina," he ordered.

              Elenora was now beside Thanatos...her car parked directly behind them.

              "Dad?" she called.

              Raina didn't want to be left alone, but she couldn't move from the seat. She bit down hard on her lip. She could feel the bile rising she was so scared.

              The leaves above rustled restlessly. It only chilled the otherwise silence.

              There was heaviness in the air, and the fear, the anticipation was palpable. What were they doing here? What could they possibly do against an immortal with the strength to hurt another immortal?

              A buzzing at her knee scared her, and she glanced down in the console, where Thanatos' phone sat. It was buzzing with a text. Raina slowly reached for it. The text was from Bradley. She slowly texted back, she was trying not to bring any attention to herself.

              "Daddy? It’s Elly… don't do anything stupid."

              Raina hit send on her message, and then slowly started out of the truck.

              Thanatos glared at her. "So bull headed," he growled, when she got to his side.

              "Richard came to see me," she whispered.

              Thanatos frowned. "You will not put yourself in danger."

              She tugged his arm, so he lowered to her level. She whispered in his ear," He can't make a scene for long."

              He furrowed his brow. "He'll make a scene long enough to hurt you."

              Raina shook her head. "He won't."

              "Will you two shut up," Elenora growled.

              Raina straightened her shoulders. She rushed passed Thanatos before he could grab her. "He wants me...not you...not even Nolan. Why not just give him what he wants?" Raina spoke loud, knowing if he was near....he'd hear her.

              A dark chuckle came from the side of the house. "Ah, it’s as if she can read my thoughts!"

              She shivered, feeling much like the night she meet Thanatos...ten times worse.

              A tall man stepped from the side yard. He was in a dark leather jacket. His hair was black...his eyes black. His face was covered in a dark, heavy, stubble as well.

"Hmm, pretty girl...now I can see what all the fuss is about. Aren't you just a little burst of sunlight?"

              Raina shivered. There was a pure evil in those eyes, and a strength that radiated from him. It was like nothing she had ever experienced. Her adrenaline spiked, and her stomach flipped repeatedly. She only prayed she looked brave.

              "Your protector...he's very strong. You do know because he was fighting for you...he gave me a run for my money."

              Raina gasped. "You...you didn't hurt..."

              "Hurt him? Yes, I think I rather did."

              "Daddy," Elenora screamed.

              "I said hurt...not killed...not...extinguished." He cocked his head. "He will heal."

              Raina felt strength leaving her. She needed to be with Nolan now.

              "Come here, Raina." Her name on his tongue felt dirty.

              "What do you want of me?" She lifted her chin defiantly.

              "A taste."

              "No," she bit out, before Thanatos could stupidly say the same. It would be an act of defiance coming from him. Coming from her, it was a challenge.

              "No?" He laughed seductively. "You are too small...too fragile to tell me...no." He grinned. “Come here little lightning bug.”

              Raina stood her ground.

              "I came here tonight rather looking forward to doing away with you quickly for my little girl’s sake. But standing here, feasting on you, your, aura, your beauty; I'm thinking quick would be such a waste....when I could take your life slowly. I promise you would enjoy every moment." He took a step closer. "I would enjoy every moment."

              Thanatos fists clenched. Raina willed him to stay put. She had no idea what she was doing. She just knew to distract Richard as long as she could.

              "How has Nolan not christened you?"

              Raina bit the inside of her cheek.

              "He says he loves her Daddy, not me. You can't let her get away with that."

              Richard’s dark eyes took in Raina. "I think the blame lies nowhere. How could Nolan resist loving her? And how could Raina be less irresistible?"

              Elenora gasped. "She's an ugly little mortal."

              "Have you no eyes daughter?"

              Elenora fumed, crossing her arms.

              "Come, Raina...give me just a taste."

              Raina shook her head again. "I belong to Nolan," she whispered.

              This got Richards attention. "And you think I cannot just take you?"

              Raina shook her head. "Not from my protector. He would find you..."

              "And what? Do you know how powerful I am? You think one mere immortal fueled by, even a lovely mortal like you, could stand against me? Even if she does have the sun inside her...the rays coming from her hair...her eyes..."

              She shivered. "He could if he had Allies."

              "And who are they?"

              "I can't speak for them," she whispered.

              "Because there are none," he growled. "Nolan has no one who would defend him against me. They are all too afraid."

              Raina wished she could say Jonathan, Joseph, Thanatos would protect, but she would not put them in danger. "It is sad that you must use such force...such evil to get what you want, when gentleness...kindness could get you all you have and more."

              He frowned. "What has it gotten Nolan? All his gentleness…his sweetness? Broken and bleeding on the ground?"

              Raina's heart pounded. "He has me. And you cannot."

              "I can and I will.”

              Her blue eyes stung with tears and her knees turned to jelly. "You can never have in me what is his. So go ahead and hurt me." She closed her eyes.

              Richard stepped forward, standing a breath away from her. "Lift your face. Open those eyes to me."

              Raina obeyed.

              Richard glared down on her. "So beautiful, warm, it’s almost too much, your light. I would like to steal that light and harness the sun."

              Raina felt fear…raw fear sweep over her. Such power came from this man...yet he seemed transfixed by her. He was transfixed by one small mortal.

              "I will take my kiss, and we will see if it is enough," he grumbled huskily. He closed his eyes and inhaled, as if he could breathe in her essence.

              Raina took one second to look toward Thanatos and Elenora. Thanatos was a mass of fury, but unmoving, it was as if he were chained to that spot. Elenora had her eyes closed. She was concentrating...on what?

              Raina did not have long to think on this, Richards mouth descended roughly on top of hers, but before Raina could be repulsed by his touch, he was screaming, and jerking away from her...his eyes wild. His hand was over his mouth.

              "She burned me! I...she burned me!"

              Raina’s eyes widened and she touched her lips. They were as cool as the night air around them. "Burned?"

              "The bitch burned my lips." He ran his hand over his mouth, as though checking to make sure his lips were still intact. His hands trembled. "You will pay for that!"

              Raina was utterly confused. She trembled.

              "How did you do that?"

              Raina shook her head. "I don't know...I didn't mean..." she frantically shot a look to Thanatos. He was utterly speechless.

              It was then she noticed Elenora’s inability to look at them. Had she? No...she wouldn't have used a mind trick on her own father! Raina knew better to think it was for her at all that it was done...but she was thankful all the same.

              "Do it again...and you die," Richard growled, grabbing her arm. "For that…I am taking more than a kiss from you tonight.” He hauled her up, and gripped her neck. "Such a shame a pretty little piece of the sun has to die." He squeezed on her throat.

              "Please," she gasped. "Please don't."

              Raina didn't know what happened next. She was being held aloft one moment, then being thrown away. She fell hard against the ground; it dug into her skin. Richard was screaming again.

"What kind of witchcraft is this? Where is this fire coming from?" He kicked at her, causing her to tumble roughly across the ground.