The apartment came into view and the phone in her pocket once again vibrated with urgency.
“Well, this is me,” she said, trying to sound casual.
“All right, but promise me you won't walk alone anymore,” Mills said, looking down at her.
“I promise,” she lied.
“Alright. You have a good day,” Mills said.
“You too.” The phone was silent again as she watched Officer Mills walk away.
Alexis entered the apartment building with a heavy sigh. It had been a long but informative night, and while she relished having a home to return to, she wasn’t keen on returning to it alone.
“Morning!” Mr. Valentine greeted her as she entered the apartment building.
She smiled at the old man. “Morning, how are you, Mr. Valentine?” she petted the equally old bloodhound mix who greeted her eagerly.
“As well as can be expected. It's no fun getting old.” He rubbed his right hip. “I’ve seen you coming and going these last few weeks. You living with Jaden?” he asked.
“I'm staying with her for a while,” she replied. “I work nights so I'm here all day. Feel free to come by if you need help with anything,” she offered.
“You're such a nice child. Your parents should be ashamed of themselves,” he replied, frowning.
“What do you mean?” she asked, fear slowly rising within her.
“I watch people and I don't miss much. I can't do much else nowadays. Don't you worry, child. Your secret is safe with me.”
Alexis did not know what to say. Since she had met Jaden, her life had been filled with angels. “Thank you, and I meant what I said. If you need anything please come and see me,” she said.
“The same goes for you,” he replied.
She nodded. “I promise.”
“When Jaden gets back, tell her some men in suits came by earlier. They were looking for her.”
“Did they say what they wanted?” Alexis asked worriedly.
“Nope,” Mr. Valentine replied, rocking back and forth.
“Oh,” Alexis said, biting her bottom lip.
“I told them I haven't seen her in a while,” he added, then scratched his dog's head between his ears.
Alexis shifted her weight. “She's—”
He raised his hand, silencing her. “I watch everything going on within this building and from what I have observed, Jaden is a very secretive person. I served in the Air Force for fifteen years. I know when someone is into something bad. I don't want to be involved but you seem like a nice kid, so I'm giving you a heads up. Take some friendly advice from a nosy old man: stay away from Jaden. She's trouble.”
“She's been very nice to me,” Alexis defended.
Mr. Valentine shrugged and pointed a stern finger at Alexis. “People like her never do anything for free. She wants something from you and in my experience, they always get what they want, one way or another.”
She wants to make me immortal, for me to give up my soul, if I even have one, Alexis thought. “Thank you. I'll take your words into consideration,” she said, forcing a smile just for him.
Mr. Valentine nodded. “I hope you have a good day, young lady.”
“You too,” she replied.
Once inside the apartment with the door locked up tight, she pulled her phone from her pocket. She sat on the love seat, fearful questions racing though her mind. The phone vibrated and vibrated. She slowly pressed the answer button.
“Alexis!” Jaden's said, her voice worried.
She did not answer; she didn't know what to say. “Alexis!” Jaden repeated firmly.
“Did you kill them?” Her voice was low, frightened.
Jaden sighed in relief. “Alexis, why didn't you answer? I was worried.”
“Don't change the subject. Did you kill them?” Her voice was louder now, harsh.
“I've killed a lot of people. You will have to be more specific,” Jaden replied, annoyed.
“Lots?” Alexis breathed.
“I'm Immortal. It happens.”
“How many?” She didn't want to know, but the question just came out and she couldn't take it back.
“Why does it matter?” Jaden asked, harsh.
“It matters.”
“I don't know, Alexis,” she replied.
“You don't know?” Alexis repeated, shocked.
“A thousand, maybe more. It's not like I kept a running tally,” she snapped.
A thousand! “And the men who attacked me in the metro station?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Alexis—”
“Three bodies completely drained of blood were found yesterday by the police. They're sitting in the police morgue, right now. Please tell me you didn't kill them.”
There was no reply, just silence. “You did, didn't you?”
“They would have hurt someone else,” Jaden replied.
“You don't know that,” Alexis shrieked.
“Yes, I do, and they would have kept hurting people if I hadn’t stopped them.”
Alexis knew she was right, but it did not justify murder. “They could have been drunk and...”
“And what, Alexis? Dumb, foolish, unable to comprehend right from wrong? Is that how you rationalize what he did to you? People like them never change,” Jaden growled.
“They're not worth going to jail for!” Alexis yelled, tears gliding down her cheeks.
“Alexis,” Jaden's voice was softer, gentle. “I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper.”
Alexis slid off the settee and wrapped her arms around herself, sobbing softly into the phone. I can’t lose her. I can’t be alone!
“Please forgive me. Please, my love,” Jaden begged.
Alexis sniffed. “What if they find out? They have DNA and finger printing tests. You could go to jail!”
“That will not happen. Some of my kind specialize in removing bodies, evidence—anything that could be used to reveal us to mortals. They never miss anything,” she explained softly.
Alexis wiped her tears on Jaden's shirt. “But there was camera footage. Officer Mills told me a camera caught them running into an alley.”
“Who is Officer Mills?” Jaden asked.
“A regular from Sal's. Annie introduced me to him. He saw me walking home and told me about the bodies to scare me into not walking to work.”
“He's right, you shouldn't be walking around at night. It's not safe,” Jaden replied.
“I'm fine. You're the one going around killing people,” Alexis snapped.
There was only silence. “If they find out—”
“That's not going to happen. Trust me; we have been doing this for centuries,” Jaden interrupted her.
“Anyone can miss something. Being immortal doesn’t make you infallible,” she pointed out.
“Alexis!”
“Okay fine, but promise me something,” she said, rubbing the back of her hand across her cheek.
“Anything,” Jaden said quickly.
Alexis sighed. “Promise you won't kill anyone else.”
“Alexis... I—”
“Promise me, Jaden!” she pressed.
“I promise to try,” Jaden replied.
Alexis sniffed again. “I love you and I don't want anything to take you away from me.”
“Nothing will ever take me from you. I love you too much.”
“I miss you,” she said, her tears returning.
“I miss you too,” Jaden replied.
Alexis moved to the bed. “Can you tell me some more of the story?” she asked.
“Okay.”
Jaden continued from where she had left off, reciting three more chapters, until Alexis was breathing softly in her sleep. Sophia purred gently beside her.
“Look out for her, Sophia,” Jaden said, and then hung up the phone.
Seventeen
with the second day nearly gone and the third upon me, I sat by the bonfire, watching it flicker in the dark. My eyes followed the sparks
as they left the fire and floated up into the clear night sky. The moon was a small crescent and the stars peered down at us from the heavens. I smiled; I had missed seeing the stars. Los Angeles had so many lights it was nearly impossible to see them.
I sighed.
“You okay?” Max asked.
“Content, but slightly lonely,” I replied.
“We could help,” James offered. He sat across from me leaning against Maxwell, their hands intertwined.
“Was it hard in the beginning for you two?” I asked. “Or did your being together just fall into place?”
“Love is always hard work,” Max replied, wrapping his arms around James, who added, “And sacrifice, but that is how you know it's real.”
“In those days, everything was in constant turmoil—in both the mortal and the immortal world. It was the height of the Roman Empire, the Immortal city was gone and the High King dead. You could say I was the council's errand boy, collecting tributes from the major human rulers. Never stayed long in one place,” Max said.
“I was the third son of an equestrian class house. My family was on the verge of becoming nobility,” James said. “Both of my brothers served in the Roman army. My father was a stern man, optimistic for my future. My idea was far from his, so I ended up with quite the reputation for being promiscuous and lazy.”
“Bandits attacked my caravan and this amazing young man came to my rescue. James rode in on a large white horse, sword drawn and ten soldiers at his back.” Max looked into James's eyes. “He's smart, strong and oh, the nights of passion. I'm so glad you came to my rescue.”
“So am I,” James said and they kissed.
I looked at my empty hands, closing them. “And you two are okay having sex with other people?”
Max laughed. “You could say we are connoisseurs of pleasure.”
James grinned. “We like variety.”
“You are one of our more interesting clients,” Max said.
I looked up. “Really, why?”
“Because your tastes in pleasure so resembled our own,” he explained.
“Which is a rarity,” James added.
I laughed. “I like variety, too.”
“Hey, guys,” Desiree said, sitting down next to me.
“Hey, Dez.” I smiled at her.
“It looks like we're going to have a quiet night.” She looked up at the moon.
My walkie buzzed. “You were saying?” I said, frowning at her.
“Go ahead,” I said into the walkie.
“This is Annora. I need to speak with you, east balcony. Now!” she ordered.
“Why?” I asked.
“Now, Elysian,” she commanded.
“It's Jaden!” I growled into the walkie as I stood.
Maxwell shook his head.
“Now!” Annora repeated.
“I'm coming. Christ!” I swore.
I clipped the walkie back to my belt, and when I looked up three sets of eyes met mine. “What?” I yelled at them.
“You shouldn't let her treat you like a servant,” Desiree said, frowning.
“You're not her slave anymore, Jaden,” Max added.
“I know!” I said. “Gods, just lay off.”
I could feel them watching me as stalked toward the balcony. I found her standing, looking out into the night.
She was a lovely sight in a short royal blue party dress. Her raven hair blew gently in the breeze. Why did I let her treat me like a slave? I glowered. Lifetimes ago she had been everything to me. She is still the same—beautiful and cold. I’ve changed. I clinched my fists. I’m no ones slave. I climbed the outer stairs and stood behind her on the balcony.
“You could have told me,” she said.
“What are you going on about?” I asked, crossing my arms.
She turned, scowling. “Did you fuck her, too?” she accused, angry fire burning in her eyes as she closed the space between us.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I knew you were a whore, but Ivy was a council member. That's low—even for you.” She shook her head.
“Fuck off!” I replied and she smacked me across the face, hard.
Anger coursed through my veins. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“You're what's wrong with me. I gave you immortality and left you in charge of my castle and lands to recover an important relic from our history. When I returned, I found my castle a smoldering ruin and my lands in the hands of a mortal Lord,” she snapped.
“How was I supposed to know what you were doing?” I screamed. “You left while I slept and you sent no word; I felt like you abandoned me. I waited inside that castle for a hundred years hoping you would come back. The villagers would have killed me if it wasn't for the council.”
I put my hands onto my chest. “I searched for you, Annora.”
She shrugged. “I know.”
My body tensed. “You knew…” I couldn't believe her. “Why didn't you tell me you were okay? Why didn’t you write me or call me—or send any word at all?” Pain washed over me and quickly mixed with anger.
“Wesley informed me that Ivy had taken you as her apprentice and you were thriving. I thought it best to let you continue training and learning to be self-reliant,” she replied. “It was in your best interest.”
“In my best interest?” I repeated, my heart broken.
“Yes,” she said. “Everything I've done for you was to improve you and you couldn't wait even for a few years for me?”
“A few years?” I gapped. “Annora, I waited eight hundred and seventy-six years for you. I thought you loved me. You broke my heart.” My voice cracked.
She sighed then asked, “Have you learned nothing?” She shook her head, disgusted. “Still nothing more than a simple slave.”
I stepped back as if she had stabbed me through the heart. That is what it felt like. I can't stay here, I can't. I turned and started to walk away.
“By the way, the council is asking for you,” she said.
I froze. “Why?” I asked, not turning to look at her.
“Like you don't know!” Annora said.
I turned to face her. “Why the fuck would I know what they want?” I screamed, my anger boiling over.
She rolled her eyes and turned her back to me. “I wouldn't keep them waiting.”
I set my jaw, clenched my fists, and swallowed the pain and anger that swam around in my throat as I entered the mansion. She knew, all these years. How could she? I hate her!
Descending the interior stairs, I crossed the long hallway to the large double oak doors. Managing to shove my feelings aside, I knocked, flinching when it echoed through the hall and into the room beyond.
“Come!” a female voice commanded.
With trembling hands, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The dimly lit room had a giant conference table at the center and wall to wall, lavish daffodil-colored carpet. Two large masked guards stood on each side of the interior doors.
At the head of the table was a giant oak chair in which a longhaired, shadowed figure sat. I instantly recognized Lady Marianna, the leader of the First and head councilwoman. She sat to the right of the shadowed man, who I assumed was Prince Arron.
She bowed slightly to me, her light brown eyes kind. Relief washed over me. I was not in trouble. Beside her, Lord Anton sat rigid in his seat. His bald head and nearly black eyes made him stand out among the other members. Pain tugged at my heart when I saw the soft curves of the empty chair—Ivy's seat. Lord Joffrey and François occupied the last two seats to the right of the Prince.
Lord Joffrey was an intellectual man with long, straight brown hair, while Francois was a blond man with turquoise eyes. To Prince Arron's left was Lord William, Desiree's husband. He was a muscular, silver-haired man with light gray-blue eyes.
Lady Elizabeth occupied the next seat. The short black dress and nylons she wore accentuated her hazel eyes and light blonde hair. The auburn-haired, gray-eyed Lord
Kayne towered over the short, quiet Lady Nadia, with her black hair and dark brown eyes. Lord Kim, a Chinese man of short stature with dark, almond-shaped eyes, occupied the last seat.
I crossed to stand in front of the table. “I was summoned,” I said, bowing deeply.
“Jaden, we wished to discuss the inheritance left to you,” the man I assumed was Prince Arron said, his powerful, chilling voice sending prickles over my skin.
“Inheritance?” I asked, confused.
One of the masked guards stepped forward and set two swords on the table in front of me. I instantly recognized the beautifully handmade black leather sheaths with silver inlay and wrapped grips. They were Ivy's silver blades.
“It is very unusual for a council member to leave a will, let alone an item for a member of another’s House,” Lady Marianna said.
I tenderly ran my hand across the black leather. “Do you know why Ivy would leave you these weapons?” Lady Nadia asked.
“I was her last apprentice and I did express interest in them at one point. However, I am not sure why she would give them to me. She always said I would never make a good swordsman.”
Leaning forward in his seat, Lord Kim folded his short, thin arms in front of himself. “She must have thought you had some potential to leave them to you.”
I met his suspicious eyes. “If she did, she never expressed so openly.”
“Ivy was a Seer; perhaps she saw that Jaden would have need of them,” Lady Elizabeth stated.
“It could just be a simple gift to a former student,” Lord Joffrey declared.
“Ivy's intentions should be discussed elsewhere. They are not the focus of this meeting,” Lord William said.
“Lord William is right. This is a conversation for another time,” Lord Kayne said.
“Jaden, Ivy left the blades to you so by law and custom we present them to you. Take them and go,” Lady Marianna said, extending her hand towards me.
I bowed and gingerly picked up the weapons. “Thank you.” I bowed again.
Annora, Max, and Desiree were waiting outside the conference room as I exited. My anger returned at the sight of Annora.
Jaden's Heart Page 14