It looked to be late afternoon since pale remnants of the pink sky could be seen through the window. She got up and walked to one of the windows, glancing down at her body as she did. She wore an enormous black t-shirt and wondered if it belonged to Chase. Looking out the window, she saw a row of elegant townhouses on the other side of a narrow road. Most were made of red brick, with wrought-iron gates guarding the steps up to the front door. The room she was in was several stories up, so she could look beyond the houses across the way and see the tall buildings of downtown Boston.
Someone knocked softly on the door, which opened as she turned. Chase walked in, a gentle smile on his face. He stepped aside, and Sabrina’s throat tightened as another man stepped into the room.
She whimpered as the man, who was taller than Chase and had pale golden hair and bright blue eyes flecked with gold, walked toward her. His presence, his aura, was exactly like Khyan’s and Terric’s.
Sabrina backed away, her heart thundering in her chest. She looked at Chase, her jaw trembling, eyes filling with tears.
The man frowned and paused. Sabrina backed up more, squeezing herself against the wall.
“Sabrina?” Chase stepped forward. When she whimpered, he froze.
“Why did you bring him here?” she squeaked.
Chase looked confused as he glanced at the man, then back at her. “You’ve met Theo before?”
She shook her head. “But he feels like Khyan and Terric!” She squeezed her eyes shut and slid to the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees as her body shook in terror. She wanted to beg him to leave her alone, but there was no point in doing so. They always did as they wanted.
“Khyan?” an unfamiliar voice said. It had to be Theo. He had the same deep, resonating tone she associated with an Immortal. Sabrina shivered at the sound. “That is a name I have not heard in a long time.”
“Sabrina, this . . . this is a friend of mine. He won’t hurt you.” She heard footsteps and felt Chase next to her. “Please, look at me.”
She opened her eyes and saw his concerned face through her tears. “He’s like them,” she whispered.
“How?” Chase asked gently.
“He . . . feels like them. His presence . . . It’s the same.”
Chase hugged her to him. “He won’t hurt you,” he murmured and kissed her head.
“She is very sensitive to us. Interesting.”
Sabrina looked up at Theo, wondering what he was talking about. She thought about what Chase said and studied Theo. Slowly, she started to sense the differences. His eyes were kind and full of concern.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered.
Theo’s eyes instantly grew even softer. “Oh, Daughter, what did Khyan do to you?”
His words, what he called her, struck her heart and she didn’t understand why.
He walked over, slowly, his hands extended, palms facing toward her. “I promise, I will not hurt you. I want to make sure you are healed and then we will talk. Is that acceptable?”
She nodded, not totally convinced, but what else could she do?
*****
Chase watched as Theo knelt in front of Sabrina. She shivered, although her face was slowly regaining the color it had lost when Theo walked in. Chase had no idea who Khyan was, but the way Theo had reacted, he assumed he was an Immortal.
Chase, of course, had heard of evil Immortals, but had never met one, or even heard of one being around. Not that Theo opened up about what went on in the Immortal realms. He knew Theo pretty well, or at least as well as any Elder-Son could know an Immortal, and he’d met the other Immortals, Samad and Atanas, who watched over his country, but didn’t have any sort of relationship with them. Theo wouldn’t hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it, but Chase also knew the Immortal was perfectly capable of destroying a human with minimal effort. They were powerful, enigmatic beings humans didn’t have any chance of fully understanding. Shortly after he’d met Theo, he’d stopped trying.
“I am going to place my hand on your head and search your body for injury,” the Immortal said in a gentle voice. He waited for Sabrina to nod before slowly extending his hand toward her and resting it on top of her head. Their eyes closed simultaneously and an Immortal energy soon filled the room. Sabrina relaxed into Chase’s arms and sighed as the bruises on her cheeks and legs disappeared. It was a strange sight to see the Immortal healing process, but he was thankful for it. He hated that Sabrina was still in pain, even after sleeping for an entire day.
When Theo removed his hand, she opened her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, her eyes full of wonder and confusion.
Theo smiled back at her. “It is my pleasure, Daughter.” He studied her eyes for a long moment. Sabrina stiffened slightly. Chase knew he was searching her mind, but didn’t know if Sabrina knew what was happening. She began to tremble again, and Theo stopped. “I know you have many questions.” He stood and extended his hand, helping her to her feet. “If you are willing, please come and speak with myself and Richard.” He glanced at Chase and held out his hand to him. “And Chase, of course.” He pulled Chase up as if he weighed nothing.
“Sabrina, do you want to get dressed first?” Chase asked as she started following Theo out of the room. His t-shirt she wore covered everything, but damn if she didn’t look sexy in it. He really didn’t want her wandering around in just a shirt with the men out in the living room. They’d never hurt her, but he didn’t like the idea of them lusting after the woman he wanted to marry.
She looked back at Chase. “Can I?”
“Of course. I had Jayson bring you some clothes.”
“Is there somewhere I can take a shower?” She made a face as she looked down at herself. He and Ethan had cleaned her up as best they could when they got back, but she had whimpered with each touch, so she was still covered with blood in a lot of places.
Chase nodded and led her across the room to a door. “The bathroom is through here. Everything you need should be in there. Come on out when you’re done. I’ll make sure Mrs. Porter has something for you to eat, too.”
“Mrs. Porter?”
“My housekeeper.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh.”
“When you go out the bedroom door, go left and follow the hallway to the living room. We’ll wait for you there.” He smiled and kissed her temple, then he and Theo left, closing the door softly behind them.
“Is she okay?” he asked as they walked down the hallway.
“Yes. Her mind is sound and body healed. She is very confused, but open and honest communication will solve that.” Theo tilted his head. “Do not worry, my friend. All will be well.”
Chase scoffed. “You said her being here was an ill omen. How can you now say that everything will be fine?”
“Her heart is open to you. You are well on your way to winning her heart. Be the man I know you are and she will learn to trust you.”
“By the end of the year? I have only a few months left before I have to get married. If she can’t learn to trust me—”
“Chase, though the events of the past few days have been terrible, good has come from them. She believes in you. You have now rescued her twice. That speaks to her heart more than any number of flowers or poems ever could. She feels safe around you. That is what she desires more than anything. To be safe. And to be accepted.”
“Accepted? Why wouldn’t I accept her?”
“She has many wounds in her spirit. She believes many things that are untrue. You must expose and heal those wounds if she is to fully accept who she is and, as a result, be able to accept you.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
Theo smiled. “You will understand when it is time. I must speak to someone briefly. I will return soon.”
Theo disappeared in a flash of light. Chase sighed. Theo was sometimes so damn puzzling, it drove him c
razy. He wondered if the Immortals spoke in riddles on purpose, just to drive the humans insane.
Chapter Forty-Three
Chase walked into the living room and sighed at the expression on Richard’s face. He was concerned about something, which usually meant a lecture was forthcoming. He nodded to Richard and Tom, then walked over to the younger man sitting next to Tom. “Tommy, I didn’t realize you’d come up.”
Tommy, who was thirty-five or so, was a younger version of his father, with ash-blond hair and friendly blue eyes. He smiled easily and was very kind, always willing to help Chase with Elder-Son things when asked. “Well, I’d heard so much about Sabrina, I couldn’t resist the chance to meet her. Plus, you know, Elder stuff.” He glanced at his dad. “A chance to learn something new.” Chase chuckled as they shook hands before sitting down in the middle of the couch.
“She okay?” Ethan asked quietly.
Chase nodded. “Yeah. She’s okay.”
Ethan nodded, looking pleased. “Good.”
Chase wondered at the concern in his friend’s eyes. Ethan was a level-headed guy who didn’t fall for women easily. Chase couldn’t help but see something in his expression that, if he were honest with himself, might make him jealous. It would be easy to chalk it up to Sabrina’s Immortal abilities to seduce men, even without meaning to, but Chase knew it wasn’t possible. Several years ago, after a half-Immortal had been used to seduce and manipulate an Elder’s way into power, the Elders decided they needed to be protected from the powers of women like that. The Immortals agreed and gave them a sort of “immunization” against them. Chase, when he started doing work for the Brotherhood, had asked for his men to have the same immunity.
“Is she awake?” Richard asked as Chase settled into his favorite spot on his couch.
He nodded and reached for a slice of apple from the tray on the coffee table. “Theo finished healing her and she’s taking a shower before coming out.”
“Good.” Richard nodded. “Have you figured out how you’re going to win her over after all this?”
“Theo said she was well on her way to opening up to me,” Chase replied slowly. “Why?”
“You heard what he said about making good and bad choices. I’m concerned she won’t be able to be in a relationship with someone because of her abuse.”
“Why would you say that?” Chase frowned.
“Victims of abuse often have trust issues. I don’t want you to get hurt trying to win her over if it’s not possible. You only have a few more months.”
“I know, Richard,” Chase growled. “I’m very aware of my time limitations. You remind me constantly.”
“And I want you to know that if things don’t work out between you two, I will gladly step in and take care of her.”
Chase glared at Richard.
“Chase, we’re just trying to be practical,” Tom said quickly. “We all hope you’re able to win Sabrina over, but if you can’t . . . She needs to be protected, from herself and whomever is after her.”
“I would take good care of her,” Richard said gently. “You know that.”
“You just want her for yourself.”
“I can’t deny that she could be very helpful to me. To all of us.” Richard motioned toward Tom, who nodded.
Anger bubbled up inside Chase. “I won’t let you do that to her. We don’t even know if she knows who and what she is. Who knows how she’ll react?” Chase sighed. “You know how I feel, yet you want to steal her away before we even have a chance to get to know each other.” He stood and paced the room.
Richard stood. “Chase, be reasonable. I’m trying to make sure good choices are made all around. She may not be interested in marrying anyone. They rarely are. Then what will happen to her? To you?
“You’d rather me marry one of the women you’ve thrown my way the last few years so you can keep Sabrina for yourself, wouldn’t you?” Chase snapped. “Your daughter maybe?”
Richard sighed. “You know that’s not true, Chase. I love you. You’re the son I never had. I want you to be happy.”
“You think I could be happy marrying someone I’m not in love with?”
“Feelings come and go. Marriage is a commitment, not an emotion.”
Chase walked to the far end of the room and stared out over the city. Why was he so angry? Theo had told him that he was on the right track to winning over Sabrina. He knew Richard and knew he wouldn’t steal her from him. Richard was just being pragmatic, a trait he usually appreciated in his father-figure. Maybe he was just tired. It had been a stressful few days.
He let out a deep breath and spoke softly. “Please support me while I try and get to know her, Richard,” Chase said, turning and giving Richard a pleading look. “Theo says I’m on the right track. It’s the middle of October. Give me a few weeks to see if I can get through to her. If not, I’ll encourage her to go under your protection.”
Richard nodded. “I can do that. I will do whatever I can to help.”
“Chase, be careful,” Tom said. “If someone is after her, which is likely the case, she is in danger. And, if they know about you, you may be, too.”
*****
Sabrina dressed. The long, hot shower made her feel better physically, though her mind still threatened to replay the memories of the last few days.
She leaned against the vanity and stared down at the white marble. Yes, Neil had hurt her. A lot. It was like being back in Arizona when she was first taken. But he’d also made her come so easily. What kind of kidnapping victim found pleasure in her torture? It had always been like that. Her body and mind were so weak, others could manipulate her into orgasm with a flick of the finger. The pain intensified the pleasure. The pleasure made the pain worthwhile. Almost.
Chase had rescued her. He had broken down the door and carried her away to safety. Just like she’d dreamed for years before she’d escaped to Boston. He’d also made it so Aiden wouldn’t bother her anymore. She was eternally grateful for his help, but she was worried that he seemed so taken by her. He was a good man. She knew this after spending time with him. Dinner the other night had been so much fun. But she’d gone and ruined it by running away.
If she hadn’t run away, none of this would have happened. Maybe. Apparently, someone from her past knew she was in Boston and had let her have a life until he needed her. But had Chase interrupted his plans? Would whoever it was try to take her again?
Sabrina swallowed hard. Why wouldn’t he try to take her again? She closed her eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm her rampant heartbeat. She didn’t want to go back to that kind of place. She liked her freedom, or whatever she had out here. She liked dancing with the ballet company. She loved dancing with Jayson. She loved being able to do as she pleased and not worry about being punished.
That was over now, though. It was only a matter of time before she was taken again. And how many times would it take before Chase tired of rescuing her? She wasn’t worth all that.
In the car, he’d told her he wanted to marry her. Why? Hadn’t Jayson told him what she was? What she’d done?
But how much did Jayson know? Probably not enough to warn Chase off. He didn’t know she wasn’t human, either. Now that she thought about it, Jayson didn’t know a lot about her. How could he have warned Chase away if he didn’t really know what she was?
She would have to tell him.
The hallway seemed endless as she took step after step toward where Chase said he’d wait for her. Her stomach churned when she heard several voices floating toward her as she approached the room. Who else was in there?
She stopped in the entryway and saw Chase and four other men sitting on the couch. They all stood when they saw her.
She was certain one of the men was Richard. His intense brown eyes and distinguished looks were hard to forget. The man near Chase, looking only a few years older
than Sabrina, had very short brown hair and hazel eyes. He’d been in her living room the day she’d told Chase about Aiden. He stood straight and tall, like Chase did, making her think he was a soldier, too. The two men near Richard looked very similar to each other, except for the age difference. Father and son? They both had handsome, narrow faces with blue eyes and ash-blond hair, though the older man had a good amount of gray in his. The older man also had the same bearing and presence as Richard. The Immortal presence. She swallowed nervously, wondering if they were all here to hurt her. She could sense that they wanted her, but it felt . . . different. She’d not felt anything like that before and wasn’t sure what to do.
“Sabrina,” Chase said with a smile, hurrying over to her. “Did you find everything you needed in the bathroom?”
She nodded and allowed him to embrace her. She leaned into him before cautioning herself about it. I shouldn’t let myself be comfortable in his presence. I shouldn’t allow myself to find comfort in his arms. I’m not good for him. I need to remember that.
Though she reminded and scolded herself, she wished she didn’t have to. She liked the feelings he brought out in her.
She pulled away and smiled politely up at him. “Thank you for rescuing me,” she said softly, then looked away. She couldn’t bear to gaze up into his eyes. It hurt too much.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, guiding her over to the couch. On the coffee table was a platter of cheese, crackers, and fruit, along with a pitcher of water and some glasses.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” She was lying, but accepting anything from him felt wrong. He would learn what she was and regret offering her anything. When he took her hand, warmth and peace surged through her body, making her chest tighten. If only she were a normal girl instead of a whore. Then maybe she’d be good enough for Chase.
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