Immortalis - Book 1 (The Keeper's Immortals)

by Marisa DeMaris

  “Now, now brother let’s not lie to the young lass.” The strange man said with a thick Irish accent, directing his words towards me. Reid looked back at me then back at the man, not saying anything. The silence was agonizing and the atmosphere was thick, making my stomach turn. I didn’t move, barely breathed but finally inhaled when Reid finally spoke. He really did look spooked at the sight of the tall, well built man.

  “Sebastian” He finally squeaked out. Without warning three others joined the one Reid called Sebastian. Two other handsome men and a strikingly beautiful woman who made me feel uglier than I did just after getting up from bed in the morning.

  “It’s wonderful to see your face again dear brother. I wish you felt the same way.” The woman said with a curtain amount of annoyance in her voice. I looked at Reid whose jaw was locked tight. I could practically hear his teeth grind together; his eyes seem to light up with fury just at the sight of these four unknown people.

  Three

  I stood there terrified, frozen. The one who looked the youngest smiled wickedly at me; his eyebrows arching with wonder. “She’s a cutie Reid. I’m impressed. I’m surprised you had it in you to trap yourself such a looker.” The young one said jokingly. I didn’t know if I should have taken that as a compliment or an insult so I only snickered at him.

  “Reid.’ I said turning to him. ‘Who are these people?” He looked at me then turned back to the one he called Sebastian.

  “If you all don’t mind I would prefer it if I didn’t air our families dirty laundry at the moment. Let me take her home and then I will come back and gladly talk to you all on some normal plain.” Reid said as he took my hand and turned me around, rushing me to the door only to be stopped by the only one who hadn’t talked yet.

  “Where do you think you’re going big brother? You don’t really think that we’re going to let you leave now do you?” The third unknown male said.

  “Stop it Blake, let us through. Let me take Nora home and then I’ll be back; I promise.” Reid explained. The one who, I knew was called Blake, looked at me oddly – strangely almost as if he didn’t believe something. His eyes weren’t as harsh for a moment but they harden back up quickly when he refocused his energy towards Reid.

  “Bullshit brother, that’s what you said the last time you left us. You’ll be back but left and didn’t think twice about it.’ Blake inched towards Reid’s face like a viper. ‘Tell me I’m wrong Reid. You didn’t care enough about us to stay with us. After all we’ve gone through, we promised to always stay together but you broke that promise without thought and why did you leave? So you can be with her kind?”

  “Whoa…my kind? What because I’m not talking with an accent?” I snapped without thought although I didn’t fully understand the situation. I was standing in a room with people who seemed to be shipped straight from Ireland and apparently was the siblings of my date yet he had no accent. My head started to hurt with everything that was happening around me and all I wanted at the moment was to go home.

  Blake slowly turned to face me, showing his teeth as if he was a dog ready to attack me. As fear ran through every inch of my body I did the opposite of what my mind told me to do which was hide behind Reid; I straightened my back and looked straight into his eyes. “No. Your kind as is m…” Blake started only to be cut off by Reid.

  “Stop now Blake, you don’t want to do something you would regret that could also put the rest of us in danger.’ Those words seem to make Blake stand down from his fight. ‘Now please, stand aside so I can take her home.”

  “Blake.’ Sebastian said. ‘Let them go. I’m sure our brother will return shortly.” Reid nodded towards his brother then grabbed my hand and walked me out. He took me to the end of the walk where we stopped for only a moment until he told me not to ask any question just to get into the car and to hold on. Once we were strapped in he took off like a bat out of hell. I had to admit, to myself only, that I was a bit fearful of losing my life during that car ride let alone the four mysterious strangers that had broken into his house, although they were apparently his sibling. I was so confused and that confusion was all I could focus on as we drove.

  “I can’t believe you let them leave Sebastian!” Blake roared showing his temper.

  “Calm yourself old one. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing? He is the smart one after all.” Ashwin assured her older brother. Blake turned to her with an ill tempered look on his face. Ashwin was immune to her brother’s looks but they still clashed on some topic although not many and this wasn’t one of them. They all wanted Reid back and this girl was keeping them from getting him.

  “Just tell us when.” Jaryn said with a smirk. His mind worked much like Sebastian’s. They were both very cunning and always knew the right move.

  “Now, get the girl. She’s how we’ll get him to return.” Sebastian demanded. Without a blink Jaryn was gone, speeding after his older brother on foot rather than using a vehicle, leaving the others follow in the car.

  Rather than taking me home Reid took me out to a country road where there wasn’t anyone around for miles. Pushing the speed limit farther than he should, getting stopped by a random police car was the last thing on his mind. Suddenly he stopped the car hard enough to make the dust fly around us and even with a belt buckle around me jolted me forward. I didn’t say anything but I finally built up enough courage to unbuckle myself, turn to him and forced myself to ask the question that had been burning my tongue. “What the hell was that all about?”

  “They’re my brothers and my sister.”

  “I gathered that much but they’re…why are they after you?’ He didn’t say anything so I asked him a different question and I knew the answer before he even answered. ‘You lied to me didn’t you? When you were telling me about how you parents died…that was lie right?”

  “Yeah it was…I’m so sorry Nora I just…”

  “If you lied to me about your parents, then what else have you lied to me about Reid?” I barked. I couldn’t even get through one date without something going drastically wrong. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be with anyone, Adam had been my downfall and now I wasn’t going to find anyone that was normal – that didn’t have a shady past and lies forming from the tip of their tongue.

  “Please let me explain. That’s all I ask of you, but then you can leave or stay. I’ll understand completely.” I through my hands up towards him signally him to go. “You’re right I did lie and I do a have flaw just like everyone. I…my siblings and I are…” He started but couldn’t seem to finish.

  “Oh God you are vampires aren’t you?” Those words brought a smile to his face. He laughed almost uncontrollably for a moment. It wasn’t helping me at the moment but it seemed to be helping him.

  “What?’ he laughed. ‘No, no vampires aren’t real.”

  “Then what? Reid just tell me, please! I’m already a little spooked so I’m sure nothing else will spook me.” I admit

  “I doubt that. Were different, I’m different.’ He said and that was when I noticed his voice had changed. He was now also speaking with an accent – the same Irish tongue of the ones who were back at his house. ‘I’m immortal.” I didn’t know what to say so I just blinked.

  “I’m sorry what?” I wasn’t thrown back by not only the information he had just told me but the fact that he was now also talking with a thick Irish accent just as the others were.

  “Nora, are you alright?” he asked me and he was right, I was spooked, scared worse than before.

  “You’re saying you can’t die? You’re joking right.” I laughed trying not to show that I was slowly freaking out inside.

  “You remember tellin’ me that when you looked me up on the internet you found that old legend about the Hollings family from Med Evil Ireland?’ I slowly nodded my head. ‘Well that story is about me and mine.”

  “But…eh…but you’re name is Hollingsworth.” I said.

  “I changed it up a bit. Trying to hide myself but it wouldn’
t have mattered. Blake can see things. He can see what is to come, so they would have found me sooner or later. I was hoping for later.”

  “Okay, okay stop. Before you say anything else you need to start from the very beginning and tell me everything because honestly I’m freaking out a little. Either you’re telling me the truth or you’re a complete nut job.” I requested of him. He let out a deep breath before he started his story. I listened to every word carefully, soaking it all in.

  “I was born a very long time ago in Mid Evil Ireland, to a very caring but poor family. Times were harsh. Europe was always plagued with something then. Illness, starvation, violence. My father Marclee and mother Alexandria wanted nothing more than to have their children live long and happy lives. The only way they knew to do this was to make the five of us become immortal. Have you ever heard of the mythical creatures The Keepers?” he asked me.

  “I’m heard of them mentioned in other tales but nothing of their own. All those stories are…made up anyways.” I explained. I had taken a mythology course during the summer at the community college because Trish wanted to start raking in the college credits.

  “Myths aren’t made up, not all of them. The Keepers aren’t a myth; I can assure you that they’re real. There are three of them; Ozlem, Lieka and Cade. My parents sought them out and once they had found them they pleaded to them to change us for their sake. After they saw their reasons were just they agreed but with the agreement came a sacrifice. In order to change us our parents agreed to give up their lives. They explained everything to us before The Keepers took their lives, then they split their essence between the five of us. This allowed us to live forever without death and The Keepers also gave us gifts; powers that would help us with our new lives. After we were released we started living our lives normally but then Blake got the idea that with our gifts we could live better, like mother and father would want us to. So we did whatever we wanted too but after so many decades of living one way you start to yearn for things you want but can’t have even with all the power in the world.”

  “And what is that?” I asked, much calmer than I was. I figured he wasn’t crazy; he had far too much detail in his story for him to have just made it. His demeanor was completely different than what I was used to. He was still the Reid that I cared about but he seemed different somehow. He seemed truly sad and I couldn’t stand seeing him that way. It was strange. Someone I barely knew had such an effect on me in such a short amount of time.

  “I wanted to be normal. I will always be immortal and for the gift of life I thank my parents for giving up theirs for us but I feel as if I’m damned. I’m damned to walk this earth alone, forever because even if I do find someone incredibly amazing I won’t be able to be with her for long. I can’t just be normal.” He told me with his eyes glazing over, forcing himself not to cry. I placed my hand on his face and smiled. My heart was aching for him and for myself as well. Now I knew that neither of us could be happy together.

  “Well the only thing you can do is find that person and be happy for as long as possible with them.” I stated. Our lips touched gently but soon the heat between us was to unbearable for me not to drag myself on top of him, kissing him still feeling as if my lips were on fire. “Ouch. What is that?” I asked as I pulled away quickly. He put his thumb to my lips.

  “That’s never happened to me before.” He said.

  “What is it?” I asked again, wondering what he was talking about as I felt my own lips that were still warm.

  “Remember when I said we were given gift? My power is electricity; I can feel when a storm is coming from miles away and when friction happens sparks can literally fly. It’s just never happened to me before with anyone. I knew you were special.” He said with a smile. I smiled as well and relaxed in the car next to him.

  “I’m not going to lie to you anymore Nora, when we were younger, per say, we weren’t the best people. We never looked down onto mortals, well Blake does but he’s a different story all together. We liked to play with them and sometimes things got a bit out of control. I just couldn’t do it anymore. ” He explained to me openly.

  “Have you ever killed anyone?”

  “Yes. Sometimes things couldn’t be helped and the seventies were unexplainable…a lot people died just because of the drugs that were everywhere. Be glad you weren’t alive in that era Nora, trust me.” He said and I smiled.

  “Well let’s just have right now since I don’t know how much longer I’ll have you since you’re family’s here, you might run again.” I told him.

  “I don’t know if I can though. You’re the first thing that has tempted my other power.”

  “Which is?”

  “Self control. I wish you could leave with me.” He said but we both know that I couldn’t. Besides the Amber Alert that would be set off, it would be crazy of me leaving with him since I had only known him, collectivity, for one day. I didn’t know what I wanted more, for him to kiss me because I liked him or for him to kiss me so I could feel something again. That spark, whether it was caused by his power or something between us, made me feel something for the first time since Adam. I was tired of being numb. He kissed me again only to have our sweet moment interrupted.

  “I have to admit you’re a fast one but you have a use a car, I don’t. You did lose me there for a while with that fork in the road but I sniffed her out easily. She smells.” Jaryn said with a cocky smile. I was offended by his remark but I didn’t mouth off. I didn’t know what they were capable of since now I knew that they weren’t even alive.

  “Jaryn please, just let us be.” Jaryn started to come back with a witty remark but stopped when something came to him.

  “Wait, you’re talking in your normal voice…you didn’t did you Reid? Oh my God what have you done? You just got telling Blake not to.” Jaryn snapped just as a car pulled up. It was black with tinted windows so dark I couldn’t see was in it, although I assumed it was others. I was right when I saw the eldest – Sebastian step out of the car.

  “What’s going on?” Sebastian asked as the other two finally joined him while standing next to Jaryn.

  “Reid’s told her, he’s told her everything I bet to.” Jaryn stated.

  “Reid how could you? You know what will happen if she opens her bloody mouth.” Ashwin barked to her brother. Suddenly Reid jumped from the drivers’ seat and into his sister’s face.

  “You will not talk to me like that. I am your older brother and you will respect me. Do you really think that I’m that stupid Ashwin? Of course I know what will happen but Nora won’t tell anyone, she wouldn’t put us in danger like that.” Reid yelled. I never heard him like that but I hadn’t had time to see his angry side.

  “I’m afraid we can’t take that chance. Jaryn, Blake.” Sebastian said while turning to his younger brothers. As they grabbed me, dragging me from Reid’s car to their own I watched Sebastian grab Reid by the throat and raise him from the ground.

  “Leave him alone.” I yelled only to be pushed into the car and to have the door slammed in my face. Inside the car I was being held by Ashwin, she didn’t have to psychically only glare at me with her blue eyes. I could feel them piercing my soul. It was as if, although I had the will, I didn’t have the way to move.

  “Don’t you hurt her! If you do I swear on our parent’s grave I’ll kill you.” Reid said threw a tightly gripped throat.

  “Don’t you worry, we won’t.” Sebastian assured him.

  “Not yet anyways.” Blake added with a snicker.

  “Shut your mouth brother.” Reid snapped back. Blake and Jaryn laughed and smiled towards each other. Without warning Sebastian had grabbed Reid by the throat, holding it firmly enough to choke him as he lifted him from the ground.

  “If you want her then you’ll have to come and get her brother. You know where to find us.” Sebastian said before forcefully throwing his younger brother deep into the thick woods. The three remaining brothers walked to the car and got in and headed to
the airport where they boarded a plane.

  “Where are you taking me?” I asked as I was tossed into a chair. The plane was actually a private jet so they could freely do with me what they wanted to. Blake walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink; smelt like whisky from where I was sitting at. Jaryn plopped in the seat next to me and smiled.

  “Were taking you home with us, thought we could have a little fun before Reid does.” He snickered. My stomach turned at the thought of what they were going to do to me.

  “Would you like a drink? Maybe it would chill you out, you’re voice alone is giving me a headache. I don’t know Reid has been able to endure you for as long as he has.” Blake said to me while turning away from the bar. Without warning Jaryn’s hand came closer to me, pulling at strands of my hair. He acted like a child who didn’t know what I was. I pulled away from him only to find Blake on top of me, drink in hand. He laughed as I attempted to push him off of me but he was far too heavy for me.

  “We’re not doing anything to the girl. We’re only using her to get Reid back and then we‘ll leave her be.” Sebastian said as he walked into the plane and took a seat on the opposite side of the plane from me. His words stopped his younger brother’s for only a moment before they went back to tormenting me.

  “In other words leave her alone you little bastards.” Ashwin said pulling at Blake’s ear forcing him to get off of me. I had never been happier to see her although I was terrified of her.

  “Why are ya being such a bitch Ashwin? You used to enjoy this…then again so did Reid.” Blake stated.