Origins (A Black Novel, #1)

by Jessa L. Gilbert

  “Are you alright?” a voice asks from close behind me. I can hear footsteps approaching and angle my head slightly to the side in an attempt to identify the speaker but the only thing I can make out is a pair of soft brown leather shoes and the bottom half of dark, well worn blue jeans. The sound of his voice is distinctly male and I guess he is near my age.

  “Are you alright?” he repeats, squatting down to peer into my eyes when I don’t answer.

  I quickly wipe my face dry, embarrassed at being caught crying, before bringing my gaze to meet his. The intensity in his cool blue eyes catches me off guard. Curious, I take a silent moment to look him over. He’s muscular, but not overly so. He looks more like a track athlete than a weight lifter, his muscles more toned than bulging with a squared jaw, high cheekbones and a perfectly sculpted mouth. He looks around the same age as me, maybe a few years older, and has a bronzed complexion, honey colored hair and thick, golden eyelashes. His eyebrows knit together lowly in a look of concern as he looks down at me, which only seems to accentuate his good looks. I stare at him, mesmerized, until he slowly reaches out a hand towards me.

  “I’m fine,” I spit as I jerk away from his hand before it reaches me.

  No way in hell am I going to let some random stranger feel sorry for me. Who does he think he is? Can’t he see that I obviously want to be left alone? Isn’t it enough that he caught me crying?

  “Are you sure? You’re not hurt or anything, are you?” His voice is soothing and I feel my harshness begin to lessen with each word out of his mouth.

  “I said I’m fine. Now leave me alone,” I snap, turning away in an attempt to pretend he no longer exists.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he chuckles before straightening up. He continues to stand there for a full minute as I do my best to ignore him before he turns and lightly walks away.

  After I’m sure he has left, I stand, embarrassed at being caught in the middle of my breakdown by a complete stranger- and a very handsome stranger at that. There was no doubt that he was gorgeous, from his sultry golden locks all the way to the very tips of his toes but there was something in his eyes that had both caused my heart to stutter at his nearness and cringe from it. Lightly shaking my head to clear away the image of him I carefully begin making my way back towards the house so I could try and get some rest.

  The next few days pass by in a blur and, somehow, Sera and I manage to avoid each other. The few times we are in one another’s presence we each make sure to keep the conversation light, never once touching upon the subjects of Dad, Immortality or the past.

  The tension in the house is almost unbearable and, as such, Sera finds every excuse she can to escape. The few times she isn’t able to think of a valid reason to leave the house, I would either fake the need for a nap or just plain lock myself in my room until she inevitably leaves.

  After four days of keep away I decide it is time to get out of the house and take a break, even if that means running into Sera. I have been cooped up all week, most of the time spent either staring at my ceiling, having nightmares filled with blood and monsters, or reading in Sera’s library. Heading downstairs, I find Sera’s usual note in the kitchen saying that she had “gone out” and would return

  “later”, with no clues as to where she has gone or when the later actually will be.

  This note, however, has a reminder that we are supposed to have dinner at Moira’s house tonight and that I will need to be ready by seven. Great, a whole night where I am going to have to sit in the same room with Sera and a bunch of strangers pretending I am fine and happy.

  After a quick shower, which does absolutely nothing to refresh me, I throw on a simple pair of jeans and a pull-over and decide it’s finally time I go out and explore some of the island. Leaving the house, I decide to head in the opposite direction from the ocean. The farther I can get away from the scene of my last dramatic episode the better. I cringe at the memory of it and wonder what the boy must have thought of me? It probably isn’t every day that he stumbles across strange, random girls crying alone in the middle of nowhere in the dark- and if it isn’t a one-time thing then I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse.

  It doesn’t take me long after leaving the house to lose myself in the natural beauty surrounding me. For the first time in days, I actually feel comfortable, at peace even. The colors out here look much more vibrant than the ones I am used to at home, the smells sweeter, and the air lighter. Of course, all of that may just be side-effects of my so called “condition”. I continue wandering in the same direction, trying to maintain as straight a path as possible, occasionally pausing to marvel at some natural wonder I happen to stumble across. It’s not until I look up to identify a bird that’s singing out somewhere far above me that I notice the sun is now directly overhead and I realize I’ve been walking for hours- literally- and I don’t feel the effects of it at all. My legs and feet feel fine and my breathing and heart rate are both perfectly normal. I feel as if I have just left the house; after walking for somewhere near five hours I should have been able to feel it.

  Judging by the fact that it will probably take me the same amount of time to walk back home again, not to mention that I have to be ready by seven so that will take extra time to get ready, I decide to turn back and head home. After about half an hour of walking I realize I’m lost. Apparently, sense of direction is not included in the bonus package that comes with being Immortal. Heaving a huge sigh of distress I stop and look up towards the sun in an attempt to re-orient myself.

  I have been walking towards the sun which means….east? In that case, I need to head west. Shutting my eyes tightly, I curse out loud as it dawns on me that the sun is directly overhead and it will take me at least an hour before I can try and figure out which way is the right direction. I curse myself again when I check my pockets and remember that I left my phone in my bedroom. Even if I had had it with me, it wouldn’t have done much good since I didn’t have Sera’s cell or house numbers, nor did I know any other person living on this godforsaken island.

  Deciding it would be better to just sit tight instead of blindly trying to make my way back, which with my luck would only result in me getting more lost and farther away, I plop down angrily onto the soft pine covered earth. I lay backwards after a few minutes so I’ll be able to tell when the sun moves and which direction it heads in.

  Several minutes after staring unseeing towards the sky, the brightness forces me to close my eyes and, once shut, the serenity of my laying in the sun with the gentle breeze rustling through the treetops lulls me into sleep.

  “You alive?” an amused voice cuts in through my sleep haze. Not knowing if I’m dreaming or simply hearing things, I keep my eyes shut. I can make out the muffled sounds of footsteps closing in, halting right beside where I’m resting. Guess I’m not dreaming, I think, right before I hear a rustle and then feel something nudge my leg- - hard.

  “Ow!” I yelp. My eyes pop open and I jerk up into a sitting position, automatically reaching for my now injured leg. “You kicked me!” I accuse as I glare angrily at my attacker. I still in disbelief as I find myself once again face to face with the same boy I had encountered only days before.

  “I had to make sure you were alive,” he states simply, an edge of amusement coloring his words, as he shrugs unapologetically. “It’s not like I find a lot of girls playing dead in the woods.”

  “I wasn’t ‘playing dead’. I was asleep,” I shoot back.

  “How was I supposed to know that? For all I knew, you could’ve been dead.”

  I stare at him silently while I do my best to maintain my sense of anger and annoyance, which is surprisingly easy to do despite the fact that he has to be the single most gorgeous guy I have ever met.

  I slowly admire his movie star good looks…. and I’m sure he realizes what I’m doing. He’s, more than likely, been handed everything he has ever wanted in life, and then some. He has probably never had to work at anything in life and yet, is st
ill good at everything. I instantly despise him in that moment despite knowing next to nothing about him other than the fact that he, apparently, likes to hang out in the woods. And kick sleeping girls.

  “So,” he continues unperturbed, an amused gleam in his breathtakingly grey-blue eyes as he reaches out a hand towards me,

  “why were you sleeping in the woods?”

  “None of your business,” I snap. Ignoring his offer of assistance, I climb clumsily to my feet.

  The corners of his mouth turn upwards in a sly grin at my comment.

  “What’s your name?”

  “You just can’t take a hint, can you?”

  “That’s kind of a mouthful. Do you happen to go by a nickname?” I roll my eyes and turn my back to him as I glance up at the sky. “Its 1:30,” he replies from behind me, a trace of humor in his tone as he realizes what I’m doing. I continue to ignore him as I glance around for some clue as to which direction I came from but see no discernible difference in my surroundings. “Need help?”

  “Just leave me alone already.”

  “Well, then, since you won’t tell me your name and you won’t let me help you, I think I’m going to call you…..Sunshine, especially seeing how you’re such a pleasant person to be around,” he says cheerfully.

  “Ugh,” I exhale as I throw my hands up in a gesture of defeat. Screw it, I think as I pick a direction and storm off. I don’t care if I ever make it back home. I just need to get away from him.

  “I think you’re heading in the wrong direction, Sunshine. There’s nothing that way but ocean.”

  I still and close my eyes briefly before swallowing my pride and turning to stomp past him which only causes him to laugh more. “I can’t wait until the next time we run into each other!” Even half running back home I make it to the house at just past five.

  Deciding to take a quick shower before I do anything else, I head towards the bathroom. I pause when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror over the sink and stare horrified at my reflection. My grey eyes are sleep heavy and my hair looks as if a bird has been living in it for weeks, all ratted together with pine needles and small twigs sticking out every which way. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I realize the reason for the humor I had seen in his eyes when he had looked at me. The first time he met me I had been crying in the middle of the night in the woods and the second time I had been asleep, lost in the woods and looked like a hobo. I make a great first impression. Shaking my head, I turn on the hot water and let it warm up before undressing and climbing in, hoping the water will help rejuvenate me for dinner.

  Wearing nothing but an oversized fluffy towel, I stand in front of my open bureau as I contemplate what I should wear to dinner with a bunch of Immortals. Should I dress up or go casual? Sera had never mentioned what type of person Moira was or what was expected of me. Would it be better to overdress or show up too casual? My thoughts are interrupted by a slight knock on my bedroom door.

  “Come in,” I call.

  “I figured you might need something to wear tonight, so I took the liberty of buying you something when I was in town today,” Sera announces as she strides into the room carrying a black dress bag in one hand.

  “Thank you,” I reply softly, grateful for being spared the humiliation of picking out my own outfit.

  “I’ll leave you to get dressed then. I’ve got to go get myself dressed.

  Be ready in an hour,” she responds as she quickly lays the bag down on my bed and leaves.

  I walk to the bed slowly, unsure of what lies within the simple black dress bag. All uncertainty leaves me as I unzip the catch and gasp in awe at the exquisite dress lying hidden among the dark folds. The dress is gorgeous. Obviously I was supposed to dress up. I am once again grateful as I pull out the expensive looking shoulder-less piece of midnight blue silk. I fall even more in love with it as I slip into it, the fabric softly sliding over my body like water. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, mesmerized as I am instantly transformed into an older, more sophisticated looking version of myself. The dress is neither too clingy, nor too free-flowing, and falls gently in a ripple of smooth silk waves to brush across the tops of my knees.

  The fabric is gathered across the chest, creating a modest low collar that acts to both hide and, in my case, accentuate the bust.

  A soft knock sounds on the door once more but I am too awestruck to answer. A moment later Sera quietly peeks in and, smiling gently as she catches me gaping before the mirror, walks up behind me.

  She is dressed spectacularly in a form fitting black gown with gentle dark curls spilling down her back. In one hand she holds a pair of strappy, low slung black heels and, in the other, a simple jewelry box.

  She holds them both up slightly. “I thought you might need some accessories,” she says as she hands them to me before reaching to zip the back of my dress. “Hopefully we’re the same shoe size.” I confirm this by slipping on heels that fit perfectly. “Thank you. This dress is beautiful.”

  “Glad you like it. It suits you,” she comments with a genuine smile.

  “There’s a necklace and earring set in the box for you. They belonged to my mother. I want you to have them.”

  “Oh, no, you should keep them.”

  “Adelin,” she says patiently. “I am your mother. This is what mothers do. They give their daughters things. I had planned on giving them to you on your sixteenth birthday, back before all this happened. I’m just a little bit late. Open it, please.” Obeying, I open the box and pull out the diamond teardrop necklace and matching earrings. “I love them. Thank you again,” I reply as I slip them on.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready,” she says as she turns to leave.

  “Wow.” My jaw literally drops as we pull up in front of Moira’s house. I had thought Sera’s house was big but you can easily fit two houses the size of Sera’s into this one and still have room to spare.

  ‘House’ wasn’t the right word to describe it, maybe something a little closer to ‘palace’.

  We pull the rest of the way into the drive and park next to a large marble fountain with cascading tiers of crystal clear water. I climb out, gaping, as I take in the sheer size of the house up close. The house itself is made from a slightly faded red brick and white trim, with actual vines and ivy crawling up the outside walls which, in my opinion, only adds to the intimidation factor.

  There are more windows then I am actually able to count, each one large and brightly lit with the curtains pulled back slightly to allow the causal passersby a peek into the life of the rich. Even in my fancy new gown I immediately feel underdressed and out of place.

  “Bit over the top, huh?” Sera jokes as we stroll up to the door.

  “What do you expect when you own an island though?”

  “She owns an island?!” I exclaim.

  “She’s Moira Black,” she says with added emphasis on her last name.

  “As in ‘Black Island’ Moira Black?”

  “Exactly. She and her husband, Elrich, founded this island in the early sixteenth century.”

  Wonderful. I am already nervous enough but now not only am I meeting someone extremely rich and Immortal, they also happen to own the very island I am standing on. Plus, they’re at least 500 and some odd years old. I am so nervous as we wait at the door that I have to constantly wipe my hands together to get rid of some of the sweat coating them. Surprise fills me as the door swings open and I am faced with a woman who bears a remarkable likeness to Dr.

  Thorne. Definitely not what I had expected. The woman at the door appears to be in her early to mid-twenties, roughly around the same age as Sera or myself and has the same blue eyes, shiny blond hair and perfect complexion as her sister, Dr. Thorne, although Moira looks younger, more energetic.

  “Sera!” she squeals as she steps forward and wraps her arm around my mom. The two women hug briefly before breaking apart and smiling warmly at one another.

  “Moira, this is my
daughter, Adelin,” Sera informs her.

  “Moira Black,” the woman says as she extends her hand for me to shake.

  “Pleased to meet you,” I murmur as I quickly shake her hand, hoping mine aren’t noticeably sweaty.

  “The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure,” she replies with a smile.

  Thankfully she either doesn’t seem to notice how slippery my hand is or she is too classy to wipe hesr off, either way is fine with me.

  “Please, come in.”

  The house is so clean that it literally sparkles. The bright lights from the chandelier mirror off the white marble floors, twinkling along the expensive glass tabletops and windows. It is absolutely breathtaking. A young woman dressed in a white blouse and black fitted pants appears and takes our coats before announcing to Moira that ‘the young master’ will be joining us shortly.

  We remain standing just inside the foyer as we wait, the two women chatting quietly off to the side. I glance up at the sound of footsteps approaching and freeze. At first I almost don’t recognize him. Gone is the usual T-shirt and jeans I have seen him before. In their place he is wearing a pair of black dress slacks and a slate grey button up shirt with the sleeves folded back to reveal his muscular forearms. The top two buttons of his shirt sits open, revealing just a hint of bare chest. The ensemble compliments his golden hair and skin tone, making his blue eyes stand out even more than usual.

  “Sera,” he says warmly as he steps up to give her a quick peck on the check, his musical voice melting me where I stand. He takes a step back, his eyes twinkling mischievously as his gaze falls on me.

  It’s him- the guy from the woods. He’s here, in Moira’s house.

  Chapter Eight