The Awakening (Wake Up #1)

by Sarah Brocious

  "Obviously," Raina laughed, glancing at her empty cup, and trying to remember how many times she had it refilled. "Em, what are you hem hawing around for?"

  Emily shrugged. "Well, he placed an order for quite a few at the office...drinks and all. I'm going to need your help carrying it all in." She winced as though she was going to be struck.

  Raina rolled her eyes. "I can handle that. How many are we delivering?"

  "Only eight or ten. He was in a meeting when he offered."

  Raina drew in a breath, wondering if one of the eight or ten included him... dark hair, silver eyes. She shook her head, and gave Emily a smile. "It'll be fun feeding the masses," she spoke sarcastically.

  "We'll order ours too, and eat with Bradley if that’s okay?"

  Raina nodded. What choice did she have? Emily was her ride.

  Maybe it was the coffee...or the idea she might see Nolan, but Raina was trembling by the time they reached the office.

  It wasn't huge, but it was an impressive building, all brick and glass. When they entered, Emily was instantly greeted by the girl at the desk, who called up to Bradley right away on the phone. They took a short ride in the elevator to the top floor, where Bradley’s office was. When the doors opened, there was a hub of activity, phones ringing, faxes running...computer keyboards, and mouse clicking.

  It was an open floor...offices in a circle, with hallways leading to God knows where. It was bright though...a sky light above and most of the offices had windows. She purposely did not focus on anyone in particular, just followed Emily.

  Raina breathed relief. Good...all business, no time to stop and chat, or for awkward silences...pensive stares.

  Arms full, both women made for the back office, where already Raina had noted Bradley stood in the door. They were almost there when she heard a greeting. It was loud over the sound, and she winced a bit.

  "Hey, beautiful!"

  Thanatos...she actually smiled. So he wasn't that angry with her. She was still “beautiful”. She allowed him to lift the coffee tray from her...her wrists protested, not realizing how hard she had been gripping the container.

  Bradley shook his head at them. "About time! I'm starving!"

  "Didn't realize you were making the ladies pick it all up," Thanatos spoke up. "Or I'd have gone myself. But...then again, we've never had a more pleasant delivery." The green eyes took in Raina for a moment. "Should I put it all in the meeting room?" Thanatos easily relieved Emily of her bags too.

  Crazy immortal strength!

  Raina gave him a strange look. He was being overly friendly.

  Bradley started to protest when the bags were taken farther from him.

  "I have yours right here," Emily sighed, holding up a lone bag for him. "You and your stomach." She patted his tummy and smiled, Bradley grinned and looked sheepish. She lifted up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

  "Come with me," Thanatos invited, cocking his head in one direction, and rolling his eyes.

  Raina laughed, and obeyed.

  They set everything out on the long table where undoubtedly they had their meetings. Raina fussed that they hadn't got more napkins, or at least paper plates.

  "Its fine," he assured her. “I doubt the food will be around long enough for anyone to notice. We eat fast up here...too much work to do to pause longer."

  "You better hurry then," she teased, noting that he sat nonchalantly on the edge of the table. He seemed in no hurry.

  He grinned. "I’d rather not."

  Raina felt goose bumps rise on her arms. He always seemed so innocent...but there was that undercurrent of danger. He easily wooed her in. She shivered and gave him a smile.

  "You cold?" he reached out a hand and ran it over the goose bumps down her arm.

  "I'm okay," she whispered, when he pushed off the side of the table and drew nearer. She was going to protest, but two ladies walked in...obviously to grab their lunch.

  Their eyes traveled up and down Raina...then to Thanatos hand on her. Jealousy...yes, it was there.

  "Ladies," he purred.

  They were full of blushes now.

  "Come on, beautiful," he murmured, then took Raina's hand and lead her out of the room.

  "Nice," she laughed. "If they didn't hate me when they first saw me...”

  He grinned. "They'll get over it." He glanced around. "Ever been here?"

  She shook her head.

  "Give me a minute...I'll take you on a tour." He sat her down in a chair outside the meeting room, and made his way across the floor. She watched as he entered an office close to Bradley's. Her eyes flickered to the one directly beside Bradley’s, which had been empty when they arrived. Her heart leapt into her throat. It wasn't empty now!

  Nolan’s down turned head was enough to melt her insides. He was standing behind his desk, bent over some papers laid out before him. She knew him without even seeing his face. He sat down and turned to his computer screen. His gorgeous frowny face was in place as he compared the papers and the computer. His fingers went to the back of his neck to rub the stiffness away, and he closed his eyes for just a second. It was the sexiest thing she'd ever laid eyes on. She pulled her eyes away, staring down at her hands in her lap.

  She didn't look up again, until a pair of impressive black dress shoes appeared close to her own. Thanatos was looking down on her with concern. "Did you want to say hello?"

  Raina blinked up at him. He'd seen her observation. "He looks busy," she whispered, her throat was dry. "And it’s against the rules," she threw in.

  He took the seat next to her. "Hello is not going to infringe on Elly’s rules.

  "I'm sure she wouldn't feel the same...and besides... I don't think he...well, he probably doesn't..."

  "Yes he does," he sighed.

  Raina bit her lip. She looked down at her fingers, which were wringing together. "You are trying to bait me...to get him in trouble."

  He shrugged guiltily. "Come," he ordered. "I'll show you around the floor...then we'll eat our lunch! I notice the boss' door is closed...it might be awhile. Emily often stops by to say "hello" "His quotation making fingers made her giggle.

  A girl passed them and went into the meeting room, where the other two still remained chattering. “Claaaay,” she purred toward him.

  “Anne,” he grinned.

  “Share a lunch minute with me?” She didn’t wait for a reply, just gave a wink.

  Raina smirked at him.

  “Keep the smart remark,” he growled.

  She innocently shrugged, peaking over her shoulder toward the girl.

  "Ha, you missed it," Anne laughed at the other two. “Look...this one is marked Nolan...and guess who gets to take it to him? ME!"

  There was a collective groan.

  Raina and Thanatos exchanged amused glances. If she heard it, she knew he heard it. She lifted her brows and he nodded.

  "Go on," he sighed.

  Raina straightened her back. “What?”

  “You are worth a little rebellion,” he whispered. “But this will be the only time!”

  She blinked, then moved quickly before he changed his mind. She stood as the girl started to exit. "Oh, there it is," she exclaimed. "Thank you so much for bringing it out for me!" Raina took the wrapped sandwich and the iced coffee drink. "I'm sure he's famished!" She turned her back, and without a glance to the chuckling Thanatos, she started for the office.

  Raina hesitated in the door way.

  "Set it on the desk please," he murmured, not even looking up.

  Raina felt warmed by that familiar soft voice. She didn't think he knew it was her. Well, so much for the connection to her. She had thought the second she entered the parking lot he would have known. But that was her crazy imagination. Or maybe he was too preoccupied?

  She glanced around the papers laying around the desk...no free space!

  "Where exactly would you like it on the desk?"

  His eyes snapped up to hers.

  Yes, that was shock...Nolan
Gregor can be surprised! And he was stunning when he was off guard.

  "Hi," she said softly. Her fingers trembled, as did her knees.

  "Hey," he said back.

  Raina handed him his sandwich, and then the drink. His fingers skimmed hers with an agonizing pressure. She had to be careful not to drop the drink on the masses of paperwork.

  "Emily and I brought lunch. We were at the cafe...close."

  "I know," he spoke softly.

  She lifted a brow. "Yet you seem surprised to see me."

  He smiled sadly. "I knew you were here too, Aelan," he whispered. "I just didn't expect you to...come to me."

  She shook her head. "Why wouldn’t I?"

  "I had assumed Thanatos spoke to you. And because of that, I figured you would steer clear." His voice was crisp, business like.

  She tilted her head at him. "You mean...because she told me not to?"

  He shrugged.

  "I'm not "bestowed" to her Nolan...why ever would I feel the need to obey her?"

  "For your benefit."

  "Why would..." she bit her lip.” Why would it benefit me to stay away from you? I'm not scared of her."

  His eyes looked up at her pleadingly. "Raina...let’s not complicate it. I can still protect you...it’s just, we go back to the way it was. You pretend I don't exist."

  "How can you say that so nonchalantly?" Her blues were full of hurt.

  "We had some fun, Raina. I really think you are a sweet girl, but really it went too far. I shouldn't have revealed so much to you. I'm sorry."

  "We can't be friends?"

  He shook his head. "It would not be...smart."

  "Because of her? “ She wished she had something to toss at him, but her hands were empty.

  The silver eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?"

  "I heard...from Thanatos...from Bradley...you weren't kind enough to tell me yourself about seeing her!”

  "There is nothing between Elenora and me," he growled.

  "So you just up and decided on your own that you should remove yourself from my life? Without consulting me? After our talks...after setting boundaries. What a waste of time that turned out to be!" She was close to tears now. "It had nothing what so ever to do with her showing up?"

  He clenched his jaw and shook his head.

  "I didn't think I could ever consider you a liar Nolan. Until now." She shoved a pile of his papers at him. Many crashed to the floor, or were whipped up by the air conditioning. She hadn't meant to make that much of a scene, but it seemed fitting. His grey eyes were wide with surprise. Two times today she had managed to throw him off his game. Her lip trembled. She turned on her heel, not allowing him a word, and made her way back to Thanatos.

  His green eyes twinkled with amusement. "Nicely done," he teased.

  "Take me on my tour please!" She was close to a break down.

  He didn't argue, just rose to his feet, paused, and stared over her shoulder. She glanced to see where his gaze was taking him.

  Nolan stood in the doorway of his office. His arms were crossed, and his face was pure anger.

  Raina felt the tears coming. She barely registered Thanatos taking her by the arm and leading her away from the main portion of the office.

  "Don't break down yet," he whispered.

  He turned her down a separate hall, and then drew her into an empty office.

  She felt suddenly apprehensive all alone with him. She stepped back when he closed the door and her backside came in contact with the desk. Wearily she took a seat. Her emotions couldn't take any more.

  "You okay?" He took her shoulders in his hands.

  She nodded, sucking in breath. "How could he be that way?"

  Thanatos tilted her chin, so he could look into her blues. "She must really have got under his skin."

  "She?" her eyes teared.

  "Elenora."

  She made a face. “I know you are partial to her, but I can’t stand her influence.”

  I’m also partial to the little mortal with the big heart,” he teased. “Nolan is an idiot, Raina. I have no idea how he could choose to stay away from you and then ask you to just forget….”

  She turned her face. Rejection swept over her. "How do I pretend that nothing happened?"

  He shrugged. “You don't forget...you just shift gears. Like him, he's good at shifting gears. When he's told something...assigned something, he'll do it with all his heart."

  She nodded. She knew that about him. "I can't shift that quickly."

  He chuckled at this.

  "So I guess I just accept it? That doesn't seem right."

  The green eyes caressed her gently. "You have to Raina...for your own sanity. I'm just sorry you were hurt." He drew in a breath. "Elenora... she can be quite compelling. And she lives to get her way. She can be a convincing girl. Believe me...I've fallen under her spell many times before. You can't blame him." He shrugged.

  “I don't," she sighed. "I think I just invested too much, too quickly."

  A slow handsome grin spread his lips. "I know the feeling." He reached for her hand.

  Raina stiffened a bit, but found his hand warm, soothing.

  "Nolan is a stupid man if he's choosing her over you," he purred. "It’s best for him though...that you stay away," he continued. “Not only do your choices affect you. She could be very unkind to him as well." He squeezed her fingers. “You wouldn’t want to be responsible for that.”

  She shook her head, suddenly startled. Was he trying to scare her? "You really and truly believe it’s best for me to stay away?"

  "In every way." He smiled sincerely, but there was an edge to the comment.

  Raina straightened and looked him in the eye. She took her hand back. “You’re being strange.”

  He tilted his head. “How so?”

  “Nolan and I know our part in this. You delivered the message…so that should be the end of it. Right? What is your job now, Thanatos?”

  He paled a bit.

  She suddenly realized how trusting she was being with him. He seemed far too eager for her to obey Elenora.

  Nolan had told her Thanatos did what benefitted Thanatos.

  Thanatos sighed, and ran his hand over his face. "I can't tell you the details."

  "She’s manipulating you and she's trying to control him," she whispered softly. She wanted to add, "The bitch" to the end of that...but who knew what Thanatos would carry back to her about this conversation. Maybe she should play dumb. "I don't want him doing anything that will bring him harm. No matter how pissed I am right now."

  Humor glinted in his eyes. "You know what lengths he'll go to see you are not harmed?"

  “Like pretending he isn’t happy to see me?”

  He gave a nod. "You know, you would do well to learn from his example. It would make things safe for you." He shrugged. “He has complied. Now he won’t suffer any consequences.” He grinned naughtily. “As much as I would love to see him in trouble, it took a lot of control for him to turn you out back there.”

  It dawned on her suddenly. That had just been a test! Thanatos had sent her in as a pawn! She had failed, but Nolan had passed with flying colors! Her heart beat faster. She tried to calm it, drawing in a deep breath.

  His greens held concern. “You okay?”

  She shook her head. "I...I need lunch, I'm feeling light headed. Can we skip the tour?"

  He nodded and led her back to the meeting room, where Emily and Bradley now joined a few of the employees.

  Emily’s brows rose when Raina walked in with Thanatos. Raina shook her head...meaning, don't ask! She hurriedly sat down, wanting very much to get this over and to go home so she could think things through.

  Nolan did pop in to give a quick greeting. He would always be polite...no matter what that cost him. He said hello to Emily, offering that winning smile, which had Emily smiling back goofily.

  "Nolan...I brought Raina too. You remember Raina?"

  "Of course." He barely glanced toward Raina
. "We had a chat in my office." His voice was clipped, but he warmed his statement with another grin. "It was nice seeing you all." He turned to leave...quickly.

  "Sit," Bradley ordered. "I know you're busy, but...look, Clay has found a few moments...quite a few, to visit, and he should be just as busy as you.”

  Nolan did as he was told, and sat at the far end of the table. He looked alone...and very unsure. He folded his arms and studied the table.

  Emily again lifted her eyebrows to Raina.

  Raina covertly pulled out her phone. Later.

  Emily glanced down when her phone buzzed, then returned her gaze, offering a smile. She gave her a nod, and then looked down to fiddle with her phone.

  Thanatos saw, and rolled his eyes. "You women and your texts," he teased. “It’s as bad as whispering.”

  Raina blushed. She felt her phone buzz, heard it, and this cause laughter around the table. She smiled and glanced down, expecting a comment from Emily about how rude he was...how nosey.

  I need to talk to you. PRIVATELY.

  It was Nolan! Her heart leapt.

  Thanatos gave her a look, gaging her reaction.

  "My Mom," Raina sighed..."Always worried over me." She texted back. where? when?

  She gave Thanatos another shrug. "Okay...its rude...I'll put it away. She glanced quickly at the screen. Just be prepared. She tossed her phone in her purse. Distractedly, she reached for her coffee, the ice had all melted, but she pretended it was still delicious. She didn't want to give anything away. Not even a smidge of anxiety.

  They finished lunch, without Raina once looking Nolan’s way. This seemed to relax Thanatos. As fate would have it, Bradley gave him an assignment almost instantly after. Grudgingly, he bid them all a goodbye, smiling at Raina, and leaving.

  Bradley and Emily got up too.

  Raina then gave in and peaked at Nolan. The silver grey eyes were gentle on her, so unlike earlier. He stood to his feet, and stretched. It was a beautiful stretch.

  "It’s been a lovely lunch," he muttered. He gave them a wave and headed out the door. Raina tore her eyes from him, not wanting to allow herself to watch him leave, but failing. She saw Nolan nod to his partner, as the green eyed devil swept by.

  "Later," Thanatos threw at him, as he headed for the elevator.

  Bradley leaned toward Raina. "Raina, I have to tell you something .Clay will know nothing of this. I have learned that for some reason it’s very important to you that he not know. Nolan said you would be upset otherwise."