And, oh…my…gosh… I can’t forget to tell you about Annabel. She showed up at my campus parking lot on a day that Sebastian didn’t attend classes with me. Eva was with me, and the moment their eyes locked, I thought the earth’s axis tilted. Eva was furious. She had sworn to make Annabel pay for trying to kill us at St. Jean. I was happy that most of the students had left the parking lot because I knew it was going to be bad, and it was. Annabel was caught by surprise, unable to understand the changes in Eva’s powers. It was a bloody fight that left me dumbstruck, and Annabel horrified. She was a bloody mess when she left. Eva prevailed, and Annabel was lucky to be alive. We knew that she would heal in a short time, so Eva was ready for her, but she didn’t come back. I hate living with the fear of her showing up unexpectedly and trying to kill me, but I accepted the burden when I fell in love with Sebastian.
Arielle closed the journal. She let her eyes wander across the ocean as she sat in silence. She stood up slowly and started to walk back toward the house. She enjoyed each step she took in her private utopia. The splendor of the garden took her breath away. The fragrance of the winter flowers soothed her senses, and she smiled wide. Once inside, she picked up her mobile and rang Gabrielle and Eva to make plans for the afternoon. The guys would be late coming back from golf. There was no reason for the girls to wait around, Arielle thought.
Chapter 2
ON MONDAY MORNING, Sebastian and Arielle walked into Allworth’s class not knowing what to expect. The professor was sitting at his desk waiting for everyone to take a seat. His eyes met Arielle’s and he gave her a meaningful look followed by a brief smile. She smiled back. He immediately averted his gaze back to the papers on his desk.
It turned out to be an enjoyable lecture. At the end of the hour, everyone gathered their books and headed to the exit.
“Just a moment, Arielle,” Allworth called. “Before you go, I’d like to have a word with you and Sebastian.”
Arielle turned to face him, holding Sebastian’s hand. They waved at Troy and Gabrielle, and waited until everyone had left the auditorium. When the door closed behind the last exiting student, Allworth stepped down from the platform and, smiling wide, he extended his hand to Sebastian.
“Hello, Sebastian,” he said cheerfully. “I had a long talk with your mother a few nights ago, and I daresay that I was astounded, but delighted, to hear all the details about you and Arielle.” They carried on a short conversation, Allworth doing most of the talking while Sebastian listened. There was a kind of awe in Allworth’s eyes as he examined Sebastian’s face, which didn’t escape Arielle. Her mind raced. Why is he looking at Sebastian like that? Doesn’t he know about his immortality? She wasn’t sure why the thought unsettled her.
She was still lost in her thoughts when Allworth’s voice snapped her out of her daydream. “How are you, Arielle?” he asked quietly.
“Fine,” she replied mildly.
“First, let me say that I’m extremely pleased to find out that the rightful owner of the amulet has given it you,” he said excitedly. “I also understand that you don’t quite know the enormous powers that are bestowed upon you while wearing that amulet,” Allworth said flatly.
Arielle sighed audibly. She knew that she had absolutely no idea about the powers of the amulet.
“Well, not really,” she said hesitantly, her lips twitching.
“This was a gift to Arielle from my mother,” Sebastian chimed in, pointing at the amulet. “She wants Arielle to be safe,” Sebastian added earnestly.
“Safe from what?”
“An old girlfriend of mine will not go away. She has been hunting me for centuries now, and she’s not willing to give me up. She has tried to harm Arielle several times, and she almost succeeded in killing her this summer while we were on a holiday.”
Allworth gasped. His jaw set.
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Annabel, and it’s a very long story,” Sebastian said, pinching the tip of his nose.
“I’m sorry to hear that. This amulet will do the job,” Allworth said sympathetically. There was a short silence before Allworth continued. “Arielle, Olivia and I discussed the black book that goes with the amulet.”
“Wh—What about the black book?” Arielle stammered. She squeezed Sebastian’s hand tightly.
“Olivia told me that you have agreed to attend some of our meetings, or at least the next meeting. Is that true?” He was smiling.
“Yes,” she blurted out.
“Sebastian, I hope you’ll be supportive of Arielle attending the meetings with your mother. She needs to understand the powers she possesses and how to use them,” he said matter-of-factly.
She saw Sebastian nodding. “Of course,” he said.
Allworth gazed at him and smiled. “Arielle, I’m looking forward to seeing you there.” He gave her a pointed look.
“Thank you, Professor Allworth,” Arielle said, feeling a little vulnerable.
“I guess we better go,” he said. “I’ve taken enough of your time.” He turned around and walked up on the platform to retrieve his briefcase. He grasped it and walked back down to where they were standing. He shook Sebastian’s hand and gave Arielle a soft smile.
Just before he started to walk toward the exit, Sebastian said, “I was wondering if you knew that there are a few immortals attending this university, besides you and me.”
Allworth looked back and lifted a brow. “Well, I know a couple of them, they are my friends and professors here. But no, I wasn’t aware that there were more. Do you know who they are?”
“Yes, they are our best friends. You met Troy Vasser and Eva Winters. They are both in your class. Then there is Ian Bristow, Eva’s fiancé, and my sister Loren. There may be more, but those are the people we know,” he said, and smiled.
A gleeful smile spread across Allworth’s face. “Thanks for staying back to talk with me,” he said as they made their way toward the exit. Outside the auditorium, Troy and Gabrielle were waiting patiently. Allworth shook Troy’s hand and smiled at Gabrielle.
“Good day,” Allworth said, and putting his mobile phone to his ear, he walked slowly away, shaking his head.
“What was all that about?” Gabrielle whispered, eager for information.
The four of them walked toward the parking lot as a light mist hit their faces. Arielle didn’t respond.
“So!” Gabrielle pressed, gazing at Arielle. Arielle heard the stubborn resolution in her voice and knew that Gabby was determined to find out all she could about the meeting. She was ready to play with Gabby’s zeal for the next few moments. Sebastian sensed her gaze and raised his head to look at her. Both Sebastian and Troy suspected what she was about to do, and she saw a slight smile paint their faces.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” said Arielle, snickering inwardly.
“Oh…my…God, Arielle! What did he want?” she said, bursting with anticipation.
Arielle shrugged her shoulders, ignoring the emotion flaring in Gabby’s eyes. “Nothing that I want to talk about,” Arielle replied.
The emotion in Gabby’s eyes vanished and resolve replaced it. “Arielle, I’m ready to bust,” she said.
Arielle grinned and rolled her eyes. Sebastian and Troy watched the exchange with interest. Their faces betrayed their amusement.
“Gabby, I think you are deeply disturbed,” Arielle said, and chuckled under her breath.
Gabrielle’s frown deepened and she let out a deep sigh. “Are you going to tell me what happened or I’m going to scream, right here, right now.”
“Well, I’m not going to tell you,” said Arielle in a casual tone. She was trying hard to keep a straight face but failed miserably. It took but a moment and she finally burst into laughter. Gabrielle followed.
“Gabby, you’ll never change. You’ve been this way since grammar school, and I love you dearly.” Arielle was still laughing at Gabrielle’s tenacity.
Gabrielle shrugged. “I can’t help it,” she said k
eenly. “But don’t keep laughing because you are exactly like me.” She saw that Sebastian and Troy agreed with Gabby, and they all laughed again.
When they reached their cars in the parking lot, Arielle spilled the details about the conversation in the auditorium with Allworth. She told them about his enthusiasm that she would be attending their secret society meetings with Olivia, and she laughed at Troy’s astonishment. Gabrielle already knew about the meeting with Olivia because they had discussed it at the library the day before. There was silence for a moment. A slight pause followed. Then, Gabrielle blew out a breath.
“So, that’s what this was all about,” she said thoughtfully. “That’s why he was acting so creepy the other day in class!”
Arielle raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Well, yeah,” she said nonchalantly. “I’m delighted to know that Allworth is an immortal and not someone that wants to hurt me.” Her relieved smile suddenly vanished and Arielle’s blue eyes narrowed. Another face appeared in her thoughts, making her shiver.
“Uh-oh,” Sebastian said. “I know that look.”
“What do you mean?” Arielle gazed up at him.
“That look.” He pointed at her face and continued. “The look that says you are worried about something else now.”
Arielle rubbed her temples hard and sucked in a deep breath. She kept unusually still as she pondered another worrisome thought. “I—I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is coming my way,” she said bitterly.
Sebastian sighed and put his arm around Arielle, pulling her close. He was sure that Annabel had something to do with Arielle’s apparent discomfort.
“Arielle, please, baby, let’s go home.” It was apparent that Arielle’s nerves couldn’t handle thinking about Annabel anymore.
“Sebastian, I’m sure that Annabel will do everything possible to destroy our wedding day,” she said, voice filled with despondency.
“Nonsense,” Sebastian said. “Let’s go home, it’s getting late.” He bent down and kissed the tip of her nose.
“All right, all right,” she said awkwardly. She turned her attention to Gabrielle and Troy. She noticed that Gabrielle was ready to say something. She watched Troy place his finger on her lips and bend down to mute her words with a hot kiss.
Arielle understood that Troy was trying to keep Gabrielle from asking more questions. When the kiss was over, she gasped softly. “We need to get going,” he said, giving Gabrielle a meaningful look. She nodded in agreement and moved to give Arielle a hug.
“See you tomorrow,” she said with a soft smile. She let Troy encircle her with his arms and they walked together to the car.
“See ya,” Arielle called. They both turned back to look at her. Gabby gave her a warm smile and a soft wave. Troy flashed a heartfelt grin.
“Later,” they said simultaneously.
The parking lot was nearly empty. Sebastian held the passenger door open for Arielle as their eyes locked. Strong emotions flickered in his emerald eyes. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. He crushed his lips against hers. The kiss sizzled and changed into one of storming passion. He pulled back, gasping for air, and she breathed in deep.
“Let’s go home,” he said. The corners of his lips lifted into a beautiful smile. It was late by the time they arrived.
It was the second week of the semester when Arielle noticed a new guy on campus. She thought it odd that a student would start in the second week of the spring semester. At first she tried not to think about it too much, but it wasn’t long before she noticed that he was almost everywhere she went. Tuesday afternoon, Arielle was coming out of the library flipping through the book she had just checked out when she fell right into the new guy. She looked up and their eyes met.
“Excuse me,” she murmured, a little dazed. He gave her a quick smile, and then deliberately turned and walked in the other direction. She stood there frozen in shock, watching him walk away in that familiar seamless way. She shut her eyes momentarily and shook her head in disbelief. She felt numb. A lump formed in her throat. She had this uncanny feeling that he was another immortal. But why here? Why now?
She decided to talk to Sebastian about the new guy and her suspicions no matter how strange he might find them. Sebastian listened carefully and even looked interested, but soon enough he dismissed her concerns.
“Arielle, you’ll have to stop being so obsessed about the identity of every person that you don’t know or haven’t seen before. Just because the guy is new that doesn’t make him another immortal, and he isn’t here to hurt you.” He chuckled softly and shook his head thoughtfully.
“How do you know that?”
“You must admit that it sounds a bit irrational?”
She looked down, knowing that he was right. He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. He smiled sweetly and their lips met in a blistering kiss. She had nearly forgotten about the incident and didn’t bring it up again until a couple of days later.
Arielle was waiting for Eva outside the student center while Sebastian was in the library with Ian. She suddenly noticed the new guy standing a few feet away from her, looking at a book in his hands. He sensed her gaze and raised his head. Their eyes locked and his eyebrows drew together. She felt a jolt and her chest tightened. Many things about him were familiar. He was very tall and extremely handsome with dark hair, piercing blue eyes, flawless features, and a perfect body.
She was lost in thought when he suddenly moved forward, a wide smile spread across his face. Arielle gulped a mouthful of air, trying to slow down a heart that was already racing. Fear took her over. She drew in another deep breath and closed her eyes, bracing herself, expecting the worst.
“Hello there.” His velvety soft voice caressed her ears. Her eyes snapped open ready to face him. She was shocked to find that he was not talking to her at all. His attention was directed at a gorgeous girl standing a few feet behind Arielle.
“Christian!” the girl called out, and walked toward him in her own velvety soft voice. No! Arielle thought. How can that be possible? Two more? Why now? Why here? What is happening in my life? She took a deep breath and shaking her head tried to lose the bizarre feeling that was weighing down on her. Arielle was sure that she was going out of her mind. Pain throbbed behind her eyes. She closed them tightly and rubbed them hard with both hands. When she opened her eyes again, he was standing next to the girl, and they were whispering to each other. He put his arm around her and they walked off, but not before his eyes bored into Arielle’s. She saw a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It chilled her to the bone. She gave him a flat look and, tearing her eyes away from him, she turned around and was happy to see Eva approaching. Arielle’s state of mind didn’t escape Eva’s immortal abilities. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t hide her anxiety.
“What’s up?” Eva asked.
“Eva, something very strange is happening and I’m getting very worried.” Her lips pursed.
“What do you mean?” Eva’s gaze was full of concern as she gave Arielle her full attention.
“I may be paranoid, but considering all the crap I had to go through with Annabel, I am a little unnerved.”
“What is it?” Eva’s blue eyes met hers. She noticed Arielle’s apprehension. “I've assessed your aura for any hidden visions, and nothing was there.”
Arielle run her tongue over her dry lips and hauled in another deep breath.
“I am thinking about the last time the guys cornered Annabel at the cemetery. Do you remember, things didn’t go that well.”
“And why would you be thinking about Annabel right now?”
“Eva, there is a new guy on campus, and I have a strong feeling that he is here for me.” Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. “He seems to be everywhere I go.”
Eva watched Arielle intently. Arielle was sure that Eva noticed her panicky expression. “What is going on in there?” Eva asked, pointing at Arielle’s head.
“I find this whole
thing strange. He has never talked to me, but the couple of times our eyes met I got a disturbing feeling that he knew me.” They lapsed into silence for a few minutes, and then Arielle let out a soft sigh. “He has a woman with him. She fits the bill of an immortal.”
“Don’t be frightened, Arielle,” Eva said softly. “Have you talked to Sebastian about this?”
“Um, yes—yes I have,” she said, and stared down at her hands. “I told him about my concerns, or I should say fears, about this guy, but he didn’t take me seriously.” She looked into Eva’s eyes. “His nonchalant attitude is astonishing. It's just not like Sebastian.” She was practically in tears as uneasiness consumed her.
Eva frowned. She reached out and took Arielle's hand. “Arielle, do you trust my visions?”
Arielle eyebrows shot up. “Of course! I have always trusted in your visions,” she admitted, looking bewildered.
“My visions as an immortal are much stronger than they were when I was a human,” Eva said softly. “I am very accurate, and I can tell you that I see absolutely nothing bad in the near future. Your aura is completely clear, and there is no danger lurking around the corner.” She smiled and grabbed Arielle’s arm gently, giving her a soft shake and making her smile back at her. “I’m sure whoever he is, he’s not here to harm you.”
Arielle took a deep breath and then drop her head in a nod. “Sorry, Eva, you can’t blame me, considering my dreadful history with Annabel,” she said ruefully.
Chapter 3
THEY WALKED TOWARD the parking lot and saw Ian and Sebastian standing by the cars, waiting patiently. Both seemed to notice Arielle’s apprehension.
“Hi, baby… Are you all right?” Sebastian asked. He reached out and pulled her into his embrace. His voice was filled with concern.
Arielle Immortal Journey (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 5) Page 2