Immortals of Indriell- The Collection
Page 17
“Should’ve seen that coming!”
“Relax, Lex. I was already here. Just get in the car, it’s late.” He ignored Vince who stood by coolly, shirtless with tousled hair and his jeans riding low on his hips.
Allie reached for Vince, reluctant to end such an amazing night this way.
“Don’t be sad, we’ll do this again soon.” He brushed her lips with a kiss. She ran her hands up his chest and his arms snaked around her in a gesture of complete confidence and familiarity. She knew she was twisting the thorn in Aidan’s side, but she didn’t care.
“Night, Vin, call me in the morning?” She hugged him tightly.
“Of course.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Later, Vin,” Aidan mocked. He moved to drape his arm around her as they walked to the car, but she sidestepped and almost managed to slap him. He caught her hand with an angry glare.
“Dude, don’t give her a hard time,” Vince called. “It’s my fault we lost track of time.” There was more than just a hint of warning in his voice. “Text me when you get home, Allie.”
“I can’t believe you just did that!” Allie hissed as she slipped into the front seat.
“Relax, Lex—”
“No! How dare you crash my date, you overbearing ass!”
“You needed a ride! I was on a date with Kayla, but now I’m here, giving you a ride, simple as that. You’re the one flipping out.”
“Wait, you’re dating Kayla? Cheers to that!”
“Well, she actually likes me.”
He was so good at playing it cool, but she knew he was upset. He was gripping the steering wheel so hard she thought he might break it. She felt bad for him and angry with him all at once. When he pulled into the garage at the marina, she reached out and gently pried his hands loose.
“I know you were just worried about me, but Immortal, strong and powerful, or not, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Yeah, I can see just how well you’ve managed to protect yourself tonight. You missed a few buttons.”
“Aidan, you’re my best friend and I love you, but I’m with Vince. You have to accept that.”
He gripped the wheel tightly again. “I won’t lose our friendship over that tool. Date your mortal!” He got out and slammed the car door. “If living in complete denial makes you happy, go for it!”
Neither of them spoke as they boarded the boat kept docked here for just this purpose. He started the engine and eased out into the bay.
“Will we be okay?” She was afraid she might have to choose between the two most important people in her life.
“We’re fine, Lex.” He forced a smile.
“Look on the bright side. When we get home I’m going to murder your sister for calling you.”
~~~
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
“How are you enjoying your training so far?” Daniel asked, absently pouring a river of cream into his coffee.
“Oh, I don’t know if enjoy is the right word,” Allie said. For the past several weeks, she and Daniel spent their early Saturday sessions at his house.
“It’s nice out. Let’s sit on the patio, the heat lamps will keep us warm.” He rambled on about how the lake reminded him of the ocean, but Allie was more interested in looking at him. The Greek god, Adonis, came to mind every time she saw him and she had to remind herself he was not even remotely close to her age. The strands of silvery gray in his dark hair were out of place against his otherwise youthful appearance. His eyes were brilliant amethyst, threaded with copper that glinted in the light. He seemed a strong, virile man, but something about Daniel always struck her as sickly. Like his time in prison still affected him.
“I know you never planned to spend your weekends chatting with an old man, but I promise our time together will prove valuable.”
“I know, I guess I’m still struggling to understand why training has to be so intense. Especially Saturdays. From sunup to sundown seems a bit excessive when you factor in the rest of the week. I know it’s important—” she held up her hand before he could launch into another explanation of how she could lose control if she didn’t train hard enough. “I just like to complain about it.”
“At least you’re honest.” He chuckled. “I know it’s a difficult sacrifice, but trust me, the alternative is not worth it. Unfortunately, I suck at showing my memories so I won’t bore you with the details of my short story. But I do have some words of wisdom, if you’re up for it.”
“Sure, as long as there’s more coffee,” she said.
“That I can promise.” He reached to refill her cup.
“I always knew what I was, but I was a very lonely child, raised among mortals. I grew up on my mortal father’s ships as my Immortal mother taught me in secret. But to me, the threat of the Coalition seemed like the stuff of fairytales. I had a difficult time understanding the world to which I belonged, but was not a part of.”
“I can certainly relate to that.” Allie sighed into her coffee.
“It won’t always be that way.”
They were all so certain she would acclimate in time, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to forget who she was.
“When I was still very young, I witnessed my father’s execution at the hands of pirates. Not long after, I ran away, eager to sail into the unknown for an adventure. The Age of Exploration was burgeoning, and for most of the next century, I put my life and my training on hold to be part of something greater than myself. Wonderful discoveries were made during the years I explored the seas, I even made some of my own.” He beamed proudly. “I discovered the Portuguese Azores Islands just a few years before I was taken.”
That was the strangest part of this weird twist her life had taken—realizing who her teachers actually were. There was no doubt in her mind that Daniel had probably rubbed elbows with Christopher Columbus.
“The point, Allie, is during my years of rebellion, I all but ignored my training. I felt it was something I could afford to put on hold for a time when it would be more convenient. I trained only enough to maintain control of my power, and I’ve paid the price for my arrogance a thousand times over. I’m sure you’ve noticed the feeble quality about me, and the fact that our sessions usually consist of studying books with very little physical activity.”
It was true; their sessions were usually academic in nature with an occasional strength-training workout in the gym. Sometimes she got the impression that the workouts were just as much for his benefit as hers.
“I sense something, but you’re so strong and athletic, it’s confusing.” She felt a twinge of embarrassment for him.
“I can teach you a great deal, but I’m afraid I am the weakest of your teachers. Some would still consider me very powerful because my gifts are rare and extremely difficult to control, but I tire very easily. I am over six hundred years old, but I still train as hard as my teenaged sons. For half my life, I was cut off from my power. I still suffer the effects of long-term magnetic exposure from my time in prison. But, had I trained diligently as a young man, I might never have lost those years. My strength will never be what it should have been. The best lesson I will ever teach you is to respect your training. It will rarely be fun, I wish I could tell you otherwise, but it is the most important thing you will ever do for yourself. Whenever you’re feeling the pressure of your demanding schedule and you find yourself wishing for the life you once knew, look to me as an example of what you do not want to be.”
“You’re still a formidable guy,” she said.
“Perhaps, but I will never reach my true potential. And with that, I’m done preaching for the day. It’s time we get some actual work done.”
“What’s on the agenda?”
“A crash course in Immortal political science.”
“I keep hearing references to the ‘Senate,’ but I don’t really know what that means.”
“We have very strict laws and seats of authority that function a lot lik
e the Roman senate. Emma and I are Lieutenant Governor, providing legal counsel to Naeemah and Gregg in their role as Governor of the Great Lakes region.”
“So that’s why Aidan thought I knew his parents when we first met?”
“Yes, under normal circumstances you and your family would have discussed your move to the area with them before you arrived. As Governor, they are the supreme authority within our region.”
“You speak of them as one entity.”
“Politically speaking, they are. They hold the office together as one being with one vote.”
“What do they do?”
“Their office is responsible for policing the Immortal population within our borders. Naeemah and Gregg report to the National Assembly of North America, which reports to the International Senate in Lisbon. The Senate is the final governing voice of our entire world led by the Chiefs of Justice.”
“So that would be four people, holding two offices, each with one vote? How does that work if they don’t agree?” Allie asked.
“They must agree, or find a solution they all can accept. Otherwise they take the issue to the Senate for a vote. But since Chief Ashar and Kassandre were assassinated by the Coalition several years ago, we only have one Chief Justice.”
“Why hasn’t the office been filled?”
“Immortal politics move at a snail’s pace. We are in the middle of a term—we vote every twenty-five years—which isn’t a long time for us. After Kassandre and Ashar were killed, it seemed best to wait until the end of the term to vote in new officers.”
“When’s the next election?”
“Not for several more years.”
“Will I be able to vote?”
“Only if you’ve managed to pass your Proving by then, which is highly unlikely.”
“It’s such a complicated world.” Her mind reeled with all this new information.
“You will adjust. It may take you years to learn everything you need to know, but you’ll soon find a balance between your past and your future.”
~~~
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
“What’s with all the secrecy?” Allie grumbled.
“Patience is not in your repertoire, is it?” Vince said.
“You’ve met me, right? Oooh! Art museum!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement when he turned down the tree-lined drive past the lagoon. “The Van Gogh exhibit opens tonight! How’d you get tickets? Mom said only the snooty patrons were invited.”
“It helps to ask the curator. Gregg got us the tickets.”
Allie was in her element among the crowded halls, diligently avoiding Naeemah’s attempts to chaperone.
“I know this isn’t your thing, but it means a lot that you’re willing to do something I like,” Allie said as they strolled through the gardens for some fresh air. “I promise I’ll happily go see the next ‘shoot-em-up-blow-em-up’ movie with zero complaints.”
“Nice try, Short Stuff. You like those movies just as much as I do.”
“Uh-oh, you’re on to me.”
“Allie, are you feeling alright?” He reached to feel her forehead. “You’ve got a fever and your eyes are all glassy.”
“I guess I am a little hot.” But she was far more than merely hot. A fire smoldered somewhere deep inside her and she had a bad feeling she might lose control.
“I-um, I’m going to see if I can find an aspirin.” She slipped back inside and made a beeline for Naeemah.
“Please excuse me,” Naeemah murmured to the exceedingly handsome Immortal beside her—the one staring at Allie like she had three heads.
She did a double take of her own. “You’re Emma’s friend, Greyson,” she said breathlessly. It was beyond weird to recognize a person she’d never actually met.
“Well hello, Lovely, you must be the one Nae and Gregg have been fussing about recently.” His smile was breathtaking.
Oh my hotness.
“Another time, Greyson,” Naeemah said firmly, ushering her away.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” She frowned, instantly in mom-mode.
“Something’s happening. I feel like I’m on fire!” Allie’s eyes filled with scalding hot tears.
“You’re fine. We’ve been expecting this. It is all very normal, so don’t freak out. Go tell Vince you aren’t feeling well and ask him to take you home. Emma will meet you in the common room when you can get away. Just concentrate on your breathing and you will not lose control.”
“You okay?” Vince asked when he joined them.
“I’m sorry, I really don’t feel very well.”
“It’s alright. Let’s just get you home.”
“Take care of our girl,” Naeemah called after them.
~~~
Allie headed straight for her full-length mirror as soon as she got home. She noticed it immediately. She had a freaking tan. Nothing out of the ordinary, except it was winter and it hadn’t been there this morning.
I need Emma.
She stepped onto the terrace, and with a deep breath and a graceful flip, she leapt to the ground. She slipped into the old shed where Ming and Daniel had recently installed an entrance to the tunnels.
It was a long run to the common room and Allie was soon out of breath. When she finally arrived, drenched in sweat and more than a little freaked, she breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of Emma’s laughter.
“Sweetheart, it’s okay,” Emma said when Allie burst into tears and hurled herself into her mentor’s arms.
“Oh my, you are a mess. Tell me everything.”
“I’m so hot! And I’ve got this weird tan! I’ve never had a tan in my life! I’m a redhead; I don’t tan. I freckle, but most of my freckles disappeared after my Awakening!” She couldn’t catch her breath. The fire in her core spiraled out of control and she doubled over.
“Come, Allie.” Ming Lao pushed her into a seat. “Deep calming breaths like we’ve practiced. Regain your center and when you’re ready, tell us everything you’ve experienced this evening.”
“Clearly something is emerging,” Emma said after Allie finished relaying the details. “But I think we’re going to have to brainstorm on this one.” She smoothed Allie’s tangled curls from her face.
“Not that you aren’t always pleasant,” Ming said, “but your mood today was much more jubilant than usual.”
“I noticed it, too,” Naeemah agreed as she swept into the room.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to ruin your evening.”
“Vincent Van Gogh tutored my son, Seamas. I’m not missing anything I haven’t already seen a hundred times.”
“Really?” Allie nearly forgot about her current struggle.
“You will meet Seamas at Christmas and he will tell you all about the great Impressionist painters. Now, about that unusually chipper mood?”
“It was a nice day. It rubbed off on me.” Allie shrugged sheepishly.
“Yes, it was unseasonably warm. And with her odd tan and fevered skin, it’s like her power is reacting to the sun and maybe she’s just overheated?” Emma speculated. “How are you feeling now?”
“Still blazing, but not quite so freaked.”
“It’s possible your gift is like mine, and you have an affinity with sunlight, but it could manifest differently for you.”
“Wait. What now?”
“I’m responsible for bringing the sun down here to the dungeons,” she said. “I believe you might be absorbing sunlight like I do, but you’ve taken on more than you can handle, which could explain the fever and tan. Stay out of the sun for a few days and you should be fine. Right now all we can do is be diligent in our observations and let this evolve naturally.”
~~~
Monday morning dawned dreary and overcast, which left Allie in a bad temper. It was Thanksgiving break and she had an early session with Naeemah, but she wasn’t in the mood. She just wanted to hang out with her boyfriend and be a normal lazy teenager, but she no longer had that luxury.
“How are you feeling today?” Naeemah asked when she arrived in the underground.
“Fine, but that could change rather quickly. Partly cloudy days seem to come with drastic mood swings.” She flopped onto the sofa with a huff.
“I know you are miserable, sweetheart, but it will get better.”
“That’s what they keep tellin’ me. I’m just a little disappointed my first gift is so lame.”
“You should take pride in your gifts, Allie,” she reproached. “They are not party tricks, they mean something.”
“Sorry,” she muttered.
“I know how trying these early years can be, but it will pass and you’ll understand how much you have ahead of you. When I first ventured out on my own, I was so scared and excited at the same time, eager to see what life was like outside the sheltered walls of the palace.”
“How did you manage to escape Agra?” She was hoping for another trip into Naeemah’s memories and not another grueling workout.
“Sit back and I’ll show you, but I must warn you, it isn’t pretty,” Naeemah added in her melodic voice, causing Allie to drift into a world swirling with shadows.
She felt Naeemah’s voracious hunger and fear. She was to lay asleep for three days, a result of the drug that left her as though dead, then she would make her escape into the night.
Lying confined in the darkness of her own sarcophagus, she woke, and the days continued to pass. The palace mourned the loss of their beloved empress, but still, Naeemah remained trapped in her tomb.
She was on the brink of starvation, dehydration and madness when the lid finally scraped aside and her young cousin peeked inside.
“Here, my cousin,” the girl said in a rush. “Eat quickly. We do not have much time.”
“It was to be only three days!” Naeemah choked on the pitiful meal of bread, roasted peppers and water.
“Your husband has not left your side until this night, I am sorry. You must appear as my young harem maid. If we are questioned, I will answer,” she said with a great deal of confidence.