Arielle Immortal Quickening (22 page)

“Arielle,” he murmured softly. “I love you so much!”

“
Je vous adore
,” she whispered, leaning close to his ear, tracing his jaw line with the tip of her tongue. He gasped, and she felt his hand shiver. She smiled and hummed softly to the Bon Jovi tune as she stared out the window. She was startled when her phone rang.

“Hi, Eva, long time no talk,” she laughed out loud.

“Yea! I know, but Ian and I wanted to know if you guys want to meet at the Rock pub in Hove.”

“When?”

“How about eight o’clock tonight?”

“Let me ask Sebastian,” she said. She turned to face Sebastian, and he was nodding in agreement. He had already heard their conversation.

“Yes, he said yes. We’ll see you there at eight,” she said and shut her phone. She heard Sebastian whistling to a song on the radio, and she went back to her thoughts about Professor Allworth. She moved her right hand away from the window and clenched her necklace, tracing the amulet with her fingers. She closed her eyes, and her mind stuttered to a halt as the vivid image of three pairs of eyes glaring at the amulet filled her head. She kept her right hand on the amulet nervously, and suddenly she realized that her amulet was the center of their attention.

I wonder why?
she thought to herself.

“What are you whispering?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly.

“Arielle, I heard you clearly saying that you are wondering about something,” he persisted. She sighed deeply and turned to look at his face.

“I was wondering why these men are interested in my amulet,” she said skeptically.

“You think they were interested in the amulet?” he asked, clearly amazed.

“Of course I am!” she said. Sebastian remained quiet for a short moment.

“Well,” he said in a quiet voice. “I suppose it’s possible…But how can we be sure?”

“It’ll be difficult, but I’m determined to find out.”

Sebastian pressed her hand softly. “The amulet is connected to a very old and very elite group of royals,” he murmured. “It’s hard to believe that anyone in this century would be familiar with its existence…” His voice trailed. She was sure he was right, but what had Colt Allworth been talking about to his two friends.

“Maybe he was upset with me being disrespectful on the first day in class,” she said, pressing her lips together. “Maybe I embarrassed him in front of the class, and he is planning on making my life miserable.” She was growing anxious. “Oh, Sebastian, I hope he doesn’t make it difficult for me to graduate.”

“Arielle, I think you are extending your imagination way out there. He can’t alter the tests. You are so smart that even if you don’t listen to a word he says during his lectures, you will ace your tests.” He was right again. Physics was her strength, and she was going to get through this. When they arrived at home, she fell in his arms, and he held her tightly providing that sanctuary that she loved.

Chapter 17

T
hat same evening, they met Eva and Ian for drinks at the Rock Pub in Hove. Arielle was anxious to continue her conversation with Eva and hear what she had to say about Professor Allworth.

Eva’s gift to exert her psychic powers and her incredible premonitions about the future was so potent, it bordered insanity, especially now that she was an immortal. Eva and Arielle had had a special spiritual bond ever since they were very young. Their minds moved around the physical and spiritual dimension, beyond the barriers of time and space. They became clairvoyant as children and reached each other mentally. They knew if one of them were in trouble by simply sensing each other’s emotions.

Arielle also knew Eva’s protective nature. Eva would warn her if something bad were coming her way, just as she had done in the past. But right now, Allworth was on the top of her list. She had too many questions, and no answers at all.

When they entered the club, the crowd was cheerful, and the atmosphere enthusiastic. They chose a table away from the stage, and when the waitress arrived, they ordered drinks. They watched people attempting to sing-along with the mediocre, five member band. This band unfortunately seemed to be the only one performing tonight. They were not unique or fascinating, but everyone seemed to be enjoying their music. Many of the women in the club kept their eyes intently on Sebastian and Ian. What Eva and Arielle found comical was that despite the fact that the women were brazen, obvious and shameless, Sebastian and Ian were oblivious to their blatant attempts to draw their attention.

Arielle was happy to be there, spending time with Ian and Eva. They chatted about Italy and about Ian and Eva’s transformation. Arielle was mesmerized by the details. Dancing was the highlight of the evening. Arielle loved dancing with Sebastian, and they danced until the crowd started to thin, and the band announced that they had to take a break.

“Are you tired, baby?” Sebastian asked, and his lips quirked into a smile.

“I’m not tired,” she murmured, and wrinkled her nose playfully. “I love dancing with you.”

Sebastian cupped her chin and lifted her face to his. His mouth came down on hers, and the kiss was deep, intense, and thrilling. Ripples of pleasure coursed through her body, rattling her wits. She heard his soft chuckle and reluctantly, she pulled back, her breath caught in her throat. ‘Mmmm…” he murmured, and she stammered, trying to gather her wits that were flung into oblivion.

Sebastian pulled her into his arms and gave her a soft squeeze. Then, they walked back to their table. Eva and Ian were still standing in the middle of the dance floor, caught in some kind of intense discussion.

The waitressed appeared again and Sebastian ordered another round for the four of them; by that time, Ian and Eva were back at the table. Arielle noticed the look on Ian’s face. “Is something wrong?” she asked, glancing between Eva and Ian.

“Oh, nothing of importance,” Eva inserted quickly.

“What?” Ian said, glaring at Eva. Anger was evident in the tone of his voice.

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked, directing his question to Ian.

But before Ian had a chance to reply, Eva’s stern voice interrupted, as if she were considering doing battle. “Ian!” she shouted.

Ian didn’t meet her gaze, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Arielle glanced between them once again, and leaning closer to Eva, she hissed. “What in bloody hell is wrong with you two?”

“Nothing,”

“No?” Arielle replied, her eyebrows lifting.

“No.”

Arielle glanced at Sebastian, utterly frustrated, and he gave a shrug of his shoulders.

Her gaze turned to Eva once again. “Eva, you know darn well I’m not going to drop this, so spit it out.”

Eva huffed. “Alright. Some guy out there was drunk and propositioned me in front of Ian.”

“Ohhh, what happened?”

“I wanted to kill him,” Ian snapped.

Eva’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Can you even envision Ian getting into a fight with a drunken human?” Eva sighed, deeply. “How would we explain an outcome like that?”

“Oh God,” Arielle murmured. “You’re right.”

“I still think I should have taught him a lesson,” Ian grumbled.

Eva gave a loud frustrated huff. “That is exactly what we have been arguing about. Me trying to convince him that he can’t do that anymore. Not with humans and not in public.”

Arielle gazed at Ian and shuddered at the thought of what the outcome of such a fight could have been. “Ian, she’s right, don’t you think?”

Ian swallowed hard and nodded apologetically, but the defiant expressing didn’t leave his beautiful face. “I don’t like other man touching Eva,” he complained. “If this happens again, it will become an issue.”

“I don’t disagree with you,” Sebastian jumped into the conversation.

“Sebastian, you don’t need to add fuel to the fire,” Arielle admonished him.

She looked at Sebastian a second longer; then, she turned back to Ian.

“Ian, you can’t fight these guys. They are human, and the fight will definitely not be on an even scale. You can really kill someone with the strength that you now hold. Do you think that you can live with that? I know you’re now an immortal, but you have feelings, and I’m sure you would never want to do something like that.”.

“That is exactly what I told him,” Eva said.

Ian ran a hand through his hair, utterly frustrated. “I’m sorry,” Ian said and meant it. Leaning in, he pulled Eva into his arms. “I’m crazy jealous of you,” he murmured, and locked them into a scorching kiss. Eva sighed and pulled herself even closer, pressing deeper into the kiss.

Finally, Ian lifted his head, and meeting her eyes, they grinned at each other.

“Is everything okay?” Arielle asked.

They both turned to look at her and nodded, still holding a soft smile on their faces.

It wasn’t long before Sebastian and Ian were engaged in a conversation about sports.

Arielle’s thoughts turned to Colt Allworth and Eva’s premonitions.

“Eva,” she said looking in her eyes. “Can we talk about Allworth?”

“What do you want to know?”

“Please tell me what you saw at the pavilion.”

“First off let me say that you shouldn’t worry. There are no ill thoughts around you,” she said in a soft warm voice.

“Eva—what exactly do you mean by no ill thoughts? What did you see?” She asked a little puzzled.

Eva paused, propped her chin up with one hand, her eyes gazing down at the glass and swallowed hard. She looked as if she was pondering her thoughts carefully, and then the words streamed out of her mouth. “I had a vivid view of a very old building. I was standing at the front of a wide open door, and after a short thought, I walked in. I descended a staircase that spiraled down to a dark, long, stone corridor. I saw several dark silhouettes in long dark cloaks walking down that corridor, and I followed. There were open doors on either side, leading into black-draped rooms bearing strange signs.” Eva paused for a short moment and hauled a deep breath. “Everyone seemed to disappear behind the door at the very end of the corridor, and that is where I stopped,” Eva said, and paused.

“Eva, please, can you go into that room? I needed to know.” Ian and Sebastian had stopped talking, and they were listening intently to Eva’s words. Ian reached around Eva’s shoulders and pulled her closer for a kiss.

“Eva, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. Arielle will understand,” he said in a soft voice. Eva turned and looked at Arielle and she nodded, but Arielle was sure her worried look didn’t escape Eva.

Eva reached for her hand, and meeting her gaze, she whispered, “I’ll do it for you. I love you, Arielle, and I don’t want you to worry,” She paused again, and she seemed to be gathering her thoughts. She finally took another deep breath and continued in a soft quiet voice. “I’m in a very large room, the walls reflect the dull light given off a few silvery lamps hanging on chains from the stone ceiling. The room is filled with people, but I can’t see their faces,” she pursed her lips. She seemed to be looking around, but I was sure she was not looking at the clubroom.

“There are coats of armor everywhere, huge tapestries hanging on the walls with strange designs of signs and symbols.” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait…wait…I have seen these signs before, but where?” Eva seemed to be talking to herself. She waved her arm as if she was pushing her thought away and continued. “There is a huge platform, like an altar, poorly lit by low burning candles. A man is walking up to the altar; he picks up a large book covered in black leather. I can see a large sign burned into the leather; I can see the man’s face…” Her voice trailed, and she looked like she was trying to see something. Suddenly they could hear her breathing getting heavier, and she was inhaling deeply. She seemed extremely distraught.

“Eva…Eva…Are you okay?” Ian shook her lightly. Sebastian and Arielle watched her carefully. Eva reached up and brushed her hair away from her forehead, motioning that she was fine.

“This is so bloody outlandish!” she murmured. “I wonder what this vision is all about.” She let out a mystified grunt. Sebastian reached and, grabbing the side of Arielle’s chair, pulled her closer to him.

“Arielle, you have to let it go,” he murmured close to her ear. “You are not in any danger. If you trust Eva’s premonitions as much as you say that you do, then I’m a little perplexed about your obsession.” Sebastian’s voice was soft and soothing. She leaned in and kissed him, thankful for his understanding. She took a sip of her drink and moved her glass to watch the liquid swaying from one side to the other while thinking about Eva’s last words.

“Arielle,” Eva’s voice snapped her out of her own thoughts. “The pentagon on the black leather book was exactly the same as the one on your book.”

“What book?” She was not even sure why she asked something so stupid, but she was not thinking right.

“The book that Olivia Dillon gave you,” Eva said. Arielle clutched her glass tightly with both hands, because it was shaking slightly.

“Oh!” She whispered. “Are you sure?”

“This gets even better,” Eva said, excitement evident in her voice but no alarm.

“How much better?” Arielle pressed on.