Arielle Immortal Struggle (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 7) (36 page)

BOOK: Arielle Immortal Struggle (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 7)

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Four fully furnished bedrooms graced the upper floor and they all looked lived in. He was now sure that more people were in this house besides Annabel and Jane. Sebastian was standing in the last bedroom, one filled with Annabel’s scent. He was getting ready to walk out when he heard footsteps and froze in place. It was but a few minutes before Jane walked in with a laundry basket in her hands. Sebastian was standing behind the open door; he didn’t want to hurt her, but he would have to do what it took to carry out his mission.

Jane set the basket on the bed, started to take clothes out, and put them carefully in the dresser drawers. She was nearly done when Sebastian’s phone went off and she spun around to face a very angry immortal. Her jaw dropped and her eyes reflected an intense frightened look.

Sebastian was stunned for a short second as silence stretched and he forgot about the phone when she suddenly darted toward the door. Finding her voice, she was preparing to scream. Sebastian moved with unfathomable speed and his next move was unavoidable. He grabbed Jane by the throat, muting her scream forever. His strength broke her neck, and when he let her go, she dropped lifeless to the floor. Sebastian pulled her body in the small closet and shut the door. He felt dreadful killing a human, but this was the choice he made. She was getting ready to alert the house occupants that something was wrong and he couldn’t allow that.

Leaving the room, he moved like a ghost along the upstairs corridor and descended the staircase carefully. He crossed the room on the main floor, walked down a small hallway, and noticed two doors, one on either side. He went into the first door on his left and found himself in a small study full of books and boxes and a foul odor that had to be a combination of several things. He backed off and shut the door behind him, shaking his head to rid his nostrils of that awful odor. He moved down the hall and opened the second door. Again, he was struck with the most god-awful smell. It was a sitting room that was connected to the kitchen area. Both rooms were poorly lit, giving Sebastian’s perfect immortal eyes a sharp view of a disgustingly dirty area.

The smell came from the kitchen floor that was clogged with garbage bags, animal food, and feces, making the odor intolerable. Sebastian held his breath, moved quickly out into the hall, and shut the door behind him, shaking his head again in pure disgust. He was now moving soundlessly back to the front room, and he stood in front of the wall where he watched Annabel and Jane had disappeared. He looked for a noticeable spot, but there was none. He ran his palm across the wall, feeling every little bump and scrape until he encountered a small rise.

He pressed, holding his breath, and he was delighted to see the wall parting, exposing the opening. As he listened for any sounds, he quickly decided his next move. Sebastian knew that Annabel was there, but was she alone? And if not, how many immortals would he be facing? Pulling his mobile from his pocket, he glanced at the screen. A smile spread across his face when he saw Arielle’s text.
“I’m worried to death. I love you more than life, please be careful.”
His arms ached for her, but he had a serious issue to deal with, so he set the phone to vibrate and slipped it back in his pocket. Troy had to be getting close, so he decided to go for it.

Quickly he crossed the opening and forgot to breathe, consumed by total shock. He found himself on the landing of a still staircase that seemed to spiral down to a dark corridor. Taking a deep breath he filled his lungs with the stale air and descended carefully, one step at time until he reached the down to a damp floor. His immortal vision gave him a well-defined view of the place and he gasped in astonishment. How could a small house like this conceal such a large cellar? Sebastian scanned the area and noticed several doors on either side of the long corridor, but they all appeared dark and soundless except for the last two doors on the right. A thin streak of light was escaping from a tiny crack at the first door.

Sebastian moved slowly, listening for any type of noise, but all he could hear were his own footsteps. He exhaled slowly as he reached the door, pausing to listen. Men’s muted voices and low laughter whispered to him. Sebastian set his eyes on the crack and saw three men sitting around a small table, playing cards. They seemed completely engulfed in their game and totally unaware of Sebastian’s presence.

Sebastian moved away quietly and approached the last door. His breath held in his throat as the air thickened with Annabel’s scent. He waited, totally still, while his mind assessed his position and his desperate wish to rid the world of Annabel for good. His nerves jumped and his breathing quickened as he turned the knob and pushed the door wide open.

Sebastian focused his startled eyes on Annabel, who was sitting in a large chair, watching him intently with a smug look on her face. She crossed her legs and clasped her hands in undisguised amusement.

“Welcome to your prison, my love,” she said. Her laughter rang with clear pleasure.

Note to the Readers

Thank you to my fans. It is the most rewarding and surreal experience to receive your wonderful feedback after reading my books. To the future readers, thank you for loving books and making my book your choice.
This is the seventh novel in my
Immortal Rapture Series.
I hope you will enjoy it.

About the Author

Lilian Roberts is a corporate engineer and lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and her golden retriever. She is an avid reader and loves to read novels that feature characters draped in passion, mystery, and adventure. She is especially fascinated with the concept of immortality.
Arielle Immortal Struggle is
her seventh volume in the Immortal Rapture series of paranormal romance thrillers.