Nolan's Evolution (46 page)

              "Maxim Moore will you please come forward?" Isaac’s voice rang out, as Raina settled in her chair.

Maxim stood and walked to the table to stand before Isaac. "Sir?"

Isaac had a sadness in his face and it was reflected in his voice when he whispered, "Please stand behind Emmanuel as Ms. Foster gives her testimony."

There was an outright cry from the crowd.

Maxim did not allow surprised to show. He was the sober warrior. But to ask this of him was both an honor and a fearful thing.

Raina swallowed hard as she noticed strange glances being passed her way. She knew that the society looked up to their Sovereignty and her testimony better be good or she would have a lot of enemies. This was why Nolan didn’t want her up here now.

She let her eyes rest on the table that held three of her best friends. Their looks were grim. They were sure of her testimony but hated the fact that she was in this position.

"This testimony is actually twofold. I must explain why her ability to sit before you and speak is no small gift.” He tilted his head to her. “May I tell them some of what you have been through?”

She gave her permission.

“Ms. Foster was recently kidnapped but before that, her life was threatened by an immortal. We have all proof of this and the immortal that performed both will pay. But he was not without an accomplice. One of my own planned this with him and took this woman from her home. She was held against her will in a prison environment. She was shackled and in the dark.”

There were murmurs of concern.

“That act alone deserves punishment but to hold her was not the only purpose of this act. It was the catalyst of what was meant to happen. Her kidnapping was a way to draw another immortal into a trap and to use his gifts against all of us.”

Raina lowered her head, sorry that she had been able to be used like that, and then thought better of it. She lifted her chin instead. She would not play the victim. Though she did feel fear of what was to come.

She couldn’t look at Nolan yet, not until she got her emotions under control. She wouldn’t cause him more concern! She drew in a breath, and looked to Thanatos, her Protector. His green eyes held encouragement, and a bit of mischief. She imagined he’d be calling her a badass later on. This helped her lift her chin a little higher.

Nolan was not so calm, but the fact that he was meeting her look, told her he would keep it calm. He gave a nod as if reading her thoughts.

“You all know that in our society we live in secrecy if we can and we live in peace at all costs. We are all still humans with the gift of immortality. So we do not stand for other humans being harmed." His eyes settled on Raina. "I will not subject this beautiful person to have to relive what she went through. I will ask her several questions and we will take her word.” He gave a decisive nod In the short time that I've known her, I hold her highly as a trustworthy and honest person." He smiled. “And an immortal merely has to look at her to see the goodness she possesses.”

Raina felt warmth through her chest.

“Do I have anyone who opposes my words?” He looked about the crowd, and then gave a nod. “So we will accept Raina’s word as truth.”

Raina swallowed hard.

"Rarely do we allow the practices of Sovereignty to be public knowledge. In this case I'm going to share with all of you since this matter is so grave." He looked to Nolan. "Nolan Gregor please stand."

Nolan stood to his feet looking gorgeous as always.

Raina could almost hear the collective sighs from the immortal women. She felt pride that he was hers.

"Before you stands a Healer…a very powerful healer. We know that this gift is rare and is fairly untested because of the fact that we heal ourselves…though our healing is not as fast. We probably would have left things untested if it hadn’t been for him.

It came to our notice, after reported events that this one had quite a power. We have been testing with him, and with another, just how far this strength goes. We found that he is very capable of helping humans, some with untreatable disease. It has become our plan to allow him to freely heal and help those who cannot be treated by medicine. I stress the word free because we want this to be a gift. It would be done in secrecy. The mortal would never know. It would be our gift.”

Nolan watched Isaac carefully. No one has yet said what his role would be. He glanced to Raina he needed her strength. He wanted to be beside her. Her smile about brought him to his knees.

"It would of course be Nolan's choice. Either he would be the one doing the healing or he could teach others. I tell you this though; his gift cannot be matched or completely taught.”

Nolan gave a humble bow of his head.

Isaac bowed back, and then continued. “Others saw this too and wanted to take him and use him for their own riches, their own power, and strength. They wanted to break away from Our Sovereignty and form their own power. They meant to use Nolan as a sort of power over the mortals. They would ask a price for the healing, and if they paid, their sick would be healed."

Isaac's eyes gentled and rested on Raina. "Is this true?"

"Yes," Raina said softly.

Isaac drew in a breath. "And are the immortals that planned all of this present in this room?"

She nodded her head. "Yes they are."

Nolan still stood and his eyes never strayed from Raina. He watched her with pride now. Her voice never wavered and those eyes he often lost himself in were open and focused. He knew he could say nothing until she named those who were guilty. Once she gave those names he would be able to give his own testimony. And so would Titus. She was making a way for them!

"Are you able to point them out?"

"Yes," she whispered. She looked to Maxim and saw his muscles tense. He knew what was about to come.

"Please can you name those guilty of such things?"

Raina bit her lip and nodded. "They are Richard Rivers and one of Our Sovereignty… Emmanuel."

Again there was a gasp from those who did not know the truth.

She did not name David. She had no proof that he had been involved in her kidnapping or had planned to actually go through with the plan to overturn the leaders.

"And what of David Foster?"

Raina looked to David. His eyes were wide with surprise. "I never once saw him during my captivity. I only saw him when Nolan and I returned to Joseph's. I do not know if he was involved I only know that he had been there with Richard when we returned. I can't with good conscience condemn him."

"I must ask you another question only because of the past relationship you did have with David Foster. We want to be sure that there is no way you would be favoring him or covering for him."

She nodded and felt her stomach tighten in knots.

"You were married to David?"

She nodded. There was a murmur in the crowd.

"How long has it been since you've seen David?"

Raina met David's stare. His eyes were full of sadness. "I've not seen him since the day I thought he died. I did not know that David was immortal."

"And do you still hold feelings for him?"

Raina shook her head. "David has changed and what we shared is no longer."

"Even if he has changed what would make the feelings you had for him previously go away?"

Raina smiled. "Nolan can heal more than a body. Nolan healed my heart. He is mine and I love him more than anything.” She looked to Nolan and shivered. The silvers on her, warmed her body from hoof to horn! His frowny face was more concentrated than she’d ever seen it. It was if he were trying to keep himself in his place. “If I thought that David had been involved and was trying to harm Nolan, I would testify against him."

Isaac gave a nod. "I can attest for the feelings between these two." He nodded his head at Nolan and then to Raina. "And I believe Raina's testimony to be true."

You could have heard a pin drop. No one was about to question their leader.

Emmanuel looked sick. He was pale and a river of sweat beaded and ran down the side of his face.

Raina almost felt sorry for what was about to come for him. She waited on Isaac, as he gave his oldest friend a look. There were many centuries between the two of them, and this would not be easy!

Isaac motioned for her to stand.

She obeyed, and fought the urged to cross her arms.

"Because these proceedings are for immortals I must ask you to leave.” He walked over to her and took her hand gently. “I am grateful for your participation. I needed to get your testimony before I could bring anyone else forward. Thank you, Raina." He lifted her hand to his lips.

She felt as though she had been granted a rare gift and by the looks on the faces around her, she was sure of it! “You are welcome.”

Isaac smiled. “I will see you again soon.”

Raina started toward the aisle.

"She cannot go alone," Thanatos blurted out.

Isaac nodded in agreement. “I will have another guard to see to her.”

The line in the back of the room stood taller. Nolan glanced over his shoulder and couldn’t fight a smirk. Every one of them wanted to be the one to watch over the mortal with the pretty aura. “She is familiar and comfortable with Maxim, as am I,” he said softly. “If you could spare him that would be appreciated.”

Isaac saw Nolan’s concern and he nodded. He could spare Maxim now that Raina had given her testimony, and he knew Emmanuel would not touch her .He motioned to one of the guards in the back. The immortal nearly leapt to the front, and then his face fell with Isaac’s next words. “Take Maxim’s place please Geoffrey. Maxim, would you escort Ms. Foster from the room?”

“Of course,” Maxim said with a bow of his head. He moved to where Raina stood and gently put her arm through his own. He gave her a small smile and carefully led her away. Her safety was his only concern.

“Thank you,” Nolan said to Isaac before the doors closed behind the two of them.

Outside of the room Maxim gave her hand, which rested on his arm, a squeeze.. “You are a brave girl,” he said with pride.

Raina smiled up at him. “Why am I scared to death then?”

He chuckled. “You are scared for your Nolan and Thanatos. You are not scared for yourself! That makes you very brave Raina.” He continued leading her down the hall.

“How long will this be?”

“They are first, but must remain until everything else has been heard before they hear a verdict. It will be hours.”

Raina grinned. “So I just saved you from hours of boredom?”

He threw his head back and laughed. “That you did,” he agreed.

“Why don’t we go find Turk and take a walk? I couldn’t possibly sit still for that long.”

He gave a nod.

“We can talk.”

“Not very freely,” he said softly. “There will be others like me and ears all on this property. But we will take that walk.”

Raina glanced about, as if expecting to find immortals hiding in the corner.

“I would like to talk to you about something at a later date when we can speak freely,” he said softly. “I will speak to Nolan tomorrow, and see if we can arrange something.”

She looked up at him with surprise.

He held a finger to his lips.

She gave a nod understanding it was not time to speak freely.

They did find the collie and took that walk, eventually ending up back in the house in Raina’s favorite room. It was winter and so the most action she saw of the alligators was their sunning on the dark paths meant for their caretakers. She was still enthralled.

Maxim was quiet most of the time, seeming to be in deep thought. He was also being careful about what he said. Raina could respect that.

They ate lunch…walked a bit more. Raina even had a moment to open a book, but it did not hold her interest. Her eyes continued to wander toward the door. She just wanted to crawl into Nolan’s arms and comfort him. She was sure this was more than rough on him. Dinner came around, and she was yearning even more to just see his face. She barely ate what was on her plate.

It was around eight o’clock when Maxim suggested she take to her room before they released trial. He would remain outside her door. He didn’t want her caught up amongst a bunch of immortals who would want to ask her many questions.

Raina agreed and she and Turk took up residence in the room she was now calling her own. She cuddled into Nolan’s pillow, enjoying the smell of him on it, and dropped off to sleep.

Soft lips at her temple awoke her. She woke up to strong arms about her and a solid body behind her. She sighed in pleasure, feeling the arms tighten around her, and the warm lips move from her temple to her neck.

“I’m sorry to wake you, Aelan,” Nolan whispered. “But I couldn’t resist crawling in next to you.”

She smiled. “This kind of wake up, I do not mind,” she murmured, sleep thickened her voice. She glanced at the clock and saw it was after twelve o’clock. “You are just now finished?” She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms about his neck. Before she kissed him, she froze and glanced around her. “Where is Thanatos and Turk?”

He brushed his lips gently along her jaw. “Turk needed out…and I told Thanatos I needed a moment with you.” He kissed her mouth softly. “Do you know how proud I am of you?” He pressed her closer to his body. “I wanted to protect you so badly! But you sat up there so calmly…so damn beautiful! I didn’t know if I wanted to toss you over my shoulder and carry you out, or just bend you over and kiss you in front of Our Sovereignty and every witness in that room. And then you say you love me in front of the whole group…and my alpha male kicked in and I wanted to shout “Yeah, that’s right, she’s mine!” Damn baby what you do to me with your words.”

Raina felt flushed from head to toe at his praise. “Really?”

He chuckled deeply. “I wanted you more so than usual.”

Raina tangled her fingers playfully in his hair and tugged, so his chin lifted a little. She set a kiss under his jaw, where she knew he liked it. His answering growl made her smile. “Are you okay then? Did things go well?”

He brushed his mouth to hers. “We will talk in a minute. Thanatos will be back and I won’t be able to continue this.” He nipped at her mouth.

He was in quite the frisky mood, as he claimed her again, his tongue teased her, and she stopped thinking all together. She felt her excitement growing, and was tugging at his shirt when Thanatos walked in and flipped on the lights.

“My eyes,” he yelped, and then laughed. “Give it a rest!”

Turk leapt on the bed, and promptly separated the two of them.

“I thought I’d have to get the hose out, or a bucket of ice to pour on this guy after you left the trial room today!” The green eyes sparked with amusement. “I will admit though you were…”