by Penny Knight
But I will find out what’s going on. I will find out what he wants, because no one is so eager to help strangers out of the kindness of their heart when the dangers are as high as they are.
“Ok,” I whisper. “Let us pack some things first.”
“Of course,” he says. I inhale deeply and walk up the stairs straight to Topher.
My arms engulf him, and he slumps into me. “It’s all gone E, everything. Just gone.” I hold him tighter.
Eventually, I pull back. “Let’s pack some clothes and go back to the hotel for now. We can get some rest and then we’ll figure it out, ok?” I squeeze his arms.
He nods. “This is shit.” His sad face breaks my heart.
“Sure is, but life is shit sometimes. We know this and will be ok. We have each other, yeah?”
“Always.”
“Always,” I smile.
It’s well into the middle of the night when we arrived back at the hotel. My body limp and my eyelids heavy. I’m on autopilot as I follow Leo through the foyer into the elevator. The ding sounds, and the doors open straight into the foyer of the penthouse.
The room was not like the one we stayed in earlier. This was more regal, grand. The enormous living quarters were decorated with late century furniture, marble floors and a crackling open fireplace next to a black grand piano.
“I will show you to your rooms,” Leo says.
We follow him as he leads us down the hall towards an open door to Topher’s room. Topher doesn’t react, he just walks in and thanks him as he disappears behind the closed door. He needs time, I get it.
I continue following him further into the hall until we get to two doors that are opposite each other. He opens the left door and I follow him through. The room is larger than my entire warehouse. There’s a huge king-sized bed on one side, and a living area with a sofa, desk and table near the window, on the other. It’s the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in by far.
I turn back as Leo heads towards the door to leave.
“Hey.” I say. The first word I have said since we left the warehouse.
He stops and looks right at me; it’s unnerving still being in his presence. It hits me we are alone for the first time. The two of us. In a bedroom, no less. I shuffle my feet, trying to keep balance as the thought knocks me around. I clear my throat.
“Thank you for taking us in.” It’s always better to lead with a compliment when you’re about to ask for something.
“Of course, I’d rather you’re here safe,” he says.
I nod. “So, look. We have work tomorrow. Again, I appreciate your hospitality and concern. But you must realise we can’t just stay here, we have responsibilities.”
His eyes are locked on me and I’m waiting, also, holding my breath. I need to ignore the heat that is building within me, this time not pain. But something else. Something I have not felt before.
“Ok,” he says.
My mouth opens as I’m about to keep arguing my point when I actually realise he has agreed. That’s surprising, I was expecting more of a fight.
“But,” he says. Ok, here we go. “You have to be back before dark. It is not safe after sunset.”
“What? Why?” What an odd thing to say.
“There are things, Elita. Dark things that you would not believe,” he says. Maybe his words might have been right a few days ago. But after what I have learnt, nothing is unbelievable to me.
“Try me,” I cross my arms.
He smiles and arches a brow stepping forward. Instinctively I take a step back and his smile widens even more.
“That man, the one who was moments away from taking your life,” he says straightening his shoulders. I shudder as I remember just how close that was. “He was not entirely, well, human,”
My brows furrow. “Ok then.” I blow out a breath, preparing myself. “What was he?”
He takes another step closer.
“An Immortalie,” he says as his eyes are fixed on me. “He is very strong. And fast.”
He steps closer again, and I keep my footing. Wanting to show him, his strength and whatever fire burns between us, doesn’t affect me.
“Dangerous.” He continues to close the gap.
I urge my body to stay put and fight the intimidation, but the closer he gets the more I feel my insides squirm as nervous butterflies start flying in my stomach.
“Immortal.” He stops inches away from me. “And he wants something from you.”
I can’t help it, I take a step back, his presence too close for comfort.
“You’re safe during the day, as they cannot venture out in the sunlight, but as soon as the sun sets you need to be back here where I can protect you. Regardless of what they are looking for or what they want, they know where you live now. You must agree it isn’t safe there.” There is a lot of information to unpack but something nags at me.
“If he was immortal, how did Broderick kill him?” I say.
Leo’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “He isn’t dead,” he says. How can that be? I saw him on the floor and heard the crack. “Broderick snapped his neck. It would hurt, but all it did was buy time for your escape.”
It’s making more sense. Why I couldn’t hear what he was thinking. Any of them. Maybe because they weren’t human.
“So, if that guy was an...” What was it again? “An Immortalie. And Broderick could fight him off.” I swallow. “Does that make Broderick one, too?”
His eyes narrow. “Yes,” he says.
Fear rises deep inside me as I ask with a shaky voice. “And you?”
“Yes.”
It feels safe being back at the office, familiar. A bit like my normal self, well, a little at least. I yawn and pour my third coffee for the day. Sleep did not come easy for me.
“Do you think we should have told Tony about the drive?” Topher asks from his desk.
“No, it’s safer this way. I don’t want to get Tony messed up in all this, as well.” I roll my shoulders out. “You want one?” I hold up my cup to Topher.
“If I have another one, I’ll be bouncing off the walls.”
I shrug and walk back to my desk. “He was pretty worried.”
“I know, he thought we met a fiery fate. I feel bad we didn’t call him.”
“With everything that happened I completely forgot.” Tony was not happy, especially since the news reported the fire last night.
“Anyway,” Topher clicks away on his computer, “I’ll bring my laptop back to the hotel, try to work out what they were after.”
“Argh,” I flop onto the table. “I don’t want to go back there.”
“Ok drama queen. I know for some reason you don’t like Adonis.” I roll my eyes. “But they saved our lives. I don’t know what Immortalies are, but he said they can protect us from them,” he says.
“Maybe,” I sit back up. “But does he have to be so arrogant about it?”
“I kind of like it,” he smiles. “It’s hot.”
“Seriously, is that all you think about?”
He laughs, “See, and that’s how I know that necklace works, because you would already know the answer to that.”
I laugh. “That’s gross.”
He shrugs.
“Seriously, though. Good looks aside. You know we can’t trust him.” Topher’s eyes meet mine. “Yes, he is helping us and, I agree, he can probably keep us safe. But we don’t know him or what he wants.”
He nods. “I know, I get it.” He stands and packs his laptop in the backpack.
“Where are you going?”
“I have a feeling it won’t be easy to decrypt the drive. I’m gonna head down to Jeremy’s to buy some equipment.” He swings the bag over his shoulders. “Since all mine was destroyed.”
“Sorry.” I still hate that happened.
“Not your fault, E. Besides, you know I get a buzz surrounded by all those toys.”
I nod. “Retail therapy sounds like a good idea.”
“Yo
u should try it today, too,” he says, walking towards the door. “I saw what you brought from the warehouse. Maybe you can pick up some cuter outfits. I’m sure Leo would appreciate it,” he winks.
I blow out a long calming breath.
He chuckles.
“I’ll see you back at the hotel before dark.” he says.
“Be safe, ok?”
He walks out the door as he blows a kiss over his shoulder.
I take another sip of coffee but realise there’s none left. Probably best not to go for another. Instead, I pick up the amulet hanging around my neck and twirl it through my fingers. Life can change in the blink of an eye. It’s happened before when I was little. But this is all too much.
It’s ironic to think that I’ve spent my life avoiding people. Not wanting to get close or build relationships. And now I can hear people’s thoughts. I need to trust a complete stranger with my life and hide from Immortalies. Whatever that means.
Maybe I should get out and hit the shops. I packed little last night, rushing to get out as quickly as possible. I am a girl after all, and retail therapy is in our DNA.
I jump up, grabbing my bag and head straight out.
I hadn’t realised I’d been avoiding large groups of people until now. With a firm grip on the door handle. I will the courage to open it. The carpark is bustling behind the boutique shopping centre. Our office in Norwood is near The Parade, a long stretch of cafes, retail and grocery shops.
The pain from walking into the hotel lobby, sits front and centre in my mind. What happens if the amulet doesn’t work? Topher isn’t here to help me. That’s the insecure thoughts running through my head, I know this. I know what I must do. But that voice inside that nags to give up and walk away screams louder. Even if last night it was cursing at me for not being more proactive. Maybe if I had practiced or learnt how to control this ability, I would have never been in the situation. And definitely not sitting in my beat-up car, too scared to go out.
That is not who I am.
I pull the handle and the door opens, my feet hit the ground and I am finally out. An older couple walk past me and I give myself a moment just to confirm I’m ok. They pass and say hello. I smile in response and feel my internal confidence grow. I square my shoulders and continue towards the shop.
The street is buzzing with activity, it’s late afternoon. People around me are having conversations, but I can hear faint chatter in the background like a muffled noise. It’s like this presence is trying to break through the barrier, building pressure in my head. My heart rate picks up and anxiety grips my throat. I close my eyes hard and concentrate.
Be quiet, I say in my head.
The chatter continues.
Quiet. My voice firmer in my mind.
Nothing happens.
When I open my eyes, I see a teenage girl staring at me like I’m crazy. I can’t help but give her a huge smile and wink at her. She turns her head and looks down at her phone.
Maybe I can try willing myself to hear. I walk to a little fashion boutique, not because Topher says I need to look cuter for Leo, but I need some more options since I’m not sure when it’ll be safe to go back to the warehouse.
The bell dings when I walk through the door. A perky, thin, well dressed woman smiles.
“Hi, how are you?” she says.
“Good, thank you.” I walk towards the rack.
“Just so you know, we have a 25% off sale today.”
“Ok, awesome, thanks.”
As I filter through the clothes, I pull a few items, then make my way to the changing room. Once I’m in, it’s time to try this again. Closing my eyes, I try to concentrate on hearing. Nothing happens. I try harder and for longer.
“How is it going in there? Are you ok for sizes?” the woman asks at the door.
Shit, I haven’t even started yet.
Maybe if I remember what it feels like to hear again, I can replicate it. I take off my amulet.
“Yeah, ok for now,” I say back.
I bet she won’t buy anything; she looks like the type.
My mouth drops open. No way she would say that aloud.
“Let me know if you need anything, ok hun?” she says, her voice light again.
“Sure,” I say. Even though I don’t want to buy anything from this place anymore. What type do I look like?
Ugh, why hasn’t he called me back? I called him five times now. I swear he has until I finish. If I don’t hear from him, I am just going past. Asshole.
Ok, I guess I’m doing something right, unlike her boyfriend. He sounds like he is in for it tonight.
That’s enough, I put the amulet back around my neck so I can zone out again. And give her some privacy to her thoughts. As I change, I process what it felt like. Openness, like my whole being was open. Grounded. Centred. Without even trying. There was a connection to something but I can’t figure out what it is. A frequency? Maybe like a radio frequency where I must tune it to the right station. I sound like a nutter.
I rush through the rest of the clothes and buy what I need. I feel bad for the woman, knowing she seems to have some boy troubles. It’s uneasy knowing something so personal about someone without their consent, so I don’t want to stick around. Looking like I’ve stolen something, I hang my head and usher my goodbyes without making eye contact and race out of the store.
I managed to do more shopping, mixing it with research on how to pull the gift when needed. It’s a lot harder with the amulet on, it’s a constant block. But once it’s off, I am nowhere near good enough to block out the voices on my own. I’ll get there, though, I know it.
It’s getting later and some shops have now closed. I just need a few toiletries and personal care items and then I’m done. The general store doesn’t look busy, so I decide to try again. Lifting the amulet from around my neck.
I head straight towards the shampoo. As I’m looking over my options, a tall, large man with glasses walks into the aisle, eyes on the cleaning products. A shiver runs down my spine as his dark eyes meet mine. I concentrate on the shampoo in my hand.
Which bleach should I get? None of them. I need the industrial shit, but I can’t be fucked. I just wanna go home. To her. Mmm, yeah, maybe tonight I will do it. I’ve had her long enough and look at all the other sluts that need to learn.
My hand grips the shampoo harder. I want to run. I don’t want to hear anymore. I can’t. But my feet are planted firm on the ground. The need to know more, overwhelming.
No, no. One more night. I just want to watch for a bit longer. That dirty bitch. You would think she fucking realises she is going to die and I’m not untying her so just shut up. Stop your incessant whining.
I glance over my shoulder at this man, his face looking over the bleaches in the aisle. Bile is rising in my throat and the room is getting smaller. Oxygen becoming sparse. Dammit, I better not pass out again.
He must sense me looking and catches me. Quickly, I look away.
Look at her, she is asking for it, too. If I didn’t have one locked up already, she wouldn’t be so smug, sitting there in my basement. Slut.
I put the bottle back on the counter and scurry towards the door.
No, I am going to kill her tonight. I am going to take her again, she loves it. Then I am going to slit her filthy throat.
I almost lose my footing as his words penetrate my mind until the door closes behind me. My breathing heavy and heart pounding. I’m too close to the door. I don’t want to be here when he comes out. So, I race further down behind the corner of the building, but still able to monitor the door.
I want to run, to go home. But the things he was thinking. I mean, if they were true then he has some poor woman locked up and is doing God knows what to her.
In my rush to get out, I forgot about the other voices. They flow in.
The amulet goes straight back on, stopping me from being overwhelmed.
Do I call the police? And say what? They will think I’m nuts. I rub my han
ds over my face and try to calm my shaking fingers as he walks out the door. He faces the other direction and walks. I follow. This I can do. I’ve done this so many times my muscle and mind memory kick into action.
Keeping a safe distance behind him, I see him pull out keys from his pocket. By my calculations he’s heading towards the carpark where I’m parked. That works out well.
I put my sunglass on and get my phone out. Pretending I’m immersed and not paying attention. But my eyes are locked on him.
He’s parked three rows away from me in a lime green Toyota Corolla, which will be easy to follow in traffic.
I quicken my pace to get to my car before I lose him. My brain is telling me to stop, get the registration, call the police and that’s it. But I can’t risk them not taking me seriously, to not take action straight away. Then what happens to this poor woman? My heart skips a beat. Oh no, maybe even a young girl. If something happens, then it’s on me. That can’t happen. I jump in my car, throw the bags in the back and I follow the deranged monster.
I can’t stop drumming my fingers on the steering wheel as I keep a two-car buffer between me and the man from the store. My heart is thumping hard and I’m finding it hard to keep still. All I think of is some scared young woman, hurt and afraid. It leaves me with a sinking feeling in my gut.
I’ve been tracking him for over an hour now through the city. I check the time again on the dash. Seven-thirty pm and I’m sitting here backed up in traffic on South Road. The complete opposite direction of the hotel. There is no way I will make it back by sunset. Which, thanks to daylight savings, is eight-fourteen tonight. Maybe that’s why my leg keeps bouncing around, too.
I should have called Topher to let him know I was going to be late. But then I probably would have told him what I heard and what I’m doing, and I know he wouldn’t be happy about that. It’s easier to say you’re sorry than to ask for permission sometimes. Or, hopefully in this case, make him worry for no reason. Well, there could be a very murderous reason for him to worry. But what choice do I have? How could I live with myself if I just walked away? No, this is the right thing to do, the only thing to do.
