Arielle Immortal Quickening (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 4)

by Lilian Roberts

  “Loren and I have another class in five minutes, so we have to go,” he said smiling, and they both walked away.

  “Well, our next class is not until eleven, so let’s go to the pavilion,” Ian said. Gabby and Arielle walked to the pavilion after waiting in the cafeteria line to purchase a couple of drinks. They found Eva and Ian sitting at a small table close to the water.

  Arielle decided to discuss the e-mail first and then tell them all about Annabel. “Okay, Eva, I’m ready to hear the details. Are there any details?” Arielle asked, taking a seat next to her. “Tell me all about yesterday.” She kept her eyes on Eva, eagerly waiting for her to speak.

  “What happened yesterday?” Gabby asked, looking oblivious.

  “I told you in class.” Arielle said affably. “Eva and Ian ran into Professor Allworth at the mall yesterday. A girl was hanging off of his arm, and they looked pretty chummy.”

  “Oh…” Gabby’s voice trailed. Arielle went on to tell her about the content in Eva’s e-mail and tried to bring her up to the moment quickly. She then turned back to Eva. “Was the girl young? Did she look more like his girlfriend or family?” Arielle wasn’t sure why she was asking such a dumb question.

  “Oh, she was no family,” Eva chuckled. “The way she was hanging off of his arm and the way they were looking at each other, I can tell you indisputably that she was no family.” Eva and Ian were now exchanging amused looks. She leaned forward and added cautiously. “What really surprised us was his reaction when he realized that we were staring at the amulet on the girl’s neck.”

  “What do you mean?” Arielle muttered.

  “I mean, he looked extremely upset and in a big hurry to get rid of us,” Eva said.

  Arielle’s eyebrows rose high. “I wonder why?”

  “I don’t know, but it became obvious to us that he wanted us to go away, and we did.” She appeared thoughtful and remained silent for a short time.

  “Did you get any vibes from being so close to them?”

  “Arielle, I think I told you before; I don’t see anything bad around Professor Allworth, and that is why I’m so puzzled with his reaction to us.”

  “Did the girl say anything?” Arielle asked.

  “No, she was glancing between Allworth and us, but she never said a word.”

  Arielle bit her lower lip and looked noticeably stumped. “I thought this amulet was rare. I can’t believe that she had the exact same one. How…? Where…?” Arielle’s eyes narrowed to slits.

  “I don’t know,” Eva said. “Maybe Olivia can unravel the mystery of the pendant.”

  Arielle harrumphed. “Well, I’m going with Sebastian to visit his mother this afternoon. Maybe I’ll find out what is going on with this necklace,” she said. Her voice was laced with bafflement. She lifted the soda can to her lips and sipped while taking a look around them. Laughter and happy conversations filled the air. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the day.

  Ian and Gabrielle engaged in a conversation about their medical vocations. Arielle gazed out toward the lake and winced as Annabel’s face flashed before her eyes. Her fingers drummed the top of the table tensely, and she drew in a shaky breath. Eva noticed and, reaching out, she placed her hand over Arielle’s to stop the drumming. Arielle blinked, and turning back, she stared at Eva inquisitively. Eva raised a brow and waited.

  “What?” Arielle asked.

  “What’s going on in there?” Eva said, pointing at Arielle’s head. “You look extremely nervous and quite upset.”

  “I…” Arielle started to say, and then she stopped and took a deep breath. She looked troubled and stared once again out in the distance getting lost in her thoughts. It was apparent to Eva that something was disturbing her.

  “Arielle, what’s bothering you?” Eva’s voice brought her abruptly back, and she noticed that Eva was watching her carefully.

  “Allworth is not my number one concern right now.”

  “Oh!” Eva exclaimed, looking completely puzzled. “Then what is it?” She kept her gaze on Arielle’s troubled face, waiting for a reply.

  Arielle drew a nervous breath and ran her tongue over her dry lips before she began to speak. “I saw Robert in the parking lot this morning, and he told me that a girl was looking for me.”

  “What’s so strange about that?” Eva asked.

  “He said she was unbelievably beautiful and she reminded him a lot of Loren,” she said, her voice shaking. Silence lingered for a few moments. She took another deep breath. “I think it’s Annabel.” Her voice was barely audible, and she felt a little sick. The name seemed to draw Gabrielle and Ian’s attention.

  “Annabel!” exclaimed Eva. “Excellent!” She let out an unforgiving laugh.

  “Why excellent?” Arielle asked completely startled by Eva’s outburst.

  “Well…have you already forgotten that she tried to kill us both at Saint Jean de Luz?”

  “No, I haven’t forgotten,” she said disdainfully as Annabel’s face flashed before her eyes.

  “Well then, we have a score to settle with her. Don’t you think?” Eva asked.

  Arielle looked shocked. She crossed her legs nervously and intertwined her fingers around her knees. She had a bad feeling about a meeting between Annabel and Eva.

  “I’m looking forward to facing that bloody bitch! And this time things will be on an equal level,” Eva said fiercely. “There’s payback as they say, and I’m ready to pay her back.”

  Gabby and Ian were now glancing between Eva and Arielle.

  “I was wondering if you can take me home?” Arielle muttered. “I don’t want to drive home alone. Sebastian may not get there before me.” Her voice was fretful.

  Immediately Ian chimed in. “I’ll drive your car home,” he said. “You can ride with Eva.” Gabby reached over and took Arielle’s hand, pressing it supportively. The pavilion was crowded, Arielle noticed as she took a quick look around. She couldn’t suppress the feeling that Annabel was somewhere nearby, spying on her.

  “What are you looking for?” Gabby inquired.

  “Nothing, nothing at all,” she replied untruthfully.

  Eva leaned closer and put her hand of Arielle’s shoulder soothingly.

  “Arielle, she is not here,” Eva said. “Even if she did show up, Ian and I will protect you, so please don’t worry.” Arielle managed a smile and breathed a sigh of relief.

  Chapter 21

  IT WAS TIME FOR THEIR NEXT CLASS, so they stood up and left the pavilion. Gabby walked next to her, chatting away cheerfully.

  “I need to go shopping for new clothes,” she said. “Do you all want to go shopping with me?”

  “No, not today, Gabby,” Arielle said. “I have to go home and meet Sebastian. We are going to see Olivia.”

  “Oh, you did say that earlier. All right then, let’s make plans for another day.”

  “I’d like that,” Arielle said, and Eva agreed. Ian seemed to be totally disengaged from their girly conversation, and he walked along whistling quietly. Arielle couldn’t have visualized a better bunch of friends. They lifted her spirits, and she felt extremely lucky. She and Eva had to attend a biological science lecture, while Ian and Gabby had lab together. Just before they walked away, Ian leaned close to Arielle and whispered warmly, “Don’t worry, Arielle.”

  She looked up at him, and he winked at her. She was struck by how beautiful he really was. She watched him in amazement. The realization that both Ian and Eva were now immortals was a bit hard to swallow but not hard to accept. She loved them dearly, and their friendship was one that she treasured.

  She grinned at him, and whispered back, “Thank you, Ian.” At the end of the lecture, Professor Caruthers gave them next week’s assignments. They were to prepare a paper that should not exceed fifteen hundred words in length, providing an overview of the points that were discussed during the last four lectures.

  Undertones of discontent filled the air, and Arielle grunted in displeasure. “Bloody hell,” she whisper
ed, “I hate presentations.”

  Eva chuckled as they gathered their books and left the lecture hall. They met Gabby and Ian at the south tower located near the parking lot. Arielle handed Ian her car keys.

  “I appreciate you help, Ian.”

  “No problem at all,” he said grinning. He pulled Eva in his arms and locked in a hot kiss. “Don’t be long,” he murmured against her lips, and hugged her tightly.

  Gabby and Arielle giggled noticeably. Ian held Eva to the kiss for a long moment more, and he finally lifted his head looking pleased with himself.

  “Anyone else need a kiss?” he asked, and glanced between the three of them. They stared at him in complete silence. “Well? Ladies? Step up. I’m in a hurry,” he added, holding his arms wide open, trying to suppress laughter unsuccessfully. His lips were pressed together, his eyes were shimmering with amusement, and he finally burst out into a hearty laugh. Eva, Arielle, and Gabby stared at him in delight, suddenly caught in his contagious laughter. He eventually turned and started to walk toward her car. “Wait, Ian,” Eva called out. “I need to talk to you for a second.” She ran to catch up with him.

  Gabby turned to Arielle. “Let’s go shopping tomorrow afternoon,” she proposed.

  “I’d love to do that,” Arielle replied. “I’ll call Loren to check if she can go with us. Do you mind?”

  “Oh, no! I love Loren. She has an amazing taste in clothes.”

  “Yes, I agree,” Arielle inserted. “She always looks so stunning, doesn’t she?” Gabby nodded. They turned as Eva approached, realizing after a quick look around that Ian was already gone.

  “Well, I have to go. Troy should be home soon,” Gabby said. “I can’t keep my hands off of him.” Eva and Arielle laughed out loud, knowing exactly what she was insinuating.

  “Call me later tonight, after you get back from seeing Olivia,” Gabby called out and waved.

  “I will,” Arielle replied.

  Eva and Arielle walked gradually toward the parking lot. Arielle chuckled out loud when she noticed that her car was already gone.

  “I still can’t get used to the immortal speed,” she said, looking at Eva with, amusement.

  “It’s quite exciting if you are the one with the ability,” Eva said, casually.

  “Come off it, Eva, it’s more than exciting.”

  “Okay then, it’s exhilarating.” Eva muttered lightly.

  They had reached Eva’s car when the sound of familiar voice jolted both Eva and Arielle to stop. They spun around and came face to face with Annabel’s beautiful, cruel expression. Arielle gapped in horror, terror constricting her chest and making it difficult to breathe.

  “Jesus!” She felt bile climbing quickly up her throat. Annabel’s gaze was fixed on Arielle, and she completely dismissed Eva. The dark light in her eyes boded ill for her intentions. Silence fell between them.

  A satisfied smirk crossed Annabel’s lips and swiftly vanished.

  “Well… what a tender moment! The three of us together again!” Annabel’s mocking voice was as icy cold as the look on her face. Arielle heard Eva’s furious mutter, but she couldn’t understand what she was saying, because every part of her body was completely numb.

  She was unable to follow Eva’s speed, but her friend was now standing halfway between her and Annabel. Annabel’s eyes flicked quickly over Eva, but just as quickly, she dismissed her scornfully. Annabel had eyes only for Arielle, as she enjoyed tormenting her ex-fiancé’s new paramour. The ancient immortal took a step closer and realized that Eva was standing unmoving, creating a barrier between her and Arielle. Annabel lifted an eyebrow, and her gaze danced between Arielle and Eva.

  She finally set her eyes on Eva and cocking her head to the side. “Do you really think that you can protect your friend?” she asked, her voice filled with contempt. Eva remained silent, watching her carefully. Annabel snorted disgustingly. “Isn’t that enchanting, one weak human protecting another? I’m so touched!” Annabel placed her hand over her heart, mockingly.

  Eva smiled, enjoying the fact that Annabel was clueless to her immortality.

  Annabel now watched Eva curiously. “I must say that you have more guts than your miserable friend,” she said and pointed at Arielle. “I can’t imagine what Sebastian sees in this feeble human.”

  “That feeble human is a thousand times better woman than you’ll ever be,” Eva stated, rage surging through her eyes.

  Annabel’s mouth dropped in astonishment. She was stunned to find herself being harassed by a weak human. Her resentment, repugnance, and revulsion were palpable. She gazed at Eva and saw rage flooding her eyes.

  “Are you kidding me?” Annabel finally spit out, darting her gaze between Eva and Arielle. Her fury was pulsating through her muscles. “Do you want to play with me?” she asked. “It might hurt a little,” she added sarcastically.

  Eva’s voice boomed, unwavering. “Annabel, you have no idea how eagerly I’ve been waiting for this moment!” Silence answered her words. She was sure that Annabel was shocked speechless by Eva’s outburst.

  “You are kidding!” Annabel repeated, looking amused.

  “Does it look like I’m kidding?” Eva growled through clenched teeth.

  “Get out of my way, you insignificant human.” The arrogance in her expression would have been visible to anyone.

  “Don’t even try it,” Eva said curtly. Annabel was taken aback again by Eva’s defiance. She arched an eyebrow while her eyes shot daggers at Eva.

  Arielle saw a wide smile spreading across Eva’s face and immediately Annabel lapsed into thoughtful silence. She was obviously confused as to how a feeble human like Eva could dismiss her in such an overconfident way.

  Eva was watching her carefully, waiting for her to strike first. Annabel was clueless about Eva’s transformation and her immortal powers.

  Arielle took a quick look around, and she noticed that most of the cars were already gone, and the parking lot was almost empty. She felt a bit relieved. She prayed that for the next few minutes, nobody would show up. She had a strong feeling that this was going to be a bit messy. Two angry immortals weren’t a common occurrence on the Brighton campus.

  Annabel’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

  “I have had enough of your nonsense, get out of the way!” Annabel lifted her hand to thrust Eva aside.

  “No, absolutely not!” Eva shrieked, and her hand stretched out and caught Annabel’s wrist with her own. She quickly twisted it behind Annabel’s back and shoved upward, dislocating the other immortal’s shoulder with an audible pop. Annabel staggered, shocked. She paused for a moment and gritted her teeth against the pain as she leaped forward. Eva’s used the heel of her palm and slammed it into Annabel’s face, throwing the whole weight of her body into the move. Arielle heard bones cracking and her mouth dropped. The sharp blow sent Annabel flying backward; she hit the ground with a loud sound.

  She let out a cry of agony as she reached up with her good hand and touched her face. Blood splatter covered her hand, and she was too shocked to move. Her breath hissed through her clenched teeth and she shot Eva a seething look.

  Eva knew it would not take long for Annabel to heal, so she darted forward ready to strike, but Annabel was already up on her feet. She whirled and threw herself sideways, out of Eva’s path. Her lips were drawn back in a ferocious growl. Eva sailed by her with her arms outstretched. Losing her balance, she plunged toward the ground with a loud thud. A blistering bolt of self-loathing shot through Eva, cursing out loud for missing her target. She scrambled to her feet quickly and caught Annabel across the face, as she was storming toward Eva. The large stone of Eva’s ring tore a deep gush across Annabel’s cheek, squirting blood in the air.

  Annabel shrieked and lunged at Eva’s throat, raking her nails across her flesh. Eva’s hands clamped around Annabel’s wrists once again like steel vises and tightened until she heard her knuckles crack from the force. Annabel screamed and struggled hard to free her trapp
ed hands, but Eva’s strength stopped her stone cold, forcing her all the way to the ground. Her skin went white as Eva’s grip constricted around Annabel’s wrists. Her eyes went wide in horror when she heard the break that shattered nearly every part of her arms. Her breath was puffing out of her mouth in hard gasps.

  A deep roar of a car engine somewhere close drew Eva’s attention for a short second, but it was long enough for Annabel to free herself and back away from Eva. The car raced by and disappeared at the other end of the parking lot.

  Eva’s head swiveled back to Annabel who was studying Eva curiously. She just couldn’t grasp the change in Eva’s strength. She was not the same girl she confronted in St. Jean de Luz. She was definitely a force to reckon with. Suddenly she bolted. Lifting her leg, she landed a hard kick in Eva’s stomach. The force lifted Eva off the grass and threw her several meters away, knocking the air out of her for a quick moment. There was a blur of movement and Annabel was now standing over Eva, hands on her heaps a sarcastic smile on her face.

  “This isn’t about you, you dismal human,” she hissed through clenched teeth.

  “Oh, but it is,” Eva replied in an arctic voice.

  Annabel’s blue eyes narrowed to slits. A slow smile painted her face, “Something is different about you.”

  “Why don’t you try to find out?” Eva goaded her.

  “I’m planning on beating it out of you,” Annabel said, “And I will enjoy every minute if it.”

  Eva’s frown deepened. Annabel didn’t know that Eva was now an immortal, and that was definitely to Eva’s advantage. Eva pretended to struggle upright; the bitch is going to pay!

  “Having trouble getting up?” Annabel’s disgusting laughter boomed in the air.

  The next few seconds took Annabel by complete surprise. Eva’s speed was startling; she simultaneously threw her foot forward making brutal contact with Annabel’s side, while the fingers of one hand tangled in Annabel’s hair, yanking her head toward her, and her other fisted hand crashed against Annabel’s jaw, shattering it. Annabel grunted in pain and panic took over when Eva’s foot made another contact and than another contact and again a third one with Annabel’s side, until her body fell limp. Eva let her body plunge to the ground.