Immortalis - Book 1 (The Keeper's Immortals)

by Marisa DeMaris

  Ten

  We stood outside the entrance to where The Keepers were located at. Hearing the waves crashing on the rocks below up reminded me of the night before, being in Blake’s arms. I couldn’t help but to feel guilty thinking about Blake in such a way as I stood, holding Reid’s hand as we comforted each other in such a subtle way. Holding someone’s hand could do wonders my mother used to tell me when I was younger. She couldn’t take my sickness from me but she could hold my hand and comfort me until I was better. If Reid was to find out about anything that had happened between myself and Blake; a simple hand hold wouldn’t fix his broken heart.

  Blake suddenly fell over in pain again but forced himself to his feet and started walking towards the opening without saying anything to anyone. Reid didn’t let go of my hand, instead just dragged me along for the ride and I all could hope for that The Keepers wouldn’t punish me for know their secret.

  Upon walking through the long, dark hall we stopped at the door that was pushed open, something that was very unlikely to be unless something was highly wrong. Reid let go of my hand and walk forward with Blake and Sebastian, leaving Jaryn with myself and Ashwin. It took the three of them together to open the large wooden doors the rest of the ways, even with Sebastian’s strength but they were taken back when they found the young woman that had met earlier was now lying on the ground in front of them in a pool of blood.

  “Shit.’ Blake said before turning back to the rest of us. ‘Watch your step, dead body straight ahead.”

  Once we were over the body Jaryn joined his brothers, leaving me in the care of Ashwin. Watching all four of them walk through the hall with as much confidence as they had at that moment was a grand thing to see, I only hoped that it wasn’t the last thing I would watch with such enjoyment. We all stopped at the sight of The Keepers setting with the sick man from the hotel standing in front of them; in his hands was a weapon. The missing katana that was said to have the ability to kill them thus ending the lives of every person they had ever granted the gift of immortality as well.

  The katana itself was a beautiful piece of art. The blade was long, covered in gold and sharp enough to slice through anything that came in its way. It didn’t look like there was anything special about - nothing out of the ordinary for any katana that I ever seen not that I was an expert on them.

  “Ah Sebastian, you and yours have once again stepped foot into our chambers. This time I would like thank you for doing so.” Ozlem said as he blinked repeatedly. Seeing The Keepers for the first time was something that shocked me more than I thought it would. I hadn’t ever seen something quite like them before. They looked like something from a completely different planet. I felt myself stop breathing for a moment as I looked at them with fascination for I have never seen such creatures before. I felt as if I was watching a documentary on deep sea life and they were the awkward unknown species that had just been discovered.

  “As you can see we are in somewhat of a predicament.” Ozlem added. The man who was now holding their lives in the balance looked back at us then turned back to The Keepers who were staying perfectly still in their chairs. Their long garments draped from their bodies made them look as if they were drowning in thick fabric.

  They all looked nervous at the sight of the sword pointed in their direction, whether it was the mythical katana or not they didn’t know so they had a good reason to be scared. Although the man was frail he had a look of determination on his face which meant that this situation could go either way and he was in control.

  “Please friend, you don’t want to do this and I know you don’t.” Reid said with fear in his voice. For the first time since this ordeal had happened he sounded and looked scared that his life might end within minutes if something was to happen to The Keepers. None of the Hollings had to face their mortality in centuries but within days they were doing such a thing that their parents hoped that they were never had to do; die.

  “You don’t know anything about me. You don’t know what it’s like to be dying. Every day I wake up one step closer to death and all I want is to live to see my family grow. My grandchildren, I just had a grandson born.” The man said.

  “But if you were immortal then you would also have to watch them die. That is the worst thing an immortal has to do, watching someone that they love die before their very eyes and there is nothing that you can do about it.” Ashwin blurted out. Her brothers all turned to face her, unclear on what she was talking about. For all they knew everyone they were related to or had a close connection with had long passed on. Moments passed and still no one said anything but finally Ashwin enlightened the man on her story, shocking everyone else as well. “I’ve had to do such a thing and you shouldn’t have to do that. It broke my heart to have to stand by and watch someone that I hold in my heart die. You don’t want to have to go through that.”

  “You’re right no one should have to go through that but if they won’t change me so I can be with them then I will take everyone else down with me.” The man said as he drew back the katana, ready to swing only to stop when I pushed myself through the boys to face the man and The Keepers. A small, unimportant mortal standing up to three mythical creatures and a crazed man swinging around a sword that could kill me with one blow was something that would either be considered brave or stupid depending on whom you asked.

  “Stop!” I heard myself yell. I knew that I yelled but everything was a blur, I didn’t realize that I had actually done so. The lonely man stopped mid-swing and looked back at me.

  “Nora what are you doing?” I heard Reid ask me from behind me but I didn’t answer him. I didn’t have time if I was going to try to stop this and save them.

  “Please, put down the sword and maybe we can work something out?” I suggested. The sword didn’t move but neither did his eyes, he was interested in hearing what I had to say for some reason. Perhaps it was because I was also mortal like he was; vulnerable and weak.

  “There isn’t anything that you can do or say that will make me change my mind. If I can’t live forever than neither can anyone else.” He told me through his coughs.

  “Then how about this, take me instead.” I said to The Keepers making everyone’s thoughts stop dead in their tracks.

  “Nora?” Blake yelled.

  “I’m doing what I have to do. Please with all due respect, I know that in the end it is your choice on whom you change and who you don’t change but if taking my life and giving it to this man in order to spare not just their lives.’ I said looking back at the five Hollings children then back at The Keepers. ‘But your own as well I beg that you do it.”

  “You would give up your own life to save theirs and mine?” The man asked.

  I slowly nodded.

  “Yes I would. Please take mine, please.” I told the man who sat in the middle. His jet black eyes seemed to stare straight into my soul but no matter how much they intimidated me I stood tall and strong or at least I tried too hoping I they would buy my bravery.

  “My dear Nora.’ He said slowly with a long pause afterwards. ‘You know our rules without even being told by the three of us, your friends here have informed you of how we do things.” Ozlem told me confirming to me that they already knew about me without them being told by any of the Hollings. I did know, they wouldn’t change just anyone and when a change was given to someone there had to be a life in an exchange which is the reason I offered myself as a trade.

  “I do sir, I know that I’m not supposed to and I beg that you don’t punish the Hollings for telling me but that you do take pity on this man and take my life for his.” I said with all the confidence that I had inside me which wasn’t much by this time.

  “Nora, stop. You don’t know what you’re doing.” Reid said as he grabbed me from behind.

  “Reid, my dear boy I ask you to leave the girl alone for this is her choice and I find her bravery enticing.” Ozlem said as a twisted smiled formed. I didn’t look back at Reid, I didn’t look at anyone othe
r than The Keepers; waiting for their answer and just as they were about to speak again the sick man spoke up himself. Everyone in the room turned to look at him; the katana now hanging by his side before he fell to the floor. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were almost shut. He was close to death and if The Keepers were going to change him then it had to be now. I hurried to the man, lowering myself to his level. “It has to be now.” I explained to The Keepers but I turned around when I heard the man attempting talk. He was growing weaker with every minute that passed.

  “No…no.’ he said before a large cough. ‘I’m not gonna let you do that young lady. You’re bravery, standing up to everyone and offering your life up for mine has put my priorities into perspective. I no longer wish to live forever…right now all I want is to be with my family.”

  “That wish we can grant you sir.” Ozlem said but before they were able to make it so the youngest of the three rose up slightly in his throne and walked towards the man.

  “You’re weak. You don’t have much time before your time on this earth expires. Enjoy every minute once you’re home.” When Cade stood back from where he was talking with the man suddenly there wasn’t anyone there. The sick man was gone as was the threat.

  With that situation buried I suddenly realized that there was now a new problem at hand; The Keepers knew that I was aware of their existence and this was a law that wasn’t supposed to be broken. Without looking at any of the Hollings I slowly stood from where I was kneeling beside the sick man and turned to face The Keepers, not saying a word to them only looking into their cold black eyes. Their movements were awkward and stiff. I licked my dry lips, hoping they wouldn’t notice how nervous I was but I’m sure they did unless they were blind.

  “You were more than brave Miss Langdon.’ Ozlem stated. ‘You have more bravery running through your veins than most mortals I have ever met. Some immortals even.” He said with a snicker.

  “Thank you. I…I don’t…” I tried specking but was unable to for some reason.

  “Say what you wish my dear.” Ozlem said. Lieka rolled his eye at the thought of a mortal being brave - his frame of mind was that of Blake’s towards most mortals. The youngest Cade looked at Nora with intrigue. He wanted to know more about the strange and brave mortal who stood before them. “You don’t need to be afraid, please say your piece. Say whatever is on your mind.”

  “I know that I’m not supposed to know about you and what you do for people but I don’t want you to punish the Hollings in any ways for me knowing about them, about you. If you still have to take my life to spare theirs, then I ask that you do it because I don’t want them to pay for the knowledge that I have gained.” I finished. Ozlem and Cade looked please with my words, even Lieka seems impressed to a point to where he stopped rolling his eyes at the thought of me speaking.

  “Hmmm to punish or not to…such a hard choice to make.’ Lieka said with a snide tone. ‘I think that it would be a shame time to pass up the opportunity to have such a good time. The Hollings aren’t the only ones who enjoy toying with people.” Lieka gently tapped the ends of the arms of his throne with his long, white nails with thought running wild through his mind.

  “Lieka please hold your tongue, although I do enjoy your thoughts on the matter.” Ozlem stated with a hint of a smile. After thinking for a moment before he started to speak only to be stopped by Cade, slinky from his throne again, this time moving closer to me. His dark eye seemed to pierce my skin like knifes, my breathing became heavier the closer he came to me. He looked me over like I was a piece of art on display.

  “You are a special soul…you are not like anyone else I have ever met.” Cade said.

  “How so?” I asked nervously, feeling myself move backwards as he continued to awkwardly move closer.

  “You are a part of them…a part of it all. You’re the one.”

  “I don’t understand…I’m sorry but I don’t.” I explained hoping he would enlighten me on what he was talking about.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to know but you should. It is your right - your destiny to know.”

  “My destiny? Please I don’t…” I started to say only to be stopped by Cade’s words.

  “The blood that flows through your veins is the same blood of the others in this room.’ Cade said and before I got the chance to ask what he was talking about her turned; pointing to The Hollings. ‘Them.”

  The four Hollings men looked at each other with puzzled faces but Ashwin had a look of disbelief. She slowly walked forward, looking straight into my eyes and tears began to form in her eyes. “Oh…” Ashwin whispered before covering her mouth. I looked at her not understanding what was happening. She was getting the same look from her brothers although she wasn’t aware of it.

  “You know what I am talking about, you’ve always known Ashwin. Deep down inside - you’ve always known.” Cade advised her and she slowly nodded in agreement.

  “I knew there was a reason I knew your face.’ Ashwin walked towards me and lightly touched my face. ‘You’re from her and she was from me.” Her words were said, he voice was quivering as she was on the brink of tears flowing from her beautiful emerald eyes.

  “Ashwin what are you talking about?” Reid asked his sister as he stood beside her.

  “Now is the time for your secret to be reveled.” Ozlem said. Ashwin continued to stare into my eyes for a moment longer then licked her lips and looked towards the floor. She then turned to the face her brothers who were still bewildered looking; puzzled that what was being told to them.

  “When I…before we were changed David and I were with child. When he died in the war I couldn’t take it. I was breaking down emotionally and I when I came home I told everyone that I had the lost baby before it left my belly.” She started to explain.

  “And that wasn’t true Ashwin?” Sebastian asked already knowing the answer. She slowly shook her head, nibbling on her lower lip in hopes to contain her tears.

  “Not fully. After I got word of David’s death I thought I couldn’t do it on my own. I couldn’t raise a child alone in a home without a father to help protect her.’ Ashwin paused as she began to choke up on her words. ‘I left her with a family I knew would take her and take care of her. I left her behind until I found out she was dying. She was so young but she had fallen ill.”

  “How did you know she was dying? Who told ya?” Jaryn asked.

  “Her name was Martha. She was the maid at our home before I left. She was the family I had left my little girl with and she would send letters on what was happening in her life.”

  “She didn’t tell you about her havin’ a child of her own?” Blake asked, finally chiming into the conversation.

  “I didn’t know that before she passed that she had a child of her own. I don’t know why Martha didn’t tell me, maybe she thought it would hurt me but…I’ll never really know the reason.” She said.

  “Why did you lie about this?” Reid asked.

  “I didn’t want to but I didn’t want to talk about it. Please you have to understand. I…I didn’t know about her having a child, I didn’t think about the bloodline continuing.” Ashwin said through her tears.

  “Wait, wait, wait…so I’m?’ I was suddenly stalled in my words.

  “You are not who you think that you are.” Cade said as he interrupted my thoughts with his words. I turned to look straight into Cade’s eyes and then into Ashwin’s and that’s when I saw that we had the same eyes. Suddenly I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think nor could I speak. I wasn’t sure what to say, I wasn’t sure what to do so I did the only thing I could do - I left. I left the great hall of The Keepers, passing through the broken doors and stopping on the edge of the cliffs as I over looked at the water crashing below. I felt like my heart was in my throat and my stomach was turning so much I was going to lose any food that inside me at that moment. Everything that I had ever known about my world and myself were all a lie. My family; my whole world was completely shattered within a f
ew moments and one confession from someone who shouldn’t even be alive.

  I felt like I couldn’t breathe even though I was surrounded by fresh air, as if my chest was going to collapse but I couldn’t cry and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t. Without warning someone grabbed me by the shoulders causing me to jump almost out of my skin. I turned around expecting to see Reid or Jaryn I was surprised when I saw Blake standing, waiting for me to make the first move. “You were so brave. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to them with success.” His words were kind but didn’t help me at the moment. In the end I didn’t think that he really knew what to say to me after what had just been revealed. I couldn’t help but the fall into his arms while the tears finally flowed from eyes. After I cried as much as I could at that moment he pulled me away from his body and looked at me, not saying a word. He just looked at me with the kindest eyes he had ever looked at me with. When I heard the others I gently pushed Blake to the side, still holding his hands in plain view of everyone. I didn’t care because he was comforting me and that was the end of it.

  “Nora?” Sebastian said, asking me for the next move the game.

  “I wanna go home.” I said effortlessly as I walked to the car. Everyone looked at each other but didn’t know what to say. Sebastian ordered each of them into the car and we began the long and silent ride to the hotel so that we could gather anything that we had left there then it was off to the landing strip where we boarded the plane that began the even more awkward plane ride home. This trip was different from the last one in many ways. Jaryn was quiet rather than a goofy younger brother, Ashwin was ashamed rather than sitting in her throne as she looked down at everyone, Blake was giving me space while Reid didn’t know what to make of anything that had happened. I’m sure he was wondering about the hand hold with Blake just before we left because I knew that he had seen - they all had.