Immortalis - Book 1 (The Keeper's Immortals)

by Marisa DeMaris

  “I need to see them. I need to talk The Keepers.” I stated firmly.

  “You’re not leavin’!” he barked. My anger grew with his demands that I wasn’t leaving, wasn’t doing something that I wanted to do.

  “You can’t stop me!” I barked back as I walked passed him only to have him follow me.

  “Maybe not, since you’re stubborn but I sure as hell can go with you.”

  “I don’t want you to!” I proclaimed firmly, standing my ground on the subject. He rolled his eyes and started walking towards the plane.

  “Well if you’re so damn determined to go then you better come on because you don’t have much of a choice.” His words only angered me more than I already was. I hated that he could do that to me so easily, get under my skin and drive me crazy.

  We jumped on the plane where we started the flight to Medina. Right from the get go it was awkward. I had never felt more awkward tension between Blake and myself. We sat across from each other without words spoken until he looked up at me and wanted to talk about the one thing I didn’t want to; Reid. “Nora we need to talk about what happened, with Reid.”

  I looked straight into his eyes. “No we don’t.’ but he insisted that we did. ‘Well I don’t want to!”

  “You’ve been so cold towards everyone including me since it happened. Why?” he asked.

  “It put things on my mind to think about.” I explained to him as I looked towards the floor that was covered in a thick tan carpet. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him walking to me, sitting beside me. Even when I didn’t want to be near him, he always was making my heart skip a beat and my breath become heavier. Placing his hand on my chin, pulling my face up to face his.

  “What is it that you need to think about that you can’t tell me?” he wondered.

  “Every time I talk to someone about you or Reid they always tell me the same thing.’ He waited for me to explain further. ‘They always tell me that Reid didn’t use to be so nice. He was a monster, worse than you even and that’s why he was forced to have the self control.”

  “At times, yes he was far worse than I was. We both have had our bad moments and still have them at times. Hell all five of us have! Even Ashwin, no matter what she’s told you!” He told me.

  “I see that darkness in him, earlier when he caught us. He was so hurt Blake and I could feel the rage that was inside of him. It was directed more towards you but it was for me too he just didn’t want to say it. Even though I felt so bad for him, for what happened I couldn’t help but to be fearful of him too.”

  “He won’t hurt you, and even if he tried I won’t let him.’ He advised me as he stroked my cheek. I moved back, away from him. ‘What is it?” he asked. I was scared to tell Blake anything that I felt about him but it was something that had to be done because I was ill at ease about it.

  “Then there is what I hear when people talk about you.”

  “What about me?” he said through a clinched jaw.

  “You’re a womanizer who might be using me to piss Reid off because he had something that you want for bleak moment in time only to throw away once you’re done with it!” I finally blurted out. It was something I wish I could have taken back once I had realized what I had said. At first he looked hurt then his hurt feelings transformed into pure anger. His eyes grew dark, his nostrils flared and his teeth grinded together in frustration.

  “Is that what you really think?’ he asked but rather allowing me to answer he continued. ‘I’m not, nor would I ever use you Nora! Everything that I remembered about you and your life, your mortal life, that wouldn’t normally hold any significant meaning to me and you think that? I think that it’s very low of you to think that of me. Other than my family I’ve never told anyone else that I love them. I told you.” His words stung but I knew that mine hurt him just as bad. He stood from where he sat at and walked into the back of the plane, closing the door to Sebastian’s and that was where he remained for the rest of the flight.

  We landed a while later in Medina where we rented a car and drove to The Keepers chambers. Rather than having a car waiting for us because Blake wanted to drive. He was angry but rather than taking it out on me he would rather get behind the wheel so that he could focus on something else and speed his troubles away like he always did; run away but I didn’t want him to run away from me. I didn’t want to run away from him either. The car ride was just as bad as the plane ride if not worse just because we were closer and nowhere to go.

  With a sudden stop with enough force to make me fall forwards even with a seatbelt on we had arrived at the hidden chambers of The Keepers, that for some reason I could still see. Although he was beyond upset at me he kindly asked if I wanted him to go in with me. I politely declined then walked towards the mouth of the cave with hopes of finding out all that I wanted to know.

  “Let her in.’ I heard Ozlem say as I stood on the outside of the large wooden door with only a tiny woman standing between me and what I wanted. She knew that I wasn’t an immortal so she was stopping me but with his words said she allowed me through to face Ozlem and his brothers Lieka and Cade alone. I’ll admit that I was nervous enough to throw up my dinner but luckily I kept it down. ‘Relax Miss Langdon. You will not be harmed here.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Lieka said.

  “Quite Lieka!” Ozlem snapped. His black eyes never leaving my sight. His pale skin seemed so think, almost translucent.

  “Why have you come Nora?” Cade asked kindly.

  “I need to know some things. About the Twilight, about me…about…”

  “About being the Chosen One?” Cade advised me of what I was thinking. I slowly nodded my head. They told me to ask any and everything that I wanted and if they could tell me then they would honestly since the story of the Twilight had such mystery surrounding it.

  “Why me? Why was I chosen for it, I mean I’m not even immortal? Why would a mortal hold everyone’s life in their hands for? I haven’t met an immortal yet that would trust a mortal with their lives.” I asked. That had always been my main question, why me.

  “I don’t know why you in particular but the Chosen One was always said to be a mortal for unknown reasons.” Cade answered honestly.

  “Here, read this Nora. It’s the only known tale of the Twilight that has ever been printed that can be seen by the mortal eye. Hopefully this will answer any of questions you may have my dear.” Ozlem said as he walked towards me with a small book, bound in brown leather in his slender hands. After taking it I realized that I had one other question for them.

  “Why can I see the opening to your chambers?”

  “The Chosen One can see all.” Ozlem stated. I was satisfied with that answer so I thanked them and started walking back towards the exit when I was stopped by Cade as he pulled me back by my shoulder lightly.

  “Yes Cade?” I asked wondering if I wanted to know what he wanted.

  “There is one other thing I must tell you Nora.’ I waited with dread, my heart in my throat. ‘There is another reason you are able to see what others cannot. One day, you too will become immortal.” I didn’t know what to say. I explained that I didn’t want to be immortal and begged them for a date, a time or anything else that would help me figure out what I had to avoid so that this wouldn’t happen. “I do not know when or where, I’m sorry Nora. You might not even be turned by us for you could be turned by the Ambrosias - by The Gods.” Those words sent a chill up my spine. I didn’t want to be immortal period let alone be an Ambrosian immortal. If I was going to be turned then I would at least like to be with the one whom were a bit more level headed.

  “Can I ask one thing of you please?” Ozlem and Cade waited as Lieka sighed “If I am to be turned by you, please, I beg of you to give me the choice to be changed.”

  “If you are in our presence when the time comes and you can answer for yourself then yes, you may have the final word.” Ozlem stated. I thanked them and left the chambers finally. Once I was nea
r the end of the long corridor I almost fell to my knees only to be caught by Blake before I hit.

  “What is it?” he asked. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes and even after all the pain that I had caused him he still knew what I needed and cradled me in his arms. He stroked my hair as my tears continued to fall on his chest. Once I had calmed down a bit sat me down beside the cliffs. Listening to the waves crashing on the rocks below both calmed me and made me remember. I remembered being near Blake and that I did believe him. “Nora, did you find out what you wanted to know?” he asked.

  “They told me that the Chosen One was always to be mortal, they don’t know why it was me and they said that one day, on an unknown date that I would…that I would become immortal as well.” I choked on my words. I didn’t want to say it because I knew that there was an extremely good chance that it would happen.

  “What? Are you serious?” Blake asked almost with a thrill in his voice.

  “I don’t want to live forever Blake. I wanna get married and have kids and grown old and die…like I’m supposed to.” I said, my words getting a head of my thoughts. He suddenly looked hurt again but it was different this time. He wasn’t angry - it was as if his heart had broken.

  “What if you’re not supposed to do that? What if being immortal is what you’re supposed to do with your life?” he suggested.

  “It’s not.’ I looked into his eyes and suddenly realized why he looked so sad. I took his face in my hands feeling as if my own heart was breaking as well. ‘Oh God Blake I…” he placed his finger to my lips stopping me from speaking further.

  “Shhhh.” He said as he took a deep breath.

  “I love you Blake. I’m sorry for earlier, I believe you. I really do.” While trying not to show emotion he forced a smile as he pulled me into his body. Both being physically tired and emotionally drained we drove back to Medina where we got a hotel room. We each had our own bed but I ached to crawl into bed with him. It pained me not to but I didn’t want to hurt him more than he already was. I knew why he was hurting, thinking I would live forever would mean that we could be together forever but if I was to stay mortal I would, sooner than later, pass from this life to the next. I didn’t want to give him false hope that I would willingly change because I didn’t want to. I couldn’t imagine not having to worry about not dying, never aging. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. Without asking him I felt Blake’s arms around me. “I know you might not want me to be here but I need to be.” Since he was with me I couldn’t help but to explain further of why I didn’t want to immortality.

  “I know you don’t understand why I wouldn’t want immortality but I just haven’t lived enough to die so young.” I explained. He licked his full, round lips and smiled.

  “But when you’re like this, like me, then you won’t have a time limit on anything that you want to do. All you have is time and every day we…you can do whatever you heart desires.” I could see his point of view on the subject but there was also the fact of who would actually turn me. If I were to be turned by The Gods then it would be a different world from the immortals of The Keepers.

  “There is one other thing. They didn’t know who would change me when it happened, whether it would be them or The Gods but they gave me their word that if it was with them and I could give an answer, they would give me final say on whether they changed me or not.” I told him. He didn’t say anything else, just held me in his arms. We fell asleep that way and although I knew my fate would be one way or the other, at that moment I was felt safe.

  Back at the chambers Ozlem looked at his brothers who had the same thought that he did. Their fate was unknown at this point, the Twilight could go either way but they wouldn’t have a fighting chance if they stood alone. “We must do it if we want a chance of survival. The girl’s mind is not yet made up.” Lieka snapped. They all knew that it was true. Although Nora was with the Hollings that didn’t mean anything.

  “She will have much more to endure before her decision is made brother.” Cade stated.

  “But you still can’t see what side she will be on?” Lieka asked rudely.

  “I cannot. I cannot see anything to do with her after this visit other than she will be changed soon.” Cade informed. Ozlem stood from his chair and slinked away from the set of three chairs in thought on what would be best for them.

  “Well then we shall do what we can to help her choose as well as help in the fight. We will call them.” Ozlem stated as he turned to face his brothers again. Lieka and Cade looked at each other with worried looks. They knew what calling the others would do.

  Nineteen

  Knock, knock, knock

  “Nora are you awake?” Jaryn said as he slowly opened the door. When he did he found an empty bed, in Nora’s place was a note. He grabbed it and rushed back down the stairs and into the kitchen where everyone else was at already, eating.

  “What is it?” Sebastian asked as he turned to face the plates with a skillet full of scrambled eggs. Jaryn held up the note with a questionable look on his face. He walked closer to the island and opened it up so that he could read it.

  ‘I have things to find out. Things that I need to know before anything else happens. – Nora’

  “What does that mean?” Trish asked as she stood from her seat at the table.

  “It means that she’s gone to Medina, to The Keepers.” Jaryn explained.

  “Where is Blake?” Reid suddenly asked. He wasn’t in the room with them and no one had seen him since last night. Jaryn sped up stairs and back in a blink of an eye only to tell them that he wasn’t in his room. “Damn!” Reid roared knowing where he was.

  “Breakfast is over kiddies, time to leave.” Sebastian said as he took off the apron he was wearing and threw it to the counter. Charlie looked up at asked where they were going. He didn’t want to go anywhere else but home at the moment. He was tried and missed his boring life.

  “You’re not goin’ anywhere but the four of us are.” He explained.

  “She’s my best friend, if there is a chance that she’s in trouble then I’m going and you can’t stop me!” Trish firmly stated. Even after they tried to talk her down of her rage and into staying Ireland they failed in the end and they boarded the plane with the three mortals in route to Spain. The four Hollings weren’t happy with them being there but they knew that even though they could have made them stay there it would have caused more problems in the end. Nora would always be worried and there still was the chance that Emmalee might take then in order to get Nora, the katana or both.

  They hurried to leave the house and once they were on their way they stayed in their respectful groups, mortal and immortal during the trip. Reid snuck off by himself and tried to call Nora but didn’t get an answer since she had left her cell at the house (remembering to take only the katana with her). When he tried Blake he got his voicemail but rather than leaving a message he just hung up with a huff. He knew that they were together and that only added fuel to the fire. He was hurt, overwhelmed with feelings of betrayal by both his brother and Nora although he wasn’t blaming Nora as much, if at all, compared to Blake. He knew Blake better than anyone and he didn’t care about Nora or her feelings.

  They arrived in Spain a little before lunch. They drove to Medina in the middle of the crowds flooding the streets for their mid-day meal, shopping and site seeing. Since neither Blake nor Nora was answering a phone they didn’t have a starting pointing other than The Keepers chambers. They had summoned a car to take them when Adam stopped then from entering the car by pointing out Blake who was walking out of a store with a bag of food and two paper cups of coffee. “Jaryn.” Sebastian said and without question Jaryn was off to follow his brother and within a few moments Sebastian got the call on where they were. They were at the La Panoramica (The Overlook) that wasn’t far from the where they were. Just at the edge of Medina, with the view of the ocean was the large and grand hotel where Blake had entered. They walked in and took the elevator
to the seventh floor where Jaryn was waiting for them at. After they were all together again they walked to door 725 where Jaryn was advised he had seen Blake enter. They knocked and waited.

  “Who is that?” I asked just after I took a drink of a steaming hot mocha. Caffeine, I needed it more than I had thought I did. I was worried about what or who we would find on the other side of the door. After having a traumatic night I didn’t want to deal with anything else for the time being. Even with all the sleep I had I was still drained feeling. Blake looked down at me and smiled as he stroked my cheek. He walked to the door but rather than opening it right away he asked who it was.

  “It’s Sebastian, Blake open the door.” Knowing who it was he willingly opened it only to be overrun with people barking at the both of us, accusing us of things we haven’t done and giving us the dirtiest looks. The harsh words had already taken their toll on me and I was tired of all the fighting, yelling and accusations but before I had a chance to chime in myself, Blake did.

  “Will you all just please stop. Nora doesn’t need to deal with this right now.” Blake stated, trying to explain the situation but was interrupted once again.

  “Why didn’t ask us to come to Medina, we would have come Nora?” Sebastian asked in a kind tone underlined with anger. I hadn’t ever seen him so angry before.

  “I needed to talk to them alone, without anyone with me.” I explained.

  “You let her face them alone?” Jaryn asked with disbelief in his voice.

  “They wouldn’t have harmed her, besides I was right outside. I knew what I was doing despite what any of you think.” Blake said, defending himself. During the argument Trish, Adam and Charlie walked to me, asking me if I was alright. I said that I was fine until I heard Reid charge Blake.

  “And why did you come brother?” Reid asked, close enough to Blake that they could feel each other’s breath.

  “I came because I saw her comin’ and I knew that she wouldn’t want anyone to come but I with me, she didn’t have a choice. I don’t bow down with something that’s so important like some people.”