Immortalis - Book 1 (The Keeper's Immortals)

by Marisa DeMaris

  There was still a mummer of voices in the crowd below me but they didn’t fight me or The Keepers. We could all only hope that the other immortals would show the next day. As I walked back to the others I was shot a smile from Blake who grabbed me by the hand before I would be whisked away to greet immortals. He pulled me to the side, into a dark corner and held me; kissed me gently. “You were amazing!” he said with pride in his voice.

  “Thank you but it was nothing really, I know what I have to do tomorrow so tonight I wanna live like it could be me last.” I said with a smile. He asked if he could join me in whatever I wanted to do and I gladly welcomed him. Suddenly Jaryn grabbed his brother’s shoulder, startling us both.

  “Would you sickening love birds get out here so you can meet some very important immortals…well, important in their little minds.” He said with a laugh as we followed him out of the dark corner and stood with the others. In front of me stood the talkative one; Kennedy was his name. Sebastian called me forward, lightly touching the small of my back as I neared him.

  “Nora, Ozlem thought you would like to meet the man who was being so rude to you earlier.” He told me. The man looked up at Sebastian with a jerk of his neck.

  “He didn’t say that Sebastian!” the man snapped.

  “Yeah whatever Huckleberry Finn.” Jaryn snickered as he poked fun of the man who had a southern gentleman’s voice. I hadn’t heard the accent before but I was more racked with nerves than I was at the moment.

  “Nora, this Kennedy Kaine.” Sebastian announced to me. The man walked forward with his nose stuck up in the air. He bowed to me like a true southern gentleman but also making me wonder from what decade he was from since no one did that anymore.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” I said kindly as I allowed him to take my hand.

  “Likewise…I must apologize for my harsh words but you can understand coming from my point of view. Our lives are left in another person’s hands and you’re so young.” He explained his reasons to me. I did understand but I needed, if any of the immortals other than the Hollings it was Kennedy. He seemed to be the one of the ones that was looked up to; a leader like Sebastian was with the Hollings clan.

  “I do and I thank you for your kindness but I must assure you, like I said before…I do know what I have to do and I do know what I am capable of. I have their trust.’ Meaning the Hollings who stood about, listening to my every word. ‘But I have a feeling that you’re someone whose trust I should gain as well?”

  “I’ve been known to have some influence in the immortal world. May I introduce you to some others who would like to meet you?’ I agreed and allowed him to guild me further into the pack of immortals. ‘Nora this is my mate, Abigail.” I looked at the woman who was able to tame Kennedy’s heart other than his mortal wife. She was a beautiful woman with black hair, green eyes and kind smile. She took my hand within hers and greeted me warmly. She was a mother or had been in a former life.

  “It’s very nice to finally meet you Nora. To meet the Chosen One is indeed an honor.” Her words made me blush slightly. In my mind I still wasn’t anyone special, just someone putting on one hell of a good show. I met the others who traveled with them as their children; Malachi and Genipher. They weren’t even born in the same country, or the same generation but you couldn’t tell that they weren’t siblings in their eyes. Their mannerisms were so a like is scary. They were both kind just like the people who had helped raise them since they were turned at a young age. In fact I was to learn that they were some of the youngest immortals that were changed by The Keepers; the youngest they would go would be seventeen because of the maturity level and the need to hide their secret in the first place. You couldn’t tell if they had grown or not but you could if they had been any younger.

  “It’s an honor for me as well. Please won’t you and your join us for an early lunch?” I asked him to do without asking for permission from anyone else other than myself. Kennedy agreed to the lunch date with both his clan, myself with the Hollings, Trish and Charlie, treating us himself to the finest restaurant in Medina. The bill was over three hundred dollars and we were all stuffed but Kennedy said that it was money well spent. While being hidden in a private dining room we talked over the courses of fine food and wine of the Twilight, my life and his. He was turned in the early eighteen hundreds after he was given eternal life when his wife called upon The Keepers to save him. He was dying of an unknown ailment and she knew that she couldn’t raise their children in that day in age alone. She had heard the story of The Keepers as a little girl and thought that it if we’re real then it could be her families only hope. She sent word to Medina, the location to where she had heard The Keepers were at. Just before his death, his wife was greeted by the three Keepers. After hearing her out they granted her wish with the agreement that she would give up her own life for his. Once the deal was made she was taken, her essence given to Kennedy. He was with his family for as long as he could be. His two of sons were killed in battle, while his only daughter married but was unable to have children of her own. When the doctor confirmed that she wasn’t able to give her husband any children she killed herself when he left her; jumping off a bridge that was nearby and into the water.

  Grief stricken Kennedy couldn’t stand to stay in his home where he had lived with everyone he had lost. After selling the large plantation home he traveled the world and finally found others who were like him. He met and fell in love with Abigail and with them lived others like they were their children. He had his family back, although it wasn’t the same, it was something he could love.

  “I have them but it’s still not the same, not for any of us who once had families. We move on as best as we can, making new memories with each other but were also plagued with the memories of our former lives.” Kennedy explained to me. I understood because that was one of the many reasons I didn’t want to be changed myself and I was going to stop it from happening one way or another. I hated hurting Blake in such a way but I knew, or hoped at least that he would move on again with time without allowing himself to become even bitterer towards mortals.

  “I know that must be something very hard to deal with everyday.”

  “It is. There are some immortals, like some of our friends here, that don’t have to worry about that.” He stated.

  “You would be surprised.’ I said with a smirk, thinking of Emmalee. ‘Everyone has their demons Kennedy, even me.” My thoughts shifting to Reid. He smiled as everyone continued to talk although my thoughts weren’t on any of the conversations that were going on. Kennedy’s story touched me. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I was to become immortal and I wasn’t planning on finding out if I could help it. Once lunch was over we walked out of the restaurant allies, as I had gained his trust that I could do what was necessary to handle to situation. There were still many hours between us and the Twilight but not as many as I had wished and I was determined to do what I could with those hours. There were things that I had to do and things that I wanted to do. My first stop was Trish and Charlie. “Hey.’ I said as I knocked and entered their room. ‘I wanted to talk to you guys.” Charlie was lying on the bed full from his meal and looked up at me with an exasperated look. We hadn’t been back at the hotel for long when I knew that I had to get started to making sure there wasn’t anything I didn’t do before the next morning.

  “I don’t like it when you say that, please don’t say that.” Trish said, knowing me like a book. She knew something was happening, almost as if she could see the wheels turning in my head.

  “I just want to go into this fight without any regrets, just in case and not telling you both that I love you and that you’re amazing friends, including the best friend that a girl could ever have…I would regret that.” I smiled. They only looked at each other with doubt in their eyes.

  “You act like you know you’re not gonna make it out Nor?” Charlie asked.

  “I’m gonna be fine, don’t worry about it.” I hugged
them both and left the room heading to Sebastian’s next. I knocked and entered room where I found him sitting in a chair in the corner, reading a book. When I had walked upon him my eyebrow couldn’t help but to cock upwards at the title.

  “Alice in Wonderland? That doesn’t seem like your kind of book?” I asked him.

  “It’s actually one of my favorites believe it or not. There is something about it that makes me feel like a kid again.” He explained.

  “Perhaps it’s the feeling of being lost in world where anything is possible.” I suggested. He smiled.

  “I guess I’m living in my own Wonderland then aren’t I? Normally the only thing that wouldn’t be able to happen to me is death grabbing me but now it could happen eh? I never thought about it that way, I’m Alice in a way.” He looked sad but who wouldn’t be sad on the eve of their possible death?

  “I wanted to thank you for everything that you’ve had since we had met. Meeting you was a great experience.” He hugged me warmly and stated that the feeling was mutual. Even with the great sadness that had consumed him I left him feeling warm and I needed the warmth because next was Ashwin, who I was dreading talking to but I needed to go into the Twilight with a clean conscience. We both had said some horrible things to each other and I wanted to rebuild the burnt bridge while there was still a little of the structure left. Knocking on her hotel room lightly I opened it only when she answered.

  “What do you want?” she asked me bitterly. I took a deep breath as I shut the door behind me with my bottom. Pushing myself off, I walked toward her while giving myself a pep talk in my head.

  “I want us to stop this fighting, I can’t do what I have to do to end the Twilight without a clear conscience; a clear head. Please Ashwin, please listen to me.” I begged. She turned to face with me with her arms crossed, waiting for whatever it was I was going to say. “You have to know that I never meant to hurt any of your brothers. I do care about Reid but I love Blake!” She looked shocked, like she was unaware of what had been going on between Blake and myself but I think that she was just shocked to hear the words coming out of my mouth; finally admitting the truth to her.

  “Blake…so it’s true. What Reid has been so paranoid about?” I looked to the floor with guilt and slowly nodded my head.

  “It is and not a moment goes by that I don’t feel bad for what has happened, how it played out. Neither Blake nor I wanted it to be that way. We purposely hid our feeling for a long time just so that it wouldn’t happen. I know that you might not understand and ever if you did you might not care but…” I stopped when she threw up her hands.

  “I do understand even if you don’t believe me. I don’t want to see either of my brothers hurt but you still have a right to be happy and if Reid is the man I know he is then he will understand as well and allow you to be happy even if your happiness means being with his brother.” She explained with graceful words. I had to admit that I was more than surprised when those were the words that were said.

  “I’m also sorry for what I said about wishing your baby had truly died. That was wrong of me.” I went on. She told me to stop because she would have said something to that extent as well if she were in my shoes and she apologized for barking at me, causing my harsh words. We parted that night with our fighting done; at least for the moment. If I were to actually survive the Twilight then that might be a different story. Maybe we were actually too much alike and that was the reason we fought as much as we did or perhaps we just didn’t like each other.

  Jaryn was next. I had met him on bad terms, he had terrified me but was someone I had grown to love like a brother. He had been more like a brother to me in the short amount of time we had known each other than the brother I had grown up with had ever been. “You know there is a chance that something happens tomorrow right?” I asked him hoping he would be realistic about the situation.

  “Out of our favor? Aye but I have hope.” He said as we both sat on the bed together.

  “Not…out of our favor. I mean…I mean with me.”

  “Nora what are ya talkin’ about?” he asked me with questioning eyes.

  “Ya know what, never mind. I’ve just got a lot on my plate. Like you don’t.’ I said while forcing a laugh out. ‘So what are you gonna do tonight since it might be your last night alive?”

  “I don’t know really. I never thought about dying so I don’t know what I would really want to do. I might speed off somewhere. Ya know it won’t take me long.” He said with a wink.

  “And where you go?” I asked hoping he did have somewhere to live out his life without that one regret that he might have.

  “I’ve never seen the Egypt but I’ve always wanted to.” He admitted.

  “Could you get there and back before dawn?”

  “You know it!” He said as he gave me a light jab with his elbow.

  “Then go for it Jaryn!” I encouraged him. He shrugged his shoulders before he stood up.

  “I know your life isn’t what ya thought it would be but I’m glad it turned out like it has because I got to meet you.” He said before squeezing me like bear. Before he left he turned to face me with his bright smile. “I love you Nora.”

  “I love you too Jaryn! Now go, have fun…just be back before dawn!” I stated. The next thing I knew he was gone. With my friends and three of the five Hollings dealt with I now had deal with the hardest of them all; Reid. Slowly I walked to his door but I hesitated on knocking. I probably wouldn’t have knocked but I only gained his attention when he walked out of his door and straight into me. “Oh!” he said as I yelled as a slight pain rushed through my head where we had crashed together.

  “Nora what are ya doin’ here?” his tone was off putting.

  “I…was…coming to talk to you.”

  “What could possibly have to say to me? Why don’t you run off and talk to Blake?”

  “Okay stop please, I feel like I’m back in high school! You have to believe me when I say that neither of us wanted this. I do love Blake and he loves me, no matter what you think but he’s your brother Reid. He tried so hard and so did I because we both care about you. Do you think that we would deliberately hurt you?” I snapped.

  “I don’t know anymore, I thought you were the one I had always been searching for but I guess I was wrong.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t the one for you but you can’t be mad at either us.”

  “And why not?” he asked.

  “Because we broke up Reid!’ I barked at him. ‘We were barely together in the first place. When I said I needed time I meant away from you and I’ll admit it, a big part of the reason I needed the space was because of my feelings for Blake was tearing me up inside because I still care about you too. I will always care about you but he has my heart and if you can’t accept that then you’re not the man I thought you were.” He looked hurt and angry but I couldn’t blame him for feeling either. I didn’t know what else to say since I had expressed what I was truly feeling. I told him the truth - I did still care about him I just loved Blake. I knew that things would never be the same between myself and Reid but I could only hope that things could be civil. Whether he wanted it or not I hugged him one last time, gave him a peck on the cheek and left. Just as I opened the door Reid called my name

  “Everyone has a secret, just takes time to uncover it. I never meant for you to become a part of it.” He told me as he walked towards me. He was trying to give me some sense of comfort in this dark time but in some way it felt awkward.

  “It’s not your fault. It would have happened sooner than later and we would become intertwined in this situation one way or another.” I told him with a forced smile. Everything had changed so much in such little time. I never imagined myself in such a mess and to be honest I barely remember how everything happened. It was like a cloud had been cast over my brain. The next thing I knew Reid had me in his arms, looking into my eyes. He then moved into me, kissing me gently on the lips. I didn’t push him away but I didn’t ki
ss him back, not like he wanted me to that is. I was shocked so rather than saying anything I just turned and left, leaving with more questions and uneasy feelings then when I entered. This wasn’t what I needed.

  Being more confused than ever with Reid, I left for my own room where I knew Blake would be. I needed to see him. Upon entering the room I saw him standing on the balcony, looking out over the city to the ocean in the distance. I walked up to him without looking at him, just looking at the same beauty as he was. Medina was a gorgeous place even with our fates unknown, my fate at least. No matter what I was going to safe my family even if it meant the ultimate sacrifice from me. “What do you want to do tonight?” Blake asked with while still looking towards the landscape.

  “I don’t care as long as I’m with you.”

  “Nora I’m worried about you. You’re acting differently - like you know something and since I can’t see anything beyond tonight it makes the fear grow more inside of me.” He explained his concerns. He had reason to be concerned but I wouldn’t let him know that.

  “I’m fine, honest.” I preached, hoping that he would believe me.

  “We’re supposed to live life tonight like it might be our last right?’ I nodded. He turned to me and kissed me forcefully; passionately. His lips tasted amazing. While his lips caressed mine, it seems as if all was right with the world, even if it really wasn’t. ‘I wanted to wait until the perfect moment but seems we’ve ran out of time…I want to be with you Nora. If this is my last night to be alive then I want to be with you – in every way possible.” I smiled at the thought of being with someone I loved so much but I couldn’t help have the thought of him losing me forever and leaving him in such torment for all eternity in the back of my head. “If you don’t want to though…” I stopped him with my fingers on his lips. I then kissed him sweetly as I pulled his body closer to mine.