“He is, it’s like something out of a romance novel. I hope he is a highlander,” said Kathryn, giggling like a school girl.
“You read too much Kat.” Ally looked at her glass and saw they both needed a refill. “Guests have started arriving. Your dark, handsome beau should be here soon,” Ally teased.
“Yours too, Missy.”
“Refill?”
“Love one, thanks.”
Ally got up. “Be right back.” She headed back inside towards the kitchen where she knew the drinks were being kept. Ally felt bad tracking down a waiter when she could just do it herself.
She found the chilled champagne and poured two glasses then turned around to head back to her friend. Adele was standing right behind her causing her to jump out of her skin. “Oh dear god Gran, make some noise would you,” She scolded with a smile.
Adele was almost in tears from laughing so hard. “Sorry Ally couldn’t resist.”
“Crazy old woman.” Ally muttered which only made Adele laugh harder.
Once she managed to draw a breath she asked, “Where is Kat? Her man has arrived.”
“Her man,” Ally laughed. “She is on the veranda. I’m heading back there now.”
“Oh no you’re not.” Adele took the glass from her hand.
Behind her, a tall, dark and handsome man reached out and took the glass from Adele.
“Chase I presume?” Ally smiled.
“Yes lass, that would be me.” He smiled at her and she instantly liked him. Chase was undoubtedly handsome with boyish looks and a natural charm, but he was also very sweet. The eyes always gave away a person’s true nature. His eyes were soft as clouds.
Kathryn, you’re going to be very happy, she thought with a wicked smile.
“Well, Chase lets go Kathryn awaits,” Adele smirked at Ally. “Your turn next honey.”
“I can hardly wait, Grandma,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.
“Cheeky pup,” Adele whispered.
“Nice to meet you, Chase,” Ally called after him.
“You too, lass,” Chase said over his shoulder as Adele was marching him forward.
Alessandra couldn’t help but giggle at the scene before her.
Oh well she thought might as well head back out and see if I can watch the matchmaking from a covert corner somewhere. Ally made her way through the guests that had started to arrive. Some people she had never seen before and some she knew but hadn’t seen since she was sixteen. This was the first masquerade ball her Gran had thrown since her parents had died. She felt like she was gliding through the room and every eye was on her. Normally she would have shied away from the attention but tonight she felt like she was someone else. She was revelling in it.
Ally headed for the veranda to get a sneak peek at the scene unfolding between Kat and Chase.
Adele popped out of nowhere again. “Now it’s your turn.”
“Good god, Gran. You’re going to give me heart attack before I even meet him at this rate.”
“Nonsense, a little fright won’t kill you.” She scolded with a smile. “James is here.”
Ally felt the tension wind a knot in her stomach.
“Turn around Ally, he is waiting for you.”
Alessandra eyed her grandmother once and then began to turn. As she did the crowd behind her parted to reveal the garden that had been transformed into a winter paradise. In front of the garden was a sight that stole the breath from her very lungs.
It was him.
James.
Chapter Six
THE STRANGE SENSATION WAS OVERTAKING ALLY again and she was frozen to the spot. James was leaning on the balcony railing looking out over the paradise. She could see his profile. He stiffened, as if somehow sensing her presence and slowly turned around to look straight at her. His eyes flared and he seemed lost in the same vortex that she was. James was the most captivating man she had ever seen in her life.
The room had grown quiet, as if eagerly watching the two of them, wanting to be the first to see what would happen between Alessandra and James. Ally was sure her mind was playing tricks and if she had been physically able to look around she would have seen no-one was watching what was going on.
He pushed off the rail with an ease and elegance that didn’t seem human. James was walking toward her, never taking his eyes off her once. Like a lion that was stalking its prey with a ruthless, unbreakable determination.
Everything seemed to change into a slow motion scene. She felt her body gravitating towards him, and before she knew she had taken a step. He seemed to be calling to her. She trembled from the anticipation running through her veins. Ally couldn’t form a single cohesive thought.
He was drawing closer and closer.
It was pure magnetism between them, pulling them together by the forces of nature.
He looked at her like a man starving.
She looked at him like a woman drowning.
As he walked towards her, Ally felt something tugging at her consciousness, before she could react the world before her was gone and she was thrown back to last night.
James was staring with deadly intent at another man. She knew him somehow, but her mind was too fuzzy to make out exactly who he was.
Just as quickly as she remembered the image, it was gone and she was back at the masquerade ball with James walking towards her.
What the hell was that? She thought to herself.
Alessandra focused on James and a flicker of concern washed across his handsome features then was gone again.
Ally was convinced she was suffering some sort of mental breakdown. It wasn’t possible. She hadn’t laid eyes on James in five long years.
He continued walking towards her as she tried to get her composure back.
I finally see him again and I’m having some sort of breakdown, typical! Ally almost groaned at the thought but held it back.
James was upon her, there was no more time for internal hysterics, she had to put it aside and deal with it later. He reached down and took her hand bowing ever so slowly. Never breaking eye contact, he bestowed a kiss on her hand as he had done five years ago.
“Good evening Alessandra.” He murmured in that familiar warm rich voice that seemed to vibrate through her.
“Good evening James,” she said still not entirely in control of herself.
“You are breathtaking tonight.” The compliment almost rendered her speechless.
“Thank you.” She paused drinking him in. “You are still looking god like.” Alessandra didn’t realize what she had said until he burst into laughter.
“Thank you, Alessandra.” He said still laughing.
“I can’t believe I just said that.” Ally said as she rolled her eyes. She was mortified.
Ally always had a way of saying things that were in her head before she gave it much thought. The habit was one that frequently offended others around her or in this case, embarrassed her. She never meant any harm in what she said, it was simply a case of foot in mouth disease according to Adele. Her grandmother loved Ally’s blunders. She believed it was part of what made Ally so special and endearing.
Somehow I don’t think many people would agree with that she had thought at the time.
Kathryn also seemed to have a special place in her heart for Ally’s bluntness. It was one of her best qualities and everyone needed a friend who would tell you the truth no matter what the circumstances. That was a true friend according to Kat.
Ally was brought back from the land of mortification by James’ voice. “Would you care to join me for a drink in the garden?”
“Yes, that sounds lovely.” She said, trying to contain the excitement in her voice.
He took two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to her, then extended his arm for her to take. James led her out of the house to the veranda and down the three steps into the garden.
“Adele knows how to throw a party doesn’t she?” he said softly.
“It i
s one of her many talents,” she smiled. “I haven’t seen you at any of her parties before.”
“No. ” A swift sadness swept over his face then was gone just as quickly. “I’m afraid work has kept me far too busy lately and being out of town a lot it tends to impact one’s social life.”
She felt his sadness and instantly felt the urge to soothe his pain. “It sounds like you lead a solitary existence.”
They followed the path lit by torches and Chinese lanterns over to one of the park benches under a big oak tree, which had fairy lights in the branches for an added magical effect.
He sat so close she could feel the heat radiating out of him.
“It is a solitary existence,” He looked like a man starving again. “I hope to rectify the situation soon though.”
“How do you plan on doing that?” she asked innocently.
“Well, I have a plan and all will be revealed soon,” He said with an air of mystery.
“That’s very mysterious. I must confess my curiosity has been piqued,” She beamed at him.
“You have to know how to keep the audience interested.” He smiled.
Ally laughed and said, “Consider me interested.”
He chuckled quietly and she rolled her eyes internally at what she had. Really Ally, she thought, think before you speak.
Sensing her discomfort, James changed the topic. “You have changed a lot since I last saw you.”
“Well, given that I was just sixteen at the time you would assume that it’s normal to change a lot in five years.” She answered.
“That is obviously a fair point but I wasn’t just referring to the physical differences, which I very much approve of by the way, I was referring to more subtle changes. Your eyes for example.”
Her hands flew to her eyes as a reflex. “What is wrong with my eyes?”
“Nothing is wrong with them. They just have a depth of knowing that wasn’t there before. And no, that is not an insult before you start to wonder.”
She looked at him shocked. He lifted his hand slowly and extended his index finger and as traced her jaw softly he said, “They are so beautiful you know.”
She was breathless. “My eyes?”
“Yes your eyes.” He replied still searching them as if he might find the answers to his questions buried deep within. She could barely breathe let alone form a response. This man was potent and lethal. She would never look at another man in the same way after tonight.
His lips lifted slightly as if reading her mind.
Somewhere in the back of her mind she registered that music had started playing.
“I believe I hear music.” As he leaned in closer; she felt his warm breath tickle her neck making her tremble.
He whispered against her ear, “Dance with me, Alessandra.” It wasn’t a question, it was a command and she immediately obeyed.
James stood with a grace that seemed unnatural; and she was struck again by his magnificence. He extended his hand to her, never breaking eye contact.
She was tempted to pinch herself as she looked down at his hand, just to make sure this wasn’t some cruel dream, but she resisted. If it was a dream then she didn’t want to wake up and if it was real she didn’t want to ruin this beautiful moment.
She took his hand and rose from the bench with as much grace as he had done moments earlier. He led her down to the white silk tent that was so sheer you could see the stars in the heavens above. Inside the tent there was a magical charm accentuated by the fairy lights that had been spread around. It was like something that had been plucked straight from a fairy tale, complete with her Prince Charming.
“It’s the waltz,” he said looking into her eyes. “Do you know it?”
“Vaguely, I have read about a lot of them.”
He smiled knowingly and softly said, “Follow my lead, you’ll be fine.”
They moved into the centre of the dance floor. He slid his arm around her waist and took her right hand in his and began twirling her around the room. The world melted away as she looked up into his eyes. There was nothing but the two of them and the music. She felt like she could have stayed there for hours and still wanted more.
Every other couple had moved to the side of the dance floor to watch this entrancing pair. They were so graceful and elegant moving in perfect harmony without any effort. They were a sight to behold. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “You are amazing, Alessandra.”
If he hadn’t been holding her so securely, she would have melted right on the spot. They danced and twirled moving around the room until the waltz ended. They had stopped dancing with the music but it took a few moments for them to step back into the reality.
It was then that Ally noticed they were the only couple on the floor and everyone was watching them with keen interest. She blushed slightly.
He laid his hand on the small of her back and gently led her from the floor, sending everyone a warning look and they quickly moved back to the floor to continue dancing. He refused to have this made into a spectacle. This was a delicate process and nothing was going to stand between him and taking Ally as his own. She needed to be smoothly transitioned into this existence.
Mortals…they are so easily drawn in, even when we don’t want them to be, he thought as he led her back outside into the winter paradise.
”You are quite the dancer, James.”
“Thank you Alessandra. I have had many years to perfect my skills.”
“I must confess you are a most intimidating man,” she paused looking into his eyes again. “You must have at least one flaw?”
He chuckled. “Yes I have many flaws actually.” He paused as if gathering his thoughts. “Some people might say I’m too ruthless and perhaps pigheaded.”
She laughed. “Good to know but that describes most men. I want a flaw that is all your own.”
“Hmm…” he stopped and leaned against a tree thinking. “A flaw that is all my own.”
“Yes it would make you less intimidating,” she laughed.
His eyes light up as he thought of a flaw. “I don’t like getting up early,” he said as his mouth curved up on one side while his eyes appeared to be laughing.
“Well that makes two of us then. I hate early mornings which makes my job perfect for me.”
“What do you do for work?” he asked.
His full attention was focussed on her. She loved it but feared it at the same time. Was he this intense with everyone or just me? she wondered.
“I’m a private investigator.”
He smirked at her. “So you spy on people.”
“Well yes that is essentially the job description.”
“What is the allure that drew you to that particular profession?”
“A thirst for the truth.” She stated without hesitation.
He looked nervous for the first time tonight. “So the truth is important to you?”
“Yes it is very important. I should think it is important to a lot of people.”
“Oh Alessandra,” he sighed, “you would be surprised. Most people like to hide from the truth.”
“And how would you know that for sure?” She asked with a challenge in her voice.
“Let’s just say I have been observing people for quite some time and they don’t like the truth at all. They prefer illusions and smoke screens.”
“They?” she enquired. “You refer to us human beings as if you’re not one of them.”
I’m not he thought to himself.
“No, I’m just speaking from an observant point of view.” He said hoping that he had made a smooth recovery.
She studied him for a minute. The way she looked at him as though she was not entirely convinced made him squirm. She must have been satisfied though because she said, “So you’re an observer.”
“I like to think I am, yes.”
“And what is your chosen profession?”
Nothing about it is chosen, he thought wryly.
“I’m in
the security business,” he answered.
“Security business? That is very broad. You could be a bodyguard, a seedy underworld character or even a security guard at the shopping centre.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. She was such a treasure that he intended to guard with his life. Yes Ally, he thought, I am a bodyguard…yours.
“Well I’m definitely not a seedy underworld character and I don’t work at the local shopping plaza or bank.”
She smiled “So that leaves bodyguard then.”
“Maybe I am, then again maybe I’m not,” he replied mysteriously.
She laughed at his manner. He was being intentionally mysterious, baiting her in a search to uncover to the truth. It was a gesture that showed he was listening to every word she said. It touched her.
“That’s a rather non-committal answer.” She said intrigued. “That leads me to assume you are a bodyguard, either with highly important clients that require secrecy or perhaps you aren’t a bodyguard at all…”
He leaned towards her. “You love to uncover the truth so I’m handing you a puzzle to solve…” leaning even further in while whispering against her ear he asked, “What am I, Alessandra?”
At his whispered words she felt the world tilt on it axis. A feeling of dread and wonder ran through her body, then like lightning it was gone. She was left shocked and silent.
Instinct told her there was nothing simple about the question or the answer. Ally was sure about one thing, he knew something about her secret and she intended to find out what it was. She slowly turned her head to look at him, searching his eyes, trying to discover if there was an answer within their emerald depths, then she was lost and drowning in them.
Alessandra was unable to speak, the very air around them buzzed with something she couldn’t have described if her very life depended on it. Lost in his eyes and the moment, she surrendered to her senses and submerged herself with him.
James could feel the pull between them. It was much stronger tonight than it had been that fateful morning five years ago. He thought he was prepared for it this time but he expected what seemed like a punch to the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. This time it had hit him like a truck. He felt his senses spiraling. Sight, sound and feeling, he felt nothing but this girl. He was completely taken aback.
Immortal Prophecy (The Immortal Prophecy Saga) Page 6
